Downtown Tecumseh home

About Downtown

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.

Aerial view down Chicago Boulevard through the four corners

What's happening

  1. Master Plan Update for Downtown Streetscape

    The 2026 Downtown Streetscape Plan was approved by the Tecumseh Downtown Development Authority on Thursday, May 14, and adopted by Tecumseh's City Council on Monday, May 18, 2026.

  2. Sage Foundation Awards Grant for Tecumseh Art Trail

    The Sage Foundation has awarded a $15,000 grant to the Tecumseh Downtown Development Authority to support the 2026 installation of Art Trail Tecumseh, the city’s annual public art program.

  3. Tecumseh DDA Awarded $16,000 Grant to Support 2026 Art Trail

    The Tecumseh Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $16,000 grant from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) through its Experience Support Program.

  4. Tecumseh Farmers Market News

    The Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce (GLCC) Board of Directors has voted to support the transition of both financial and operational responsibilities for the Tecumseh Farmers Market to the Tecumseh Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

All DDA news

The Downtown Streetscape Master Plan

The Downtown Tecumseh Streetscape Master Plan establishes a clear, community-driven vision for enhancing the character, functionality, and long-term vitality of the City’s core. Centered on Chicago Boulevard and Evans Street, the plan provides a roadmap for creating a more walkable, vibrant, and economically resilient downtown while preserving the historic charm that defines Tecumseh.

The yearlong project included monthly meetings with city staff and DDA steering committee members, public stakeholder meetings, public workshops and surveys.

Phases
17
Estimated construction
$31,200,000
The plan's Action Plan map of downtown Tecumseh with phases 1 to 17 numbered on it: the parking lots behind the four corner blocks in blue, Evans Street, Logan Street and Chicago Boulevard in yellow and purple, pocket parks at Pearl Street in red, and South Evans Street to Russell Street drawn as a strip on the right.
The plan's map of its seventeen phases. Open it full size to read the street names.

Short-term

Typically within 2 years · $9,300,000

  1. Northeast Parking Lot

    Redevelop the parking lot with improved pedestrian access, enhanced alley activation, and updated parking layout.

    Estimated $1,100,000

  2. N. Evans Street (Logan to Railroad)

    Redevelop vacant parcel to include new parking lot; install public restroom and event storage building; develop a plaza with a central placemaking space and enhanced outdoor opportunities; create a mid-block pedestrian crossing to the market; improve sidewalk with pedestrian-oriented design; replace lighting and streetscape trees; install irrigation and sound system; install new fixtures and furnishings.

    Estimated $4,400,000

  3. Northwest Parking Lot

    Redevelop the parking lot with new parking layout; enhanced pedestrian space and new plaza with public restroom.

    Estimated $2,400,000

  4. N. Evans (Chicago to Logan) and Logan Streets

    Improve sidewalk with pedestrian-oriented design; replace lighting and streetscape trees; install irrigation and sound system; install new fixtures and furnishings; enhance pedestrian safety with bumpout at the intersection of Evans and Logan Streets.

    Estimated $1,400,000

Mid-term

Typically within 5 to 10 years · $14,700,000

  1. Southwest Parking Lot

    Redevelop the parking lot with the improved pedestrian space; enhance private "alley".

    Estimated $1,900,000

  2. Southeast Parking Lot

    Redevelop the parking lot with enhanced pavement design and enhanced pedestrian space.

    Estimated $1,400,000

  3. S. Evans Street

    Improve sidewalk with pedestrian-oriented design; replace lighting and streetscape trees; install new fixtures and furnishings throughout.

    Estimated $1,300,000

  4. W. Chicago Boulevard (Pearl to Evans) and Pearl Street

    Implement enhanced pedestrian safety with bumpout at the intersection of Chicago and Pearl; improve sidewalk with pedestrian-oriented design; replace lighting and streetscape trees; install irrigation and sound system; install new fixtures and furnishings; and replace pavement at the four corners to create pedestrian scale and placemaking element.

    Estimated $2,700,000

  5. E. Chicago Boulevard (Evans to the Old National Bank Entrance) and Ottawa Street

    Improve sidewalk with pedestrian-oriented design; replace lighting and streetscape trees; install irrigation and sound system; install new fixtures and furnishings.

