Mission Statement
The Milford Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is a commercial district revitalization program dedicated to improving the economic viability, beauty and historic significance of the DDA District and by building an attractive environment in which people can shop, live and play.
We closely follow the nationally recognized model for downtown revitalization: The National Main Street Center, an arm of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We do this by concentrating our efforts on public improvements through urban design and ordinance language, private developments, economic restructuring and business recruitment and retention.
Tax Dollars at Work
Public Improvement Projects
- Center Street Park
- Main Street 1985
- South Side Streetscape Enhancements
- Riverview Park
- Union Street Parking and Beautification Project
- Mill Pond Pathway Project
- Summit Street and North Milford Road Mill and Overlay Project
- North Milford Road Reconstruction
- GM/Milford Road Island
- Liberty Street Improvements
- Main Street ’02: Sidewalks and Road Improvements
- Heritage Wheel Sculpture
Private Improvement Projects
(Site Plan Negotiations)
- Huron Street Office Development
- Milford Village Medical Center
- Bondy Office Building on Main
- Rite Aid Building
- Mill Valley
- Kroger Expansion
- Bondy, North Milford Road
- Taco Bell
- McDonald’s
- Hector & Jimmy’s
- Commercial development north of Hector & Jimmy’s
Village Ordinance Revisions
- Milford Corridor Plan Downtown Overlay District
- Water and Sewer Fee Structure for Restaurants
- Brownstone (townhouses in the downtown district) Language
- Tax Increment Financing Plan
- Sign Ordinance, downtown and allowing perpendicular signs
- West Oakland Corridor Study
- Parking fees/study
Other Projects
- Downtown Market Analysis
- Retail Consultation Seminars
- Grant Writing
- Volunteer Organization
- Donations Fund Administration
- Downtown Farmers’ Market
- “Meet Me In Milford” logo/slogan development
- Downtown Holiday Parking Program
- Secured 2 DDA Liquor licenses
- Downtown Pedestrian Signs
- Downtown Walking Map
- Maintenance of the DDA Projects through the District
- Participated with the Road Commission in Oakland County regarding the proposed state trunkline linking 96 to 59
- Set up a Resource Council for Main Street ’02 Project
- DDA Website
- “Meet Me In Milford” Window Stickers
- Channel 7 Holiday Promotion Commercial
- Main Street ’02 “there’s something in the air” slogan
- Main Street ’02 Tool Kits
- Main Street ’02 Shop and Dine Promotion
- Main Street ’02 “Two Men and a Cart” Promotion
- “Meet Me In Milford” Tissue Wrap Promotion
- Milford Times Marketplace Ad
- Milford Times Cooperative Advertising
- Milford Calendar of Events
- Main Street Sound System
|
Project |
DOLLAR VALUE |
|---|---|
| Union Street | |
| Private | $42,000.00 |
| CDBG | $14,400.00 |
| Historical Society | $4,400.00 |
| TOTAL | $60,800.00 |
| Mill Pond Pathway | |
| ISTEA Grant | $100,000.00 |
| Private Donations | $40,000.00 |
| Pavillion Donations | $25,000.00 |
| M. Manufactoring | $15,000.00 |
| In Kind | $40,000.00 |
| Heritage Wheel | $50,000.00 |
| Walmart Grant | $15,000.00 |
|
Project |
DOLLAR VALUE |
|---|---|
| Summit/NMR | $25.000 (in kind/ROW) |
| Commerce/NMR | $25,000.00 (in kind/ROW) |
| Streetlights | $150,000.00 (100 @ $1500 ea) |
| Southside 2011 | $16,000.00 |
| Milford Trail | $136,000.00 |
| Center Street Gazebo | $4,000.00 |
| Motley Lights | $40,000.00 |
| Powerhouse* | $225,000.00 |
| Flat Iron | $20,000.00 |
| Milford Amp | $470,000.00 |
| TOTAL TO DATE | $1,176,000.00 |
*Includes grants: The DDA administered this grant. We did not secure it.
