[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6655287,"mediaKeyId","5415922-d429d6c0705b056b71cc4583f18ac44e","parentId",5415922,"title","DDA narrows TIF plan update bidders; plans interviews and notes budget headroom for streetscape and zoning work","audioSeconds",615,"startMs",1614000,"endMs",2229000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415922-d429d6c0705b056b71cc4583f18ac44e&start=1614&end=2229","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415922-d429d6c0705b056b71cc4583f18ac44e/thumbnail_1614000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6655287/Michigan/DDA-narrows-TIF-plan-update-bidders-plans-interviews-and-notes-budget-headroom-for-streetscape-and-zoning-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655287-4ebc972fadcd4f0bd738fcd293becd2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770579179&Signature=iG6970Sac1njKczv0mhcUSZ1GJqqZGyt81h0UlE6VjGT7cTUx2m~U1-0O6ORjCOJtUiRrQLL1L-L7qNGj9VPguMp0~OUyZPTLizaBo7-I9981dGYU1qkYn-rwPIyh5G2N~7cws5NQb7LDgs7sKhSmV4tl9VevKLe~4Uo~x7Xk~GFAYokL0U0A6Sgpivu8nFCCitPDhxg2pl23tD3Lhwkk6wQjCqPSKVc2lraPeZvUkCLtHb08mnyJzKA7geiYwhFUFi4la~mQoamtgJODEKFY-6wXT~eG2R19PmTdDTvFZQqBddyTdmeGSR15o84UfaNcFKtCT6JOZMujCedelQkLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-18T04:04:08.257Z","article","The Downtown Development Authority heard a staff summary of eight bids to update its Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan and streetscape vision for Macomb Street and agreed to bring the leading firms in for interviews before selecting a consultant.

Why it matters: The TIF/street-scape update will inform streetscape design, potential grant applications and a zoning update for Macomb Street. Staff said choosing a firm with local experience and strong renderings will help with future grant competitiveness.

Staff report and recommendation
Ross told the board that eight firms submitted proposals and that he prepared a summary ranking each firm on experience, reliability, qualifications, references and cost. He said OHM (teaming with CIB Planners) and Wade Trim were among the top-ranked firms because of prior work in Grosse Ile and relevant streetscape experience. Ross said, “I kind of put together my staff recommendation, and number 1 I had OHM.”

Board discussion and next steps
A board member recommended inviting the top two or three firms for interviews. The board also reviewed budget figures: Ross said the DDA budgeted $70,000 for the TIF plan, streetscape plan and zoning updates; staff estimates for the TIF/street-scape work reported in the meeting were in the $36,000–$38,000 range, leaving funds available for zoning updates estimated at $10,000–$15,000.

What the board directed
The board did not award the contract at this meeting. It agreed to place interviews on a future agenda to compare firms in person and to consider the top two or three firms for interviews. Staff highlighted that interviews often clarify firm experience and fit beyond proposal documents.

Pending actions
Staff will propose which two or three firms to interview and return to the board under the action items for a decision. If the selected bid aligns with staff estimates, the TIF and streetscape work would remain well within the previously budgeted $70,000, leaving room to allocate funds to other projects such as Lions Park or additional grant-funded work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Downtown Development Authority - June 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff reported receiving eight bids to update the downtown TIF plan and recommended interviewing the top two or three firms; the board discussed using existing budgeted funds for the TIF/street-scape/zoning updates and potentially reallocating leftover funds to other projects.","taxTitle","Grosse Ile, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",55649,"location","Michigan","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6655291,"DDA approves $19,232 for Lions Park seating; plans incremental landscaping and permanent holiday tree",1083,2578000,3661000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415922-d429d6c0705b056b71cc4583f18ac44e&start=2578&end=3661","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415922-d429d6c0705b056b71cc4583f18ac44e/thumbnail_2578000.jpg","/articles/6655291/Michigan/DDA-approves-19232-for-Lions-Park-seating-plans-incremental-landscaping-and-permanent-holiday-tree","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655291-bad30541f7539b448952ba6892017b59/orig.mp4?Expires=1770579179&Signature=Keal1FAf7xllqD~ZR8YQspDGHHL09k8ki6YYQJSg98QW1cGWpGBaLU2dvr9p8a7XDd1Su4GtCCyDq-YOub0~eSY~XU2E~UKW10Kb42~YwkNS8jNsVnpZysWDGV-0CiXwDW1P7MLbr69dJMXnebPK-H~i4SusPS58dVN4uKt1qnyR4tKEdm9DIpAENXOuLb-tPKzpVbcCYTOWQv2nAoUFBfuovTx0tw8ZzSCGOQDX7ql3Y~hmY7FtXB92AHUIybncnFnJZ-Ea8X-0SxxbxLVSjHXShDUBjvoIwo5~gBNjKOqxldpxS8SSIdYMHVSHOLo0COc6YjsgP5ncisOy8g1d1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grosse Ile Downtown Development Authority approved $19,232 to add seating, a table and chairs, foundations and a trash receptacle at Lions Park and discussed a step-by-step plan to add trees, landscaping and a permanent Christmas tree.

Why it matters: The purchase is intended to give residents places to sit and to test movable seating near the park’s central tree; board members said the improvements will help make Lions Park more usable while larger improvements are staged over time.

Board action
The board voted to approve the purchase of two backless benches, two steel benches with backs, one steel table, three steel chairs, five foundations (four for benches and one for the trash receptacle), shipping and one trash receptacle, for a total of $19,232. Motion to approve: Mr. Jacobson; support: Ms. Carn. The motion carried.

Park improvements and timeline
Staff described the project as incremental. Ross said the table and chairs will be movable “to see how the public interacts” with that furniture before making permanent installations. He told the board that a community sculpture installation is scheduled for later in the year and that limited DDA funds will be prioritized across the park program.

