Media Release

For Immediate Release: May 16, 2023

Contact: Jean Derenzy, CEO, jean@downtowntc.com, 231-922-2050

Proposed DDA Budget Hearing Set for May 19, 2023

Public Invited to Review Budget and Share Feedback on Proposed Downtown Public
Infrastructure Projects and Services for 2023/2024

On Friday, May 19, 2023, the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority (DDA) will hold
a public hearing regarding its proposed 2023-2024 budget. The hearing will be held at 9:00 a.m.
in the Commission Chamber on the 2nd floor of the Governmental Center at 400 Boardman
Avenue in Traverse City. Community members are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting
and share their perspectives. A copy of the proposed budget and a memo describing what is
included in the budget can be found on the DDA’s website at dda.downtowntc.com.

The proposed budget includes projects and initiatives that advance the Guiding Principles and
the public infrastructure projects and service priorities listed in the Moving Downtown Forward
Plan. The budget elements also align with the Goals and Objectives of the City Commission.

The DDA public hearing is one step in the DDA budget approval process. Following the hearing,
the City Commission will continue its budget discussions related to the 2023/2024 budget year.
In June, the City Commission will consider adoption and approval of the DDA’s budget.
Following City Commission approval, the DDA board will consider approval of the budget at its
June 16th meeting.

The DDA’s budget includes public infrastructure projects and services funded through the Old
Town TIF and TIF97 Financing Plans. Some key elements of the budget include:

 Funding for several public infrastructure development projects, including:

o The upgrade and replacement of the Midtown Riverwalk
o Street level and pedestrian improvements to the stairway and riverbank at Hannah
Park
o Eighth Street intersection improvements at Cass and Union
 Investments in streetscaping and snowmelt systems for sidewalks
 Stormwater management system improvements
  Professional services for sidewalk cleaning and maintenance
 Equipment purchases to support public infrastructure maintenance
 Professional services for business retention and attraction
 Completion of a newly structured Service Agreement with the City, and funding to
provide maintenance services above the base level provided by the City within the
downtown
 Funding for a full-time downtown Community Policing Officer
 Funding to match the City’s investment in the community’s Mobility Action Plan
 Funding to analyze and make changes associated with the piloted two-way conversion of
State Street
 A set-aside to leverage as potential match for grants associated with future TART Trail
Extension infrastructure improvements, which are currently being studied and co-funded
by the DDA
 Design and engineering services for the proposed Boardman/Ottaway Downtown
Riverwalk and the proposed West End Parking Structure
 Parking services, managed for the City via contract
 Services for the City’s Arts Commission, including managing art installations along the
Boardman Loop Trail, in City parks, and on City streets at Front and Pine/Boardman
 Composting services for the downtown

In alignment with its Guiding Principles, the DDA is committed to incorporating sustainability
principles and climate resilience practices into future infrastructure projects as well as
programmatic and maintenance initiatives and practices. Project impacts and service impacts will
be measured, to identify progress on advancing the DDA’s Guiding Principles.

Community members who are not able to make it to the hearing may share their comments about
the proposed budget with the DDA board by visiting the DDA’s board page on the website at
https://dda.downtowntc.com/governance/ and clicking the “Email the DDA Board” link. Written
comments may be directed to: DDA Board of Directors, 303 E. State St. Ste. C Traverse City,
MI 49684.

A copy of the DDA’s Moving Downtown Forward Plan can be found at

https://dda.downtowntc.com/moving-downtown-forward/. Information about how the DDA is
funded can be found at https://dda.downtowntc.com/how-were-funded/.

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