In 2009, the Cities of Farmington and Farmington Hills began looking at strategies to work cooperatively on the revitalization of the Grand River Corridor. The Corridor Improvement Authority Act provided the best opportunity through its suite of economic development tools. Spending the next two years working with property owners to identify the level of interest in this approach, elected officials in the two Cities determined it was time to move forward. In October 2011, a Corridor Improvement Authority was created along Grand River in each community running continues from Mayfield Street in Farmington To 8 Mile and Inkster Road in Farmington Hills.
This joint undertaking is working to improve the appearance, connectivity and economic competitiveness of the Grand River Corridor. The ultimate goal is to make the area a great place for people to live, work, gather and navigate easily, regardless their mode of transportation. The efforts of the Authorities, guided by the Vision Plan, will work to implement the Community’s vision for the Grand River Corridor. This process will be more of a marathon than a sprint where both public and private sector strategies will be identified and implemented to bring about the revitalization of the Corridor.
A Corridor Improvement Authority (CIA), made available to communities through Michigan Public Act 280 of 2005, is a tool to correct and prevent deterioration in business districts, encourage historic preservation, and promote economic growth.
Grand River Avenue, east of Downtown Farmington, is an area of the two Cities that has seen minimal investment as compared to the Greater Farmington Area. In some locations along the Corridor, disinvestment, under investment, and vacancies have resulted in declining property values and properties not being used to their highest and best use. The Farmington and Farmington Hills community feels this corridor can be much more. The CIA Act provides a mechanism to create a long-term economic development strategy and the resources to implement such a strategy.
The Grand River CIA boundaries extend from Mayfield Street in Farmington to Eight Mile Road in Farmington Hills. For, a map 
click here.
The Grand River CIAs are led by two seven-member boards made up of property owners within and adjacent to the Corridor including both commercial and residential interests. The two boards are supported by staff from both Farmington and Farmington Hills. For more information, click here.
A Corridor Improvement Authority is most commonly funded by Tax Increment Financing, but can also be funded by grants, gifts, donations, revenues, special assessments, and other sources approved by the City Councils. For more information, click here.
The Grand River Corridor Vision Plan paints a broad picture of the community’s vision for redevelopment. Additionally, it lays out recommendations to help achieve the vision. The Plan provides a framework for the CIA Boards to complete the statutorily required Development and TIF Plans.
A Development Plan describes the Development District and the projects the CIA plans to complete within the district. A Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Plan describes how the Development Plan will be funded and the impact and procedures regarding local taxing jurisdictions.
For additional information, please direct your inquiry to City of Farmington or City of Farmington Hills staff.