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Ferndale council approves $15,000 feasibility study to explore Livernois Corridor improvement authority
Summary
The council approved a $15,000 contract for OHM Advisors to study creating a Corridor Improvement Authority for the Livernois commercial corridor, a step toward using TIF revenue for public improvements and grant opportunities. City staff said the study will define boundaries and project potential tax increment capture.
Ferndale city council on the consent agenda approved a $15,000 feasibility study by OHM Advisors to evaluate creating a Corridor Improvement Authority (CIA) for the Livernois commercial corridor.
City planner Ross said the study will check statutory eligibility, define district boundaries, perform a parcel inventory to establish a baseline for potential tax-increment (TIF) capture and produce a 20‑year revenue forecast. Ross said the board could oversee public investments for landmarks cited in the presentation, including the Kulik Center, the historic museum and Fire Station 1, and program uses for a roughly 1.52‑acre vacant city parcel on the south end of Livernois.
Why it matters: a CIA functions like a district-level TIF that captures incremental property-tax growth for reinvestment in a corridor. Ross said the structure can also unlock county, state and federal grant opportunities and fund street lighting, wayfinding, façade grants and other placemaking projects.
Council members pressed staff on who would pay the captured increment and how residents would be included. Ross said the study will evaluate which millages are subject to capture and project annual increment revenue, and that bylaws can be written to include resident seats or volunteer participation. "It's trash cans, benches, lighting," Ross said when describing early business requests; "they want a distinct character niche for the corridor." She also said some business leaders have been organized and that one organizer communicates with about 37 local businesses.
Public reaction at the meeting was largely supportive from Livernois business owners. "100% support the $15,000 spend," said Chris Best, who called out parking as a common local concern. Opponents raised the general TIF concern that captured increment reduces future general‑fund growth; Dave Cottrell urged caution, saying TIF structures can divert funds from general municipal revenue.
Next steps: the Community and Economic Development department will present the study findings to council in September or October. If the findings are favorable, staff said they will engage the Livernois community, the city council and Oakland County on implementation options and a possible Main Street approach.
