Downtown Development Authority Minutes

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Present: DDA Members: Christopher Johnson, Margene Buckhave, Jim DeHaan, Lynda Heaton, Lou LaChance, Jim Long, Rick Shaffner.

Absent: Dave Larsen, Greg Presley

Also Present: City Councilmembers Jerry Mittman and Tom Swigart, City Manager Gary Word, DDA Director Lori Ward, School Board President Joan Wadsworth, Recording Secretary Carol Kasprowicz

Mayor and DDA Chairman Johnson stated the purpose of the meeting was to clarify the request of City Council to expand the scope of the Gibbs proposal as presented to the DDA. Councilmembers Swigart and Mittman expressed the wish to have the Gibbs report research the community’s vision of what Northville is to become in the future. It was further stated that, armed with the research results, a plan could be formulated and subsequent issues such as parking would be addressed. Further points made by the Councilmembers included:

- The need to have the community be the "client" for the Gibbs study.

- The need to ascertain the value system of the community and then extrapolate the vision into a plan.

- The need to determine if the parking problems are real or perceived.

DDA members’ comments and points of discussion included:

- The DDA’s role of leadership in downtown matters.

- The belief that a vision of downtown is being realized through the decisions of the Planning Commission, Historic District Commission, and City Council.

- The belief that economic factors, such as proposed development projects, are driving the growth and look of downtown.

- The frustration at a postponement of definite action in solving the problem of parking shortages.

Further discussion brought forth the following points:

- The Gibbs study will hopefully quantify potential growth and correlate it with where parking expansion should be located.

- Suggestion to appoint members of the Planning Commission and Historic District Commission to the Downtown Steering Committee.

- Suggestion to invite a representative of the Township Planning Commission to the Steering Committee and/or other members of the Township Board to aid in communicating the difficulties facing the downtown.

- A major contribution of the proposed Gibbs report will be an update of the marketing data.

- An intangible result of the Gibbs report could be the generation of commitment and enthusiasm from the community toward a plan for parking.

It was noted that the purpose of the Gibbs report would be to focus on downtown development with parking as a major component.

Motion DeHaan, seconded by Heaton to recommend to City Council the approval of the revised Gibbs proposal for an amount not to exceed $38,500 plus reimbursables, with direction given to Administration to confer with Gibbs as to possible cost effective avenues to address the items. Yes: DeHaan, LaChance, Heaton, Johnson. No: Buckhave, Shaffner. Motion carried.

In light of the possible Gibbs study, the parking management strategies approved by the DDA at the May 4, 2004 meeting was held from submission to City Council. Further discussion determined that the changes in the parking management plan can be implemented separate from the outcome of the Gibbs report.

Motion DeHaan, seconded by Heaton to recommend to City Council the approval of the recommended changes in the Parking Management Plan as determined at the May 4, 2004 DDA meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol T. Kasprowicz
Recording Secretary