Southtown Corridor Improvement Authority

Request for Proposals for Strategic Facilitation and Workplan Development

The Southtown Corridor Improvement Authority (Southtown CIA) is soliciting proposals from qualified individuals for a Strategic facilitation and workplan development session.

Interested parties should submit their proposals to this email by February 23, 2026.  The full RFP can be reviewed here.(PDF, 200KB)

About

The Southtown CIA encompasses six business districts in their development area: Boston Square, Madison Square, Seymour Square, Alger Heights, Eastern & Franklin, and South Division (from Wealthy to Hall).

Annual Activity Synopsis

• Calendar Year 2024(PDF, 355KB)
• Calendar Year 2023(PDF, 2MB)
• Calendar Year 2022(PDF, 3MB)
• Calendar Year 2021(PDF, 5MB)
• Calendar Year 2020

The Southtown CIA does not have tax increment revenues which have not been expended within 5 years of their receipt.

Facade Improvement Program

Are you a commercial business owner or property owner within the Southtown Corridor Improvement Authority (CIA) Boundary? If so, you may be eligible to apply for the Southtown CIA Facade Improvement Program.

Development Support Policy

The Southtown CIA has a development support policy, which provides support for certain development projects that need significant public infrastructure investments and results in at least one of the following:

• Retention of permanent jobs
• Creation of permanent jobs
• Addition of residential units
• Creation of new greenspace available to the public

Download Policy(PDF, 111KB)

Sub-Committees

Design Committee

This committee focuses on streetscape, and public space design and improvements.

Business Development Committee

This committee supports the development of new or existing businesses.

Facade Committee

This committee reviews all applications submitted to the facade improvement program.

If you have an interest in joining a committee or learning more, please contact the Southtown CIA Corridor Manager, Kelsey Liebenow here.

Meetings

The Southtown CIA meets monthly on the second Wednesday at 10:00 am.

• Agendas/Minutes
• Annual Meeting Schedule(PDF, 129KB)
• Agenda Item Due Date & Distribution Schedule(PDF, 69KB)
• Agenda Preparation Policy(PDF, 98KB)

Current Board Members

• Darel Ross, Chair (Term Ends: 12/31/2027)
• Bill DeJong, Vice Chair (Term Ends: 06/31/2030)
• Reuben Ramos, Secretary (Term Ends: 12/31/2026)
• Kelsey Perdue, Commissioner (Term Ends: 12/31/2028)
• Helen Harp (Term Ends: 12/31/2028)
• Kenneth Hoskins (Term Ends: 12/31/2027)
• Arick Davis (Term Ends: 12/31/2027)
• Nathan Henschel (Term Ends: 12/31/2026)
• Scott Mackey (Term Ends: 06/31/2030)

Budgets

• FY2026 Budget
• FY2025 Budget
• FY2024 Budget
• FY2023 Budget
• FY2022 Budget
• FY2021 Budget
• FY2020 Budget
• FY2019 Budget

Documents and Links

• Board Rules
• Tax Increment Financing and Development Plan
• Printable Map of the CIA's Boundaries

Contracts 

ActivCity LLC

ActivCity LLC provides trash maintenance for the six business districts within the Southtown CIA boundary. Learn More 

Business Associations Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

The MOU executed with each of the Southtown CIA's six business associations allows the CIA to provide $10,000 annually in support to each association. Learn More

Audits

The Southtown CIA is included in the City of Grand Rapids Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).

• FY2023 ACFR(PDF, 4MB)
• FY2022 ACFR(PDF, 1MB)
• FY2021 ACFR(PDF, 2MB)
• FY2020 ACFR
• FY2019 ACFR
• FY2018 ACFR

Contact

Verah Narh Kamara
econdevshrd@grand-rapids.mi.us

Learn More

• Website
• Facebook