DDA Membership

Overview

Pursuant to State Law, the Board may:

  1. Prepare an analysis of economic changes taking place in the municipality as those changes relate to urban deterioration in the development areas.
  2. Study and analyze the impact of growth upon development areas.
  3. Plan and propose the construction, renovation, repair, remodeling, rehabilitation, restoration, preservation, or reconstruction of an existing building that may be necessary for the revitalization and growth of the development area. 
  4. Plan, propose, and implement an improvement to a public facility within the development area.
  5. Develop long-range plans, in cooperation with the Planning Commission, designed to promote the growth of the development area, and take such steps as may be necessary to implement the plans
  6. Improve land, prepare sites for buildings, and construct, rehabilitate, restore, and preserve any building within the development area for the use of any public or private person or corporation.
  7. Acquire and construct public facilities.

The DDA enjoys all the powers granted to it by Public Act 57 of 2018, the Recodified Tax Increment Financing Act, as well as the St. Ignace Code Chapter 10, Article II.

Desired Background

The only formal membership requirements for the DDA are that it shall consist of the Mayor and eight other members to be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of City Council. A majority of members shall be persons having an interest in property located in the downtown district or officers, members, trustees, principals, or employees of a legal entity having an interest in property located in the downtown district. 

While no other formal requirements exist, members should have a general interest or working knowledge of business development & retention, real estate development, marketing & promotion, community development, finance, etc. 

Expectations

Members are expected to

  1. Attend all meetings,
  2. Keep an open mind,
  3. Review all materials before meetings,
  4. Review DDA program budget and plans,
  5. Evaluate program effectiveness,
  6. Advocate for private-sector interest in the revitalization of commercial districts,
  7. Build partnerships between the community and the businesses for participation and engagement in revitalization, and
  8. Meet the City's ethics and conflict-of-interest policies.

How Can I Become a Member?

DDA vacancies are filled by the Mayor, with the approval of the City Council. Vacancies will be filled as they occur; an application of interest can be submitted at any time to be kept on file.