Second 10-year term will allow BIZ to continue to create a clean, safe, and welcoming Downtown
DETROIT, December 18, 2023 – The Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) is pleased to announce the second-term renewal of Zone Plan through 2034.
The renewal was unanimously passed on October 24, 2023 during a special meeting on the renewal vote of owners of assessed property on the BIZ, which was held after the regularly scheduled BIZ Board Meeting and Annual Meeting of Assessed Property Owners. The Detroit City Council unanimously supported the extension of the BIZ with one of their final votes of 2023.
In April 2014, Downtown property owners approved the inaugural Downtown Detroit BIZ Plan for a 10-year term, establishing a special assessment district to support initiatives and services that keep the BIZ clean, safe, and welcoming. The BIZ’s second 10-year qualifying period will begin April 15, 2024.
“We are incredibly thankful for the unwavering support the Downtown BIZ continues to receive. This vote is affirmation that the BIZ is delivering on promises made. Property owners are funding the BIZ to advance their commitment to support a clean, safe, and welcoming Downtown,” said Gina Cavaliere, DDP Chief Community Impact Officer and BIZ Executive Director. “I can’t wait to see what the BIZ can accomplish in the next 10 years.”
The BIZ is led by a volunteer board of directors elected by Downtown property owners and contracts with the Downtown Detroit Partnership to carry out its day-to-day operations and services throughout the BIZ footprint, which is the Downtown core bordered by the Lodge, I-75, and I-375 freeways on the west, north, and east, respectively, and the Detroit River on the south.
BIZ services include ancillary cleaning, safety, landscaping, lighting, infrastructure improvements, urban planning, data, small business engagement and marketing services also consists of concierge-style hospitality through the BIZ Ambassador program which employs a dedicated team of nearly 100, over 90% Detroiters. Ambassadors train directly with the Detroit Police Department neighborhood police officers on the best communication protocol for public safety and mental health first aid. The BIZ also maintains the Detroit Riverfront from Riverfront Drive to Rivard, as part of its base ambassador services.
“The BIZ is key to the growth and success of Downtown Detroit, and I am thrilled that Detroit stakeholders continue to see the value in this program,” added Steve Ogden, BIZ Board Chair and Senior VP of Government Affairs at Rocket Companies.
Over the last 10 years, BIZ Ambassadors have collected more than 5,200 tons of trash, removed more than 23,000 instances of graffiti and assisted 200,000+ Downtown patrons. Other initiatives supported by the BIZ initiatives The Spirit Card, a Detroit-wide community e-gift card aimed at keeping local dollars in Detroit, and Project Lighthouse, a nationally recognized, innovative safety program that connects Downtown patrons to a network of safety partners.
To learn more about the Downtown Detroit BIZ, please visit https://downtowndetroit.org/about-the-ddp/business-improvement-zone/
About Downtown Detroit BIZ
The Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) creates a clean, safe, and vibrant Downtown through services provided to property owners, businesses, residents and employees. The BIZ works in collaboration with the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The financial contributions of Downtown property owners through a special assessment allow the BIZ to serve the Downtown community. The BIZ also provides access to resources and timely information regarding all things happening in the Downtown in relation to local businesses. For more information, visit DowntownDetroit.org/BIZ.
About Downtown Detroit Partnership
The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) strengthens and supports Downtown Detroit through strategic initiatives and programs. DDP convenes business, philanthropic, and government partners to create a vibrant and resilient urban core for Detroit and the surrounding community. DDP is responsible for programming, managing, and operating several of Downtown Detroit’s parks and public spaces. For more information, visit DowntownDetroit.org.
# # #
