The Clare Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is comprised of a nine-member board that is empowered to capture tax revenues within a specifically designated and approved tax increment financing commercial district. The purpose of these captured funds is to provide the necessary funding to make improvements within the established district. The board meets monthly.

Major DDA Accomplishments and Highlights

The Clare DDA continued its three-decade history of supporting economic development and growth to Clare’s historic downtown district in 2018, 2019, and 2020, thereby enabling downtown businesses to grow and attain success.

DDA highlights in 2020 included:

In 2020 the Clare DDA completed a one-block expansion of the streetscape along West Fifth Street.  This expansion included the installation of new sidewalks, brick pavers, decorative street/sidewalk lighting, benches and waste cans.  In addition to the expansion the DDA also undertook a refreshing of the entirety of the streetscape replacing a significant amount of the brick pavers, some lighting and several electrical outlets.

DDA highlights in 2019 included:

• The approval of the proposed DDA District Expansion and the approval of a new TIF and Development Plan to facilitate future growth within the expanded district;
• Initiated and recommended approval of the establishment of a Commercial Rehabilitation Development District encompassing the entirety of the Clare DDA District – a recommendation which was approved and adopted by the Clare City Commission;
• Approved a minor construction addition to The Venue;
• Provided fiscal support to the growing success of Art Alley;
• Assisted in funding of a new bus shelter within the DDA District; and
• Commenced the process to rehabilitate and refresh the existing streetscape withing Clare’s historic downtown.

DDA highlights in 2018 included:

• Initiation and support of an economic development liquor license for The Venue and 505 Café;
• Approval of a major façade improvement project for the Time Out Tavern (601 N. McEwan);
• Approval of the design for a proposed Downtown Gateway Project;
• Providing funding and constructed a new, larger dumpster enclosure within the DDA 4th Street Municipal Parking Lot to accommodate the success and growth of the southern block of the DDA District; and
• Initiated actions to expand the DDA District to accommodate and support future growth to Clare’s downtown.