Post on 31-Dec-2020
transcript
Ionia
Downtown Development Authority
Semi-Annual Report
December 2020
Ionia Downtown Development Authority
Semi-Annual Information Meeting December 2020
The Ionia Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was originally organized in 1981. After a period of
inactivity, the DDA reorganized in 1989. At this time, a Tax Increment Financing Plan (TIF) and a 2 mill tax
were created to generate additional income for improvements. In addition, the boundaries of the DDA were
greatly expanded beyond the original central business district.
The mission of the Ionia DDA is to promote and control economic growth which enhances the quality of life
through planning and implementation of activities and projects within the Development District.
The DDA Board of Directors is comprised of the Mayor and eight (8) members appointed by the Mayor, subject
to confirmation by City Council. At least five (5) of the members shall be persons having an interest in property
located in the DDA District. At least one (1) of the members shall be a resident of the DDA District, if the DDA
District has one hundred (100) or more persons residing in it. Each member shall serve a term of four (4) years
but for the Mayor whose term shall coincide with his or her term as Mayor. An appointment to fill a vacancy shall
be made by the Mayor, upon confirmation by the City Council, for the remainder of the unexpired term. Members
of the Board shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses.
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors are held at City Hall on the third Wednesday of each month at
8:00AM. The Board of Directors also utilizes a Finance Committee which meets monthly. The Finance
Committee, comprised of a small number of board members, is charged with monitoring the DDA and Ionia
Theatre budgets, expenditures and other matters that financially impact the DDA and / or the Ionia Theatre.
Staff: Downtown Development Authority Director Linda Curtis
Office: 203 W Main Street
Mailing address: Ionia DDA P.O. Office Box 496 Ionia, MI 48846
Phone: 616.527.1420
Email: lcurtis@ci.ionia.mi.us
PA 57 compliance: Semi-annually beginning January 1, 2019
Authorities must hold two “informational meetings.” Informational meetings are meetings for the purpose of informing the public of
the goals and direction of the authority, including projects to be undertaken in the coming year. They are not for the purpose of
voting on policy, budgets or other operational matters.
Ionia Downtown Development Authority Semi Annual Informational Meeting
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Budget
Budget year: July 1 – June 30. Clean audit by contracted services for FY 2019/2020.
Budget FY 2020 / 2021 – attachment.
$362,550 - Recommended Budget Revenue from special assessments, Tax Increment Financing, festivals / special
events, sponsorships, and grants. Contributions from General Fund for capital outlay as determined.
$391,010 - Expenses include staff employment, central garage maintenance services, contractual agreements /
services, operating supplies, public utilities, training, district beautification, infrastructure improvements,
promotions and special events.
$2,910 - Fund balance. Reserved for 2020 / 2021 fund operating expenditures.
Finance contractual agreements:
o City of Ionia Fireworks Display: $6,000 to Melrose Pyrotechnics to secure 2021 date. Balance of
$6,000 to be paid following event.
o Ionia Mural Project Artist’s fee of $13,000.
DDA Projects and Investments
• Financial support of beautification projects including seasonal planting / maintenance of perennial
and annual flowers in the downtown shopping district. Plantings placed within curb jet areas, street side,
and individual planters / urns. Continued evaluation and maintenance of downtown Ornamental Pear trees.
Beginning December 2020, DDA will oversee wholesale greenhouse contractual agreement and product
for all planting beds as noted above. Work with DPW staff to set schedule of planting, product needs and
maintenance.
• Contract for fresh garland wraps placed on historic lampposts during each holiday season. A sponsorship
campaign directed by the DDA supports a portion of the costs. Donor recognition cards printed, laminated
and attached to garlands by DDA Director. Beginning December 2020, DDA will oversee contractual
agreement with local supplier.
• Seasonal banners and decorations within the business district. Artificial garland wraps and decorative
wreaths are placed on the downtown Main Street lampposts during the holiday season. Artificial garland
with lights were added to the Steele Street Corridor in November 2020. DDA oversees contractual
agreements with wholesale suppliers for product.
• Funding for landscaping, snow plowing, downtown maintenance, business district lampposts /
lighting and electrical costs included in DDA annual budget.
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DDA Projects and Investments continued
• Wayfinding Sign program supported by the City of Ionia General Fund. Program oversight by DDA.
• Dumpster program for downtown businesses within specific areas.
• Financial support for maintenance of public parking lots including snow removal, re-surfacing, crack
filling, asphalt sealing and repainting of parking space stripes.
• Ionia Mural Project fundraising campaign, contractual working agreement with artist, and installation
plans provided by DDA. Mural to be placed in the spring of 2021.
• Infrastructure investments within the DDA District vary each year.
• Incentive programming for future District investment as determined by City Manager and Finance
Director.
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The Ionia DDA is currently engaged in the following programs:
• Rental Rehabilitation grant programing. Second investment program to be initiated December 2020.
• Façade Improvement grant programing. Second property investment program to be initiated in December
2020.
