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DDA reports $166,000 in 2024 investments, seeks TIF plan update and grant opportunities
Summary
DDA Director Ross told the board the DDA invested $166,000 in physical improvements to Macomb Street in 2024, leveraged roughly $1.6 million in private investments, and plans to update the TIF plan (current DDA plan ends 2032) while pursuing grants including a GM Public Spaces grant and DTE tree grant.
DDA Director Ross presented a year-in-review for 2024, reporting the DDA invested $166,000 in physical improvements on Macomb Street and that private investment totaled about $1.6 million in building rehabs.
Ross provided a breakdown that included maintenance, capital improvements, beautification and the Art on the Isle program. He said the DDA approved roughly $54,000 in grants and provided nearly $20,000 to Macomb Street businesses for physical building improvements. Major private investments cited included facade work at the car wash, Nate's and a Meridian strip mall.
Ross said the DDA received grants from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and MSHDA (details in the packet) and a $4,000 DTE Tree Grant for line landscaping. He also flagged a GM Public Spaces grant opportunity (a $100,000 award with no match requirement) and said he would submit an application by Jan. 31 (staff later clarified the application deadline referenced as the 31st during the meeting packet presentation). "There is no match requirement whatsoever. So this doesn't need formal approval from you guys or the township board. So I'll be sending in that application on the 31st," Ross said.
Board members discussed the DDA plan expiration in 2032 and the need to start the TIF-plan extension process soon because borrowing capacity is limited by the DDA's current end date. Ross said he planned to coordinate with the township master-plan timeline and draft RFP/RFQ materials for a DDA TIF plan update. The board also discussed renaming Lions Park once improvements are complete and running a community naming contest.
No formal vote was taken on grant applications or the TIF update at the meeting; staff will proceed with grant applications and with planning to update the DDA TIF plan and will report timelines to the board.
