CBD. TIF. More alphabet soup is coming to Grosse Pointe. This time it's courtesy of a new DDA, more commonly known as a downtown development authority.
The City Council recently approved forming a DDA for the city's central business district (CBD). City leaders expect the DDA to help promote more development in the downtown, such as the recent redevelopment of the old Jacobson's building now know as the Trader Joe's building.
DDA's are a common tool used by most communities in southeast Michigan, however, until now, Grosse Pointe has gone without one. That's put the city at a disadvantage when it comes to attracting developers, according to Peter Dame, city manager for Grosse Pointe.
The DDA district would encompass the village district of the city along its main drag, Kercheval Street. It would finance public improvements, including the construction of a new parking structure on St. Clair Street that would facilitate further development. Potential development projects include a 48-unit, mixed-use condominium/retail complex on St. Clair across the street from the proposed parking structure.
The next step is to create and approve a downtown development plan by the end of the year. Dame hopes to have DDA up and functioning by next July. For information, send an email to city@grossepointecity.org or call (313) 885-5800.
Source: Peter Dame, city manager of Grosse Pointe
Writer: Jon Zemke
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