Middleville DDA weighs downtown sidewalk snow-removal equipment amid equity concerns

At its April 7 meeting the Middleville Downtown Development Authority spent an extended portion of the agenda discussing a village council request related to sidewalk snow removal in the downtown business district.

Staff explained the distinction in state law between capital public improvements and operational maintenance services and advised the board to consider a memorandum of understanding with the village if the DDA were to participate financially. Staff also said the DDA’s adopted development plan and capital improvement plan do not list snow-removal equipment as a capital improvement, creating a legal and budgetary question about allowable uses of tax-increment revenues.

Board members acknowledged the benefit of cleared sidewalks for business walkability but repeatedly raised equity concerns about dedicating DDA funds to equipment that would primarily serve the immediate downtown corridor. Some members said many downtown properties are rented and that many other areas within the DDA district—including larger commercial parcels on M-37—would not receive the same service if funds were redirected downtown. Members noted a volunteer currently clears parts of the downtown sidewalks and that using DDA funds could set a precedent across the district.

Staff suggested quantifying the cost difference between serving the entire DDA district and the narrower downtown area and recommended scheduling a strategic planning session with village council to hash out scope, responsibilities and budget alignment for next year’s budget cycle. The board did not take a motion or vote on funding at the meeting.

Next steps identified in the discussion include staff estimating full-area versus downtown-only costs, exploring a memorandum of understanding with the village, and addressing the issue in a joint strategic planning session so any budget changes could be considered prior to the 2027 budget cycle.