Downtown Development Authority

Downtown St. Louis has changed tremendously over the past several years! In 2003 the Downtown Development Authority and City, with the help of a grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, invested $750,000 for the repaving and landscaping of three major parking lot/alleyway areas in the Central Business District. This work included the addition of underground electric and Victorian lighting to match the rest of the downtown and nearby parks. In addition, a $344,000 Enchancement Grant through MDOT provided similar work as well as adding brick pavers, new sidewalks, benches, etc. to a three block stretch of M-46 which passes right through the downtown. Plans are also being made to improve the streetscape on Mill Street including underground electric, adding benches and banners.

• Gratiot Car Company, LLC
• Dr. John bontrager
• Hair Worx Plus
• Common Threads Quilt Shop
• River Rock Bar & Grill 
• Victoria's Flower Cottage 
• Farm Bureau Insurance
• Herbs in the Middle natural food store
• Discount Muffler & Brakes
• Center Stage at the GEM Theater 
• St. Louis Hydro-Spray Car Wash  
• The Vault Cash Advance
•  Safe Teens Driving Academy
• Therapeutic Massage by Tammy
•  The Shark Shack
• Milene's Salon
• Clippers Barber Shop
• Weathervane Antiques 
• Greenland Place Senior Apartments
• Lux Funeral Home of St. Louis

A Tax Increment Financing Program was also put into effect in 1999 as was the expansion of the DDA area to include some sections of M-46. Zoning was also improved in this area, as a Transitional Zone was created allowing for homes along M-46 to be used for low-impact businesses such as antique shops, etc. The TIF program provides a steady stream of income for downtown projects and the Central Business District and M-46 continue to develop at a good pace.

Building owners have shown a lot of pride in the appearance of their storefronts recently as well, and local banks also have been cooperative in a low-interest loan program. Chemical Bank, Firstbank, and Commercial Bank have all made loans to downtown businesses for physical improvements so that the downtown can continue to look better and better.

Also complementing Downtown St. Louis is the location of St. Louis High School, just one block from the Central Business District and beautiful Clapp Park on M-46 the official "Middle of the Mitten" as it is the geographic center of the Lower Peninsula. In addition, the area is dotted with many Victorian homes and the St. Louis Area Historical Society depot museum is only three blocks away. Finally, the City-owned W.T. Morris Memorial Swimming Pool has been rebuilt with help from the DNR and is again an attraction downtown in 2005.  The $400,000 project is an exciting improvement in the downtown.