Landscaping and grants
Staff said they plan to extend last year’s landscaping contract to add trees along the west side of Lions Park and that the DDA has a DNR grant (noted in the meeting) that could cover part of the planting costs. Ross said the DNR grant amount discussed at the meeting was $4,400 and that the grant manager indicated the funds could be applied to this year’s plantings.

Accessibility and design choices
Board members discussed bench types and placement. One member said backless benches along Lyons Drive allow seating facing either direction, while other benches around the park circle will include backs. A board member raised accessibility concerns and asked that additional benches with backs or armrests be considered to help older residents sit and stand.

Next steps
Staff will finalize style and color options for the table and chairs and share product links with board members for input prior to final ordering. Delivery and installation were estimated to take several weeks; staff noted shipping lead times may be up to two months for some furnishings.","The DDA approved spending $19,232 for benches, a table and chairs, foundations and a trash receptacle at Lions Park and discussed phased landscaping, a permanent Christmas tree and use of a DNR grant to help cover tree plantings.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6655295,"Grosse Ile DDA agrees to restart Island Nights, approves event grants and moves social district toward launch",2354,277000,2631000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415922-d429d6c0705b056b71cc4583f18ac44e&start=277&end=2631","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415922-d429d6c0705b056b71cc4583f18ac44e/thumbnail_277000.jpg","/articles/6655295/Michigan/Grosse-Ile-DDA-agrees-to-restart-Island-Nights-approves-event-grants-and-moves-social-district-toward-launch","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655295-318c2e98b6cf59d4babd5fdb5ca09ef8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770579179&Signature=O21J~vjyjuI3v7GkkMuvpcnw-yF7eAXG48714lLSw7obVX0v~Gah4ODANJ8OrHrDwbqaaOZU-GNOncXmj~tvPBXSLELeRv3GWTlmHdQ1O4xhMt3HorbLlMk2McgxejziHXxkqzd329mpkLDYlwmGo8KZACSnVdwJza8ncosdUDqbFLU4LI86fRW5fhtaa5JimeJIpSnyGanRo-Ze8uX8mtRMO9bCv37uuUz~dQYQQPUl9hlu0~rkw9n7YlCuBSLqwD2uuRa~oBGS3vP-p3qcK0xTV~12Hu2dDN4C0OscJGSKlZ2RpsvOIGzPNKuqJz3GCGP1vMwu8jy2npNqG1uhwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grosse Ile Downtown Development Authority voted to resume Island Nights and approved reimbursable event grants and two $1,000 event expenditures to support Island Nights dates in July and August.

The decision followed public comment from residents and business owners urging the DDA to restore the summertime Island Nights series on Macomb Street. Pauline Muscat, who said she wrote a petition, told the board, “The purpose of this petition is to encourage the Grosse Ile Township and Downtown Development Authority to resume facilitation of Island Knights.”

Why it matters: Island Nights had previously been a regular monthly event on Macomb Street that residents and merchants said helped activate the business district, supported vendors without brick-and-mortar spaces and brought families to the street. Restarting the series is tied to other activation efforts, including a newly approved social district for Macomb Street.

Board action and what was approved
- The board approved a business improvement grant application for Island Coney at 8200 Macomb in an amount not to exceed $4,510. Motion to approve: Mr. Jacobson; support: Mr. Anderson. The motion carried.
- The board approved two reimbursable event expenditures of $1,000 each to fund Island Nights on July 25 and August 22. Motion to approve the July 25 expenditure: Ms. Armiak; support: Ms. Stanko. Motion to approve the August 22 expenditure: Ms. Armiak; support: Ms. Stanko. Both motions carried.

Public and business participation
Business owners and residents offered to help run the events. Elizabeth Renaud, a Macomb Street business owner and vendor at the Grosse Ile Farmers Market, said the DDA’s staff capacity is limited and proposed a volunteer subcommittee. “If the DDA simply doesn't have the capacity to plan or support events like Islandites, then maybe we can create an event subcommittee made up of residents, business owners, and volunteers who can help,” Renaud said.

Event logistics and funding
Ross (DDA/EDA staff) described a Business Improvement Grant that reimburses approved community event costs up to $1,000 per event, including marketing, performers and incidental expenses. He said applications and invoices are required for reimbursement and that applicants may submit multiple applications for separate event dates.

Social district and next steps
In the EDA Director’s report, staff said businesses participating in the social district have been handed application packets and that the DDA will reimburse businesses for state inspection and application fees after submittal. The DDA staff said it has located a sign vendor whose estimate is lower than other quotes they obtained and that cup procurement for the social district is under review; staff estimated they could be ready by late July or August depending on state inspections.

What remains unresolved
A business improvement grant application for Galindo's at 8756 Macomb was discussed but no final board vote on that specific grant appears in the record of this meeting. The board and volunteer organizers also agreed to form or re-establish an events subcommittee and to circulate the DDA application for community-run events; staff said the grant application is available online and can be emailed to applicants.

Looking ahead
Staff said they will follow up with businesses and volunteers to coordinate marketing and logistics, share the grant application, and schedule the subcommittee discussions. The board indicated it intends to continue supporting Macomb Street activation measures and to post approved event content to DDA social channels once community-produced materials are shared.","After public appeals, the Grosse Ile Downtown Development Authority approved reimbursable event grants and two $1,000 expenditures to restart Island Nights and said it will support a social district once businesses complete state inspections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DDA narrows TIF plan update bidders; plans interviews and notes budget headroom for streetscape and zoning work

DDA approves $19,232 for Lions Park seating; plans incremental landscaping and permanent holiday tree

Grosse Ile DDA agrees to restart Island Nights, approves event grants and moves social district toward launch