• Redevelopment Ready Communities Certification (RRC). The City of Ionia received confirmation of
certification for the RRC program in July 2020. The DDA continues to be the contact and provider for
required documentation, training and operations for the RRC program. Annual reporting is also required
and must be maintained to continue certification. As of November 2020, only 45 Michigan cities had
completed the certification process. Due to the current COVID 19 health guidelines, MEDC did not host
an in-person reception to recognize the certification achievement. Acknowledgment will be via ZOOM
or during an upcoming City Council meeting.
• RRC - Phase 2 will now provide team to work with the DDA on the development of marketing packages
for up to five priority sites located within the traditional downtown. The program will assist in identifying
property assets, available resources and development opportunities for the properties. The City of Ionia
will have a dedicated website presence (www.miplace.org/site) listing the priority site packages. MEDC
will promote the sites statewide to potential developers.
• Committees formed during the 2019 Project Rising Tide initiative continue their mission. Committees
include Broadband, Downtown Development, Housing, and Economic Development.
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Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) continued
• Member of the Ionia County Selection Committee (The Right Place – COVID 19 Recovery Funding) for:
o Michigan Small Business Restart Program
o Small Business Relief Program
• Grant submitted for Michigan Match On Main funding to assist businesses with economic recovery
efforts. Ionia was not selected as a recipient for the program.
Economic Development
• Successfully working with business owners and entrepreneurs seeking to open and / or retain businesses
in DDA District.
• Provide small business training workshops and webinars. In-person trainings are pending due to COVID
guidelines.
• Maintained working relations and a visible presence with DDA business and property owners. Continued
regular retention calls and visits to offer DDA assistance.
• Promote Façade and Rental Rehabilitation grant programs. Work with MEDC representatives and Third
Party Administrator to provide assistance with grant writing and reporting. Past results included a four
unit rental rehabilitation project and grant funding of $153,000. Currently meeting with Third Party
Administrator on future projects relating to downtown rental rehabilitation opportunities.
• Attend trainings related to DDA development, downtown revitalization and planning (prior to Stay at
Home Order). Currently participating in on-line programming.
• Completed Project Rising Tide program administered through MEDC. Committees continue to meet.
• Sponsorship and donor programs for several DDA projects.
• The DDA continues to submit grant applications for various projects, events, and programming.
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation grant submitted and awarded to the City of Ionia for the
development of a marketing package for the Orchard View Industrial Park. The DDA now oversees the
project including grant reporting, fund distribution, and marketing package contracted through
communications firm. The package will include fact sheets, drone footage, sell sheet and digital marketing
materials. Once complete, the package will be forwarded to MEDC, The Right Place, in addition to being
placed on the City website.
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Organization
Maintained business office and DDA presence in the downtown and district as allowed and in accordance of the
State of Michigan Stay at Home Orders. Worked from home base in accordance of Stay at Home Order when
DDA office was closed.
• Prepare agendas, meeting minutes, and recordkeeping for the DDA Board of Directors.
• Respond to phone, mail and personal requests of DDA.
• Provide reports to assist with annual budget.
• DDA acts as the planning body for future downtown development within the DDA District.
• Oversee the expense funds collected by the Tax Increment Finance Authority district (TIFA).
• Provide funding for improving the downtown district through economic development, business
recruitment and retention, public improvements, downtown beautification, marketing and promotion and
special events.
• Operating expenses include staff employment, maintenance agreements, events, contractual agreements,
office equipment / supplies, and training.
• DDA Annual Report presented to Board of Directors and Ionia City Council.
• Host webinar series and trainings relating to business retention, customer service, marketing and
promotion for area business owners and their employees. Webinars presented at the Ionia Theatre. All
programming on hold at present time due to COVID guidelines.
• Marketing the Ionia Theatre to corporations as a site for webinar trainings for employees. Theatre currently
closed due to COVID guidelines.
Marketing Efforts
• Provide DDA related materials for the City of Ionia website including but not limited to agendas, meeting
minutes, DDA Director reports and special event information.
• Monthly segment on 1430 WION radio. News on events, projects and programming shared with listeners.
• Monthly newsletter created and distributed to contact list.
• Periodic press releases and related articles provided to area media contacts.
• Develop and share marketing campaign opportunities with District businesses.
• Provide marketing workshops in cooperation with Michigan Small Business Development Center for area
business owners.
• “Discover Ionia” website to be launched mid December 2020. Site will provide tourism / visitor
destination information for the community. Special events, news alerts, tourism related information and
more to be showcased on website.
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Special Events
• Ionia Fireworks Display is launched from the Ionia Fairgrounds infield. Attendance is estimated at
3,000 plus in previous years. 2020 event cancelled due to COVID guidelines.
• Michigan Wizard of Oz Festival was created in 2014 as the movie celebrated its 75th anniversary. Each
year the Festival continues to grow bringing visitors from across the nation to the city of Ionia. Event
cancelled due to COVID guidelines.
• Ionia Farmers’ Market open each Wednesday and Saturday June through October.
• Project partner of Autumn Celebration / Chili Dawg Challenge. Event cancelled due to COVID
guidelines.
• Street closing and barricade requests in preparation for special events.
• Assist with multiple fundraising activities for area nonprofit organizations.
