DIDA Members Assist City Staff Updating Blueprint Benchmark Data

IRONWOOD, MI - Thursday, September 30, 2010 - The Downtown Ironwood Development Authority held a special meeting at eight o'clock this morning to assist City staff in revising the Blueprint Benchmarks. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), the agency who administers the Blueprint Program, requires that all communities selected to participate in the program file an updated list of benchmarks annually. The Authority failed to draw a quorum for this morning's meeting, so it was never officially called to order. Nonetheless, members in attendance worked together to establish the updated figures required by MSHDA.

Members attending this morning's meeting included: Lee-Ann Garske, Matt Weber, and Jim Albert. Also in attendance were City staffers: Scott Erickson, Manager; Dennis Hewitt, Assessor/Building Inspector; and Jane Bowman, DIDA Secretary. Reporters for the Globe and the Chronicle were also present.

City Manager Scott Erickson began the session by going through the list of benchmarks required by MSHDA. Dennis Hewitt told those in attendance that the total taxable value of property in the Downtown was $5,162,980. This number was established through existing tax data.

The group then turned their attention to listing businesses that have opened since the original benchmarks were established, and businesses that have closed. Each of the members called out new businesses and recently closed businesses as they came to mind. The new downtown businesses that came to mind included: Old World Meats; Entree Companions; Healing Touch Massage; Paul Mlasko Insurance Agency; Grooming by Jackie; Rossi's Auto Detailing; Purse Palace; D&N Liquidators (soon to open); Serenity Center; Fleamasters Flea Market; St. Vincent/DePaul Store; Salon Metamorphose Beauty Shop; Iron-N-Wood, Inc. (Swing Clear Mailboxes); Pat O'Neill; Midnight Nails; Pipe & Bike Shop; Cory Gresham Insurance; and Helping Hands Furniture.

Businesses that closed downtown: Evening Shade Tattoos/Sic, Inc.; Iron Horse Tattoos; Pipe & Bike Shop; Stoltenberg's Clock Shop; and the VFW.

Businesses with uncertain status included: Scrap Doctors (former Jone's Hotel); and Vodicka Management Company (former Rainbow Tavern). Dennis Hewitt said he would check into those businesses with uncertain status.

Based on building permits issued, Dennis Hewitt told the Authority that approximately $200,000 in private investments have been made to local businesses over the past year. He said he can pinpoint an exact number later. After the group discussed several projects that came to mind, Hewitt realized that his initial figure needed to be adjusted.

The Authority listed off several of the public improvements that were made over the last year. Improvements to the Memorial Building topped the list at over $30,000.

In order to satisfy the MSHDA requirements, a list of economic tools used to create, enhance or expand local downtown businesses had to be made. The group determined that the City has utilitzed several economic tools over the past year, including: the Rental Rehab Grant; the Facade Grant; the Demolision Grant; and Economic Development Corporation funds.

In addition to the items already listed, the group worked together to determine the total number of businesses in the Downtown; the total number of housing units;  the square footage of occupied & vacant retail, office and residental space. After just over an hour, with the group's assistance; updates to the Blueprint Benchmarks were determined as required.

Once the work was complete, the DIDA members briefly discussed the newly hired Community Development Director and backlog of work that awaits him. DIDA Secretary Jane Bowman told the Authority that Mr. Bussiere was very ambitious and he seemed to be a man who does his homework. She said she was confident that he was up for the task that awaits him.

Bowman and Hewitt explained that the data gathered at today's meeting would be finalized and submitted to MSHDA within the next two weeks. Some of the information that was discussed needed to be verified through City rec0rds. All of the members in attendance offered further assistance if it was required.

Before adjorning several issues were asked to appear on the next DIDA meeting agenda: An introduction of the new Chamber of Commerce Director, Donna Scorse; the possibility of the DIDA penning a letter to the railroad company in regards to the purchase of the former Soo Line Depot; and furture DIDA efforts to welcome and congratulate newly located and/or expanded businesses to the Downtown. It was pointed out that a welcome letter could help to inform new businesses of programs that are available through the City to assist them.