Downtown Traverse City, which includes the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the Downtown Traverse City Association (DTCA) and Auto Parking Services, is unique in terms of organization and operational funding. The DDA was created in 1979 and levies two 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.


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. Learn more about the DDA here.

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. Learn more about the DTCA here.

Auto Parking System

APS is a City enterprise responsible for public parking in downtown, and other areas of the City. Funding does not come from the City's general fund. Instead, APS operates out of a separate enterprise fund that is self-sustaining. Auto Parking Services, through the DDA, operates numerous city-owned and leased parking facilities mainly in downtown Traverse City. Find out more about parking downtown here.