ESCANABA — The Escanaba Downtown Development Authority is developing a beautification committee to address the look of the downtown.

DDA Chair Sue Parker says the goal is to determine how the floral program will continue in the downtown.

“It was started by Delta Country Master Gardeners with the hanging baskets. As time goes on, they are not getting the money so they’re searching for other options. That’s where the DDA comes in to pay for the flowers. With this committee, we can look at what it’s going to take to keep these flowers going,” Parker said.

The DDA is looking for volunteers to serve on the committee. The committee will determine what can be done and how to raise the funds to keep the program going.

The cost of the floral program in the downtown is currently $7,000 to $8,000 to purchase and water the flowers.

“One of the objectives is to determine how to extend the time that flowers are watered in the downtown,” said Craig Woerpel, director of the Escanaba DDA. “Currently, the flowers are only watered until Labor Day. We are being asked to find a way that watering can continue into September.”

The DDA also became responsible for watering the floral pots on Ludington Street that Enhance Escanaba started with a grant.

Another issue that the group could address is the Christmas garland on Ludington Street. The DDA budgets $12,000 a year for garland. Other topics could include murals and additional Christmas lighting in the downtown.

The Beautification Committee is one of several committees that was formed to support the efforts of the DDA. Other committees include marketing, events, Farmers Market, Christmas parade, tree lighting and business partners.

“We are seeing more and more committees actually being utilized. We had committees before for this, that and the other thing but they never met. But now, we have active meetings,” Parker said.

She says it makes it easier for the board to address new issues, such as watering flowers, when a committee has already considered it.