    Estimated $2,200,000

  6. E. Chicago Boulevard (Old National Bank Entrance to Maumee Street)

    Improve sidewalk with pedestrian-oriented design; replace lighting and streetscape trees; install irrigation and sound system; install new fixtures and furnishings.

    Estimated $3,100,000

  7. Market on Evans

    Enhance the existing market with improved plaza space, making room for additional vendors.

    Estimated $2,100,000

Long-term

Typically 10+ years · $7,200,000

  1. N. Evans Street (railroad crossing to Shawnee Street)

    Narrow road pavement to enhance pedestrian experience and strengthen connection to Hotrum Promenade Park.

    Estimated $400,000

  2. Pocket Park

    Create a small park at the southeast corner of Pearl and Chicago, creating a public gathering space for daily use and special events.

    Estimated $800,000

  3. S. Evans Street (Pottawatamie to Kilbuck)

    Improve sidewalk with pedestrian-oriented design; replace lighting and streetscape trees; install irrigation and sound system; install new fixtures and furnishings.

    Estimated $800,000

  4. S. Evans Street (Kilbuck to Patterson)

    Improve sidewalk with pedestrian-oriented design; replace lighting and streetscape trees; install irrigation and sound system; install new fixtures and furnishings throughout.

    Estimated $1,300,000

  5. S. Evans Street (Patterson to Russell)

    Improve sidewalk with pedestrian-oriented design; replace lighting and streetscape trees; install irrigation and sound system; install new fixtures and furnishings throughout.

    Estimated $2,700,000

  6. Pocket Park

    Create a small park at the northwest corner of Pearl and Chicago, creating a public gathering space for daily use and special events.

    Estimated $1,200,000

The plan should be reevaluated annually, and following the completion of each phase, to reprioritize capital improvement projects and ensure they continue to align with evolving downtown and community goals.

Art and placemaking

The Tecumseh Art Trail plays a vital role in advancing the DDA’s mission to strengthen the downtown district through placemaking, economic development, and cultural enrichment. By investing in public art, the program fosters community pride while attracting tourism and supporting local commerce.

Effective March 1, 2026, the grant will provide funding for the 2026 Tecumseh Art Trail, a signature public art initiative that transforms downtown Tecumseh into an open-air gallery. The Art Trail, now in its 19th year, features a diverse collection of sculptures, murals, and interactive installations placed throughout the downtown district.

An artist painting a watercolor of the downtown storefronts

The Market on Evans

Established in 2015 on the Market on Evans property, the Tecumseh Farmers Market transformed a former lumber yard into a vibrant weekly gathering place for the community. Early momentum was supported by a successful Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) campaign, with the Tecumseh DDA securing $20,000 in funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Continued investment followed with a $72,000 USDA grant awarded to the City of Tecumseh in 2018, and in 2023 the City of Tecumseh and Tecumseh DDA invested over $25,000 in three food truck electrical pedestals, in addition to lighting and electrical upgrades for the market to expand into the thriving community asset it is today.

Now welcoming more than 25,000 visitors annually and averaging approximately 1,000 guests each Saturday, the Tecumseh Farmers Market has played a critical role in fostering local entrepreneurship. Over the past decade, the market has helped launch and grow numerous micro-businesses and brick-and-mortar storefronts, including Tecumseh Bread & Pastry, Pita Delight Grill, Paper Street Soap, and others.

Families under the Market on Evans pavilion and its mural panels

The Board and its meetings

The Board of Directors consists of nine (9) 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.

The roster below is the Board as the City's DDA page lists it, with the term dates it gives.

Meetings
The second Thursday of each month at 7 a.m.
Board of Directors
MemberTerm ends
Bob Fox Chair 2027
Brian Radant Mayor Serves as Mayor
Doug Bird 2026
Josh Roth 2027
Jan Fox 2027
David Stimpson 2026
Chris Masters 2026
Sharon Maher 2025
Dan Meikle 2025

DDA staff

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

Doing business downtown

The City can help connect you to valuable resources in Tecumseh and Lenawee County. This includes collaborative efforts with local, regional, and state economic development agencies as well as job fairs and staffing pipe lines.

Plans and documents