Center City Redevelopment Plan

planning for a revitalized center city corridor

The vision for redevelopment of the Center City District began in 2017 when Dow gave the Center City Authority a $1 million gift to be used for improvements along the Saginaw Road corridor. In the following months, the Center City Authority hired urban planning and design firm MKSK Studios to assist in creating a redevelopment plan that would encourage additional development and private investment/reinvestment while making the district safer and more inviting to use for both motorized and non-motorized/pedestrian traffic.

In August 2019, the Center City Authority received approval from the Midland City Council to begin implementing the Center City Redevelopment Plan. Under this plan, the first priority will be to develop a new streetscape along Saginaw Road from Dartmouth Drive to Patrick Road. Click through the slideshow below to view the plan or download the PDF under the “Related Documents” tab to the right.

The $4.7 million project is estimated to begin with Phase 1, a streetscape reconstruction and non-motorized and aesthetic improvements from Dartmouth Drive to Patrick Road, is anticipated to begin in August 2022. Click here for construction updates and more information on the S. Saginaw streetscape reconstruction.

Center City Redevelopment Updates

See below for a timeline of all progress made on the Center City Redevelopment Project.

For more information on the S. Saginaw Road streetscape reconstruction that begins in August 2022, please click here.

July 2018: Midland City Council authorizes contract for development of the Center City Redevelopment Plan
Agenda item | Video link

August 2019: Midland City Council adopts recommended Center CIty Redevelopment Plan; authorizes pursuit of Phase I design and funding
Agenda item | Video link | Read the Redevelopment Plan

March 2020: Midland City Council supports pursuit of USDA Rural Business Development Grant for pre-engineering work
Agenda item | Video link

December 2020: Midland City Council approves contract with Moore + Bruggink to complete construction designs
Agenda item | Video link

February 2021: Center City Authority holds district-wide Zoom meeting on project overview, construction timeline, zoning updates
Video link

September 2021: Midland City Council accepts $1.8M in funding for streetscape reconstruction; allocates $1M in funding from Midland County Road Millage for project
Agenda item | Video link

November 2021: Center City Authority holds district-wide Zoom meeting on redevelopment updates, initial design concepts
Video link

May 2022: Midland City Council allocates additional $15,000 from Midland County Road Millage to complete $500,000 Dow Challenge Grant
Agenda item | Video link

July 2022: Midland City Council awards bid for Phase I, S. Saginaw Road streetscape reconstruction to Isabella Corporation
Agenda item | Video link

center city district overlay changes

The Center City Redevelopment Plan focuses on a number of strategies that will help the district become more attractive to developers, property and business owners, and customers. One of these strategies - reinventing space, or “adding infill development”- requires an update to the City’s Zoning Ordinance, which we've called the Center City Overlay District (CCOD). These changes add design and development regulations to encourage the reactivation of vacant properties and promote the district as a mixed-use environment. Additionally, the overlay enhances walkability and includes requirements that improve pedestrian safety and streetscape aesthetics, promote improved traffic flow and accessibility, and provide a more cohesive feeling between the district’s denser areas and the surrounding residential neighborhoods.

Click the button below to download a PDF document outlining the proposed changes to the Center City Overlay District, the plan’s specifications, and more information about these strategies.

Related Documents

Click on the images below to download the item.