Downtown Development Authority Minutes

Chairman Johnson called the meeting to order at 8:20 a.m.

DDA member Presley reviewed the accomplishments and/or changes in the downtown since 1997, the year the Gibbs/Green Report was submitted. Among the items listed were the new streetscape amenities, additional office and retail space in the core downtown, streetscape on Cady Street, addition of two-way traffic on South Hutton, the development of the Historic District Commercial Design Guidelines, and the hiring of a DDA Director. Additionally, Presley composed a list of recommendations proposed in the Gibbs/Green Report and indicated which recommendations were followed. Of the 21 recommendations, 14 are in the process or have been realized.

Planning Commissioner Russell reviewed the proposed Downtown Conceptual Long Range Development Plan with key development points in the various geographic quadrants of Northville including the north, west, mid-town, east, Cady Street, south, possible "Cady Town", and "Civic Center" quadrants.

Throughout the meeting, Bob Gibbs made several suggestions and pointed out various strategies that he has employed in his most recent projects.

- Liner buildings, which have been built around a deck, have been built as shallow as 20-ft. deep and 60-ft. wide.

- People are to be encouraged to migrate from the parking lots/decks to a number of shops versus destination parking; repudiated the concept that each block should take care of its parking.

- The reconfiguring and extension of Randolph Street is to be encouraged through economic incentives to developers. Do not close off Dunlap Street. Every street in the downtown should be fronted with shops. Northville’s Zoning Ordinance is a very powerful tool in accomplishing these objectives.

- Recent parking requirements have been found to be four spaces per 1000 of a stand-alone office building; four spaces per 1,000 of stand-alone retail building; three spaces per 1000 of a building consisting of 1/3 office and 2/3 retail; 2.5 spaces per 1000 of a 2/3 retail and 1/3 office building. These numbers are based on net leasable space.

An extensive discussion took place regarding parking, parking philosophy, and successful parking strategies. Gibbs stated:

- People will walk two or three blocks if they have something nice to walk past.

- Northville does have a significant problem with the grade change from Cady Street to Main Street, which is why the Gibbs/Green Report encouraged development north of Main Street.

- People will pay more for nearby parking. Research shows that customers are more concerned with saving time than saving money.

- Suggested installing parking meters as an experiment. New "smart" meters, utilized with cards, can credit time unused. Every meter installed generates six to eight turnovers a day and results in approximately $300,000 in retail sales annually.

- Have employees park for free in decks or parking lots on the perimeter of downtown. Customers will pay for parking spots closer to shops.

- Be more aggressive in how parking lots are being used: institute graduated fines for repeat offenders, remove orange dots from the lots, have no parking until 10 a.m. in the lots.

- Northville will need decks; either now but definitely later.

Gibbs stated that Northville has 24 to 36 months to "make yourself strong" in getting people to develop the habit of shopping in Northville. He alluded that two "lifestyle centers," similar to the Meadowbrook Center in Rochester are in the planning stages to be built in the retail marketing area of Northville. He encouraged Northville to become good at providing neighborhood services, making it convenient to come into Northville. A new urbanism is gaining favor where the retail and residential spaces are existing in close proximity.

Gibbs stated Northville must decide to be either a "town" or a "city." A city has successful restaurants but a high number of restaurants in a city does not bode well for the residential component. A "town" has little night life with shops and restaurants closing at 5 or 6 p.m.

Gibbs final words of advice included:

- Institute steps to better manage the existing parking spaces.

- Make it as easy as possible for customers to park.

- Encourage as much downtown housing as possible.

- A parking deck is needed in Northville.

Meeting adjourned 10:35 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz

Recording Secretary