Board of Directors
A thirteen member Board of Directors appointed by the Village Council, is chaired by Dale Feigley. Village President Jerry Aubry serves on the Board and nominates members. Board Members represent business and property owners, and residents of the community. The DDA Board meets on the third Thursday of each month at the Milford Civic Center, 1100 Atlantic Street, at 7:30 a.m. The meeting is open to the public.
| Board Position | Title | Name | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board Member | Village Council President | Jerry Aubry | |
| Chair | Property Owner | Dale Feigley | |
| Vice chair | Gina's Bridal | Trevor Salaski | |
| Board Member | Property Owner | Jeff Heyn | |
| Board Member | The Clothing Cove | Eric Horsely | |
| Board Member | Resident, Attorney at Law | Richard Lippitt P.C. | |
| Board Member | Unilock | Tom Niebauer | |
| Board Member | Resident | Andrea Perry | |
| Board Member | Your Nesting Place | Christine Meredith Roy | |
| Board Member | Americus | Toni Vulaj | |
| Board Member | Prospect Hill & Village Commons East | Marc Weinbaum |
Act 57 Reports
Annual Act 57 Report
2024-2025 Report
RECODIFIED TAX INCREMENT FINANCING ACT (EXCERPT) ACT 57 OF 2018
Each municipality that has created an authority or that creates an authority shall create a website or utilize the existing website of the municipality that is operated and regularly maintained with access to authority records and documents for the fiscal year beginning the effective date of this act, including all of the following:
(a) Minutes of all board meetings.
(b) Annual budget, including encumbered and unencumbered fund balances.
(c) Annual audits.
(d) Currently adopted development plan, if not included in a tax increment financing plan. (TIF Plans at the bottom of this webpage)
Included in the TIF Plan
(e) Currently adopted tax increment finance plan, if currently capturing tax increment revenues.
See 1998 Plan with 2003 and 2015 Amendments
(f) Current authority staff contact information.
Ann Barnette, Executive Director
1100 Atlantic Street, Milford
248-684-9719o
248-396-8424c
[email protected]
Carol Abbas, Assistant to the Director
1100 Atlantic Street, Milford
248-684-1515o
313-600-9422c
[email protected]
(g) A listing of current contracts with a description of those contracts and other documents related to the management of the authority and services provided to the authority.
Organization and Administration:
- Franco Public Relations Group, public relations and marketing, provides strategic message development, media relations, social media support, email marketing, quarterly photography, and annual videography
- New Moon Visions, Logo, and brand redesign
- Accunet Inc.; website management
- Adkison, Need, Allen & Rentrop, legal counsel for real estate and contract law
- Plant Moran, Auditing services
Gardening, ROW Maintenance
- Brien's Lawn Service, lawn and garden maintenance, ROW Maintenance Contract; Mowing, edging, tree trimming, and cleanup.
- Landscape and Design Associates, Overhead Watering Contract: Watering, fertilizing, and maintaining overhead presentation.
- Stuart Leve, annual gardening and maintenance of downtown tree beds and Commerce Road underpass; Spring/Fall cleanup, weeding, mulching, and shrub pruning.
Capital Improvements; Central Park
- Artisan Contracting, Site Improvements, removals, clearing, topsoil stripping & stockpiling, earthwork, rough & fine grading, storm sewer, utility adjustments, electrical service, outlets & lighting, asphalt & concrete paving & curbing, retaining walls, sports courts, landscaping, irrigation, and site furnishings.
- John Stewart and Associates, construction of pavilion.
- Peterhans Rea & Roman, architectural Consulting; general architectural consulting services.
- OHM, civil engineering services.
- Grissim, Metz, and Andriese Associates' landscape architectural services.
- Jeffrey Klepser, Professional painting.
