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About the DDAThe Northville Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was established by City ordinance in August 1978 under Michigan Public Act 197. The Authority was established to give the City of Northville tools to assist in the redevelopment of the then declining downtown area. The DDA coordinates and supports activities to promote, recruit, and retain the economic viability of the downtown area. It also acts as an advocate for a safe, clean and attractive central business district. A strong downtown center is a major attraction for development and enhances the quality of the life for the entire community. As part of its mission, the DDA works to promote economic growth by combining public and private resources and initiatives that, together, help drive development and position Northville and its downtown for success. PurposeThe purpose of the DDA is to enhance the quality of life for the residents of the greater Northville area through economic and physical revitalization of the downtown business district. Downtown Development Authorities operate under Public Act 197 and have the power to conduct an analysis of economic changes taking place in the downtown district; long range planning for the downtown area; land acquisition and improvement; building construction, improvement, rehabilitation, maintenance and operation; and construction and maintenance of public facilities such as sidewalks, parking lots, streets, street lighting, community centers, and parks. BoundariesThe DDA boundaries have been amended several times over the years and encompass much of the central business district. The boundaries are Dunlap to the north, Cady Street to the south, Wing Street to the west, and Griswold to the east. The DDA boundaries are once again being reviewed for revisions in an effort to bring more of the commercial areas within the DDA boundaries for planning purposes. Board of DirectorsThe DDA is governed by an 11 member board of directors and is chaired by Mayor Christopher Johnson. A majority of the members shall be persons having an interest in property located in the downtown district. One member shall be a resident of said district. The 11 member board is appointed by the mayor for staggered four year terms, and is made up of the following members:
The DDA’s Board of Directors meet on the third Tuesday of each month in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 215 West Main Street, at 8:00 am. The DDA board meetings are open to the public. If you would like to be on the agenda for a specific topic, please contact the DDA office. BudgetThe DDA currently uses several sources of revenue to fund its programs and projects. These include tax increment financing (TIF) and a 2-mill property tax on all property within the district. The DDA’s annual budget is approved by City Council. Strategic PlanningDowntown’s strategic planning report, "City of Northville: Commercial Planning Study" was published in June, 1997. It analyzes in detail Downtown’s priority areas and makes recommendations for development, enhancement and improvements for the next five to ten years. The report was prepared by Gibbs Planning Group, Inc. of Birmingham, Michigan. The DDA coordinates and cooperates with the Northville Central Business Association (NCBA), the Northville Chamber of Commerce, and various City of Northville departments in its efforts to draw more people to downtown Northville. Together these groups have been instrumental in completing several redevelopment projects. Projects the DDA has spearheaded or been involved in: Mainstreet ’78Mainstreet ’78 was the DDA’s first major project. The project encompassed the streetscape improvements that you see today. New brick sidewalks, pedestrian-scaled lighting, benches, tree guards, and landscaping were all added to the downtown. The band shell area was constructed, and improvements were made to Mary Alexander Court and the Dunlap and MAGS parking lots. Bonds were issued for $1,600,000. Mainstreet ’93Mainstreet ’93 picked up where Mainstreet ’78 left off. The project included the construction of two parking decks, one located immediately south of Main Center and one to replace an existing deck on the north side of Cady Street. In addition a 160 car parking lot was constructed on the south side of Cady Street. As part of the Mainstreet ’93 project the DDA’s boundaries were expanded to include the Albert Kahn designed Ford Plant at the east end of Main Street, Ford Field on Griswold, the buildings located on the south side of Main Street between Griswold and the Middle Rouge River, and the parcels located on the south side of Cady Street between Center Street and Griswold. Landscape Master PlanA landscape Master Plan was developed by Michael J. Dul Associates in October 1998. Several phases of this plan have already been implemented including, the redesign of the band shell area, the redevelopment of the park located at the corner of Main and Hutton Streets, landscaping improvements on all beds and islands surrounding the two parking decks, new street furnishings (trash receptacles, drinking fountains, planters), and new in-ground planter beds. Each fall the plan calls for expanding the bulb planting efforts, to ensure that all areas have tulips and daffodils, and that the density and quality of the beds are kept high. Road Construction ProjectsOne of the roles of the DDA is to ensure that the districts infrastructure is fully developed and that it is maintained at a high quality. Each year, the DDA budgets for major road and sidewalk reconstruction projects. In 2000, the DDA contributed to the reconstruction of Center Street from Cady Street north to Randolph. The road was rebuilt, new curb and gutter installed, and the sidewalks replaced with new brick and concrete. In 2001, the DDA participated in the reconstruction of East Cady Street from Griswold to South Main Street. This year, the DDA will participate with the Department of Public Works on the completion of East Cady Street from Main to Griswold. The project will widen the road to accommodate on-street parallel parking on the south side of Cady Street. In addition, the project will set the tone through streetscape improvements for the future design of the Cady Corridor. It is the DDA’s desire to make Cady Street a walkable, pedestrian friendly environment. In addition to completing Cady Street, the DDA will be coordinating with the Presbyterian Church on the extension of Hutton Street between Main and Cady Streets. Currently the southern half of Hutton is owned privately by the Church. Through a land swap, the City will acquire land to the south of the existing Hutton in exchange for land to the south of the church. This will allow the City to connect two way traffic along Hutton Street from Main to Cady Streets. A new signal will be added to the intersection and the connection to Mary Alexander Court will be improved. Internet Services Affiliate Program
The DDA has teamed with Municipal Web Services to create the affiliate program. Merchants who contract with MWS for any Internet service, from design to hosting, will benefit in several ways:
You can read more about the affiliate program by clicking here.
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The DDA has a part-time Director with an established
office located in downtown Northville. Lori Ward, joined the DDA as its
first Director in July of 1999. Lori can be reached at 215 West
Main St., Northville, MI 48167, 248-349-0345.
The DDA has created an Internet Services Affiliate Program
to improve the Internet presence of Downtown Northville merchants and to
leverage their buying power for Internet services. Best of all,
the program creates a new revenue stream for the DDA to undertake new
marketing initiative for the downtown.
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