»»
"2007 Year in Review" Annual Summary (.pdf 293k)
»» PACIA Commission Members
»» Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing
Plan (Draft)
»»
PACIA Brochure (.pdf 1.1mb)
»» PACIA Meeting Agendas
and Minutes
PACIA Seeks Partnerships with other Governments
In April of 2007, the Plainfield Township Board of Trustees created a
Corridor Improvement Authority ("CIA") covering an area that includes 152
individual parcels of property along Plainfield Avenue from 4 Mile Road
to Airway. The CIA operates like the Comstock Park Downtown Development
Authority (DDA), except that its funding depends on the willingness of the
contributing taxing authorities to allow their property taxes on the increased
value (from 2006 to ??) of the 152 parcels to be captured. Tax Increment
Financing is how the CIA can generate the money needed to accomplish the
public improvements. In cooperation with Grand Rapids Township, which created
its own CIA south of 4 Mile Road, a “tax sharing agreement” was negotiated
with Kent County, which has consistently rejected participation in Tax Increment
Financing Authorities (TIFAs) for many years. A similar agreement was reached
with Grand Rapids Community College, which has consistently participated
in TIFAs. The Kent District Library (KDL) has opted NOT to participate and
has declined to participate in tax sharing agreements with Plainfield and
Grand Rapids Townships.
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When TIFAs are created, the participating taxing units of government
understand that a stagnant or depressed area of the community needs a boost,
some extra assistance, to turn things around and rejuvenate the area. Why
should the County, the GRCC, the KDL, or Plainfield Township want to see
revenues it would normally collect be plowed back into the CIA district?
Because a rejuvenated area represents a benefit to everyone – including
taxing government entities that are temporarily giving up a small portion
of their revenue to finance the CIA. If a stagnant area is turned around,
property values will increase and will generate more taxes than would have
been generated by simply leaving the place to die on the vine. The keys
to making this work are (1) generating enough money to make a difference
and (2) ensuring that, once the objectives are achieved, the TIFA will be
dissolved, and all of the contributing taxing entities will receive increased
tax revenues that would not have materialized without their participation.
The tax sharing agreements with Kent County and GRCC assure this, having
been persuaded that continuing its participation in TIFAs makes long term
good sense.
With the downturn in the economy and the decline of property values (particularly
commercial property values), the tax increment revenue to the CIAs is far
less than hoped for. While we have succeeded in getting a useful and visible
project completed with the addition of sidewalks from 4 Mile Road to Rupert
along Plainfield Avenue, the $70,000 that is presently in the CIA Fund and
the $24,000 per year that is being generated by the TIFA is not sufficient
to accomplish much in terms of new projects that will have significant impacts.
The Plainfield Township and Grand Rapids Township CIA boards know that
they have their work cut out for them. Sustained, patient, and determined
attention to their combined missions is essential for success. Good things
do not “just happen” in local government; it takes dedicated, hardworking,
and competent individuals to make things happen. The understanding and support
of the entire community is also very important. Citizens of Plainfield Township
and Grand Rapids Township should make it their business to know what is
going on and to support these efforts.
Robert C. Homan
Township Manager
Development Plan and Tax Increment
Financing Plan (Draft)
Interested persons can view or download a draft of the proposed plan
here. The entire document is quite large (1.5mb) so visitors with
slow connections may prefer download a version without maps.
Note: The original signed copies are on file with the
.
Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan-Draft (.pdf 1.5mb)
Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan-Draft NO MAPS (.pdf
400kb)
- Exhibit E: Maps- Plainfield Avenue Corridor Improvement Authority
| Plainfield
Avenue Corridor Improvement Authority Members Plainfield Charter
Township |
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Term Expires: |
| (Vacant) |
Dec 31, 2010 |
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Joel Dykema |
Dec 31, 2012 |
| Cheryl Scales |
Dec 31, 2013 |
| Art Sturgis |
Dec 31, 2013 |
| Steve Van Vliet |
Dec 31, 2013 |
| Marci Chapin |
Dec 31, 2011 |
| George Meek |
Board Representative |
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| Plainfield
Avenue Corridor Improvement Authority Members Grand Rapids
Charter Township |
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Term Expires: |
| Charlene Boylen |
Dec 31, 2011 |
| Robert Daverman |
Dec 31, 2011 |
| Ronny Abbott |
Dec 31, 2012 |
| Erick Kind |
Dec 31, 2012 |
| Linda Pestka |
Dec 31, 2009 |
| John G. Clark * |
Dec 31, 2010 |
| Michael DeVries |
Board Representative |
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| Board Chair * |
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