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Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone reports $6.1M budget, highlights ambassadors and draft legacy
Summary
The Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone reported a $6.1 million assessment budget for July 2024–June 2025, described ambassador services, safety partnerships and outreach during the NFL Draft, and invited residents to engage with downtown programming.
The Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) presented its annual update to the Planning & Economic Development committee, reporting a $6.1 million assessment contribution for July 2024–June 2025 and highlighting services the zone supplies to downtown property owners and visitors.
DDP CEO Eric Larson and BIZ Executive Director Gina Cavalier said about 580 assessed parcels contribute via a formula tied to assessed value and area; the zone’s median per-parcel assessment this year is roughly $1,700. The BIZ’s signature program is the downtown ambassador team — a contracted workforce that provides cleaning, hospitality and safety support; staff said ambassadors account for more than 90% Detroit hires and log roughly 100,000 service hours annually.
The presenters described partnerships with Detroit Police, Homeland Security, the county sheriff and private security directors, and they promoted a “Lighthouse” safe-haven program — a downtown signage program to identify businesses that will offer basic assistance (restroom, phone, cooling/warming) to people in need. The BIZ also described temporary fee-for-service work in adjacent neighborhoods and a downtown perception survey showing positive attitudes among visitors and residents.
Council members praised the BIZ and DDP for small-business outreach, event planning (including the NFL Draft), and efforts to balance temporary vendors with brick-and-mortar businesses. The BIZ asked for continued partnership with the city and invited residents to apply for ambassador positions and review public materials on downtowndetroit.org.