Programming for Social District
- John Cotaling, Friday Nights at the Fountain live music
- Jamison Jones, Friday Nights at the Fountain live music
- Sean Perlmutter, Friday Nights at the Fountain live music
All other documents related to the DDA are available at the Village Civic Center at 1100 Atlantic Street, Milford, Michigan, 48381
(h) An updated annual synopsis of activities of the authority. An updated synopsis of the activities of the authority includes all of the following, if any:
(i) For any tax increment revenues described in the annual audit that are not expended within 5 years of their receipt, a description that provides the following:
N/A.
All collected taxes have been expended within 5 years of collection
(ii) List of authority accomplishments, including progress made on development plan and tax increment finance plan goals and objectives for the immediately preceding fiscal year.
Social District Installation
Led the development and initiation of the Downtown Milford Social District. Comprehensive planning, stakeholder coordination, and regulatory review were conducted to ensure adherence to state requirements and to promote a safe, well-managed environment for visitors. The Social District is expected to positively impact business engagement and overall downtown vibrancy.
Friday Nights at the Fountain – Live Concert Series
Successfully implemented the new Friday Nights at the Fountain concert series as part of the Social District’s programming strategy. This initiative activated the downtown core with free, family-friendly entertainment and created a consistent draw for residents and visitors throughout the summer.
Logo and Branding Updates
Completed a comprehensive update to Downtown Milford’s visual identity, including the development of a new logo and refreshed brand standards. This modernized look improves consistency across print, digital, and environmental applications—supporting stronger recognition and cohesion throughout all communications.
(iii) List of authority projects and investments, including active and completed projects for the immediately preceding fiscal year.
Pedestrian Sign Improvements
Enhanced pedestrian-oriented signage throughout key corridors to improve navigation, visibility, and safety for residents and visitors. Updates focused on modernizing sign design, improving placement, and ensuring visibility.
Landscape Enhancements
Implemented a series of targeted landscape enhancements to elevate the overall appearance of public spaces and strengthen the district’s visual appeal.
Refurbishing Traditional Decorative Streetlights
Completed refurbishment of the district’s traditional decorative streetlights to preserve their historic character while improving functionality.
Instituted Design Services for Replacing Wayfinding Signs
Initiated professional design services to support a full replacement of the community’s Wayfinding signage system. This work established updated standards for style, materials, legibility, and placement to ensure a cohesive and user-friendly navigation experience.
Central Park 2023/24 Project
Successfully completed the contract for major improvements within Central Park, encompassing upgrades to core infrastructure; restoration of plantings and tree canopy; installation of new fencing and irrigation systems; and resurfacing of driveways, parking lots, and sports facilities. This comprehensive project enhances the usability, safety, and long-term sustainability of this key community asset.
(iv) List of events and promotional campaigns for the immediately preceding fiscal year.
Sponsored, Co-sponsored, or supported the following events:
- Summer Concert Series
- Christmas Open House Campaign
- Sidewalk Sales
- Milford Home Tour
- Milford Memories
- Milford Farmer's Market
Supported via social media and PR campaign, the following:
- Martin Luther King Day events
- Local merchant events and specials
- SHAC Arts Center events
- Milford Historical Society events
- Merchant Public relations for various holiday stories, such as Valentine's, Halloween, St. Patty's Day, Easter, Christmas, etc.
- Ladies Night Out (2)
- The Big Reveal event
State Treasurer's Reports
DDA and Tax Increment Finance Plans and Amendments
Annual Media Reports
The Milford Downtown Development Authority contracts with the Detroit-based Franco marketing firm to help tell Milford's story. Franco helps with social media, press relations, marketing and event promotions. A solid partner of downtown Milford for over ten years, the firm has helped guide the discussion of Milford's greatest assets, including our historic downtown, Milford's position as the center of numerous parks and greenbelts, the Huron River Water Trail and a regionally-linked and popular Milford Trail bike path.