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DDA reports rising assessed value, steady parking revenue and reduced food-assistance reimbursements
Summary
Tara McKinney presented the Downtown Development Authority annual report, reporting assessed values at about $71 million, total DDA revenue of $2.1 million, parking revenue near $547,000, and a decline in food-assistance reimbursements affecting vendors.
Tara McKinney, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, delivered the DDA's required annual presentation and reviewed the district's TIF history, finances, parking inventory and downtown programming.
McKinney said the district's assessed values increased to about $71,000,000 with a captured value of roughly $48,000,000 across TIF plans. She reported DDA revenues of $2,104,504.60 and expenditures of $1,676,912 for the most recent fiscal year. The DDA's parking revenue was reported at approximately $547,000; McKinney said most parking income is reinvested in operations, including plowing, elevator maintenance and ramp repairs.
On parking, McKinney said the DDA manages eight parking lots plus the Bluff Street ramp, about 443 spaces downtown including 142 on 3rd Street, 38 pay stations, a Passport parking app and a newly added dual-port EV charging station. She said 19 reserved parking spots added at the Bluff Street ramp sold out within two weeks and there is a short waiting list.
McKinney also addressed market and promotion activity: vendor counts at the farmers market were slightly down but customer counts have increased for Saturday markets; she noted a downturn in food-assistance reimbursements and said ‘‘food assistance is being greatly reduced,’’ which will diminish a revenue stream that supports farmers and vendor reimbursements.
During Q&A, commissioners and a public commenter raised concerns about winter sidewalk clearing pushing snow into sidewalks and creating hazards that force pedestrians into the street. A public commenter (Barb) argued the plowing pattern ‘‘eliminates visual narrowing of the street and invites faster driving’’ and urged a winter operations plan that preserves pedestrian access; McKinney said maintenance crews prioritize clearing sidewalks and will coordinate with plow timing where possible.
McKinney also discussed potential short-term changes to 3rd Street striping and the possibility of bringing in consultants for a longer-term redesign to handle new dorms and redevelopment pressure on parking.
