Latest news with #DowntownDevelopmentAuthority
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Stone Mountain mayor says she wants to ‘clear up' allegations that could get her removed
Stone Mountain Mayor Beverly Jones is defending herself after the city council voted on rules that could lead to her removal at the end of an investigation into her use of city bank accounts. Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach was at a news conference the mayor held on Tuesday morning where she claimed she did nothing wrong. 'I'm here to clear up a lot of matters, because this city needs to move forward in goodness and grace," Jones said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Last month, councilmembers discussed concerns that Jones abused her authority as mayor and launched an investigation into whether she took control of the city's bank account. They claimed that she removed names on the Downtown Development Authority's account at Truist and left just her own. She denied removing any names and said she only acted after the bank warned her of a potential cybersecurity risk. 'It came up later that two employees were taken off. It was not my doing, I don't have that intent and don't have that capability,' she said. TRENDING STORIES: Atlanta Public Schools approves new $1.3 billion budget, will cut 135 positions Atlanta Motor Speedway gets a new name Governor's office said it will start issuing special tax refund checks this week The city has since taken back control of all financial accounts and removed her access to them. Councilmembers says they will not vote on whether to remove Jones as mayor until the independent investigation is complete. Jones claimed that bank officials asked her to remove four names of people who no longer work with the city. Gehlbach asked her who those people are, but she declined to comment, saying she had their identities but did not want to share out of fear of litigation. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Chicago Tribune
27-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
This Michigan border town is missing Canadian shoppers amid Trump's tariffs
PORT HURON, Michigan — Not long ago, Canadian shoppers were a familiar sight in shops and restaurants just across the U.S. border in Port Huron. In recent weeks, they're showing up less often, a shift many attribute to tensions with the Trump administration. Tariffs and political remarks, including President Donald Trump's repeated suggestions that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state, have strained relations between the traditional allies and soured Canadians on their southern neighbor, according to folks here. The fallout has hit communities like Port Huron hard, where the economy typically benefits from steady Canadian foot traffic. While some see political tensions and tariffs as the major drivers of the slowdown, others have pointed to different issues. Recent delays at the Blue Water Bridge and Canada's struggling economy have also been cited as possible reasons fewer Canadians are crossing into Michigan. Greg Whitican, owner of running store Elite Feet in downtown Port Huron, said his business has been deeply impacted by the downturn in relations. 'We've lost a lot of customers,' Whitican said. 'I used to have a lot of Canadians from Sarnia, as far away as London, that would come and shop and buy their shoes and participate in our running races. And since everything has kind of gone the way it has, we don't have any.' The number of Canadians entering Michigan began to decline in February, shortly after Trump announced a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, and the downward trend has accelerated. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data, passenger vehicle crossings from Canada into Michigan dropped 15% year over year in February to 544,929. The decline grew in March, with crossings down 18% to 641,604 and again in April, dropping 19% to 577,171. The drop was especially pronounced in Port Huron. At the Blue Water Bridge, the number of Canadian travelers arriving by passenger vehicle fell 26% in February to 96,059. In March, traffic was down 29% to 121,666 and in April it plunged 33% to 105,689. The falloff is hitting retailers, restaurants and others in Port Huron's main business district. 'It's not just us,' Whitican said. 'It's everybody downtown.' The slide in cross-border traffic comes as some Canadian travel agents and officials have said more people are scrapping plans to visit the United States. Instead, many are looking at other international spots or choosing to stay closer to home for their summer getaways. Port Huron Mayor Anita Ashford acknowledges the challenges downtown Port Huron faces from the drop-off in Canadian visitors. Ashford said the city is working to revitalize its central business district through the Downtown Development Authority. However, she said the situation is a 'double hit' because of the border tensions. 'That makes it extra hard on us in terms of our efforts and what we already have to do in order to be a successful downtown,' she said. She also noted a sharp decline in Canadian shoppers at the Birchwood Mall in neighboring Fort Gratiot, where empty parking spots and fewer Canadian license plates have become common. 