Downtown Development Authority Minutes

Present: DDA Members: Christopher J. Johnson, Margene Buckhave, Jim DeHaan, Lynda Heaton, Greg Presley, Lou LaChance, Jim Long. Others: City Manager Gary Word, DDA Director Lori Ward, School Board Representative Martha Nield, Planning Commissioners Jim Allen and Marc Russell, Reporters Lon Huhman and Scott Spielman, Recording Secretary Carol Kasprowicz

Absent: Dave Larsen, Rick Shaffner.

Approval of Minutes: There being no corrections or additions, the minutes of the June 12, 2001 meeting were approved as submitted.

City Manager Word stated the City Council has approved a traffic engineering study by Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc. (HRC) for the purpose of addressing traffic problems in key areas of downtown for a contract price of $28,500. It is now before the DDA for further approval. The subsequent discussion brought forth the following comments:

- Question the need for specific items listed in the traffic study proposal.

- Question the need to have an outside consultant conduct the traffic study instead of using the expertise of City Staff.

- Request to have the DDA subcommittee work closely with Hubbell, Roth & Clark.

- Concern over possible skewed traffic data because of temporary redirection of traffic due to construction.

- The purpose of the traffic study at this time is to determine the overall effects of various possible scenarios regarding redirection of traffic.

- The request to have the DDA included in any presentation by HRC.

Motion Presley, seconded by Heaton to approve the study and recommend to Council to hold off the formal study pending the reopening of Griswold and Randolph. Voice vote: Yes: Buckhave, DeHaan, Heaton, Johnson, LaChance, Presley. No: Long. Motion carried.

John Genitti, speaking for the Sculpture Committee of the Arts Commission, requested a donation from the DDA to help fund the $20,000 six-foot bronze sculpture of a treble clef that is to be placed near the Band Shell. Genitti stated he is requesting funds from all local groups as well as individuals. Donations of $500 and up will be acknowledged on a bronze plaque near the sculpture. (No action was taken at this time.)

Post Office – Word explained the progress thus far of the negotiations regarding the retaining of the Post Office in downtown Northville. A letter will be sent to Post Office officials reiterating the offer made by Northville Township to donate land for a carrier annex in exchange for retaining the retail center in the City. The Post Office has indicated that a retail center could be accommodated with 4000-5000 square feet of space. The City owns several parcels of land that would accommodate this request.

It was questioned as to whether the DDA would include the present post office area in their boundaries. It was requested that the topic of the DDA boundaries be addressed at the next DDA meeting.

Downtown Transportation and Planning Subcommittee - The subcommittee, comprised of DDA members Greg Presley and Lynda Heaton, Planning Commissioners Jim Allen and Marc Russell, and City Staff members Jim Gallogly, Lori Ward, and Don Wortman, was directed to investigate long term planning options taking into account possible development on Cady Street and the Cady Street "terminus," and downtown traffic patterns. The investigation conducted by the subcommittee resulted in a "Downtown Conceptual Long Range Development Plan." The concepts providing the foundation for the Plan, which were formulated to encourage a 24-hour public life cycle in the downtown, were:

1. Encourage interior parking with perimeter block mixed-use development.

2. Maintain and strengthen north-south pedestrian spine.

3. Encourage development of small pedestrian public spaces and public art in downtown areas.

4. Encourage mixed-use development consisting of commercial, office space and residential.

The DDA area was subsequently divided into seven key development areas and each area was designated with objectives to be accomplished. Some of the objectives were as follows:

- Remove Dunlap Street to create larger block.

- Continue Randolph Street to Hutton Street.

- Incorporate public restrooms.

- Continue north-south pedestrian connection.

- Extend Beal Avenue to Wing Street to create larger block.

- Encourage re-use of Belanger Building

- Potential farmer’s market location.

- Develop public river front access.

Further concepts that were postulated were the accommodation of parking in each area, and the connection of all green spaces with possible pedestrian walkways.

It was suggested that a more in-depth discussion take place regarding the Development Plan, possibly in conjunction with a discussion on expansion of the DDA boundaries.

Upon reviewing the material that would be inserted in the City’s web site, it became apparent that a web site dedicated specifically to the DDA was appropriate and needed. Mr. Anderson presented a demonstration of various web sites developed by his company. Additionally, he spoke of the differences in design that will be apparent between the City’s website and the DDA’s website, the mechanism whereby downtown merchants will be listed and linked with the DDA website, and the assurance that the DDA website will be in the top three pages in primary search engines. The initial setup costs including website development, hosting costs for one year, web site marketing, and flash application will be $16,310. Subsequent yearly costs are estimated to be at approximately $3000.

Motion DeHaan, seconded by LaChance to approve the proposal of Municipal Web Services for the development and hosting of the DDA’s web site. Motion carried unanimously.

There being no further business, meeting adjourned 10:07 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz

Recording Secretary