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Downtown Development Authority

The Tecumseh Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is a longstanding entity formed in 1981 that focuses on the economic vitality and growth of the Downtown Tecumseh area.  The Board of Directors consists of 13 volunteers from throughout the Tecumseh community representing business owners, residents, City Council members and community leaders.  Each year the DDA primarily focuses on maintaining the downtown property itself and marketing Tecumseh and its retailers in order to increase business and promote sustainability of our retailers/merchants.  In 2019 the following projects were undertaken to accomplish those goals:Beautification/Maintenance

  • Flowers planted and maintained on the 4 corners
  • Hanging baskets were purchased and maintained
  • Fall decorations were placed at each light pole
  • New landscaping along N Evans and Logan Street
  • New trees and sidewalks near the Old National headquarters
  • New land was purchased in the southeast block to provide an additional 20 parking spaces
  • New pet care bags were installed on several garbage receptacles
  • New garbage receptacles were purchased and placed at the Market on Evans
  • Repainted downtown sculpture called Herding Cats, in front to the Depot on Ottawa and Chicago Boulevard
  • Purchase new PA equipment for downtown sound system. 

Marketing/EventsSeveral events were successfully executed bringing in an estimated 50,000 people to our community throughout the year.  The events include:

  • Ice Sculpture Festival
  • Besties on the Boulevard (spring and fall)
  • Art Walk
  • Art Trail
  • Classic Car & Bike Show (May-September)
  • Memorial Day and Christmas Parades
  • Movies in the Park (June – August)
  • Music in the Park (May-September)
  • Summer Beach Party | Sand in Tecumseh 
  • AppleUmpkin
  • Holiday Open House
  • Moonlight Shopping
  • Small Business Saturday


Advertising In addition to these popular events, the DDA is also responsible for the Market on Evans property and supports the Tecumseh Farmers Market.  Thanks to new ideas supported by a USDA grant, the Market saw an average of 500 patrons each Saturday from May – October. In addition, the Market on Evans hosted several successful events like Oktoberfest, Holiday Market, Santa House and Rotary Christmas Tree Sale.  The activity at the Market on Evans generates significant traffic to our downtown retailers/merchants.

All of these activities and the downtown overall are supported by robust general marketing/advertising campaigns. Some examples of advertising include:

  • Radio, TV and Print advertisements throughout the year.
  • Custom displays in the MDOT Welcome Centers of Dundee and Monroe which depict events and shopping in the Downtown area.
  • Social media advertising, both paid and unpaid with a following of nearly 10,000


 *For all additional forms or documents, please visit City Hall or contact the DDA Staff Liaison, Kelly Jo Gilmore.