Midland City Council Presentation

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• Midland City Council Presentation
• February 11, 2008

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• Presentation Agenda
• Center City Initiative - background
• Options for Center City
• Center City Initiative contributions
• Closing

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History
Mall Area Heavy Destination Traffic Thriving
Business Atmosphere National Retailers/Restaurants
Attractive Environment
1926 - US 10 downtown
1934 - US 10 Saginaw Rd
1960 - US 10 bypass
1985 - DDA Created
1989 - Mall opens
Center City Heavy Thru Traffic Struggling
Business 14 vacancy Mix of National and
Local Weathered, Aged Environment
Downtown Midland Pedestrian Friendly Vibrant
Business 4.5 vacancy Local Shop
Owners Beautiful Inviting environment
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Today

• The Center City contains approximately 200 acres
  and is located in the heart of Midland highly
  visible
• The Center City contains over 225 businesses
  largest concentration of businesses in Midland
• In its current condition, the Center City does
  not attract the types of businesses most desired
  by our citizens as indicated by survey data
• Midland, as one of the only thriving communities
  in the state, cannot afford to allow its city
  center to deteriorate

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Involvement and support
Greg Adkins LaSalle Bank Sid Allen Chamber of
Commerce Tina Anganis Ya Yas Thomas Bailey
Blystone Bailey Rick Bergstein -
Walgreens Stuart Bergstein Steve Bush The
Rehmann Group Jerry Deming - Ponderosa Ted
Eastling Cartridge World Scott Gaynor Dow
Chemical Andra Ginis Ginis Goldsmiths David
Ginis Ginis Goldsmiths Dave Gray Express
Mart Joe Kozuch Village Green Susan MacKellar
Paper Moon Scott Marquiss Circle Auto
Parts Beverly McCray Comerica Bank
Jill Pilgrim Pilgrim Technology, Inc. Alex
Rapanos Midland Towne Center Christine Rapanos
Rapanos Enterprises John Rapanos Rapanos
Investments Diana Simmons - Curves Mark Smith
Smiths Flowers Gifts Clinton Struthers
Struthers Financial Services George Swaney
Amish Reflections Paul White Roth Cleaners,
Inc. Chad Wilson Midland Ford Lincoln
Mercury Susan Winkowski AD Vantage Media
Services Judy Wirtz Midland Animal Clinic Scott
Withrow Saginaw Bay Underwriters Circle
Business Association CBA Midland
Tomorrow Project for Public Spaces Group PPS
Although currently led by the Midland Area
Chamber of Commerce, this initiative is fueled by
the tremendous involvement and continued support
of organizations, business owners, property
owners, and community leaders
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Goals

• To raise the awareness of the issue within our
  community
• Halt the existing economic deterioration and
  proactively prevent further damage
• To implement solutions that will improve the
  business climate and enhance the opportunities
  for existing businesses to grow and new
  businesses to be created
• To recreate a sense of pride and ownership in
  this center city community

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Options

• In the beginning of the project, we didnt know
  what options were available to us for planning
  and financing improvements for this aging
  commercial corridor
• After looking at potential arrangements such as
  Principle Shopping Districts, Business
  Improvement Zones, Corridor Improvement
  Authoritys, etc., we determined the Corridor
  Improvement Authority warranted a closer look
• There was no preconceived notion for creating a
  Corridor Improvement Authority when this
  initiative started
• As it turns out, the Corridor Improvement
  Authority is modeled after a Downtown Development
  Authority. We feel this is the best available
  option for the Center City.

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Corridor Improvement Authority

• A model similar to a Downtown Development
  Authority
• It is governed by a board of directors
• Members are appointed to the board by the city
  manager with the approval of city council
• The majority of the board members must have
  ownership or business interest in the proposed
  district
• The city manager or a designee will be a member
  of the board
• The board serves as an advisory committee to the
  City Council
• Any and all plans developed by the board must be
  approved by City Council through the public
  hearing process.

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Corridor Improvement Authority (CIA)

• Benefits of creating a Corridor Improvement
  Authority
• A CIA can plan and propose improvements such as
  streetscaping, landscaping, lighting, etc. - all
  designed to halt the deterioration of property
  values and promote economic growth in the
  district
• A CIA can accept public and private grants and
  donations
• A CIA can conduct market research, retail
  promotions, special events, etc.
• A CIA can acquire and construct public facilities
• A CIA can provide leadership and representation
  for the district

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Act 280 of 2005 Requirements for creating a
Corridor Improvement Authority

• Determine if the proposed district meets the
  requirements as stated in the Corridor
  Improvement Authority Act
• Identify the geographical boundaries of proposed
  district
• City Council passes Resolution of Intent to
  create the CIA
• A public hearing is scheduled, public notices are
  posted and the public hearing is held
• City Council adopts an ordinance establishing the
  authority and designating the boundaries
• The Authority Board is appointed

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Geographical Boundaries of Proposed District
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Center City Initiative (CCI) Contribution to
Process

• Selected Center City as a name for the
  initiative
• Shared information with property owners via
  letters, phone calls, and direct meetings
• Created a webpage for the Center City Initiative
  (www.macc.org)
• Held informational town hall meetings -
  invitations sent to all property owners of record
• Publicized CCI information everywhere articles
  in Midland Daily News, Bay City Times, Midland
  Issues, MDN Front Page on MCTV, in weekly Chamber
  e-newsletters and monthly publications
• Sent Thank You cards to all businesses in
  spring, segment for City in 15 on MCTV,
  promoted CCI at the Santa Parade
• We collected petition signatures from property
  owners

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Aerial Map of Midland With Center City
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Center City Initiative Petition Results

• 200 parcels
• 10 tax-exempt
• 190 non-exempt
• 127 property owners
• 3 tax-exempt
• 124 non-exempt

Tax Exempt in Blue USPS, City Property,
Community Mental Health Support in Red
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Center City Initiative Petition Results
Petition Statistics
86.4 90.8 10.6 3.0
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Center City Initiative Additional Contributions

• Initiated and worked with Michigan Logos to place
  logo signs along Business 10 advertising
  businesses in the proposed CIA district
• The Beautification Subcommittee worked hard to
  identify ways to improve the
• the Center City environment.
• They encouraged businesses to plant flowers in
  the spring
• They diligently researched the possibility of
  placing banners on the light poles to provide an
  identity to the area
• They selected flower planters as a potential
  short term solution for those areas with little
  or no green space several were purchased by the
  Circle Business Association and placed in the
  Circle area.
• The Marketing Subcommittee continues to look for
  ways to positively promote the proposed district.
• They worked with area businesses to sponsor the
  beverages and supplies for the Santa Parade
• They have worked on creating a business guide
  that maps the location and lists all the
  businesses in the Center City area

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Center City Business Guide
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Top 5 reasons to create the CIA

• To proactively prevent additional economic
  deterioration. We need to support the businesses
  who are committed to the area
• To stimulate economic growth in this district by
  giving new businesses a reason to locate here
• There is a great amount of support for the
  creation of a Corridor Improvement Authority.
  It is supported by groups such as Project for
  Public Spaces, organizations such as Midland
  Tomorrow and the Circle Business Association, and
  property and business owners in the district
• Rekindle a sense of pride in the Center City
  community and keep the momentum gained from other
  community projects going
• If nothing is done, the economic and physical
  environment of the Center City will continue to
  decline

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• Questions?