(A huge apology to Sara Wedell, the head of the Adult Services Department at the library, who actually gave the presentation to the DDA. I have corrected the mistaken identity of the presenter and hope she will forgive me for this error.)
The Chelsea DDA heard requests-for-funding presentations for an updated downtown map and the 5th Annual Midwest Literary Walk Thursday morning at its monthly meeting.
Emily Penix of the ChelseaMich.com told the DDA that the first phase of the map development project would include an updated printed map as well as a “QR code” for a web-based version, which could be viewed on a smart phone.
Included in the proposal was a new “downtown” page on the city’s marking website with links to each business in the website’s directory.
The $1,500 request included developing “a mobile site” for the city map, and it’s expected that the funding will be considered at the next DDA meeting on Feb. 21.
In addition, Sarah Wedell of the Chelsea District Library presented a funding request for $3,000 to help fund the 5th Annual Midwest Literary Walk on April 27, which this year will feature best-selling author Elmore Leonard and his son, Peter Leonard, as well as Michael Brian Ogden and ML Liebler, other authors, poets and playwrights.
Wedell said that on average more than 250 people attend the day-long event, which takes place in different venues downtown.
A brochure about the event includes not only the locations for the different events but also the local restaurants. The walk schedule also has a built-in lunch break, she said.
The total budget for the event is about $6,000 she said, and the DDA board asked for a break-down of the specific budget items and what the $3,000 would be used for — prior to making a final decision. It’s expected that this will take place at the Feb. 21 meeting as well.
The event, she said, “Brings great literature to the streets of Chelsea.”