'They (were) there more than we were,' she said. '… Now it's like playing checkerboard. It's so many empty spots there. And that is a tell-all.' Ashford said some Canadians still cross over for work, to purchase gasoline and engage in a few other activities. She said she understands Canadians and the difficult choices they face. 'It's not even accepting, it's just respecting,' she said. 'Because people, when you're pitted like this, you have to do what you have to do. It's like survival for them. And if that makes them comfortable if they don't have come over here, or whatever, then you can't do anything but respect that. And who am I to judge your positioning? I'm not one to do that.' Sarnia City Councillor Bill Dennis, a frequent traveler to the United States and vocal supporter of cross-border ties, says the decrease in crossings has more to do with recent delays over the Blue Water Bridge, like an expected two-hour wait over Memorial Day weekend, and Canada's struggles with high inflation and tight household budgets, than politics or anti-American sentiment. 'I'm sure there's the odd person that will not go because of that, but my contention is you're seeing fewer people because the economy is so bad over here that people do not have the disposable income they once had,' he said. He said the wait times or recent political developments haven't deterred him or most people he knows from visiting the United States. He said he travels across the border multiple times a week. Dennis said new customs duties on purchases might discourage some Canadians from shopping in the United States, but he says it's still often cheaper to buy gas and dine in Michigan, even with the unfavorable exchange rate and bridge tolls. In March, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley proposed removing U.S. flags on city-owned property in response to the trade war, but Dennis said he fought to ensure flags remained flying. Later that month, the cities of Sarnia and Port Huron held a joint flag-waving celebration, each side displaying both national flags as a gesture of cross-border friendship, he said. 'Just to combat the division that was going on …' he said. 'It's governments that separate people. It's not everyday citizens. And this too shall pass.' At Elite Feet on Huron Avenue, Whitican said he noticed a drop in Canadian visitors during the store's annual running event in January, the PoHo Hot Cocoa Run, that draws a loyal crowd, including many Canadians. The event drew 600 runners this year. 'We would normally draw 700 to 750,' he said. 'We would typically draw 50 to 70 Canadians out of all those. This year we had about 40.' He also noticed a later drop that suggested a connection to tariff negotiations. 'When the tariffs went on, that's when I saw the dip in sales at Elite Feet,' he said. 'Because you get to know certain customers after a while. And I'm thinking, boy, you know, so-and-so hasn't been here, and that one hasn't been here. And my brother or sister-in-law live in Windsor, and they told me that they're basically being told not to come over and shop.' His store used to have a steady flow of Canadian shoppers and shipped shoes across the border regularly. He estimates the business is now losing about five to 10 Canadian customers each week. Whitican said the slowdown is affecting not only him but also larger retailers like Meijer and Walmart in nearby Fort Gratiot, just north of the Blue Water Bridge. With his wife, Whitican also owns an ice cream shop, Elite Treats, in downtown Port Huron. He said the shop relies mainly on customers, including Canadians, who are in town for other reasons. 'And a lot of our customers at the ice cream shop are people that have gone out to dinner, and they're gonna come and get an ice cream after dinner,' he said. Down the street from Elite Feet, Suzanne Kuhn, who has owned Suzanne's Fashions for 50 years, said she's seen a 40% to 50% drop in customer traffic, largely due to fewer Canadian shoppers. 'I used to be packed here with Canadians, but not now,' she said, pointing to tariffs, bridge delays and lingering effects of COVID-19 for keeping many of those customers away. She said she sometimes sees longtime customers on Friday nights and Saturdays, because they come to dine at Señor Tequila, which is down the street. They want to remain loyal, she said. 'They try and be,' she said. 'Some of them are too afraid … The tariffs and all the stuff has scared people.' At Anne's Diner on Pine Grove Avenue, owner Anne Lage and waitress Michelle Williams said they've noticed fewer Canadians, but they can't necessarily attribute it to cross-border tensions. They each mentioned the backups on the Blue Water Bridge, which Lage said are 'insane at times.' Lage said business has been lower than usual over the past month, marking the slowest year she's seen since the pandemic. Sales have dropped significantly: For example, a typical morning used to bring in $2,000 but now it's closer to $1,200, Lage said. Sales aren't strong, but business is still enough to cover overhead, she said. 'But I just can't put anything in my pocket.' The cross-border tension isn't something they dwell on at the diner, Williams said. 'We try not to talk about politics around here,' she said.
