Downtown Development Authority Submission for Annual Report:

The mission of the City of Jackson Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is to encourage historic preservation, to create and implement development plans, to promote economic growth and to correct and prevent deterioration in the District. To ensure the effectiveness of the DDA, three advisory committees meet regularly to accomplish the mission of the DDA - the Promotions, Economic Restructuring and Design Committees.

The DDA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, consisting of the Mayor and 12 other members appointed by the Mayor, with the approval of the City Council. The Board members represent businesses, property owners and residents of the community. The DDA is a public body and must conduct itself in accordance with all of the Michigan Statutes governing the operation of public agencies.

The DDA was involved in a variety of projects during year. Some of these projects include:

• Facade Improvement Program: Provided financial incentive for improvement of the exterior appearance of buildings within the DDA district. Financial assistance is in the form of an interest-free, "deferred" loan, forgivable over a five-year period.
• Residential Rehabilitation Program: Program administered in coordination with the City's Community Development Department to offer low-interest, no-interest and deferrable loans to create housing units in vacant or unused area above the first floor of Downtown buildings, within the designated area.
• Marketing & Event Coordination: The DDA is involved in the coordination of approximately 35 events each year, providing assistance to local event coordinators and volunteers, as well as organizing a full schedule of free, family friendly events ranging from the Summer Planting Program to Cruise Nights and concerts at the Riverwalk Amphitheater. Promotional efforts include the DDA's Downtown newsletter, the DDA website (www.jacksondda.org) and numerous image-building and merchant-focused marketing projects.

City Hall, 6th Floor  517-788-4355
Executive Director:  Kyle Anne Jansen