DDA Meeting - October 12, 2022

Detailed briefing

Harbor Springs DDA Meeting — October 12, 2022 • The DDA approved Amendment No. 2 to the 2015 Downtown Development Plan and Amendment No. 2 to the 2015 Tax Increment Financing Plan. The amendments will be presented to City Council on October 17 for approval or denial. The TIF amendment would extend the plan through 2038. • Staff described an estimated 15-year development and non-development program totaling $1,792,500. Listed priorities include Merchant’s Walkway, streetscape, sidewalks, lighting, recreation, parking support, public restrooms, bike-path enhancements, walking tours, business resources and grants. The board said annual DDA budgets and projects still require City Council approval. • The board voted to request that City Council renew the downtown special assessment. Staff said the current assessment is $365 per year for non-residential property owners in the Central Business District and is not proposed to change. The city would prepare a report, followed by a public hearing identified for November 7. A possible 10-year term was discussed, but staff said the duration would be determined through the city process. • Planning has begun for Ice Fest 2023, scheduled for February 10-11. The Promotions Committee discussed bringing back or expanding a chili cook-off, sleigh rides, an interactive ice park, s’mores, larger demonstrations and Friday-night activity. The committee also wants improved signage, a set schedule and a location map. A possible Festival of the Book collaboration remains unconfirmed. • The Merchant’s Walkway committee is continuing its work while an updated survey is finalized and recorded. The committee plans to keep developing ideas, then take concepts to landscape architect Vanessa Warren for a practical plan. • The board discussed the city’s RRC work and concerns about communicating its baseline report and progress to the public. A possible collaborative meeting involving DDA and RRC participants was discussed. No RRC update was available because the planned Friday meeting had been canceled. • The National Honor Society planned to remove Main Street flowers on Sunday, October 16, around 11 a.m. The DDA also discussed student-representative social media work, outreach to students about civic board roles, current revenues, and rust appearing on some wayfinding signs. Worth watching: • Whether City Council approves the DDA’s development-plan and TIF-plan amendments on October 17. • The special-assessment renewal process, including the city report and November 7 public hearing. • Recording of the Merchant’s Walkway survey and follow-through on RRC communication and coordination. Upcoming: Main Street flower removal is planned for October 16; City Council consideration of the DDA amendments is October 17; Ice Fest is scheduled for February 10-11, 2023. Why it matters: The pending plans and assessment request would shape how the DDA funds and prioritizes downtown improvements over the coming years.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.