Downtown Development Authority/ Tax Increment Financing
The Township established a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) in 2019. A map of the DDA boundaries is below. The DDA district allows the Township to capture taxes from other taxing jurisdictions through Tax Increment Financing and use them for improvements within the boundaries of the district to increase property values, promote economic development, eliminate causes of deterioration and improve the vitality of the area.
The DDA is run by a governing board appointed by the Township Supervisor with approval of the Township Board. The Township Supervisor is automatically a member. The DDA Board is required to prepare an annual budget showing the proposed expenditures for the year. The Township Board must approve the DDA’s budget. The DDA Board is authorized to hire a Director, but only with the approval of the Township Board.
Board Members
Sandra Katje, Chair
Jeffrey Townsend, Vice Chair
Evan Kowalski, Secretary/Treasurer
Ben Martin, Township Supervisor
John Gisler, Kalamazoo County Commission Liaison
Keith Wilcher, DDA District Resident
Jon Koets
Andy Schippers
Larry Rabbitt
Meeting Minutes
Activities of the DDA
Informational Meeting Notices
2023 Comstock Center Goals and Priorities
Annual Synopsis of DDA Activities and Events
- 2025 Annual Synopsis of DDA Activities and Events
- 2024 Annual Synopsis of DDA Activities and Events
- 2023 Annual Synopsis of DDA Activities and Events
- 2022 Annual Synopsis of DDA Activities and Events
Beautify Comstock Center Initiative
PA-57 Report Informational Meetings
- 2025 PA 57 Report Informational Meeting
- 2024 PA 57 Report Informational Meeting
- 2023 PA 57 Report Informational Meeting
- 2022 PA 57 Report Informational Meeting
Current Contracts/ RFPs
Beautify Comstock Center Maintenance Contract
MowCo completed their 3-year contract for maintenance services in 2025. The DDA is currently in the process of bidding out the annual maintenance contract for the next three years. The contract includes installation and maintenance of five entry gateways and 35 flower planters. We expect to have a local landscape contractor selected by April 15, 2026.
Banner Contract
Annual contract with Sign Art to hang seasonal banners on light poles in the DDA for 2025.
Façade Improvement Grant Program
Sign Center was the contractor selected to prepare new signage for The Rabbitt Hutch and Kate’s Kupboard. Both businesses received grant funds from the DDA to design and install new signs in 2025.
Real Estate Legal Services
The legal firm of Miller Johnson was hired to provide real estate services to prepare a Letter of Intent to purchase three downtown parcels on behalf of the DDA in 2025.
The Comstock Center Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is seeking a qualified landscape contractor to install and maintain our downtown flower planters and gateways. We have five landscape gateways and 35 planter pots located within our DDA District requiring approximately four months of care and watering. Please click the link above to review the Request for Proposal (RFP) and submit your bid for a three-year contract with the DDA.
Bids are due Friday, February 6, 2026, at 12 pm. If you have any questions on the details of the RFP, please feel free to contact Steve Deisler at 269-381-2360 or at sdeisler@comstockmi.gov.
