City of YpsilantiCity of YpsilantiEconomic Development Work Plan

Tuesday, October 7th, 2008

BackgroundBackground

“Surviving is important. Thriving is elegant.”

Maya Angelou

Why a work plan?Why now?

BackgroundBackground

The Process:Inventory of projects and partners

Putting the team togetherCollaborating on goals and a work plan

Economic Development TeamEconomic Development Team

Director of Administrative Services Management AssistantCity Planning ManagerCity Preservation PlannerYpsilanti Chamber of Commerce DirectorYDDA and DTDDA DirectorMSU Extension Urban CollaboratorMichigan Works! Employment Training

and Community Services

Economic Development TeamEconomic Development Team

Partners

Economic Development TeamEconomic Development Team

Teresa Gillotti, MSUE

Urban Collaborator

Economic Development GoalsEconomic Development Goals

Improve and diversify tax baseIncrease and diversify employment baseAlign workforce development with

changing needs Improve City’s ability to meet business

community’s needsImprove general environment and quality

of life

Team GoalsTeam Goals

Set course for City’s efforts and determine priorities

Utilize external partners effectivelyConsider all of Ypsilanti, not just site-

specific locations

Economic Development Work PlanEconomic Development Work Plan

Identify partnerships to grow and developDefine active projects

◦Determine lead◦Create timeline◦Make them happen

Define projects in need of catalyst◦Be prepared for their start◦Work on any necessary background pieces

Stay flexible – fluid document

Utilize external partners Utilize external partners effectivelyeffectively

Team MeetingsOutreach to partnersContinued involvement in Economic

Development◦In Washtenaw County

◦In region

Improve communication

Set course for City’s efforts Set course for City’s efforts – active projects– active projects

Site or Area Specific ProjectsACH site reuseWater Street RedevelopmentAerotropolisDowntown Blueprints PlanWest Cross Street Organization

Set course for City’s efforts Set course for City’s efforts – active projects – active projects

Meeting business community’s needsAdaptive reuse PUD amendmentsCity website redesignRedevelopment guide/case studiesEconomic development benchmarksTax abatement policySPARK East IncubatorWorkforce development

Set course for City’s efforts Set course for City’s efforts – active projects – active projects

Quality of lifePromote sense of placeRethinking transportation alternativestoDowntown alternative commuting

project

Set course for City’s efforts Set course for City’s efforts – – projects awaiting catalystprojects awaiting catalyst

Planning effortsNew Master Plan

◦Harriet Street corridor plan

◦Non-motorized transportation plan

◦Transit oriented development plan near proposed new Depot

◦Washtenaw Avenue corridor plan

◦Zoning ordinance updates

Set course for City’s efforts Set course for City’s efforts – – projects awaiting catalystprojects awaiting catalyst

Re-Introduction to Ypsilanti Tours◦Commercial tours for brokers◦Residential tours and open houses

SPARK East Incubator retention planningTarget underutilized business park and

commercial properties for redevelopmentLandfill reuse/redevelopment

Next StepsNext Steps

Continue development of partnershipsWork on active projectsProvide quarterly updates to city councilContinue monthly team meetingsFurther flesh out goals, targets and overall

direction for economic development

Questions?Questions?Economic Development Work Plan