The DDA also played a pivotal role in the touchdown of the bridge between 7th and 8th of Grand, creating an opportunity for enhanced pedestrian activities rather than an underutilized, vacant space. That area has been named after previous DDA Executive Director, Leslie Bethel. The improvements along 7th street and under the bridge have been vital to the neighboring restaurants during the 2020 pandemic providing adjacent accessible and attractive outdoor dining opportunities. These improvements have also resulted in new businesses coming to the under bridge and adjacent wing streets bringing added vitality and economic benefit to the downtown.
