The Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is starting the process of developing a Downtown Plan and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Plan to guide development, redevelopment, and public facilities within the Downtown District over the next 25 years. Part of that process involves the formation of a Development Area Citizen’s Council (DACC) consisting of nine individuals who reside within the Downtown District.
Note – anybody can serve on the DACC and it’s encouraged. That includes property owners and managers, renters, living with your parents, whatever.
The DACC will meet several times throughout the process to prepare the plans, as required by Michigan law (PA 57 of 2018) pertaining to Downtown and TIF plans. As stated in the Act:
Periodically a representative of the authority responsible for preparation of a development or tax increment financing plan within the development area shall consult with and advise the development area citizens council regarding the aspects of a development plan, including the development of new housing for relocation purposes located either inside or outside of the development area. The consultation shall begin before any final decisions by the authority and the governing body regarding a development or tax increment financing plan. The consultation shall continue throughout the preparation and implementation of the development or tax increment financing plan.
A development area citizens council may request of and receive from the authority information and technical assistance relevant to the preparation of the development plan for the development area.
Within 20 days after the public hearing on a development or tax increment financing plan, the development area citizens council shall notify the governing body, in writing, of its findings and recommendations concerning a proposed development plan.
It should be noted that the Iron Mountain Downtown and TIF Plans have not yet been prepared, and thus do not envision relocating citizens in the downtown area. This provision and language was incorporated in the Act to make it clear that citizens residing within the area affected by such plans shall have a voice in the recommendations of the plans.
If you have questions and/or interested in serving on the DACC, the Iron Mountain DDA would like to hear from you. Please call (906) 774-8534 or email programs@downtownironmountain.com.