• Shop Local campaigns including but not limited to Small Business Saturday and Buy Nearby retail
programs.
• The DDA and Ionia Area Chamber of Commerce have collaborated on numerous special projects and
events during the past year. The partnership has provided additional opportunities to market and promote
the community and businesses to a larger target audience.
• Holiday parade and other related activities were cancelled / postponed / modified in 2020 due to COVID
guidelines. Worked with Chamber of Commerce Director to create targeted shop local campaigns, modify
events and activities when possible. Two new events created this year were “Christmas On the Bricks”
and “Twinkle Town”.
Planned Projects
• Steele Street Corridor Reconstruction Project completed and on schedule.
• Ionia’s first official historical mural painted on aluminum panels which will be mounted to a frame and
attached to the brick exterior of the Ionia Theatre. Due to COVID guidelines, the artist time line was
delayed. Placement of the mural is now set for spring 2021.
• Continued work with MEDC to promote façade and rental rehabilitation grants for downtown properties.
New project scheduled for 2021.
• Host webinar series and trainings related to business retention, customer service, marketing and
promotion for area business owners and their employees.
• Continue to develop new events to create a destination atmosphere for the downtown / DDA district
area. Enhance current events and activities. Continued expansion of “Discover Ionia” website.
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Planned Projects continued
• Future restoration of the Grand Trunk Railroad caboose purchased by the DDA in December 2013. Once
completed, the unit will be placed along the Grand River Valley Rail Trail and be open for public
viewing.
• Gateway Park Project currently on hold due to cost.
• Goals and projects as detailed in the City of Ionia Master Plan are reviewed and completed accordingly.
• Capital Improvement Plan for City of Ionia and DDA – attachment 3.
• Researched mid-Michigan ordinances regarding Food Trucks, push carts, and mobile food vending unit
permits. Information forwarded to MainStreet Planning for review and future ordinance preparation and
licensing requirements.
Ongoing Priorities
• Maintain Redevelopment Ready Communities certification.
• Continuation of Project Rising Tide programming.
• Research grant funding opportunities for façade, rental rehabilitation and Opportunity Zone areas.
• Services, support and trainings for district businesses. Business enhancement and promotion.
• DPW services and maintenance agreement.
• General events and projects include:
o City of Ionia Fireworks Display
o Special events and festivals
o Lamppost garland project
o Downtown beautification including tree health and replacement, lamppost banners, flowers, and
holiday decorations. Beginning 2021, DDA will oversee greenhouse agreements.
o Parking lot maintenance
o Ionia Farmers’ Market
o Sidewalk Cafes
• Mural project in addition to researching public art programs and funding for the same.
• Annual shop local campaigns including but not limited to Small Business Saturday and Shop Nearby
Campaign. Seasonal events created to attract shoppers to downtown district.
• Michigan Small Business Development Center training opportunities / workshops.
• District data base, property and business inventory.
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Ongoing Priorities continued
• Completion and availability of Orchard View Industrial Park marketing package. Future development of
available lots.
• RRC 2nd Phase continuation of identifying property assets, available resources and development
opportunities for the priority site.
• Remain fiscally responsible.
Past DDA Achievements
• Acquisition and restoration of the historic Ionia Theatre.
• Development of “The Point” area along South Steele Street.
• Completion of the Gencorp Automotive Site Redevelopment Project.
• Placement and identification signage of historic artifacts located within curb jets on Main Street.
• Façade improvements and grant programs.
• Improvements to the Ionia Fairgrounds.
• Street, sidewalk, and parking lot improvements including the installation of red bricks along Main Street.
• Beautification projects throughout the DDA District.
• MEDC Rental Rehabilitation grant funding for four apartments totaling $153,000.
• Wayfinding Sign project in cooperation with the City of Ionia.
• Developed special events and festivals showcasing the DDA District including but not limited to “Summer
in the City” and “Michigan Wizard of Oz Festival.” Former projects included “Vietnam Legacy Ride”,
“Route 66 Motor Tour”, “Hit the Bricks Concert Tour”, and “Ice Bucket Challenge”. Assist with holiday
activities including Christmas events, Autumn Celebration, and Memorial Day Parade as requested.
• Successful fundraising campaigns and secured grant funding for the Ionia Theatre, special events and
activities. The DDA presented the signature fundraiser “Buckaroo Ball” for the Ionia Theatre from
2010 to 2014 raising $45,125.92 in donations directed to maintenance and upgrades of the facility.
• DDA Employee Lease Agreement: On November 1, 2009, the City of Ionia DDA and the Ionia Free Fair
Association entered into an employee lease agreement providing twenty hours per week to serve duties of
Assistant Manager and later as Fair Manager. The employee lease agreement ended October 2012. Shared
services as consultant 2009 - 2012 and Fair Manager 2011 – 2012.
• Redevelopment Ready Communities Certification in July 2020.
• Project Rising Tide community 2019.
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Attachment #1: DDA District map
Attachment #2:
Attachment #3: Capital Improvement Plan – DDA
DDA Fund Balance FY 2012 – FY 2019