Data & Reports
The DDA encompasses all or part of 66 blocks, is approximately 271 acres, and is home to approximately 1,200 businesses, a great number of entertainment and educational venues, and approximately 2,800 Ann Arbor residents.
Available Data and Reports Include:
- Renewal of the DDA Development Plan and Tax
Increment Financing Plan - Downtown & DDA Benchmarking
- Downtown Parking & Transportation Studies
- Local Currency Study
- BIZ Blueprint
- Art Fair Intercept Survey
- Related City Plans
- Related City Task Forces and Projects
Renewal of the DDA Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan
DDA Annual Report & Benchmarking
Annual Report: The DDA created the Annual Report to serve as a tool to track the DDA's work and inform the public about the DDA's impact in the downtown. The report evaluates information tracked on a fiscal year basis - from July to June - unless otherwise noted.
- DDA 2011 Annual Report (pdf)
Benchmarking: The DDA collects data from a variety of sources to track the relative health and changing dynamics of downtown Ann Arbor, with reports on a semi-annual basis. The State of the Downtown Report is issued at the end of each fiscal year and evaluates information tracked on a fiscal basis - from July to June. The DDA Benchmark report, is issued each January to provide updated statistics mid-year. We welcome feedback on these reports, as our goal is to provide a useful and accurate barometer of downtown vitality.
Downtown Parking & Transportation Studies
Following request from City Council at its December 21st, 2009 meeting, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA) developed the 2010 Public Parking and Demand Management Strategies Plan for downtown. Months of input from residents, visitors, businesses, and employees helped to shape this plan. Through this final plan, the DDA seeks to enhance the experience of visiting, shopping, working, and living downtown. The availability and knowledge of a full menu of transportation and parking alternatives ensures that business owners, employees, residents, visitors, and customers can select the transportation options that best fit their needs, schedules, and financial means, while keeping downtown streets and sidewalks functional and fun to traverse.
Nelson/Nygaard Parking Study Phase I Final Report - January 2007
- Table of Contents/Table of Figures (pdf)
- Chapter 1 - Introduction (pdf)
- Chapter 2 - Background Research (pdf)
- Chapter 3 - DDA Managed Parking Inventory (pdf)
- Chapter 4 - Other Inventories (pdf)
- Chapter 5 - Public Involvement (pdf)
- Appendices (pdf)
- Table of Contents/Table of Figures (pdf)
- Introduction/Chapter 1 - Benchmark and Existing Policy Documentation (pdf)
- Chapter 2 - Public Outreach Week #1 (pdf)
- Chapter 3 - Preliminary Recommendations (pdf)
- Chapter 4 - Public Outreach Week #2 (pdf)
- Chapter 5 - Final Recommendations (pdf)
- Appendix A - Implementation Examples (pdf)
- Appendix B - Commuter Bus Farebox Policy Peer Review (pdf)
- Appendix C - In Lieu Fees (pdf)
- Appendix D - Design Guidelines for Parking Facilities in Downtowns/Appendix E - Case Study--Boulder, Co/Appendix F - The 511 Travel Information System (pdf)
- Appendix G - Real-Time On-Street Occupancy Technology/Appendix H - Ordinance Example: Demand-Responsive On-Street Pricing (pdf)
Implementation of the many recommendations contained within the Nelson/Nygaard Ann Arbor Downtown Parking Study report have been pursued aggressively by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, the getDowntown program, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, and the City of Ann Arbor. The following document tracks the agencies progress through October 2009.
Sustainable Transportation
The getDowntown Program Study
in 2009, the getDowntown Program, with the assistance of the Survey Science Group conducted the 2009 getDowntown Program Study. Survey Science surveyed employers & employees in the downtown Ann Arbor area to assess awareness of the getDowntown Program services and to benchmark commuting behaviors.
The getDowntown Commuter Challenge Report
The getDowntown Program conducted a study of its Commuter Challenge Program in 2009. The report gives an overview of participating organizations and employees, tracking their changes in commuting behavior from 2008.
Bike Parking Use Study
In the Summer and early Fall of 2010, DDA Intern, Chris Canna, conducted counts of downtown bike parking use. This report is the first data based analysis of downtown bike parking. It's findings give the DDA insight into cyclists parking needs and will be used to better target parking investments.
Local Currency Study
With a grant from the DDA, Think Local First examined local currency programs throughout the U.S. and beyond. This research and a public feedback process took place in the early part of 2010. Initial findings were shared with the DDA Partnerships Committee in April 2010. Click below to download a copy of the presentation.
BIZ Blueprint
With a grant from the DDA, the Main Street BIZ Initiative created the following guide to assist other downtown businesses and property owners in the creation of Ann Arbor Business Improvement Zones. The Initiative successfully navigated the process and formed a BIZ in 2010.
Blueprint for establishing Business Improvement Zones in Downtown Ann Arbor, MI 2010
- Pages 1 - 31
- Pages 32 - 35
- Pages 36 - 87
- Pages 88 - 93
- Pages 94 - 197
- Pages 198 - 202
- Pages 203 - 236
Art Fair Intercept Survey
During the 2008 Art Fairs, a survey was conducted to gather information about attendees and determine market opportunities. A total of 834 responses were gathered from across all Fairs and hours of operation. The survey revealed that the majority of attendees (67%) were female. Ages of attendees was fairly well distributed with 41% age 50 and older, 34% age 30-49, and 25% age 18-29. The mean household income is about $90,000 with 43% college graduates. More than half (52%) of attendees were from Michigan, but outside the City of Ann Arbor. The survey was sponsored by the four Art Fairs, Ann Arbor Convention and Visitors Bureau, Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, Arts Alliance, and Main Street Association.
Related City Plans
- Downtown Plan (2009)
- (copies available from Planning & Development Services)
- Downtown Plan (1988)
- Central Area Plan (1992)