Downtown Shopping - Escanaba and Surrounding Areas

Travel Bays de Noc!

What is the DDA of Escanaba? The Downtown Development Authority is located at 1025 Ludington Street in Escanaba 

The DDA is committed to revitalizing and renovating the downtown district in Escanaba. They’ve helped to oversee five major downtown business renovations within the last two years, creating a more appealing downtown appearance. 

Escanaba has an upcoming main street renovation project, in which the DDA is heavily involved with. “The City of Escanaba has a lot to do with what happens from the street level down, while the DDA handles what occurs from the street level up,” said Larsen. 

The downtown Escanaba area has 275 buildings, and 298 businesses located throughout its 22-block stretch. There are over 1,900 employees, with over 600 part-time positions, the rest adding to full-time employment opportunities for individuals. 

According to Larsen, who has become known to many as “Downtown Mollie,” one of the keys to having a healthy downtown district is not just having businesses in the downtown district, but creating a good mix of the types of businesses that are there.

In addition to looking at the types of businesses that the downtown area needs, the DDA also helps new businesses to establish themselves and make every attempt possible in assisting them with keeping their doors open for years to come. 

The DDA also handles various events, in addition to beautifying the downtown, including the Farmer’s Market, Sidewalk Sales and the annual Lighting of the Christmas Trees. The downtown district also includes Ludington Park, the Marina and the Lighthouse and oversees various events that occur at those locations. 

“For more information on our local DDA, please contact us at escanabadda@chartermi.net, or call (906) 789-8696.