Public Act 57 of 2018, commonly referred to as the Downtown Development Authority Act, was created in part:
- To correct and prevent deterioration of business districts;
- To promote economic growth and revitalization
- To encourage historic preservation
- To authorize the acquisition and disposal of interests in real and personal property;
- To authorize the creation of downtown development authorities;
- To authorize the levy and collection of taxes, the issuance of bonds, and the use of tax increment financing in the accomplishment of specific downtown development activities contained in locally-adapted development plans
The Act seeks to reverse historical trends that have led to the loss of population, jobs, businesses, and the quality of life in our cities by attacking the problems of urban decline, strengthening existing areas, and encouraging new private developments in the downtown districts of Michigan communities. It seeks to accomplish this goal by providing communities with the necessary legal, monetary, and organizational tools to revitalize downtown districts either through public-initiated projects or in concert with privately motivated development projects.