Downtown Development Authority Minutes

Discussion centered on the insights and information given by Bob Gibbs of Gibbs Planning Group at the last DDA meeting of May 24, 2004. Subsequent comments included:

- Concern regarding the possible presence of "lifestyle centers," similar to the Meadowbrook Mall in Rochester, in Northville’s retail marketing area.

- The consensus that Northville has the values of a "town" and not a "city."

- Questions that need to be answered by the proposed study of Gibbs include:

- What do we want our future to be?

- Can regional businesses and small town businesses successfully co-exist in the downtown?

- What businesses do we need to bring people to come and shop in Northville?

- Where should future business development be located? Cady Street? Randolph? Hutton Street?

- Where should the deck be located? Should we have all patron parking on the north side of town; all employee parking on the south side?

- What scenarios are to be envisioned with maximum growth of the downtown versus the maintenance of the status quo?

Further comments pointed to the belief that Northville residents do not perceive downtown as having a parking problem, which might be fostered by the fact that many do not shop in Northville. Subsequently, residents want the downtown to "stay the same."

Regarding the proposed Gibbs report itself, it was questioned as to what was the primary purpose of the report. It was perceived that possibly the report was needed to give validity to a proposed parking deck. It was stated, however, that better planning would be the subsequent result of advice and timely information given by an expert.

Motion LaChance, seconded by Presley to recommend to City Council the approval of the proposed contract of Gibbs Planning Group to update the 1997 Gibbs Planning Group commercial planning study for an amount not to exceed $14,500 plus expenses. Motion carried unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz

Recording Secretary