DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

The Township Board established the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Fund in 1988.  The DDA was formed to sustain and improve the redevelopment of the downtown village area of the Township. A Board of nine individuals representing various segments of the DDA District and Township provide the direction for the activities of the DDA.  The streetscape redevelopment continues to be maintained and enhanced including landscaping, fencing and street lighting.  The DDA annually repays approximately $100,000 for the bonds that were sold to support the major streetscape project that occurred six years ago. The maintenance of the lights has been refined each year to the point where the process works quite smoothly now through a contract with J. Ranck Electric.

The DDA is in the process of working with the Planning Commission to determine the long-term economic development strategy for downtown Freeland.  Beckett and Reader was hired to assist the DDA and Planning Commission in the identification of a long term land use strategy and an economic development plan.

The DDA has identified the following priorities for FY 2003/04;

• Facilitate the public improvements to the Pat's Grocery store.

• Complete the Village Center Analysis.

• Draft a development plan that identifies economic development strategies.

• Attract two new businesses.

Continuing DDA projects include the adopt a weed program in which several non-profit organizations keep the flower beds in the DDA district clean and beautiful all summer long.  

Things to look forward to!

• Curb and lighting to be installed on both sides of M-47 in front of Pat's Food Center as part of the DDA, Pat's Food Center project.

• Sidewalks on east side of M-47, in front of Pat's Food Center, to Powley Dr.

• Landscaping on East Side of M-47 to tie in with DDA Streetscape.

The DDA meets the third Wednesday of every month at 11:30 a.m. in the Township Administration office.