Welcome to the City of New Buffalo: The Gateway of Michigan!

SAFE ROUTE TO SCHOOL
 
The City of New Buffalo has been working in partnership with New Buffalo Area Schools, St. Mary of the Lake School, New Buffalo Township, Berrien County Road Commission, and the Friends of Harbor Country Trails on a Safe Routes to School program grant application in the City and Township. The goal of the partnership is to promote the safety of children walking to and from school.
 
The City is preparing to submit a grant application to address some of the safety issues identified during the walking safety assessment, including the installation of new sidewalks. If the application is successful, we will be able to install new sidewalks in all identified areas at no cost to the individual property owner through MDOT's Safe Routes to School program. It is our hope that the new sidewalks will promote a safer walking environment for children.
 
In the next several weeks you will notice a survey crew out surveying the areas identified to help prepare design and construction estimates for the grant application. If the City is successful, construction of the new sidewalk will commence in 2014. All sidewalks will be constructed in the public right-of-way, similar to other areas within the City that have sidewalks.
 
Please see this sidewalk map. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact Assistant City Manager Ryan Fellows via email at assistantmanager@cityofnewbuffalo.org or call 269-469-1500. Property owners are also invited to attend a Safe Routes to School forum at New Buffalo City Hall, 224 W Buffalo St, New Buffalo, MI 49117, at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, December 11, 2013.

NO PARKING & SNOW REMOVAL FROM SIDEWALKS

As the winter months approach, we need the help of our residents to ensure the safety of all. Parking is prohibited on all streets in the City of New Buffalo from October 1st through April 1st, between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. to facilitate the removal of snow.

New Buffalo City Ordinance Section 18-4 states that no person who is the owner of any lot or premises within the City of New Buffalo shall permit any snow or ice to remain upon the sidewalks in front of or adjoin such lot or premises. Sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours after a snow fall.

Failure to remove snow could result in the issuance of a citation. Second home owners and absentee landlords are advised to make arrangements to have snow removed in their absence.

SERVING ON THE DDA BOARD

The City of New Buffalo is seeking owners or representatives of business within the proposed Downtown Development Authority (DDA) who would like to serve on the DDA Board. The DDA works as a team to develop and implement improvements within a designated area in downtown New Buffalo. Interested parties should email or send a letter to the New Buffalo City Clerk no later than January 17, 2014, by 12:00 PM.

Drop off or mail in letters to:
The City of New Buffalo
Attn: Allyson Holm, Clerk
224 W. Buffalo St.
New Buffalo, MI 49117
clerk@cityofnewbuffalo.org

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

The City Council will hold a public hearing on November, 19, 2013 at 6:30 PM, at City Hall, 224 W. Buffalo Street, New Buffalo, MI 49117, to receive public comment concerning an ordinance to form a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) pursuant to the provisions of Public Act 197 of 1975, as amended.

The public hearing concerns establishing a Downtown Development Authority that will make the City eligible to secure certain state funding assistance for selected redevelopment projects and other activities for the benefit of businesses and properties located in the district illustrated on the proposed DDA map.

At the public hearings, all interested persons, including residents, property owners, business owners and workers, and officials from any taxing jurisdiction whose millage may be become subject to capture or abatement if a development and tax increment financing plan is adopted or a tax abatement application is approved at a future date by the City Council will be afforded an opportunity to be heard. Written comments may be submitted by mail or in person until 4:00 PMof the date of the public hearing at City Hall. All written comments will be read at the public hearing and entered in the official hearing minutes.

This public hearing is accessible. Persons requiring auxiliary aides and services or other accommodations should contact our office at 269-469-1500.

Background

In August 2009, the Business Improvement District Board of Directors conducted a Downtown Study.
 
The results from this Downtown Study were used by the Business Improvement District (BID) Board of Directors to create the BID's Downtown Streetscape Plan, completed January 2010.
 
The City has used the research of this Plan to get grant funding to pave South Whittaker Street in 2014. Downtown infrastructure and streetscape is a priority project of the City Council.

 
In August 2013, the Business Improvement District Board of Directors approved a resolution requesting the City Council establish a Downtown Development Authority. The City Council has been moving forward with this request.

Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Act
A quick reference guide on DDA's
Michigan Municipal League (MML) DDA Act synopsis
MML DDA Qustions and Answers
MML Downtown Development Guide
MML Financing downtown development projects

NEW RECREATION PLAN
 
The City of New Buffalo is pleased to share our new Parks and Recreation Master Plan (appendices are still being added.) Thank you to everyone who contributed: everyone who came to our public hearings and meetings, everyone who completed a survey, everyone who served on the Master Planning Steering Committee, Harbor Commission, and Park and Recreation Board, as well as staff members, especially at the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission. Thank you, all! Next up: the Master Plan – stay tuned!