The Lapeer Downtown Development Authority on Wednesday reviewed survey feedback and heard extended public comment that bike night — a recurring Friday event — and other niche gatherings may be hurting downtown businesses rather than helping them.

The matter surfaced in the events committee report and again during public comment. The committee said it will use survey data collected after recent events to recommend changes; downtown business owners and some board members urged fewer weekly closures, more family-friendly programming and stronger business involvement in event planning.

The discussion matters because the DDA and the city approve street closures and event permits that affect customer access at peak retail hours. Committee members repeatedly referenced a recent survey and contrasted that feedback with the “Gilmore Girls”–themed event and the Haunted Ghost Tours, which committee members said brought different, more beneficial customers.

Patrick, a downtown business owner, said he felt the business voice has been missing from DDA and city decisions. “I’m here today because as a downtown business owner, I’m a bit frustrated that I feel like nobody really advocates for us at this point,” Patrick said. He told the board he has seen “a year and a half of steady decline” for some businesses and urged the DDA and Chamber to champion a “unifying voice” for downtown commerce rather than allowing recurring closures that impede regular customers.

Board members described contrasting event outcomes. One member said the haunted history tour created a “feel-good” atmosphere and strong sales at participating businesses, while several others said Friday bike night often prevents regular customers from visiting and suggested reducing its frequency or relocating it. “Just because an event brings a lot of people down here, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily good for the community,” a board member said while summarizing the committee’s view.

Committee members described next steps: the events committee will analyze survey comments in detail and present recommendations to the board and city ahead of the spring permitting cycle. Several voices urged the DDA to formally transmit its feedback to the city commission so the commission can weigh it when event permits are considered.

Public-comment speakers and several board members urged more empowerment for business-led initiatives and stronger coordination with the Chamber of Commerce and other downtown stakeholders. The DDA’s events committee said it will convert survey findings into specific action items, including options to reduce frequency of some events, pilot family-friendly programming models, and prioritize events that bring new visitors who then patronize downtown businesses.

The board did not take a formal vote on event policies at the meeting; the session ended with direction for the events committee to develop recommendations for the board and to share written feedback with the city.

Looking ahead, the DDA said it would use the survey and recent event results as evidence in discussions with the city to influence how recurring events are scheduled and permitted next year.