Downtown Development Authority Minutes

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Present: DDA Members: Dave Larsen, Greg Presley, Rick Shaffner, Lou LaChance, Margene Buckhave, Lynda Heaton. Others: City Manager Gary Word, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Nickie Bateson, DDA Director Lori Ward, DPW Director Jim Gallogly, Recording Secretary Carol Kasprowicz, Housing Director Joanne Inglis, Housing Commissioner Sue Hooper, Reporter Heather Conner, and Phil Smith

Absent: Christopher Johnson, Jim DeHaan, Jim Long (all excused)

Approval of Minutes: There being no corrections or additions, the minutes of the September 10, 2002 meeting were approved.

Allen Terrace Bond Proposal: Housing Director Joanne Inglis gave an overview of Allen Terrace’s plans for renovations and the need for the issuance of bonds to finance the project. In an effort to receive the lowest possible interest rate, a General Obligation Bond will be sought. This type of bond requires voter approval and will be placed on the ballot at the upcoming election. In an effort to educate the community on the specifics of the bond proposal, several members of the Housing Commission were present to extend informational material to DDA board members. Questions were asked regarding Allen Terrace and the renovation plans.

Wayfinding and Signage Proposal / Corbin Design: Ward presented a proposal from Corbin Design for the purposes of discussion. She solicited the proposal upon seeing their work in various communities and spurred by the need for a change in signage in Northville’s parking lots. She further outlined the need to coordinate any changes with a comprehensive plan for City signage. Points of discussion entailed the cost of the project, the inability to contract for design to the exclusion of implementation of the project, the possible draw of local talent, and the development of an RFP to generate additional proposals. It was suggested that a change be made in the signs that are at the entrances of the parking lots, and that each parking lot have a specific name versus a number.

Parking Management Plan: Ward gave an update on the implementation of the parking management plan. Additional orange dots have been placed in two parking lots, a parking map is being created for downtown customers, and a flyer will be sent to downtown merchants that alert them to the onset of the issuance of parking tickets.

Michigan Downtown Finance Association (MDFA) September Conference: Ward gave a synopsis of the Conference that was hosted here in the City of Northville.

Public Restrooms: Further documentation was given to Board members regarding the approval process of the construction and acquisition of public restrooms.

Ward stated a request has been received by the Adrian DDA to meet with Northville DDA members to review the history of the development of Northville’s downtown. It was suggested the meeting be in conjunction with the monthly meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz

Recording Secretary