ABOUT THE DDA
The Van Buren Township Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is focused on the enhancement of economic growth and social well-being within our downtown district. Beyond our daily goal of developing the downtown district to be even more appealing to visitors, the Downtown Development Authority serves as a proud supporter for area businesses and an advocate for residents.
Our downtown business district welcomes residents and visitors with a unique variety of gathering places where people can enjoy one another’s company, delicious food, history, entertainment and more. The Downtown Development Authority has made great strides in developing a safe and walkable downtown – key improvements include newly extended sidewalks, charming streetlights and banners, attractive landscaping with inviting benches, and the redevelopment of a major intersection (Belleville/ Ecorse Roads).
The current make-up of the DDA Board of Directors includes the Township Supervisor, two in-district residents, five in-district business/property owners and three at-large community members.
The DDA is responsible for promoting economic development within its district and eliminating the causes of property value decline. The DDA’s statutorily required Development and Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Plan serve as a guide for the continued development of the Downtown District. The plan emphasizes measures to attract and stimulate additional investment in the district, providing public infrastructure to support private investment, conducting business recruitment and retention activities, marketing, planning and identifying potential catalyst projects and amenities to stimulate development.
The DDA has played a variety of constructive roles since its creation. It has been, and continues to be, an economic development agency, a redevelopment agency, a marketing organization, and a coordinator and facilitator among various private and governmental entities involved in Van Buren Township’s Downtown District. The vitality and dynamism of the Downtown District are tangible testimony to the effectiveness of the DDA and its vision.
The Charter Township of Van Buren established its Downtown Development Authority (DDA) under Michigan Public Act 197 of 1975 and gave the DDA all the powers available to it under State law. The Van Buren Township DDA was created to encourage economic development and to increase tax base in the community. It is responsible for making public improvements, and may offer other incentives to businesses locating with its Downtown District.
DDA BOARD
Susan Ireland
DDA Executive Director
Lisa Lothringer
Assistant Executive Director
Craig Atchinson
Chair
Carol Bird
Vice Chair
Chris Brown
Secretary
Kevin MCNamara
Township Supervisor
Joe Baskin, jr.
Director
Dawn Chappell
Director
Jim Chudzinski
Director
Victor Delibera
Director
Helen Foster
Director
Mark Laginess
Director
Joyce ROCHOWIAK
Director
DDA BOARD MEETINGS
Downtown Development Authority meetings are held the 4th Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at 10151 Belleville Road.
The public is welcome to attend
Archived Agendas & Meetings
| January 28, 2020 | Agenda | Minutes |
| February 25, 2020 | Cancelled | Minutes |
| March 24, 2020 | Cancelled | |
| April 28, 2020 | Cancelled | |
| May 26, 2020 | Agenda | Minutes |
| June 23, 2020 | Agenda | Minutes |
| July 28, 2020 | Agenda | Minutes |
| August 25, 2020 | Cancelled | |
| September 22, 2020 | Agenda | Minutes |
| October 27, 2020 | Agenda | |
| November 24, 2020 | Cancelled | |
| December, 2020 | NO MEETING |
| January 22, 2019 | Agenda | Minutes |
| February 26, 2019 | Agenda | Minutes |
| March 26, 2019 | Agenda | Minutes |
| April 23, 2019 | Agenda | Minutes |
| May 28, 2019 | Agenda | Minutes |
| June 25, 2019 | Agenda | Minutes |
