VITAL INFORMATION
MEETING MINUTES, IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS & DDA'S PLACE IN YOUR COMMUNITY
HIGHLAND DDA - ESTABLISHED 2004
In 2004 the DDA/TIF (Downtown Development Area/Tax Increment Financing) agreement was put into place and Highland’s DDA was created. The DDA is a designated area that allows a “capture” of tax dollars to finance projects that encourage economic development. The “capture” of DDA tax dollars is the difference between the 2004 “base” value and today’s “taxable” value. Only the increase - or decrease is “captured” thus encouraging a motivated DDA board. This does not increase taxes. In Highland the DDA “captures” Oakland County and OCC tax dollars that would otherwise go into Oakland county and OCC budgets. The DDA also “captures” from Highland General, Fire, Police and Library tax dollars.
Some projects financed by the DDA include lamp posts, sidewalks, road paving, signage, business, building facade improvements and community events such as concerts and the December tree lighting.
There is not a township wide millage for the DDA. Millages are taxed over the entire township. The DDA capture only affects the parcels within the DDA. DDA boundaries are up & down Milford Road starting at Wardlow to the North and ending just before Rowe to the South. It also includes the Library to Save- A-Lot along M 59 and on Livingston from the railroad tracks to the Fire Hall.
The goal of a DDA is to encourage economic growth in a designated area resulting in increased value – hopefully affecting surrounding areas too.
MISSION
Who we are & what we do: The HDDA is comprised of residents, business owners, property owners, industry owners/operators, and community leaders. We are dedicated to historic preservation and the promotion of economic growth in Highland Station and the surrounding business district, while remaining sensitive to those individuals already living and working in the area.
We strive to implement our plans and advocate for improvements to the area. Our organization seeks out volunteers as well as community and regional partners with a variety of skills, talent and perspectives. We also actively cultivate new leadership to ensure ongoing energy and enthusiasm for our community revitalization activities.
VISION
The Highland Township Downtown Development Authority (HDDA) is a public corporate entity dedicated to the revitalization of the Highland Station area and its surrounding commercial and industrial district.
We are committed to building an effective partnership between the Township, private property owners, residents and business owners that will result in a vibrant, unique identity for Highland.
What we see for the future: Our vision for the Highland Station district is one of a charming modern hamlet where attractive historical homes, vibrant small businesses and healthy lifestyle amenities appeal to people of all ages, returning Highland Station to its place as the center of our community and a destination within the region. Highland Station will be an active place that promotes health, fitness and an appreciation for the natural environment as well as a center for the expression and enjoyment of the arts and a meeting place for exchange of ideas and information. Highland Station will be an oasis and sanctuary from the intense automobile-driven development along the M-59 corridor and will exude a tangible feel and flavor that uplifts the body and soul.
MAIN STREET OAKLAND COUNTY
Highland was named a Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) community on September 21, 2005. MSOC is an economic development program, specifically targeted to provide downtown management training and technical assistance to the 30 traditional downtowns in the County. Their mission is "to maximize the economic potential and to preserve the heritage and sense of place of Oakland County's historic commercial districts by encouraging and facilitating the use of the Main Street Four Point Approach which emphasizes economic development within the context of historic preservation." The National Trust Main Street Center offers a comprehensive commercial district revitalization strategy that has been widely successful in towns and cities nationwide.
We believe that the Main Street structure is worth adopting! The structure of the governing board (the HDDA) and four subcommittees not only divides the workload and clearly delineates responsibilities, but also builds consensus and cooperation among the various stakeholders. Coincidentally, the four points of the Main Street approach correspond with the four forces of real estate value, which are social, political, physical, and economic.
The HDDA Board is made up of residents, business owners & operators, township officials and staff. Our HDDA Board meets once per month, on the third Wednesday at 6:15 p.m.
