Downtown Development Authority Minutes

Present: DDA Members: Christopher Johnson, Greg Presley, Dave Larsen, Lou LaChance, Margene Buckhave, Lynda Heaton. Others: DDA Director Lori Ward, School Board President Martha Nield, DPW Director Jim Gallogly, Reporters Lon Huhman and Scott Spielman

Absent: Jim Long (excused), Jim DeHaan (excused), Rick Shaffner

Approval of Minutes: Motion Larsen, seconded by Buckhave to approve the minutes of the meetings of November 13, 2001, November 27, 2001, and the joint meeting of December 10, 2001 with corrections. Voice vote: Yes – all. No – none. Motion carried unanimously.

Greg Presley, acting as architect for the Sheehans, requested input from the DDA Board regarding the concept of moving the Sheehan building, presently located at 166 E. Main Street, to City-owned property located on Hutton immediately north of Metro Mortgage. The Sheehan building in its present location is difficult to maintain and moving it to another location would make it a more viable structure. It has been proposed to move the building to the City-owned property and convert it into a café with outdoor seating and an adjacent parking lot. Mr. Sheehan would move the building at his expense and retain ownership of the building.

Discussion included: possible parking configurations of nearby properties, the impact on Ford Field, the placement of the Farmer’s Market in the proposed adjacent parking lot, and the option of placing a parking deck on the graded property. A consensus was voiced on the desirability of saving the building and placing it on the suggested piece of property. However, parking problems need to be resolved.

The Downtown Parking Committee has met twice and is working on short-term and long-term solutions to the downtown parking problems. The Committee suggests that the entire area of all City parking lots be designated as two-hour parking, and that employees of City businesses be issued auto stickers enabling them to park in specific areas. It was discovered that many office workers employed in the second floor businesses of downtown park in the lots by 8 or 9 a.m. each day. A long-term solution is the construction of a parking deck. A survey has been distributed to all businesses to assist the Committee in preparing final recommendations.

Additional comments included the need for strict enforcement of the orange dot (employee) parking program, the need for designating long-term parking spots, and the need for distinctive signage for parking.

Members of the Steering Committee will be presenting the conceptual plan to the Planning Commission, Historic District Commission, and City Council in the next month for feedback. In the near future, members of Staff and the Committee will contact the three key stakeholders in the plan: Northville Downs, Belangers, and CVS.

The next meeting was tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, 2002. Meeting adjourned 9:10 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz, Recording Secretary