Overview:
The Northside Neighborhood Plan led by the Northside Association for Community Development (NACD) was adopted by the Planning Commission on August 2nd 2018. One strategy of the plan focuses on strengthening the existing Northside Cultural Business District (NCBD) through the creation of a Northside Cultural Business District Authority (NCBDA). Maps of these areas can be found below.
Northside Cultural Business District
Northside Cultural Business District Authority Proposed Area
The Authority (technically known as a Corridor Improvement Authority) is an economic development tool that allows a commercial corridor to leverage future investment to improve the corridor.
Authority Board
If created, the authority will be overseen by a board appointed by the Mayor. Michigan Law requires the board be comprised of 50% property/business owners and two residents within a half mile. The Northside Neighborhood Plan sets the goal of creating a board made up of 75% residents and 25% property owners.
Funding
If created, the NCBDA could create a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Plan to divert a percentage of taxes collected to be used within the NCBDA. There will be no change in taxes for taxpayers as a result of the NCBDA. It is a reallocation of a portion of the taxes already collected, which can be directed to projects with the NCBDA.
Goals/Benefits
The goals of the proposed NCBDA include supporting Northside resident owned businesses, creating an identity for the District, and improving building facades, and infrastructure such as sidewalks.
PROJECT MANAGER:
Christina Anderson, City Planner, andersonc@kalamazoocity.org
OBJECTIVES:
Authority Priorities as outlined in the Neighborhood Plan
Financial incentives to increase the number of resident owned businesses, especially those by African American and low income residents.
Increasing the amount of affordable housing available based on income levels in the City of Kalamazoo.
Build the cultural identity of the neighborhood with a new logo, murals, art installations, and preserving culturally significant places.
Improve facades, infrastructure, sidewalks, and streetscaping in the District.
Use Neighborhood Enterprise Zone to support the building and rehabilitation of affordable homeownership.
SCHEDULE:
Summer/Fall 2018
Create the NCBDA
Monday July 16, 2018 - City Commission adopted a resolution of intent to establish the NCBDA and development area
Tuesday September 4, 2018 - City Commission public hearing on the establishment of the NCBDA
Action to approve NCBDA in November 2018
Fall/Winter 2018
Appoint the Authority Board
Set priorities based on the Northside Neighborhood Plan (2018)
Spring/Summer 2018
Develop branding for the NCBD
Refine goals, priorities, establish action steps, such as, development of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Plan
PARTNERSHIPS:
Northside Association for Community Development – Mattie Jordan Woods
STAFFING:
Community Planning and Economic Development
OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS:
CONSISTENT WITH PLANS:
VISION:
The vision of the NCBDA is to support the objectives of the NCBD which includes increasing and supporting resident owned businesses and the amount of affordable housing in the district while strengthening the cultural identity of the neighborhood.
STRATEGIC VISION GOALS:
Economic Vitality, Inviting Public Places, Connected City, Complete Neighborhoods, Strength through Diversity, Shared Prosperity
METRICS:
BUDGET:
FUNDING SOURCES:
Staff Time
Neighborhood Planning Quick Win Funds