Green Light Given to New Howell DDA HQ RenovationsGreen Light Given to New Howell DDA HQ Renovations

12/26/13 - The Howell Downtown Development Authority has been given the green light by the city to begin renovating its new headquarters on Clinton Street. DDA Board Director Eric Conn tells WHMI they have big plans for the building at 118 West Clinton Street. The DDA plans to turn the front space on the first floor into its new headquarters. The upper floor will be turned into a two-bedroom apartment and the back portion of the first floor will be turned into 600 square feet of retail space. The DDA will rent out those areas for extra funding. Last night, the city council approved loaning the DDA up to $250,000 to pay for the renovations. The DDA is now firming up the design and moving forward with contract negotiations for the work. They hope to begin renovations in late January or early February. The work itself will take about six months, depending on whether issues arise during construction. Council has discussed the solvency of the DDA and its ability to handle the proposed debt obligation over the course of several meetings, with most members very receptive to the idea since the city paid next to nothing for the property through tax sale. Once renovated, council members noted that should there be any problems with the loan, the option of selling the building is always there and it could then be brought back onto the tax roll. (TD)