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
This Michigan border town is missing Canadian shoppers amid Trump's tariffs
PORT HURON, Michigan - Not long ago, Canadian shoppers were a familiar sight in shops and restaurants just across the U.S. border in Port Huron. In recent weeks, they're showing up less often, a shift many attribute to tensions with the Trump administration. Tariffs and political remarks, including President Donald Trump's repeated suggestions that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state, have strained relations between the traditional allies and soured Canadians on their southern neighbor, according to folks here. The fallout has hit communities like Port Huron hard, where the economy typically benefits from steady Canadian foot traffic. While some see political tensions and tariffs as the major drivers of the slowdown, others have pointed to different issues. Recent delays at the Blue Water Bridge and Canada's struggling economy have also been cited as possible reasons fewer Canadians are crossing into Michigan. Greg Whitican, owner of running store Elite Feet in downtown Port Huron, said his business has been deeply impacted by the downturn in relations. "We've lost a lot of customers," Whitican said. "I used to have a lot of Canadians from Sarnia, as far away as London, that would come and shop and buy their shoes and participate in our running races. And since everything has kind of gone the way it has, we don't have any." The number of Canadians entering Michigan began to decline in February, shortly after Trump announced a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, and the downward trend has accelerated. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data, passenger vehicle crossings from Canada into Michigan dropped 15% year over year in February to 544,929. The decline grew in March, with crossings down 18% to 641,604 and again in April, dropping 19% to 577,171. The drop was especially pronounced in Port Huron. At the Blue Water Bridge, the number of Canadian travelers arriving by passenger vehicle fell 26% in February to 96,059. In March, traffic was down 29% to 121,666 and in April it plunged 33% to 105,689. The falloff is hitting retailers, restaurants and others in Port Huron's main business district. "It's not just us," Whitican said. "It's everybody downtown." The slide in cross-border traffic comes as some Canadian travel agents and officials have said more people are scrapping plans to visit the United States. Instead, many are looking at other international spots or choosing to stay closer to home for their summer getaways. 'So many empty spots' Port Huron Mayor Anita Ashford acknowledges the challenges downtown Port Huron faces from the drop-off in Canadian visitors. Ashford said the city is working to revitalize its central business district through the Downtown Development Authority. However, she said the situation is a "double hit" because of the border tensions. "That makes it extra hard on us in terms of our efforts and what we already have to do in order to be a successful downtown," she said. She also noted a sharp decline in Canadian shoppers at the Birchwood Mall in neighboring Fort Gratiot, where empty parking spots and fewer Canadian license plates have become common. "They (were) there more than we were," she said. "… Now it's like playing checkerboard. It's so many empty spots there. And that is a tell-all." Ashford said some Canadians still cross over for work, to purchase gasoline and engage in a few other activities. She said she understands Canadians and the difficult choices they face. "It's not even accepting, it's just respecting," she said. "Because people, when you're pitted like this, you have to do what you have to do. It's like survival for them. And if that makes them comfortable if they don't have come over here, or whatever, then you can't do anything but respect that. And who am I to judge your positioning? I'm not one to do that." Sarnia City Councillor Bill Dennis, a frequent traveler to the United States and vocal supporter of cross-border ties, says the decrease in crossings has more to do with recent delays over the Blue Water Bridge, like an expected two-hour wait over Memorial Day weekend, and Canada's struggles with high inflation and tight household budgets, than politics or anti-American sentiment. "I'm sure there's the odd person that will not go because of that, but my contention is you're seeing fewer people because the economy is so bad over here that people do not have the disposable income they once had," he said. He said the wait times or recent political developments haven't deterred him or most people he knows from visiting the United States. He said he travels across the border multiple times a week. Dennis said new customs duties on purchases might discourage some Canadians from shopping in the United States, but he says it's still often cheaper to buy gas and dine in Michigan, even with the unfavorable exchange rate and bridge tolls. In March, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley proposed removing U.S. flags on city-owned property in response to the trade war, but Dennis said he fought to ensure flags remained flying. Later that month, the cities of Sarnia and Port Huron held a joint flag-waving celebration, each side displaying both national flags as a gesture of cross-border friendship, he said. "Just to combat the division that was going on ..." he said. "It's governments that separate people. It's not everyday citizens. And this too shall pass." 