Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

DDA Director
Bio »
Board Members
Doug Heins, Chair
Andrew Dull, Vice-Chair
Bruce Callen, Member
Gary Hanks, Member
Robert Lopez, Member
Jennifer Sunderlind, Member
Lesley VanLeeuwen-Vega, Member
James Willison, Member
Michelle Hanks, Village Council Liaison
Sign up for Updates from the DDA
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 Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan
- 2020 – 6th Amendment to the Restated and Amended Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan
- 2016 – 5th Amendment to the Restated and Amended Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan
- 2015 – 4th Amendment to the Restated and Amended Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan
- 2005 – 3rd Amendment to the Restated and Amended Development and Tax Increment Financing Plans
- 2003 – 2nd Amendment to the Restated and Amended Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan
- 1997 – 1st Amendment to the Restated and Amended Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan
- 1992 – Restated & Amended Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan
- 1986 – 1st Amendment to the Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plans
- 1983 – Village of Spring Lake Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan
Meetings
The DDA meets at 7:30 a.m. the second (2nd) Thursday of the month if necessary 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.
- January 14, 2021
- March 11, 2021
- April 08, 2021
- May 06, 2021
- May 13, 2021
- June 10, 2021
- July 08, 2021
- August 12, 2021
- September 09, 2021
- October 08, 2021
- October 14, 2021
- November 11, 2021
- December 09, 2021
- March 25, 2021
- April 22, 2021
- May 27, 2021
- June 24, 2021
- July 22, 2021
- August 26, 2021
- September 23, 2021
- October 28, 2021
Agendas & Minutes
2021 DDA Board Meetings
2020 DDA Board Meetings
2019 DDA Board Meetings
2018 DDA Board Meetings
- January 8*
- February 8
- March 8
- April 12
- May 10
- June 14
- July 12
- August 9
- September 13
- October 11
- November 8
- December 13
*No minutes for the Jan. 2018 meeting because of a lack of quorum.
2017 DDA Board Meetings
2016 DDA Board Meetings
Design Guidelines
The Design Guidelines were developed to guide the design and redevelopment of the Downtown Spring Lake Village. It is intended for use by businesses wishing to locate or improve properties in the downtown.
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.
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
Meetings & Events
- Village Council Meeting
Monday, April 19th
Barber School - Downtown Development Authority - Work Session
Thursday, April 22nd - 12:00 pm - Historic Commission Meeting
Monday, April 26th - Planning Commission Meeting
Tuesday, April 27th
Barber School - Parks & Recreation Board Meeting
Monday, May 3rd
Spring Lake Village Hall - View All Events »