Downtown Improvement District (DID)

The Downtown Improvement District (DID) is a funding tool Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. administers to keep certain areas of the urban core clean, attractive, and eventful. Funds go to support a uniformed Clean Team that leads daily sidewalk cleaning, landscaping and beautification, sidewalk snowmelt, restaurant and retail-oriented marketing and promotions, and special events.

Established by the City Commission in 2000 under state law, the DID’s sole revenue source is a special assessment on real property voluntarily approved by business and property owners within the DID district. City Commission approves the DID special assessment and budget. A 14-member Board appointed by the Mayor with concurrence from the City Commission govern the DID. The Board meets as needed. More details are on the City Clerk Page.

Board Members

  1. Robert Herr, Chair

    Independent

  2. Michael Bishop

    Chemical Bank

  3. Eric DeLong

    City of Grand Rapids

  4. Michael Ellis

    Ellis Parking

  5. Kurt Hassberger

    Rockford Construction

  6. Andrew Martin

    Meijer

  7. Carlos Sanchez

    Ferris State University

  8. Dennis Sturtevant

    Dwelling Place

  9. Patricia Waring

    Grand Valley State University

  10. Scott Wierda

    CWD Real Estate

  11. Daniel Williams

    West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology

  12. Jane Gietzen

    Spectrum Health

  13. Emily Loeks

    Studio C

Upcoming Meeting Schedule

View Past Meetings
  1. Downtown Improvement District Board Meeting – Virtual Teams Meeting (instructions to participate provided in agenda packet)
  2. Downtown Improvement District Board Meeting – Virtual Teams Meeting (instructions to participate provided in agenda packet)
  3. Downtown Improvement District Board Meeting – Virtual Teams Meeting (instructions to participate provided in agenda packet)
  4. Downtown Improvement District Board Meeting – Virtual Teams Meeting (instructions to participate provided in agenda packet)
  5. Downtown Improvement District Board Meeting – Virtual Teams Meeting (instructions to participate provided in agenda packet)
  6. Downtown Improvement District Board Meeting – Virtual Teams Meeting (instructions to participate provided in agenda packet)

DID Fiscal Year 2021 Reauthorization

The DID’s current 5-year authorization period expires June 30, 2020. A committee comprised of seven Downtown property owners now guides a renewal effort to ensure Downtown maintains the critical place-management services that keep the neighborhood clean, beautiful and vibrant. The documents immediately below include a summary brief of the current reauthorization process and the full DRAFT DID plan for Fiscal Year 2021, which begins July 1, 2020.

Report of the Downtown Improvement District Board

This report, revised in October 2015, includes a summary of services property owners request from the DID, the map showing where these services will be delivered and the estimated budget to provide the requested services. The DID Board will next review this package of services in 2019-2020.

Freedom of Information

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) ensures public access to government records. Our FOIA Procedures and Guidelines describe the process and expectations for the public to submit formal requests information. If you seek something specific, give us a call. We will help you find it.