'Used to be packed' At Elite Feet on Huron Avenue, Whitican said he noticed a drop in Canadian visitors during the store's annual running event in January, the PoHo Hot Cocoa Run, that draws a loyal crowd, including many Canadians. The event drew 600 runners this year. "We would normally draw 700 to 750," he said. "We would typically draw 50 to 70 Canadians out of all those. This year we had about 40." He also noticed a later drop that suggested a connection to tariff negotiations. "When the tariffs went on, that's when I saw the dip in sales at Elite Feet," he said. "Because you get to know certain customers after a while. And I'm thinking, boy, you know, so-and-so hasn't been here, and that one hasn't been here. And my brother or sister-in-law live in Windsor, and they told me that they're basically being told not to come over and shop." His store used to have a steady flow of Canadian shoppers and shipped shoes across the border regularly. He estimates the business is now losing about five to 10 Canadian customers each week. Whitican said the slowdown is affecting not only him but also larger retailers like Meijer and Walmart in nearby Fort Gratiot, just north of the Blue Water Bridge. With his wife, Whitican also owns an ice cream shop, Elite Treats, in downtown Port Huron. He said the shop relies mainly on customers, including Canadians, who are in town for other reasons. "And a lot of our customers at the ice cream shop are people that have gone out to dinner, and they're gonna come and get an ice cream after dinner," he said. Down the street from Elite Feet, Suzanne Kuhn, who has owned Suzanne's Fashions for 50 years, said she's seen a 40% to 50% drop in customer traffic, largely due to fewer Canadian shoppers. "I used to be packed here with Canadians, but not now," she said, pointing to tariffs, bridge delays and lingering effects of COVID-19 for keeping many of those customers away. She said she sometimes sees longtime customers on Friday nights and Saturdays, because they come to dine at Señor Tequila, which is down the street. They want to remain loyal, she said. "They try and be," she said. "Some of them are too afraid ... The tariffs and all the stuff has scared people." At Anne's Diner on Pine Grove Avenue, owner Anne Lage and waitress Michelle Williams said they've noticed fewer Canadians, but they can't necessarily attribute it to cross-border tensions. They each mentioned the backups on the Blue Water Bridge, which Lage said are "insane at times." Lage said business has been lower than usual over the past month, marking the slowest year she's seen since the pandemic. Sales have dropped significantly: For example, a typical morning used to bring in $2,000 but now it's closer to $1,200, Lage said. Sales aren't strong, but business is still enough to cover overhead, she said. "But I just can't put anything in my pocket." The cross-border tension isn't something they dwell on at the diner, Williams said. "We try not to talk about politics around here," she said. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Photos: Crews tear down former Big Boy in downtown Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Work is underway to demolish the Big Boy in downtown Grand Rapids to make way for the new soccer stadium. Big Boy closed back in December of 2023 after serving up burgers on Pearl Street near US-131 since 1964. The property was later donated to the Downtown Development Authority, to be used for the soccer stadium project. When a News 8 crew stopped by Friday afternoon, crews had knocked down about half of the former restaurant's exterior. A bulldozer was working to clear out the wreckage. What to know as construction starts on Grand Rapids soccer stadium See photos of crews demolishing the former Big Boy: Crews broke ground last month on the $175 million, 8,500-seat Amway Soccer Stadium. It's being built on an 8-acre site along US-131 near Pearl Street, which includes the land Big Boy is sitting on. It will host games for the yet-to-be-named team in the Major League Soccer Next Pro league, plus other community events like concerts and potentially other sports. The development is expected to draw some 160,000 people downtown each year and have a $408 million economic impact for the city in its first 30 years. Inside Building West Michigan Construction is expected to take about two years, with the goal of having the stadium ready for the soccer team in the spring of 2027. The development also includes an 18-story Stadium District Tower with restaurants, shops, apartments and offices, and a pedestrian skybridge at the intersection of Lake Michigan Drive and Winter Avenue that would connect the downtown YMCA and the Grand Valley State University Seward Parking Lot. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Baby boom sparks revitalization in iconic US seaside City
