Title
RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE DDA VAULT FILL GRANT PROGRAM
Memorandum
This resolution approves amendments to the 2021 Vault Fill Grant Program.
Staff recommends removing the requirement to bring vault fill grant requests over $10,000 to the DDA Capital Improvements Committee. This change removes reference to a committee of the Board that no longer exists. It also aligns the program with staff approval thresholds for other items. Overall, staff recommend the change to allow an efficient and scalable response to vault grant requests.
Background:
In 2019, the DDA created a pilot program to understand the costs and needs for property owners to fill vaults, informing the grant program approved in 2021. This established staff approval for $10,000 grants to property owners for filling vaults adjacent to their property. Requests over $10,000 were to be reviewed by the DDA Capital Improvements Committee for approval.
Body
Whereas, The DDA established a grant program in 2021 to enable the DDA to provide grant monies to property owners for filling their under-sidewalk vault;
Whereas, Since this time, the DDA has budgeted annually toward grants for vault-filling;
Whereas, Updating the DDA Grant Program aligns with the current DDA committee structure and staff approval thresholds starting January 1st, 2026;
RESOLVED, That the DDA Board approves the attached amended Vault Fill Grant Program, including authorizing staff approval thresholds per City policy.
DDA Vault Fill Grant Program
Grant Purpose: To reimburse property owners for the fill and sidewalk repairs associated with closing and permanently abandoning an underground building vault in the public right of way (ROW). The work and costs associated with sealing the building's basement to enable the abandoned vault to be eliminated will remain the responsibility of the property owner.
Grant Amount: Up to the total eligible expenses for the sidewalk removal, sidewalk prep, fill, sidewalk restoration, and associated permits for work within the public ROW only.
Grant Process:
1. Grant information is shared with DDA District property owners with known vaults within DDA or City project areas.
2. Property owners who agree to permanently close or fill their vault, contact Ann Arbor DDA Staff and provide the following:
• A quote that itemizes the costs associated with the fill and sidewalk repairs in the public ROW, including the size of the vault area to be filled.
• Timing of the planned work.
If DDA grant dollars are still available within the current fiscal year (FY):
3. DDA staff encumber the anticipated eligible funds within the budgeted amount for the grant program in the current FY. This will allow the property owner to confidently proceed with their work.
4. Property owners provide DDA staff with documentation of the following:
• Necessary permits and inspection, including both a Right-of-Way Permit & Building Permit for filling the vault,
• Itemized receipt from the contractor that filled the vault and restored the sidewalk surface
• Confirmation from the City of Ann Arbor that the work has been inspected and approved (both sidewalk and vault)
5. The DDA reimburses the property owner for the amount invoiced for eligible expenses dependent on available grant funding.
The Ann Arbor DDA Board (the Board) is responsible for the approval of financial policies that establish and direct the operations of the DDA. The DDA Capital Projects and Planning Manager is responsible for implementing the Vault Fill Grant Program. DDA Vault Fill Grant Program Amendment effective 1/1/2026.