HDDA Board
Rick Hamill (Township Supervisor)
Roscoe Smith – HDDA Chairperson
Michael Zurek – HDDA Vice-Chair
Christina Hamill – Treasurer
Matt Barnes
Cassie Blascyk
Dale Feigley
Jennifer Frederick
Melissa Dashevich – Executive Director a
Karen Beardsley – Recording Secretary
To get contact: Melissa K. Dashevich "Missy"
Highland DDA
205 W. Livingston Road
Highland, MI 48357
248 887 7200
CLICK HERE FOR 2020 BUDGET - SEE PAGE 22 & 23
HDDA Board Meeting Schedule
All Meetings are held at 6:15 p.m.
Location
Highland Station House
205 W. Livingston Road, Highland, MI 48357
Meeting Dates
January 19, 2022
February 16, 2022
March 16, 2022
April 20, 2022
May 18, 2022
June 15, 2022
July 20, 2022
August 17, 2022
September 21, 2022
October 19, 2022
November 16, 2022
December 21, 2022
Meeting Documents
Click on the folder to find the year's and month's documents.
CURRENT DDA PROJECTS
Volunteer Fair - March
Historic Marker for Streetscape (Ribbon Cutting) - May
Ladies Night Out - May
Farmers Market- June thru October
Sidewalk Sales - July
Sounds Like Summer Concert Series - July and August
Milford and Livingston Road Gardens- Adopt a Garden program with local volunteers including, maintenance and planting. We added over 1,500 spring tulips, daffodils and allium bulbs to enjoy each year.
Participate and Promote Small Business Saturday with Oakland County - November
Festival of Trees- Month of December
Tree Lighting - December
Ladies Night Out - December
Façade and Signage grants - Year Round
Research and consider classes for businesses in the the district.
Partner with Oakland County for Business stabilization teams for small businesses.
Business Rental Assistance Grants
Create Shopping and Dining Guide
Wayfinding and Signage Program
Gateway Cost Estimates, next steps and planning
COMPLETED DDA PROJECTS
2021
Gateway Arch Cost Estimates-Timing and Next steps planning
CArt Outdoor Art Stroll
Business Assistance Mini Grants offered to 13 local businesses
Enhancement and Maintenance of Landscaping- Adopt and Garden Program
Military Banner Program
Partnered with the Highland Township Historical Society to promote Historic Preservation Month in May #ThisPlaceMatters
Historic Marker Project for Streetscape - Initiated
Highland Farmers' Market
Sounds Like Summer Concert Series
Summer Side Walk Sales and Sidewalk Chalk Contest
How well do you know your community? Scavenger Hunt
Partnered with Township with the Red, White and Blues Festival by marketing and sponsoring activities.
Partnered with Oakland County for Shop Small Saturday, marketing, promoting participation.
Partnered with Oakland County for Zig Train business training courses.
Holiday Ladies Night Out
Holiday Photo Spots around town
Tree Lighting
Festival of Trees
Holiday Decorating Contest
Unity Dollars
FUTURE DDA PROJECTS
Continue ongoing projects
Possible construction of the gateway arch
More to come
4 HDDA COMMITTEES
What does each committee do? Take a look at the annual work plans to find out. Each committee has its own work plan that helps the members stay focused and communicate its activities to the community. All committees are looking for new members. Below are descriptions of each of the four committees. If you are interested in this opportunity to participate in the creation of your community, please call the HDDA office at 248.887.7200 or send an email to highlanddda@gmail.com.
Organization
This committee clarifies the mission, does strategic planning, defines goals & objectives and manages volunteer force. This Committee meets the third Wednesday of every month at 5:30pm at the Highland Station House, 205 W. Livingston Road.
Design
This committee identifies & defines architectural character, creates design standards and architectural guidelines, supports design, wayfinding & infrastructure improvement programs. Please call if you wish to attend this committee, meeting times vary. This Committee meets the second Monday of each month at 5:00pm at the Highland Station House 205 W. Livingston Road.
Promotion
This committee prepares market analyses, manages public relations, creates a visual identity/logo, and builds advertising/media/publicity campaigns. This committee meets the third Thursday of each month at 2:45 p.m. at the Highland Township Offices (205 N. John Street).
Economic Restructuring
This committee works to create a broad mix of retail, service and housing, strives for healthy competition among businesses, recruits businesses, identifies opportunities for rehabilitation and/or development. This committee meets the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at the Highland Station House (205 W. Livingston).