| July 23, 2019 | Agenda | Minutes |
| August 27, 2019 | Agenda | Minutes |
| September 24, 2019 | Agenda | Minutes |
| October 22, 2019 | Cancelled | |
| November 26, 2019 | Agenda | |
| December, 2019 | NO MEETING |
| January 23, 2018 | Agenda | Minutes |
| February 27, 2018 | Agenda | Minutes |
| March 27, 2018 | Agenda | Minutes |
| April 24, 2018 | Cancelled | |
| May 22, 2018 | Agenda | Minutes |
| June 26, 2018 | Agenda | Minutes |
| July 24, 2018 | Agenda | Minutes |
| August 28, 2018 | Cancelled | |
| September 25, 2018 | Agenda | Minutes |
| October 23, 2018 | Agenda | Minutes |
| November 27, 2018 | Agenda | Minutes |
| December, 2018 | NO MEETING |
| January 24, 2017 | Agenda | Minutes |
| February 28, 2017 | Agenda | Minutes |
| March 28, 2017 | Agenda | Minutes |
| April 25, 2017 | Agenda | Minutes |
| May 23, 2017 | Agenda | Minutes |
| June 27, 2017 | Agenda | Cancelled |
| July 25, 2017 | Agenda | Minutes |
| August 22, 2017 | Agenda | Minutes |
| September 26, 2017 | Agenda | Minutes |
| October 24, 2017 | Agenda | Minutes |
| November 28, 2017 | Agenda | Minutes |
| December, 2017 | NO MEETING |
| January 26, 2016 | Agenda | Minutes |
| February 23, 2016 | Agenda | Minutes |
| March 22, 2016 | Agenda | Minutes |
| April 26, 2016 | Agenda | Minutes |
| May 24, 2016 | Agenda | Minutes |
| June 28, 2016 | No Meeting | No Meeting |
| July 26, 2016 | Agenda | Minutes |
| August 23, 2016 | Agenda | Cancelled |
| September 27, 2016 | Agenda | Minutes |
| October 25, 2016 | Agenda | Minutes |
| November 29, 2016 | Agenda | |
| December, 2016 | NO MEETING |
| January 27, 2015 | Agenda | Minutes |
| February 24, 2015 | Agenda | Minutes |
| March 24, 2015 | Agenda | Minutes |
| April 28, 2015 | Agenda | Minutes |
| May 26, 2015 | Agenda | Minutes |
| June 23, 2015 | Agenda | Minutes |
| July 28, 2015 | Agenda | Minutes |
| August 25, 2015 | Agenda | Minutes |
| September 22, 2015 | Agenda | Minutes |
| October 27, 2015 | Agenda | Minutes |
| November 24, 2015 | Agenda | Minutes |
| December, 2015 | NO MEETING |
| January 28, 2014 | Agenda | Minutes |
| February 25, 2014 | Agenda | Minutes |
| March 28, 2014 | Cancelled | |
| April 22, 2014 | Agenda | Minutes |
| May 27, 2014 | Agenda | Minutes |
| June 24, 2014 | Cancelled | |
| July 22, 2014 | Agenda | Minutes |
| August 26, 2014 | Agenda | Minutes |
| September 23, 2014 | Agenda | Minutes |
| October 28, 2014 | Agenda | Minutes |
| November 25, 2014 | Agenda | Minutes |
| December, 2014 | NO MEETING |
| January 22, 2013 | Agenda | Minutes |
| February 26, 2013 | Agenda | Minutes |
| March 26, 2013 | Agenda | Minutes |
| April 23, 2013 | Agenda | Minutes |
| May 28, 2013 | Agenda | Minutes |
| June 25, 2013 | Agenda | Minutes |
| July 23, 2013 | Agenda | Minutes |
| August 27, 2013 | Agenda | Minutes |
| September 24, 2013 | Agenda | Minutes |
| October 22, 2013 | Agenda | Minutes |
| November 26, 2013 | Cancelled | |
| December, 2013 | NO MEETING |
| January 24, 2012 | Agenda | Minutes |
| February 28, 2012 | Agenda | Minutes |
| March 27, 2012 | Agenda | Minutes |
| April 24, 2012 | Agenda | Minutes |
| May 22, 2012 | Agenda | Minutes |
| June 26, 2012 | Agenda | Minutes |
| July 24, 2012 | Agenda | Minutes |
| August 28, 2012 | Agenda | Minutes |
| September 25, 2012 | Agenda | Minutes |
| October 23, 2012 | Agenda | Minutes |
| Special Meeting November 6, 2012 | Agenda | Minutes |
| Special Meeting November 13, 2012 | Agenda | Minutes |
| December 25, 2012 | NO MEETING |
| January 25, 2011 | Agenda | Minutes |
| February 22, 2011 | Agenda | Minutes |
| March 26, 2011 | Agenda | Minutes |
| April 26, 2011 | Agenda | Minutes |
| May 24, 2011 | Agenda | Minutes |
| June 28, 2011 | Agenda | Minutes |
| July 26, 2011 | Agenda | Minutes |
| August 23, 2011 | Meeting Change | |
| August 30 , 2011 | Agenda | Minutes |
| September 27, 2011 | Meeting Change | |
