A DDA presenter told the Garden City Downtown Development Authority at its annual informational meeting that the district captured about $629,000 in tax-increment financing (TIF) this year to support downtown projects and programs. “This is our annual informational meeting that is actually required by Public Act 57,” the presenter said.

The presenter said the district’s current taxable value is about $34,000,000 with a historic base near $12,000,000 and estimated captured value of about $21,000,000. Of that capture, the presenter said the DDA’s share comes to roughly $629,000; about $387,000 represents the general allocation and roughly $241,000 comes from other funding sources.

Why it matters: the money funds maintenance, marketing and business-attraction activities in the downtown district, as well as events and small capital projects. The presenter listed uses that include holiday decorations, alley and parking-lot work, public events, pedestrian-safety measures and business incentive grants.

The DDA described several programs and projects planned or underway. The board funds façade-improvement grants of up to $2,000 and signage grants up to $1,000 to assist downtown businesses; staff said five façade grants were budgeted for next year (the presenter estimated a $50,000 allotment spread over time). Staff said they applied for a grant to install pop-up bollards and cited work under a Safe Streets initiative.

Staff highlighted economic activity in the district: the presenter said about 20 new businesses opened this year, and pointed to an expected new 10,000-square-foot grocery store coming online. Named businesses and locations mentioned in the presentation included Elite Eye Care, Garden City Cafe, Fatma’s Baker, Cafe Europe, Lucky Dog (and an associated warehouse acquisition), Planet Fitness and a bakery operating in the La Critz Weber property next to Planet Fitness.

The presenter described recent capital work completed with DDA involvement: repaving an alley behind Elite Eye Care, repairs to a parking lot, landscaping improvements around the municipal commons and efforts to clarify parking. Staff also said they coordinated with the local garden club on flower baskets and that the DDA sponsors community events such as a chili cook-off and the Lucky Squirrel craft event. The chili cook-off, staff said, generated deposits in excess of $20,000; staff said they are pursuing better ways to estimate event attendance.

The presenter also called out an upcoming TIF/TIF-agreement discussion related to the Fokker Building and noted ongoing coordination with the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority on that site.

The DDA said it publishes an annual report to the Department of Treasury and follows statutory reporting requirements tied to Public Act 57. Staff closed by inviting questions and saying the board would begin planning for 2026 projects after the holidays.

The meeting proceeded to routine business and adjourned after the board discussed scheduling and other items.