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 16-member Board appointed by the Mayor with concurrence from the City Commission govern the DID. The Board meets bi-monthly. More details are on the City Clerk Page.

    Board Members

    1. Monica Steimle-App, Chair

      Rockford Construction

    2. Peter Albertini

      Peter Albertini Properties

    3. Stacie Behler

      Grand Valley State University

    4. Kate Berens

      Deputy City Manager

    5. Cullen Hillary

      VA Enterprises

    6. Emily Loeks

      Studio C

    7. Josh Lunger

      Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce

    8. Andrew Martin

      Meijer

    9. Paul Skentzos

      Downtown Resident

    10. Jessica Gutowski-Slaydon

      Swift Printing

    11. Elliot Talen

      Downtown Resident

    12. Ashley Ward

      W Talent Solutions

    13. Richard A. Winn

      AHC Hospitality

    14. Douglas Kessler

      Voltagen Power Solutions

    15. Brandon Erhart

      Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

    16. Dave Shaffer

      West Michigan Community Bank

    Upcoming Meeting Schedule

    View Past Meetings
    1. Downtown Improvement District Board Meeting – Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc (29 Pearl St NW Suite 1, Grand Rapids MI 49503)
    2. Downtown Improvement District Board Meeting – Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc (29 Pearl St NW Suite 1, Grand Rapids MI 49503)
    3. Downtown Improvement District Board Meeting – Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc (29 Pearl St NW Suite 1, Grand Rapids MI 49503)
    4. Downtown Improvement District Board Meeting – Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc (29 Pearl St NW Suite 1, Grand Rapids MI 49503)

    Downtown Improvement District FY2027-FY2029 Authorization Plan

    This authorization plan (The Plan) establishes the DID boundary, the formula for assessing properties, a description of proposed services, and a budget establishing the area-wide and sub-area assessments for FY2027–FY2029. The Plan recommends a continuation of existing DID services, maintaining a clean, beautiful, and vibrant downtown within the established boundary. The Plan also calls for a 3 percent increase in the district-wide assessment rates, including the resident assessment, for FY2027 to cover the rising costs of services and materials due to inflation. In addition, the Plan establishes preliminary budgets for FY2028 and FY2029 which will have district-wide increases proportional to the State of Michigan’s Inflation Rate Multiplier, not to exceed 4 percent annually.

    Downtown Improvement District FY2027-FY2029 Authorization Plan

    Freedom of Information

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