| October 11, 2011 | Agenda | Minutes |
| October 25, 2011 | Cancelled | |
| November 22, 2011 | Agenda | Minutes |
| December 5, 2011 | Agenda | Minutes |
| December 27, 2011 | Cancelled | NO MEETING |
| January 12, 2010 | Rescheduled | |
| January 19, 2010 | Agenda | Minutes |
| February 9, 2010 | Cancelled | |
| March 9, 2010 | Rescheduled | |
| March 22, 2010 | Agenda | Minutes |
| April 13, 2010 | Rescheduled/Location Change | |
| April 26, 2010 | Agenda | Minutes |
| May 25 2010 | Agenda | Minutes |
| June 22, 2010 | Agenda | Minutes |
| July 27, 2010 | Agenda | Minutes |
| August 24, 2010 | Cancelled | |
| September 28, 2010 | Rescheduled | |
| October 12, 2010 | Agenda | Minutes |
| October 26, 2010 | Cancelled | |
| November 9, 2010 | Agenda | Minutes |
| December 28, 2010 | Cancelled |
Financials
Our commitment to keeping our community informed has never been greater. Our desire is to be transparent and accountable in all aspects we are entrusted with – finances, the community’s economic outlook, projects completed and those scheduled for future completion, along with their associated budgets and costs. Here you’ll find expenditures for recent years and certified audit reports.
| BUDGETS | |
| 2010 – 2016 | |
| 2017 – 2020 | |
Capital Improvement Plan Project Summary
VIEW AND DOWNLOAD PROJECT SUMMARY
VIEW AND DOWNLOAD PROJECT SUMMARY
DDA ACTIVITY RECAP
The DDA has been working hard at making our downtown district what it is today! View a collection of projects and improvements the DDA has orchestrated since our organization’s inception, along with additional projects currently underway. VIEW THE DDA’S ACTIVITY RECAP
DDA CONTRACTS AND SERVICES
In compliance with Public Act 57 and the DDA’s desire to be transparent with the community, a listing of current contracts and management services provided to the DDA are available for public review.
- Randy Brown Landscaping
- Belleville/Ecorse Intersection Landscape Maintenance
- CA Marketing Inc.
- Marketing and Public Relations Services
- Gonczy’s Property Maintenance, LLC
- Landscape Maintenance
- Lakeview Window
- Janitorial Service
- Van Buren Township
- Water Services & Administrative Services
- Pioneer Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance
- Landscape Maintenance
- State of Michigan Department of Transportation
- I-94 Pedestrian Overpass
- Wayne County
- Streetscape Maintenance
- Vigilante
- Security Services
Frequently Asked Questions…
The purpose of a DDA is to prevent deterioration and promote economic growth within a business district by developing, adopting, and implementing development plans. The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Act was passed by the State of Michigan in 1975 to give municipalities an economic development tool they could use to rebuild and reposition their downtowns, increase taxable values and encourage private investment.
The DDA district boundaries encompass the Belleville Road corridor from Van Born Road to Belleville Lake, as well as some surrounding areas, including the North I-94 Service Drive from Quirk Road to Morton Taylor Road, Tyler Road between Beck Road and Walden Blvd, Ecorse Road between Beck Road and Edwards Road, and Van Born Road between Belleville and Morton Taylor Roads.
Board Members serve four-year terms, except for the Township Supervisor who serves for his/her term of office. Board Members are appointed by recommendation of the Township Supervisor, subject to the approval of the Township Board.
Downtown Development Authority meetings are held the 4th Tuesday of each month (no December meeting) at 5:30 p.m. at 10151 Belleville Road. The public is welcome to attend.
For more information about available real estate within Van Buren Township, contact Susan Ireland, DDA Executive Director at 734-699-8900 x9201 or sireland-dda@vanburen-mi.org.