The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was established by the Village Council on September 15, 1980 in an effort to “halt property deterioration and increase property tax valuation where possible in the Village of Spring Lake’s downtown business district, to eliminate the causes of that deterioration and to promote economic growth of the Village of Spring Lake’s downtown business district.”

While the Downtown Development Authority Act of 1975 gives the Authority broad powers with regard to planning for economic development of the downtown district, the Village’s DDA has been charged primarily with the mission of constructing public improvements required to attract private investment and promote retail, commercial and industrial business activity in the Village of Spring Lake Central Business District development area.

The DDA is responsible for the maintenance of the Village of Spring Lake Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan and the use of tax increment financing revenues on projects identified in the Development Plan. Projects completed under the guidance of the DDA include the construction of Lakeside Trail Linear Park (1991), the Savidge Street Corridor Beautification and Improvement Project (1995) and the West End Community Boardwalk Project (2000), Village Hall Renovation (2004), Safe Routes to School (2010-12), Buchanan St. Reconstruction (2017), Lighting Improvements to the Lakeside Trail (2018), Street Banner Program Introduced (2018), Savidge St. Lights Updated to LED (2019), Exchange St. Paving (2019), the Art in the Park Project (2019), Sparkle (2020), and North Jackson Parking Paved (2021).

• Downtown Development Authority Bylaws
• Downtown Development Authority Map
• Capital Improvement Plan – Six Year Plan

Meetings

The DDA meets at 12:00 p.m. the second (2nd) Thursday of the month for their regular meeting and at 12:00 p.m. the fourth (4th ) Thursday of the month for their Work Session to discuss the constructing of public improvements, attract private investment and promote retail, commercial and industrial business activity in the Village of Spring Lake Central Business District Development area. The DDA is also responsible for the maintenance of the Village of Spring Lake Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan.

Agendas & Minutes

Downtown Development Plan

A subarea plan that focuses on the M-104 corridor (Savidge Street) and the Village of Spring Lake’s downtown.

Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Programs

Commercial Facilities Exemption District Tax Incentive

The Village of Spring Lake Commercial Facilities Exemption Tax Incentive Policy has been created for businesses located within the established Commercial Facilities Exemption (CFE) District in the Village of Spring Lake. All properties located within the CFE District may be eligible for the tax incentives allowed by the policy approved by the Village of Spring Lake on March 18, 2019. Applications will be accepted and reviewed by the Spring Lake Downtown Development Authority Board (DDA). The applicant may be required to give an oral presentation to the DDA a Board meeting. Typically, the DDA meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 a.m. in the Spring Lake Village Office.

Commercial Facilities Exemption District Tax Incentive Application

Downtown Facade Grant Program

The Downtown Façade Grant program is a 50/50 matching grant of up to $5,000 per building for improvements to the exterior of the building that enhance the aesthetics of the principle building and contribute to the overall aesthetics of the downtown district. The grant may be used for such things as architectural improvements, new entryways, masonry work, brick restoration and window repair or replacement.

Facade Grant Application

Fire Suppression and Elevator Assistance Program

The DDA offers a Fire Suppression and Elevator Assistance Grant. This is a 50/50 matching grant, up to $15,000, that is intended to provide an incentive for downtown business owners who own existing buildings, to invest in older facilities within the DDA District by providing matching grants to businesses to make these improvements (elevators and fire suppression systems) that give existing significant buildings new life and/or allow for a change of use. The state building code often requires upgrades to buildings, such as elevators and fire suppression systems, when the use of the building is changed. These improvements can be very expensive. With the help of the grant a downtown business owner can extend the life of the building with a new or different business and thereby help to retain the character of the downtown.

Fire Suppression and Elevator Assistance Grant Application

Assistance for Businesses

Sandwich Board signs are strictly regulated by the DDA and are available for purchase at Village Hall. For more information contact Angela Stanford-Butler at angela@springlakevillage.org or call Village Hall 616-842-1393.

Commercial Rehabilitation District

• Commercial Facilities Exemption Map
• Policy Guidelines for Applicants
• Resolution Number 2019-08