The DDA has undertaken various projects since its inception. The most recognized project is the purchase of waterfront property and the development of the Riverfront Park & Southside Municipal Marina. This development is a source of pride to local residents having won the Governor’s Tourism Community Award in 1992.

Other significant projects include the purchase of an ice rink, downtown lighting program, and MSU Small Town Design Initiative. The paragraphs below give brief overviews of the projects.

Ice Rink: In 2003, the DDA purchased a 55' x 150' ice skating rink. The rink is portable and has the capability to be expanded for future hockey play. The rink is set up in the Huron Street Parking Lot each November.
In 2006, anonymous donors purchased a larger rink, 60' x 170', and a new zamboni. Simultaneously, a committee was fundraising for a pavilion to be constructed in the parking lot. Now, the ice rink is set up under the pavilion which shelters the rink from snow and rain.

Facade Program: In November 2001, the DDA initiated the Facade Incentive & Architectural Design Services Program. This program is designed to facilitate the restoration and rehabilitation of commercial buildings and structures in the DDA district. Since the program began, nearly $20,000 has been awarded resulting in over $150,000 of building improvements. At their June 2007 meeting, the DDA Board of Directors voted to "suspend the current Facade Grant Improvement Program while the board and staff continue to research ways to restructure the program."

MSU Small Town Design Study: A team of students led by Associate Professor & Director of Landscape Architect, Warren J. Rauhe, conducted the MSU "Small Town Design Initiative" in South Haven. The team reviewed existing downtown plans and drawings, conducted a visual review of the downtown; conducted visioning sessions with merchants and citizens; and reviewed input from the sessions and developed preliminary and final reports. The purpose of the study was to gain an image and vision for the downtown. This was clearly needed prior to moving forward with streetscape renovations and improvements to the downtown.

New handicap accessible public restrooms: In the summer of 2004, as part of the Huron Street Parking lot renovation, new public restrooms were built. In cooperation with the South Haven Visitors Bureau, the DDA is leasing the back one-third of their building at 546 Phoenix Street. Part of this space became new handicap accessible restrooms and the remainder houses the ice rink skate rental and ticket office. It has turned out to be very beneficial for both the Visitors Bureau and the DDA.

Huron Street Parking Lot Redevelopment
The redevelopment of the Huron Street Parking Lot began in mid-August. Many improvements have taken place. New restroom facilities have been completed and are located in the back portion of the South Haven Visitors Bureau Building at 546 Phoenix Street which can be accessed via Dyckman Park. Another part of the project includes the reconfiguration of the traffic flow from the current east/west to north/south. A promenade extends from the center of Dyckman Park into the parking lot. The promenade will be used as a customer thoroughfare for those visiting the Farmer's Market. Seventeen islands in the parking lot will be landscaped in the spring.
The goals of this project included improvement of traffic flow; visibility of convenient parking; improved restroom facilities; opportunities for multi-use, i.e. Farmer's Market, ice skating rink, lunch concerts; and creating a park-like environment as an extension of the Dyckman Park.

Signage Program
The DDA has initiated a signage program consisting of signs installed in the Central Business District. The directional signs will aid pedestrians and motorists to points of interest such as shops and service establishments, the beach, lighthouse, and parking. The parking lot signs have been installed to inform the motorist of the free public parking throughout the town.

Quaker Street Redevelopment
The Quaker Street project involves a redevelopment of the Quaker Street parking lot and Quaker Street itself. The parking lot has been reconfigured; utilities have been placed underground; ornamental street lighting has been installed; sidewalks have been widened; water and sanitary improvements have been made; and traffic flow onto Williams Street has been improved.

Other projects that are in progress include paving and streetscape improvements.