Cascade DDA presents annual report and outlines village, park and streetscape next steps

DDA staff presented the authority’s annual report and briefed board members on village and park projects, zoning work and funding mechanisms. The report—described as a 23-page packet—summarizes DDA funding, district boundaries and recent investments and will be forwarded to the township board of trustees for receipt and posting on the township website.

Board members raised questions about an apparent change in the district’s taxable base and whether a recent Robinson Dental Brownfield addition accounted for the difference; staff said they would verify the numbers and follow up. Members also discussed Centennial Business Park, which several said has not seen the same taxable-value growth as other parts of the district despite prior DDA investments.

Staff described progress on village design and a facade-improvement program tied to a new form-based code. The DDA plans to present OHM’s final concept plan for park improvements at a rescheduled April 17 meeting so the board can consider moving to final design and potential bonding. Staff noted that some OHM-concept costs are eligible for reimbursement through bond proceeds if the board pursues bonding for park construction.

Other updates included the library refresh (on track for late spring occupancy), a construction manager who is ahead of schedule, and ongoing recruitment for a DDA director. Staff said they will prepare the annual report for the trustee meeting and share packet materials before the scheduled April presentation by OHM.

Next steps: staff will verify taxable-base numbers, finalize the annual-report packet for board-of-trustees receipt, post materials online and bring OHM final concept documents to the April 17 meeting for review.