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DDA authorizes director to pursue demolition and revitalization grant framework, agrees to legal funding
Summary
The Downtown Development Authority voted to authorize the DDA director to seek legal guidance and establish a demolition and revitalization grant program, approving funds to cover legal fees referenced at $4,000 and endorsing a reimbursement-first model to reduce financial risk.
The Downtown Development Authority voted at its meeting to authorize the DDA director to pursue legal guidance and create a demolition and revitalization grant program, including approval to expend funds for legal fees referenced in the meeting packet (the packet cited $4,000).
Board members said the program would use a reimbursement-based approach to limit the authority’s exposure: funds would not be paid up front for demolition but held until a completed redevelopment exists that would generate increased tax increment financing (TIF) revenue. A committee member summarized the rationale: "So it comes with a guarantee that the DDA's return on their investment would come to fruition and not just be a promise of a building," the committee member said, describing the plan as a reimbursement fund rather than a pre-demolition grant.
Rebecca, the staff member who presented the subcommittee’s recommendation, told the board the subcommittee weighed project‑specific TIF information and other programs before recommending a grant option. She asked the board to authorize the director to "begin the process of initiating whatever legal ramp needs we need," and noted a proposed motion was included in the meeting packet.
A motion to approve the director’s authorization was moved and seconded and the board voted in favor; because the item involved potential expenditures, the chair conducted a roll call. One member indicated they could not vote. The motion authorizes staff to obtain legal guidance and to develop the application and award process; the subcommittee will reconvene to finalize application details, award amounts and timelines.
During public comments earlier in the meeting, Dwayne McIntyre, a Sand Lake resident, updated the board on the 37–39 North Main Street redevelopment and reported asbestos in the upper roof and bathroom flooring, noting that asbestos abatement requires filings with EGLE and a 10‑day notification before demolition work proceeds.
Next steps: staff will work with legal counsel to draft the program framework and the subcommittee will meet again to hash out application criteria and award amounts. The board’s authorization allows the director to begin that legal and administrative work.
