Downtown Traverse City, which includes the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the Downtown Traverse City Association (DTCA), Auto Parking Services and the City Opera House, is unique in terms of organization and operational funding. The DDA was created in 1979 and levies 2 mills within the DDA district. The DTCA, a voluntary organization of merchants and other businesses, was organized in the 1960's and serves as the marketing arm for downtown. In 1990, the two organizations signed a management agreement merging their offices and staff.

Aside from improvements in financing and communications, the merger has had the added benefit of creating clear roles for the two organizations. Listed below are the major areas of responsibility.

Since 1991, the DDA has managed the city's parking system, including Northwestern Michigan College and the new Larry C. Hardy Parking Deck. The DDA operates the City Opera House as downtown's historic cultural facility. The DDA has nine employees, plus provides direction for two city parking attendants. Part-time, temporary and contractual employees are hired on an as-needed basis.

Downtown Development Authority
The DDA is involved in retail and office recruitment efforts, public improvements such as streetscapes, partnerships with Traverse City Light & Power to bury utilities, and planning and development issues. The DDA also operates the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market. Funded through a 2 mil levy and management contracts, the DDA serves as the conduit for funds through contracts and employs all downtown staff. It is governed by a twelve member board appointed by the City Commission.

Downtown Traverse City Association
Focusing its attention on marketing and promotion, the DTCA oversees all communication pieces including a monthly newsletter, monthly broadsheets, various promotional brochures, and a downtown web site. In addition, the organization supervises over 20 annual events downtown, such as Friday Night Live, Downtown Art Walk and Shop Your Community Day. Responsible for retention efforts, the DTCA has an employee discount card program for downtown office and retail workers, and conducts numerous workshops and training sessions for business managers, owners and employees. The DTCA "Discover Downtown" has proven to be a great tourist season training event for downtown employees for eight years. A Downtown Gift Certificate program has been in place for many years. Promoting local spending, the program generates $150,000 in sales annually. The DTCA collects dues from members on an annual basis and the membership elects a nine member board which meets monthly.

Auto Parking Services
The DDA assumed management of the parking system in an effort to relieve city employees and elected officials from the "headaches" of parking AND increase the visibility and customer service level of the system. Major accomplishments include reinstalling a maintenance/improvement program, creating a new signage system, and coordinating future parking goals with other City goals through the City's master plan. In addition, the Downtown Employee Permit System has blossomed. The number of employees using the permit system has more than quadrupled in nine years. The Parking System was cited by Hyett Palma Associates in their Award of Excellence to the DDA for providing "Customer Friendly Parking".

City Opera House
Constructed in 1891, the City Opera House hosts exhibits, performance events, receptions, meetings and walk-in admirers. This historic landmark has recently been renovated and expanded to include a grand street-level lobby.

Tax Increment Financing
The district is divided into two "development areas" in which tax increment is collected for projects. The first district includes portions of Olde Towne and contains the former Ironworks property which has been redeveloped as River's Edge with TIF assistance. The second district stretches roughly from Grand Traverse Bay to Washington Street. The plan for this area includes new parking decks, streetscaping, river walks, a civic square and other improvements