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Board approves OHM Advisors contract to update DDA TIF plan; MSHDA grant to cover cost
Summary
The Grosse Hill Township Board approved a professional services agreement with OHM Advisors to update the Downtown Development Authority's TIF development plan; the $37,730 contract is funded by a MSHDA housing‑readiness incentive grant and will support streetscape and housing-oriented planning for Macomb Street.
The Grosse Hill Township Board voted Sept. 8 to approve a professional services agreement with OHM Advisors to update the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) tax-increment financing (TIF) development plan. The contract, for $37,730, will be paid from the DDA budget and reimbursed by a Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) housing‑readiness incentive grant, staff said.
Why it matters: updating the DDA TIF plan extends the legal framework that allows the DDA to capture tax increment revenues and spend them on eligible projects — including streetscape enhancements, project‑specific gap funding and housing‑oriented projects. The current DDA plan was last updated in 2012 and expires in 2032; consultants told trustees that extending the plan is necessary to support larger, multi‑year projects and to provide a basis for bonding future improvements.
Ross, the township’s DDA director, told the board OHM Advisors was selected through an RFP process; OHM will lead a public visioning process for Macomb Street and produce the updated plan and financial projections. Ross said the plan will allow the DDA to project revenues over 20 years and identify eligible expenditures, which in turn enables the DDA to consider bonding or other long‑term financing for larger streetscape or mixed‑use projects.
Trustees emphasized focusing on hardscape and streetscape priorities rather than additional art installations at this stage. Trustee Margaret said she supported OHM because a portion of the firm’s team already worked on the 2025 master plan update and has local familiarity; she urged the DDA to prioritize landscape and streetscape elements that support private investment.
Ending — next steps: OHM Advisors will lead public outreach and present recommended updates to the board and DDA commission. Staff said the MSHDA grant covers the contract cost and will not draw on the township’s general fund.
