The Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority is working with Contrast Coffee to bring a Beautification Flower Fundraiser Pop Up Shop for the month of March. DDA event coordinator Kenzie Williamsen and DDA Program Director Mindy Meyers display the new DDA Beautification T-shirts that were designed by Meyers. Funds raised will go to the DDA’s annual flower planting project in the downtown. (Iron Mountain Daily News photo)

By TERRI CASTELAZ

The Daily News

IRON MOUNTAIN — With spring approaching, the Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority is focused on raising money for its next beautification project.

Contrast Coffee in Iron Mountain has teamed with the DDA to host a Pop Up Shop for the public to purchase DDA Beautification T-shirts.

T-shirts are $30 and are available at the coffee shop through the month of March. They are currently only accepting cash payment.

“All the money raised goes into our flower program,” DDA Program Director Mindy Meyers said. “It costs the DDA approximately $12,000 to plant and maintain the flowers for the summer.”

Meyers explained the DDA is responsible for all the hanging baskets, sidewalk planters and pocket gardens in the downtown area.

“This year we have a new pocket garden on the stage,” she said. “We have a lot of flowers to plant.”

The committee also selected several new varieties of flowers this year. “We are really excited to share them with the community,” she added.

The new light blue, daisy-inspired IM Downtown T-shirts were designed by Meyers.

“We wanted to have a jazzier logo, specifically for beautification,” said Meyers, noting its beautification volunteers do all the planting and maintaining of the flowers.

“We have a great group of dedicated volunteers and want to give them shirts that they could wear when they were together,” she said.

Advanta Print of Iron Mountain donated shirts for all beautification volunteers.

The DDA took on the flower planting project a couple of years ago from Pat and Mike Nicometto. “We are happy to carry on that tradition — it’s something that makes our downtown so beautiful in the summer,” she said.

Along with the T-shirt fundraiser, the DDA also collaborated with Erickson Jewelers to offer a limited-edition T. Jazelle bracelets with a double-sided charm that features the IM Downtown logo and a daisy.

“They’re only a few champagne bracelets left, as the blue have sold out,” she said.

The DDA plans to do another round of bracelets, with the committee in the process of selecting a new flower and two new stone colors.

“These will be available before Mother’s Day,” Meyers said.

As in the past, the DDA still seeks flower sponsorships as well. Donors can choose to be a “Greenhouse,” “Pocket Garden,” “Sidewalk Planter” or “Hanging Basket” sponsor. Sponsorships forms are available at the DDA office in the Iron Mountain City Hall.

Meyers said they have had great support for the flower program, but doing fundraisers like these and the ornament-making party will help with the costs as well.

With these new fundraisers, they hope to be able to expand the flower program to Carpenter Avenue, Meyers added. “We want to make sure everything feels cohesive,” she said.

The DDA recently won a grant from Toro and will receive a new UTV. “We have two old tractors that were constantly breaking down — this will help with our watering and to be able to further the plantings,” she said.

“Beautification” is an ongoing process, Meyers said, as they are constantly prepping, designing and marketing.

The committee also helps with public art that is in the downtown area. “It really encompasses all those things that make the downtown aesthetically beautiful,” she said.

Those interested in T-shirts or in volunteering can email Meyers at mindy@downtownironmountain.com.

Flower sponsor donations can be sent to Iron Mountain DDA, 501 S. Stephenson Ave., Iron Mountain, MI 49801.

Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.