Downtown Development Authority (DDA)
Welcome to Downtown Ionia! A great place to locate your business.
Meet Our DDA Director
Linda Curtis is Director of the City of Ionia Downtown Development Authority.
In downtown Ionia you will find a variety of restaurants, shops, and businesses located in a historic setting. Take a moment to enjoy the picturesque atmosphere and the friendly, personal service our local businesses provide.
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Contact
203 West Main Street
P.O. Box 496
Ionia, Michigan 48846
Phone 616-527-1420
Fax 616-527-0810
Email lcurtis@ci.ionia.mi.us
About the DDA
City Founding. Ionia was established in 1833, and the development of its downtown commercial district followed shortly after. The growth of the community continued with the establishment of a U.S. Land Office, two railroad lines, and numerous commercial, manufacturing, and agricultural businesses.
Downtown Ionia Today. Downtown Ionia retains much of its historical commercial architecture with many buildings dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Ionia County Courthouse (1886), City Hall (1908), Armory Community Center (1908), Post Office (1912), and Ionia Theatre (1931) all remain in use today.
DDA Establishment. The Ionia DDA was established in 1989 as specified in Public Act 197 of 1975. Funding for projects is directed to improving the downtown district area through economic development, business recruitment and retention, public improvements, downtown beautification, marketing and promotion, and special events.
The mission of the Ionia Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is to promote and control economic growth which enhances the quality of life through planning and implementation of activities and projects within the Development District.
Since its establishment, the DDA has been involved with these projects and many more:
- Acquisition and restoration of the historic Ionia Theatre
- Development of “the Point” area along South Steele Street
- Façade improvements and grant programs
- Improvements to the Ionia Free Fair grandstands
- Street, sidewalk, and parking lot improvements including the installation of red bricks along Main Street
- Water and sewer upgrades
DDA Board of Directors
Terms Expiring December 31, 2023
- Margot Cook
- Ryan Wilson
- Dave Cook
- John Krueger
- Paul Edds
- Paul Lentz
- Mike Kirgis
- Ben Weller
- City Manager Precia Garland
"Place Matters" Video
Documents and Links
- Download Documents:
- 2022 Annual Report (PDF)
- 2021 Annual Report (PDF)
- 2020 Annual Report (PDF)
DDA Board Meeting Agendas and Minutes can be found on the Agendas and Minutes page linked below.
- Go to Link:
- DDA Agendas and Minutes
Various businesses in and around Ionia!
- Download Document:
- March 2023 Downtown Business Directory (PDF)
- Download Documents:
- March 2023 (PDF)
- February 2023 (PDF)
- January 2023 (PDF)
- December 2022 (PDF)
- November 2022 (PDF)
- October 2022 (PDF)
- September 2022 (PDF)
- August 2022 (PDF)
- July 2022 (PDF)
- Mid-June 2022 (PDF)
- June 2022 (PDF)
- May 2022 (PDF)
- April 2022 (PDF)
- March 2022 (PDF)
- February 2022 (PDF)
- January 2022 (PDF)
The DDA Board meets at 8:00 am on the third Wednesday of each month at Ionia City Hall, located at 114 N. Kidd St. The public is welcome to attend.
- Download Document:
- DDA 2023 Meeting Schedule (PDF)
- Download Documents:
- Downtown Blueprint Study (PDF)
- Obsolete Property Tax Rehabilitation Act Form (PDF)
- Go to Link:
- Ionia County Economic Development
This permit application must be filled out and returned 30 days prior to the event. However, this request does not approve street closures or approval for the parade, as that will be determined pending an administrative approval process following the application.
- Download Document:
- Parade and Street Closure Permit Application (PDF)
This annual event occurs in downtown Ionia. The DDA director and committee, plan the details to make each year of the festival the best it can be. From 'official characters' to activities, vendors, participants, to the showing of the original film at the historical Ionia theatre, each year grows with enthusiasm for this marvelous event.
Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Meeting Agendas and Minutes
Please visit our City Agendas, Minutes, Meeting Schedule page.
DDA District Map
The City of Ionia has a large Downtown Development Authority District that extends through the downtown and to the main commercial and industrial corridors of the City. The full DDA District Map is provided below for reference.
Download a File:
DDA District Map (PDF)
Food Truck Permits
The City of Ionia regulates all food trucks as Mobile Food Vending Units (MFVUs) in Chapter 1293 of the City Codified Ordinances. A permit is required to operate anywhere within the City's corporate boundary. Food trucks associated with a public event/street closure will need to be included on the Parade and Street Closure permit application.
All regulations related to food trucks can be found in the attached Chapter 1293. The permit applications associated with food trucks are also attached below.
Download a File:
Chapter 1293 - Food Truck Ordinance (PDF)
Mobile Food Vending Unit (MFVU) Permit Application (PDF)
Parade and Street Closure Permit Application (PDF)
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114 North Kidd Street Map
Post Office Box 496
Ionia, Michigan 48846
Phone 616-527-4170
Fax 616-527-0810
Business Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00a - 4:00p
(Holiday exception)
EMERGENCIES: PHONE 911
For local news and information,
tune to WION AM 1430/FM 92.7
or read the Ionia Sentinel-Standard