The Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority will soon move into the Ypsilanti City Hall.
Officials say the move will save the DDA money, bring slightly more revenue to the city and improve coordination between them.
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The Ypsilanti DDA's current office space is at 32 N. Washington St.
At its Sept. 3 meeting, City Council unanimously approved the DDA leasing 336 square feet that includes two offices and small conference rooms on city hall’s third floor. The DDA will pay $300 per month.
City Manager Ralph Lange said several council members had asked about the possibility of the DDA leasing the space.
“(The DDA) will save money and we get a little better coordination between the DDA and planning department, but they are still separate,” Lange said. “I think it’s a win-win and has been kind of a council goal.”
DDA Director Tim Colbeck said the DDA will save $3,500 in rent annually plus additional money saved on monthly Internet and phone costs. The DDA currently rents 550 square feet of space at 32 N. Washington St. for $650 per month from a private landlord.
“We already work really close with the planning department, physical services and others, so just having us there, sharing space and having close communication - on that end it seems to make sense,” he said.
The DDA operates with a staff of two and often has a part-time intern from Eastern Michigan University.
The DDA Board’s monthly meetings will continue to be held at SPARK East.
Ypsilanti Mayor Paul Schreiber, who also serves on the DDA Board, highlighted the same advantages to the move, but also stressed that the DDA and city will remain separate legal entities.
“It makes a lot of sense to keep the DDA independent and with a separate legal counsel looking out for what’s best for DDA districts and downtown,” Schreiber said. “I think that there will still be enough of separation to make this work really well, and I think the DDA is going to continue to be a steward of downtown, Depot Town, and Campus Town (the West Cross District).”