A Florida city commonly known as a hub for retirees is now the home to young families. Downtown Fort Lauderdale became a hot spot for people to retire and enjoy a slow beach life in the 1990s, but now parents and children have taken over. According to the Downtown Development Authority's annual report, there has been an 83 percent increase in families with kids since 2018. In the past five years, there has been a 47 percent increase in families with children under five years old migrating to the sunny area. Jayme Callahan, a 40-year-old mother who moved to the area three years ago for her paralegal job, is one of several families enjoying their time in the Sunshine State city. 'It's a good idea,' Callahan, who has five-week-old twin daughters, told the Miami Herald. 'We were actually going to move out towards the suburb area, but we really like it down here. It's just convenient for everything. We can go out on walks midday. And we're pretty safe down here, too,' she added. Not only has Callahan hopped on the growing trend, but she's seen others do the same. 'Especially in our building, you wouldn't really think that since we have a younger crowd, everything's centered around health, wellness, run clubs and things like that. But we have a lot of families,' she explained. The recent data showing the growing trend in families moving to the area has proved a 'polar opposite story' than when Fort Lauderdale is typically known for, according to Matthew Schnur (pictured), the research and innovation manager at the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). 'If you compare that to almost every other major urban center in the country, that's the polar opposite story,' Schnur told the outlet. 'The word is getting out over how much Fort Lauderdale is investing in overall quality life. We're finally becoming a true year round destination.' The new data also suggests that families have chosen to flock to the downtown area because of its $10 million infrastructure expansion, including the renovation of Huizenga Park and its enhanced dining scene. Young families have also found that the area is a bit cheaper than that of nearby West Palm Beach or Miami, where the average rent is $3,000 a month, compared to $2621 in downtown Fort Lauderdale, according to Zillow. According to Schnur, this has always been the plan for the city. 'This strong population growth has been decades in the making. The intent for downtown Fort Lauderdale was to always become this growing, evolving urban center with an incredible sense of place, livability and quality of life that rivals any other major city. 'That vision is starting to be realized, especially in the last five years,' he continued. Bryson Ridgeway, another local, never thought he would stay in the area for as long as he did - let alone raise his children there. The 42-year-old moved to the area in 2006 after graduating college, and now, nearly two decades later, he calls Rio Vista - a neighborhood in the city - home with his wife, their nine, 11 and 13-year-old. After moving there, Ridgeway quickly noticed just how walkable the city is and the appeal that brings to many residents. 'It just made me realize that there is an influx of people behind us with even more kids,' the father-of-three explained. 'That part is surprising, but when you think about it intuitively, it's not surprising at all. A lot of people started moving here from 2010 through now, and they don't leave.' Callahan echoed Ridgeway's realization, telling the outlet: 'We don't have to walk far to do anything. We very rarely get in the car.' Not only have families noticed the drastic change in population, but local businesses have too. Joe Cox, the president and CEO of the Museum of Discovery and Science, has changed the way his business works with more families around. 'Even in neighborhoods downtown like Flagler Village, five years ago, you'd hardly see a baby stroller. Now they seem to be everywhere,' Cox stated. Cox said the museum has worked alongside the DDA to watch the demographic change, ultimately preparing them to adapt to having younger children around more. In 2023 alone, attendance 'soared' and increased 20 percent after the museum opened its new 5,000-square-foot exhibit called the Discovery Spot. The exhibit is specifically tailored for children six and under to learn about the state's ecosystems, Cox explained. 'It's all done in a very playful, very child-friendly, developmentally appropriate way, so lots of hands on experiences,' he added. Daycare centers have also seen a huge boom amid more families moving there. Angella Schroller, the chief program officer at Jack and Jill, told the Miami Herald the demand for the daycare center has reached new heights. 'Our demand, especially for infant and toddler care has really been so high to the point where we're just unable to serve it. I think many other providers are in the same boat,' Schroller said. She added that the downtown area has become 'really family-friendly' and her company is happy to be a part of it.
