In 1993 Beckett & Raeder, Inc. (BRI) assisted the Village of Dexter Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to assess, design, and redevelop the downtown area through an intense master planning process. Since that time, Beckett & Raeder, Inc. has implemented a variety of projects in the downtown area and has prepared an update to the original master plan that projected work out for another ten years. 

 

In 1992, the Dexter DDA, assisted by BRI, was able to take a fund balance of $4,000 and combine a variety of funding tools including general obligation bonds, special assessment funds, tax increment funds, and state/federal grants to complete in excess of $4,200,000 in construction projects.  

 

Downtown projects designed by BRI include streetscape improvements consisting of new sidewalks, creation of pedestrian plazas, parking lot screening, new pedestrian lighting, traffic signalization and landscaping, renovation of alleys for pedestrian connection from rear parking lots to the street, new parking lots, wayfinding signage, improvements to the downtown park for festival activities, and acquisition of property. In addition to these projects, work was completed on infrastructure upgrades including the replacement of the primary water main and individual services to properties in the downtown. New improvements to the storm sewer system including a new outfall into the Mill Pond were completed. Modifications were also made to the sanitary sewer system.