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Posted on Mon, Sep 3, 2012 : 5:58 a.m.

Ypsilanti DDA awards nine businesses, building owners $51k in grants

By Katrease Stafford

Thumbnail image for 34_sidetrack_01.JPG

Sidetrack Bar & Grill, located at 56 E. Cross St., is one of nine businesses to receive a grant from the DDA.

The Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority has awarded $51,002 in grants to nine businesses and building owners to be used for renovation projects.

The Washtenaw County Eastern Leaders Group provided $30,000 for the Building Rehabilitation and Facade Grant Program and the DDA contributed $15,000.

The grants are designed to cover up to 50 percent of the construction and renovation costs.

The DDA had a $6,002.50 surplus in funds from the 2011-12 W. Cross St. Building Rehabilitation and Facade Improvement Program grant round. That surplus went toward this year’s program.

This is the third round of grants given out by the DDA. Previously the program was only for businesses and buildings located on Cross Street. The first round gave out three awards worth $10,000 each and the second gave two grants totaling more than $23,000.

The program has since expanded to include all areas of the downtown districts.The DDA received 15 applications for the grant this year.

Jake Albers, DDA Community Development Coordinator, said the program expansion piqued the interest of more business owners.

"We’ve always realized we needed to invest in the entire district," Albers said. "We did a very good job doing it in the West Cross District so we said, 'let's let the other districts have a piece of the pie.'"

Albers said the program is a step in the right direction toward downtown’s revival.

“In most cases, we’re creating jobs,” Albers said. “We find this of vital importance. It also improves the aesthetic appeal. We want downtown to look better and we’re trying to improve commercial and retail places.”

Albers said giving out the grants not only improves aesthetics but also improves the taxable value of the buildings.

“We want these rehabs to have an ongoing impact on the building,” he said. “We want these changes to stay with the building. We're also trying to improve the residential stock. They have a profound effect upon the local economy."

The building owners are expected to perform a variety of projects including expansion, roof replacements and new high-efficiency heating and cooling systems.

The projects must be completed within 90 days of the time the business owners received notification they were awarded. Once the projects pass inspection, the owners will receive the grants in the form of a reimbursement.

The following will receive the grants:

  • Wolverine Grill at 228 W. Michigan Ave.
  • Mix at 128-130 W. Michigan Ave.;
  • 12 W. Michigan Ave.
  • Barr, Anhut Law Firm at 105 Pearl St.
  • Sidetrack Bar & Grill at 56 E. Cross St.
  • Standard Printing at 120 E. Cross St.
  • Ypsilanti Food Co-Op at 308-312 N. River St.
  • Eagle Market at 501 W. Cross St.,
  • The Crossroad's Bar & Grill at 515-519 W. Cross St.

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

Comments

moveover2012

Tue, Sep 4, 2012 : 3:12 p.m.

HE HE HE .DDA YOu forgot The BEAUTYSHOPS ...that are not beauty..... The sidewalks that are in dire need so walker and wheelchairs can cross save..Any money left to tear down the eyesource/building on Hamilton/Michigan ave. Please slow down the traffic on Michigan Ave SO the new businees will bee noticed.stop at every red light.

Paul

Wed, Sep 5, 2012 : 1:14 a.m.

That part of town is not part of the DDA juristriction as far as I know anyways. That a city issue you are referring to.

kraiford12

Tue, Sep 4, 2012 : 4:10 p.m.

huh?

Jeffersonian Liberal

Tue, Sep 4, 2012 : 12:43 p.m.

I'm going to guess that the DDA did not find this money under some rock. It was confiscated through taxation and handed out by some politician to a select number of private business owners under the guise of beautification and jobs creation. There was a time when this country was great, people were self sufficient and business owners invested their own cash, not their neighbors. A note to the two bit politicians and government bureaucrat's, you never created one single job, businessmen do!

alan haber

Mon, Sep 3, 2012 : 4:37 p.m.

"...the grants not only improves aesthetics but also improves the taxable value of the buildings." Catch 22 of the development grants: taxable value of building goes, taxes go up, overhead goes up, business loses profit margin, raises prices to regain revenue, loses customers and accessible atmosphere. ripe for take over, sell out and new managements. Development intended to raise the tax base to support the government ends up taking with the back hand what they give with the front. Same story in Ann Arbor. That why there is virtually no affordable commercial property downtown. There has got to be a better way.

Lovaduck

Mon, Sep 3, 2012 : 3:21 p.m.

Long live the SIDETRACK! One of the best reasons to go to or live in Ypsilanti!

Veracity

Mon, Sep 3, 2012 : 10:13 p.m.

So true. Good food at fair prices with competent service. My wife and I enjoy eating in the patio areas when the weather allows and even watching a passing train occasionally. The place is popular for these reasons and provides employment for a sizable staff. I do find it hard to believe that Fenchie's would receive a grant just to print new menus as mentioned in an above comment.

LA

Mon, Sep 3, 2012 : 2:05 p.m.

Yay Mix!!

richh

Mon, Sep 3, 2012 : 1:52 p.m.

Seems like the business that recieved the money are some of the more notable business in that area. they didnt need that money. thier in free enterprise. they can obtain remodeling or what ever thru thier profits.thats like for instants giving frenchie from sidetrack money to print new menus an keeping the rest. the DDA should giving this money to business that are under 5 years old , not ones that have been around for decades.

Paul

Mon, Sep 3, 2012 : 3:43 p.m.

People and businesses apply...its open to all. If someone does not apply, its their loss! A classic example of what the money did is the new and much improved looks of Eagles Market and Tower Inn who did his from last years funds.Made the area cleaner, and safer at night with better lighting and all.

jns131

Mon, Sep 3, 2012 : 12:51 p.m.

Wow. Can't wait to see what Depot town does to improve itself. It looks great as it is.