The map, provided by the DDA, shows the possible expansion area of the Depot Town district. DDA Director Tim Colbeck said the expansion is in the initial stages of discussion and would have to be approved the Ypsilanti City Council.

Courtesy Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority

Ypsilanti's Depot Town district could expand within the next few years, as the Downtown Development Authority begins to examine ways it can improve the continuity of the area.

The discussions are in the early stages and part of the DDA's efforts to update its 2000 Depot Town Tax Increment Finance and Development Plan, according to DDA Director Tim Colbeck.

The expansion would include a portion of properties from Huron Street to Pearl Street and Cross Street, Colbeck said.

"It's not in any district," Colbeck said. "We would need to figure out how to incorporate it. Some is private property and there are a couple of law offices. It's a mix of residential use and commercial."

Right now, the district includes North River Street, East Cross Street, a portion of Rice Street, Ferrier Street, Lincoln Street and other areas. The Depot Town district also includes the north section of Riverside Park, Frog Island, Sidetrack Bar & Grill, Aubree's Pizzeria & Grill and several other businesses.

Colbeck said previously, the city had two separate DDA's that encompassed Depot Town, West Cross, Downtown and Water Street. In June 2009, the Ypsilanti City Council voted to create a single DDA board to govern both DDA's as one organization.

Colbeck said when the DDA's combined into one, a sense of continuity was missing.

"That’s been a discussion," Colbeck said. "There was kind of a missing piece. We’ve merged organizationally, but there's not a physical continuity. It doesn't mean we're going to necessarily expand the TIF... We just don't know yet."

Colbeck said the expansion could just be for "operational purposes" and that the TIF wouldn't necessarily be expanded to include the expanded area. Colbeck said as the discussions move further along, that aspect will be evaluated and decided upon.

"We're looking at a whole bunch of different options," Colbeck said. "There hasn't been any movement, we just want to evaluate the potential."

Colbeck said the DDA will receive about $80,000 in revenue from the Depot Town TIF this year, a decrease from previous fiscal years. A TIF allows all taxable value within a certain DDA boundary to generate tax revenue for the DDA instead of the city of Ypsilanti.

"It has been dropping because of a decrease in property value," Colbeck said. "Next year that’s probably going to drop to $74,000."

Colbeck said the businesses located in the areas not part of the Depot Town District already receive some benefits from the DDA. Colbeck said they are eligible for the Building Rehabilitation and Facade Grant and a few other programs. Those benefits likely will expand once they become part of the district.

Depot Town

"That's the kind of thing we’ll be able to better answer when the study is done," Colbeck said.

Colbeck said the TIF and development plan update will last for the next 15 years and the DDA is seeking a consultant. The current Depot Town TIF and plan is set to expire in December 2015.

Colbeck said the new one will be used until 2030.

According to the requests for proposals , the following goals will be key to the update process:

• Preservation of the traditional downtown environment and high quality of public services while keeping the identity, cultural diversity, and creative population intact.
• Enhancement of property maintenance, regional connectivity together with a pedestrian friendly environment, and commercial and residential services and facilities with technology accessibility.
• Diversification of housing, retail/commercial, and transportation options along with a mixture of businesses and job opportunities.

Colbeck said continued investment in the local economy and job opportunities will be at the forefront of the update, as well as looking at what the DDA has accomplished since the previous plan was put in place.

"On a basic level there's been a lot of physical changes and a lot of investments into businesses," Colbeck said. "What we’re looking at and have been diving into is what does the old plan say? What in it did we think we wanted to do, but no longer do? Have we achieved the goals and if not, what do we want to carry forward and what are the new goals?

The DDA’s Operations and Finance Committee will lead the update process and emphasize the need for an active shopping and entertainment district.

The Operations and Finance Committee will be involved with the review of proposals, interviewing consultants for the project, submitting a recommendation to the DDA Board and city council and working with the selected consultant to develop a long-term strategy.

Colbeck said he is not yet sure how much it will cost to hire a consultant.

"We’re trying to figure that out," Colbeck said. "I’ve gotten some estimates, but it's kind of an apples to oranges thing because some (DDA's) are smaller or larger. It's something we’re obviously going to have to put in our budget for 2013-14."

Each district has its own development plan and TIF. Colbeck said the others aren't due for an update for a few more years.

A survey for public input on development projects and redevelopment initiatives will be completed and about two public meetings will be held, Colbeck said. The DDA hopes to select a consultant by July.

The Operations and Finance Committee will discuss the TIF renewal draft RFP process at the DDA's board meeting at 8 a.m. on Thursday, April 18. The meeting will be held at the Ypsilanti Area Convention and Visitors Bureau office at 106 W. Michigan Avenue.

Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.