Sault Ste Marie Mainstreet

Management

The Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Development Authority is managed by a board of directors, which is required by Act 197 to be composed of not less than eight or more than twelve members approved by the City Commission. One board position must be held by the city manager, one board position must be a held by a downtown resident, and the majority of board members must have an interest in property located in the downtown district.

Board Members

Allison Youngs, Chair Downtown Resident

Larry Jacques, Vice Chair Ssault Tribe of Chippewa Indians

Debbie Jones, Treasurer Chippewa County Community Foundation

Tara Kelgar, Board Member Phat Boutique

Les Townsend, Board Member Island Books and Crafts

Tom Fornicola, Board Member Subway

Cathy Howell, Board Member The Wicked Sister

Ray Bauer, Board Member City Commission Liaison 

Brian Chapman, Board Member City Manager

The Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Downtown Development Authority was established on February 18th, 1980, pursuant to the State of Michigan’s Act 197 of the Public Acts of 1975. In creating the Authority, the city of Sault Ste. Marie recognized the dangers posed by a declining downtown area, and took the first steps in correcting them. The Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Development Authority is tasked with correcting and preventing deterioration in the downtown business district, encouraging historic preservation, implementing developm1ent plans for the future, and promoting overall economic growth.