Downtown Development Authority Board

Authorizing Statute:
Downtown Development Authority Act, Public Act 197 of 1975,
MCL 125.1651, et seq.

Authorities and Responsibilities:
An authority shall be a public body corporate which may sue and be sued in any court of this state. An authority possesses all the powers necessary to carry out the purpose of its incorporation.

The board may:

(a) Prepare an analysis of economic changes taking place in the downtown district.

(b) Study and analyze the impact of metropolitan growth upon the downtown district.

(c) Plan and propose the construction, renovation, repair, remodeling, rehabilitation, restoration, preservation, or reconstruction of a public facility, an existing building, or a multiple-family dwelling unit which may be necessary or appropriate to the execution of a plan which, in the opinion of the board, aids in the economic growth of the downtown district.

(d) Plan, propose, and implement an improvement to a public facility within the development area to comply with the barrier free design requirements of the state construction code promulgated under the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act.

(e) Develop long-range plans, in cooperation with the agency which is chiefly responsible for planning in the municipality, designed to halt the deterioration of property values in the downtown district and to promote the economic growth of the downtown district, and take such steps as may be necessary to persuade property owners to implement the plans to the fullest extent possible.

(f) Implement any plan of development in the downtown district necessary to achieve the purposes of this act, in accordance with the powers of the authority as granted by this act.

(g) Make and enter into contracts necessary or incidental to the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties.

(h) Acquire by purchase or otherwise, on terms and conditions and in a manner the authority considers proper or own, convey, or otherwise dispose of, or lease as lessor or lessee, land and other property, real or personal, or rights or interests in property, which the authority determines is reasonably necessary to achieve the purposes of this act, and to grant or acquire licenses, easements, and options with respect to that property.

(i) Improve land and construct, reconstruct, rehabilitate, restore and preserve, equip, improve, maintain, repair, and operate any building, including multiple-family dwellings, and any necessary or desirable appurtenances to that property, within the downtown district for the use, in whole or in part, of any public or private person or corporation, or a combination of them.

(j) Fix, charge, and collect fees, rents, and charges for the use of any building or property under its control or any part thereof, or facility therein, and pledge the fees, rents, and charges for the payment of revenue bonds issued by the authority.

(k) Lease any building or property under its control, or any part of a building or property.

(l) Accept grants and donations of property, labor, or other things of value from a public or private source.

(m) Acquire and construct public facilities.

(n) Create, operate, and fund marketing initiatives that benefit only retail and general marketing of the downtown district.

(o) Contract for broadband service and wireless technology service in the downtown district.

Membership:
The supervisor and not less than 8 or more than 12 members as determined by the township board. (Or, by ordinance, the township board of a township with a population of less than 5,000 may have the township planning commission serve as the board.)

Members shall be appointed by the supervisor, subject to approval by the township board.

Not less than a majority of the members shall be persons having an interest in property located in the downtown district. Not less than 1 of the members shall be a resident of the downtown district, if the downtown district has 100 or more persons residing within it.

Of the members first appointed, an equal number of the members, as near as is practicable, shall be appointed for 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 4 years. A member shall hold office until the member's successor is appointed. Thereafter, each member shall serve for a term of 4 years. An appointment to fill a vacancy shall be made by the supervisor for the unexpired term only.

Compensation to Members:
Members of the board shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses.

OMA/FOIA Status:
Public body subject to Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act.