The Morgan Hill
Downtown Association
(MHDA) was established in 2002 as a
non-profi t corporation with the mis-
sion to make Downtown Morgan Hill
the “Heart of the Community.” It is
governed by an all-volunteer board of
directors. The MHDA has a large mem-
bership that includes many downtown
businesses as well as businesses and
individuals from all over Morgan Hill.
The MHDA is another great example
of the volunteer spirit that makes the
South County such a great place to live.
The current head of the MHDA
board of directors is Melissa Murphy
of Murphy’s Mercantile in Downtown
Morgan Hill. She evidences a strong
commitment to a thriving down-
town. The Association recently lost
its Office Manager so Melissa stepped
in to fill the void. She described two
current goals; one short term and one
long term. An immediate need is to
refurbish the twinkle lights that make
the downtown sparkle at night. The
goal is about $30,000 to replace the
existing lights which are starting to
lose some of their sparkle.
A long term goal of the MHDA is to
add more retail to the downtown mix.
Entertainment and dining options are
plentiful but more retail is needed to
extend the time residents and visitors
spend in the downtown. The down-
town surge in housing units and the
anticipated opening of Hotel Léal
further require more retail options.
The short-term goal is well on its
50
way to being completed; the long-term
goal is going to take much more time
and energy!
The MHDA is funded through
membership dues, event revenues and
support from the City of Morgan Hill.
The MHDA services the area along the
Monterey corridor from Dunne Avenue
to Main Street.
The MHDA association hosts a
number of downtown events including
the ‘Wine Stroll’, the summer Family
Fun event, fall Brew Crawl, the foodie
event called ‘Off the Menu’, the Safe
Trick or Treat, and Ladies Night Out.
The MHDA is looking into the pos-
sibility to enhance the spring Wine
Stroll. The 2020 event might become
a Wine and Art event with a possible
VIP reception tent.
The MHDA is fortunate to have
many partners organizing events in
the downtown area. The Morgan Hill
Chamber of Commerce manages the
annual Friday Night Music Series and
the Taste of Morgan Hill. The Freedom
Fest Association hosts the annual
Fourth of July celebrations, some
of which are in the downtown. The
Kiwanis Club puts on the Christmas
Parade downtown. On the Road Again
Classics organizes the annual British
Fall Classic downtown.
It is beginning to look like there are
limitless reasons to be in downtown
Morgan Hill. Well done, Morgan Hill
Downtown Association!
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
WINTER 2020
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board President
Melissa Murphy, Murphy’s Mercantile
Board Vice President
Diane Carroll, RAM Commercial Insurance Services
Board Treasurer
Cliff Dennett, Pinnacle Bank
AT LARGE BOARD MEMBERS
Kerry Wallace
Bubbles Wine and Brew Pub
David Dindak
Bubbles Wine and Brew Pub
AnnaLiza Anderson
Resident and community member
Lelannie Ornelas
Resident working at Gavilan College
Jodi Hall,
Bike Therapy
Suman Ganapathy
Resident and community volunteer
Offi ce Manager: TBA
For more information go to:
morganhilldowntown.org/about-us
facebook.com/mhdowntown/
gmhtoday.com