Title
Resolution to Appropriate Grant Funds from Ann Arbor SPARK to Develop a Site Readiness Strategy for Employment Growth and Approve the Agreement for Subaward of Strategic Site Readiness Program (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
A central theme of the City’s New Approach to Economic Development is strategic land acquisition. Key action items include developing a strategy for targeted property acquisition, working directly with owners of underutilized sites to support redevelopment, and partnering with Ann Arbor SPARK to advance business expansion and attraction efforts. Ann Arbor is largely built out, with limited land available for research and development, lab space, and other employment-generating uses. As a result, growing companies that require larger sites or modern facilities have few viable options within the city. To remain competitive, the City must strengthen site availability to support business expansion and attract new investment.
To advance this work, Ann Arbor SPARK, using funds provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation through its Strategic Site Readiness Program, awarded the City $82,305.00 to develop a land acquisition strategy. The Agreement for Subaward of Strategic Site Readiness Program between Ann Arbor SPARK and the City is attached for review and approval.
In furtherance of the grant objectives, the Department of Economic Development, in partnership with the Ann Arbor Economic Development Corporation (EDC), issued a request for proposals to identify a consultant to conduct a comprehensive analysis of potential redevelopment sites and to establish clear, objective criteria to guide future site acquisition and site-readiness efforts. This effort will provide the City with a structured framework to evaluate opportunities, prioritize public investment, and proactively prepare sites that support employment growth. The Selection Committee identified Plante Moran as the most responsive bidder and, following approval of this resolution, anticipates executing a Professional Services Agreement with the firm to complete the work.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: The grant is structured as a reimbursement, under which eligible project costs initially incurred by the City will be reimbursed by Ann Arbor SPARK, up to the total award amount, upon submission of documentation demonstrating compliance with the grant’s terms and conditions. It is anticipated that all grant-funded activities will occur prior to May 1. It is being requested that $82,305.00 be appropriated to the Major Grants Fund with the source of revenue being the grant funds from Ann Arbor SPARK.
Staff
Prepared by: Joseph R. Giant, Director of Economic Development
Reviewed by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Marti Praschan, Chief Financial Officer
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The strategic acquisition of property to grow the tax base, support employment and create placemaking opportunities is a central theme in the City’s New Approach to Economic Development;
Whereas, Ann Arbor SPARK has awarded the City $82,305.00 in grant funding, originating from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, to support the development of a strategy for strategic site acquisition focused on employment-generating uses; and
Whereas, Through an RFP process, the City selected Plante Moran as the most responsive submission, and anticipates contracting with Plante Moran to develop this strategy;
RESOLVED, That City Council authorizes acceptance of grant funds from Ann Arbor SPARK in the amount of $82,305.00 for the purpose of developing a site readiness strategy for employment growth;
RESOLVED, The City Council appropriates $82,305.00 to the FY 2026 City Administrator Major Grants Programs Fund expenditure budget with the source of revenue being grant funds received from Ann Arbor SPARK;
RESOLVED, That City Council approves the Agreement for Subaward of Strategic Site Readiness Program between Ann Arbor Spark and the City for a grant in the amount of $82,305.00 (“Grant Agreement”);
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute the Grant Agreement after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney;
RESOLVED, That all amounts herein are without regard to fiscal year; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator is authorized to take all actions necessary to implement this resolution, including execution of any non-material amendments that may be required to the Grant Agreement.