What is the Delhi Downtown Development Authority, and what does it do for our township? Let’s start with the DDA’s stated mission:
- Halt property value deterioration
- Increase property tax valuation
- Eliminate causes of deterioration
- Promote economic growth
- Provide for cleanup of environmentally impacted properties, thus making them available for redevelopment
- Placemaking
A daunting list—yet, since its inception in 1989, the Delhi DDA has made major impacts in each of these areas. And all of them work together to improve our quality of life.
One of the DDA’s functions is to purchase deteriorating or blighted properties and renovate or raze them, thereby making them available for redevelopment—raising property values and stimulating economic growth, said Delhi DDA Executive Director Howard Haas.
“New development also spurs current ownership into maintaining existing properties,” Haas explained. In fact, since the DDA’s
inception, state equalized value (SEV) in Delhi Township has increased 392%—“far more than most other units of government in mid-Michigan,” said Haas.
Many of the properties the DDA has purchased over the years have been environmentally impacted by gasoline and other carcinogens. Through the DDA’s efforts, said Haas, “Many of these properties have been returned to the property roll as clean properties, and now house new businesses and living centers.”
Improving infrastructure is another vital function of the DDA, which has invested millions in extending public sanitary sewer and water systems and adding fiber optics and lighting in key locations throughout the township.
Although one of the DDA’s primary goals is to attract new businesses to Delhi Township, Haas emphasized what the Delhi DDA does not do: “We have chosen to never compete with private business. Instead, through environmental cleanup and the extension of infrastructure, we enable private development and investment to take place.”
“Placemaking” is another key facet of the DDA’s mission—and the results are visible throughout the township. The DDA has participated with Delhi Township in building numerous parks—including Veterans Memorial Gardens—and non-motorized trails. It also established, developed and continues to support the Holt Farmers Market, donates to numerous Holt Community Arts Council events, and sponsors a portion of the Holt Hometown Festival.
Haas emphasizes that the DDA’s revenues do not constitute a tax increase for any township resident or business. Rather, DDAs are allowed by law to capture a portion of local property tax dollars that would otherwise leave the township to support other regional entities. And, said Haas, “No taxes are captured from Holt Public Schools.”
In fact, he added, “We believe the redevelopment use of the taxes we capture actually increases the revenue for all jurisdictions.”
For more about the work of the Delhi DDA, view this video, or contact the Delhi DDA, 2045 N. Cedar Street, Holt, 517.699.3866, delhidda.com.