Legal Framework

On May 16, 1989, the Buena Vista Charter Township Board of Trustees adopted Ordinance No. 137, which created the Buena Vista Charter Township Downtown Development Authority, pursuant to Act 197 of Public Acts of 1975 as amended, of the State of Michigan. At that time, the Authority was given all of the powers and duties prescribed for a Downtown Development Authority pursuant to the Act. A nine member DDA Board was appointed to represent the Township and its commercial business interests. The Township Board also designated the boundaries of the downtown district within which the Authority may legally operate.  Click here to view the DDA District map.

The DDA holds regular monthly public meetings at Township Hall on the 4th Wednesday at 12:00PM for the purpose of:

  • Establishing the procedures under which it operates;
  • Discussing business district issues, priorities and objectives to be addressed;
  • Considering program strategies and approaches to downtown development; and ,
  • Reviewing ongoing and planned new public and private development projects within the business district.

The DDA also has established a Redevelopment Sub-Committee, whose mission is

“To support the DDA in efficient, timely, and effective decisions in the redevelopment of the Town Center, specifically, and the DDA district generally”. 

The Redevelopment Sub-Committee meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month at 10:00AM.

Current DDA Priorities

The DDA’s focus since the mid-2000’s has been the redevelopment of the Town Center area, which is the primarily-commercial area surrounding the intersection of Outer Drive and Holland (M-46), and which includes the former Fort Saginaw Mall property (3235 East Holland Avenue). The catalyst project for Town Center redevelopment is the revitalization of the former Fort Saginaw Mall site, which included the acquisition and demolition of the enclosed mall portion. Town Center improvements will correct and prevent stagnation and/or future deterioration within the existing business district, eliminate blighting influences, and promote future economic development. In addition, per the DDA’s Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan, the following projects may be undertaken over the next number of years:

  1.   Town Center Redevelopment Assistance (in progress)
  2.   Public Safety (in progress)
  3.   Business Retention/ Recruitment and Expansion (in progress)
  4.   Façade Improvement Loan Program
  5.   Civic Park Development (in progress – Town Green)
  6.   Streetscape Improvements (in progress)
  7.   Facilitating Redevelopment Opportunities (in progress)
  8.   New Housing Development
  9.   New Office Development
  10.   Other Projects Consistent with the DDA’s Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan