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.

Hdda District Map

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
Karen Beardsley – Recording Secretary

To get contact:
Melissa K. Dashevich "Missy"
Highland DDA
205 W. Livingston Road
Highland, MI 48357

248  887 7200

pdf
Approved Budget 2020

- 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 arrow 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

CONTRACTS

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).