Community Services
Principles
Maintain the downtown as a center for government, public and community service
It is important that the downtown continue to be seen as an important center for educational, governmental, social, and business services for the larger community. These services draw millions of persons to the core area each year and are critical to assuring the ongoing vitality of the downtown. These include programs and organizations of international significance, such as what is offered on the central campus of the University of Michigan, governmental services provided by the City and the County; city and county courts and court services; Ann Arbor Public Schools facilities; an award-winning regional library; several significant museums; several acclaimed public and private arts and entertainment venues; and a variety of public and private human service organizations, social services, and business services providers.
The DDA will continue to work with and support other public and non-profit institutions in maintaining a strong downtown presence.
The DDA will also continue to work to strengthen its communication and involvement with the Ann Arbor City Council, and other elected bodies to ensure DDA projects and policies contribute to the public good and are in alignment with City and County planning goals.
Strategies
- Engage in joint planning efforts with other governmental entities so that the downtown remains a friendly environment for those entities and the publics they serve.
- Work with these entities to support expansions of or improvements to their downtown operations or facilities.
Pursue partnerships with public sector groups and institutions to address community goals that cannot otherwise be met by the private sector. These projects offer the City, County, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor District Library and Ann Arbor Public Schools an important opportunity to bring uses into downtown that meet certain objectives that the public sphere is uniquely suited to tackle. For instance, the development of cultural assets that enrich and enliven the entire community. These partnerships can also address downtown needs that may not otherwise be fulfilled by the private sector (e.g. affordable housing, parking). - Work with public and private services providers to plan for and support current and expanded downtown operations or facilities.
- Provide funding support for needs assessment studies which may help agencies provide better or more targeted programs to serve the more vulnerable members of our downtown.
- Provide assistance to Washtenaw County, City of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor District Library, and the Ann Arbor Public Schools, including programs for child/passenger drop off and jury parking.