Downtown Detroit, one of the city's more visible success stories, just got a shot of good news.
Amy Haimerl of Crain's Detroit Business reports that the majority of downtown property owners voted this week to voluntarily tax themselves a collective $4 million a year to create a Downtown Business Improvement Zone. The money will fund cleanup, safety and beautification efforts.
Crain's reports that 86 percent of the business voted in favor of the plan. Specifically, 348 ballots were received out of 571 and 258 were in favor.
Crain's reports that the Detroit City Council had voted unanimously to put the improvement district to a vote of area property owners.
Crain's reports that local business and property owners and foundations had contributed more than $16.5 million for the Clean Downtown program since 2006, but the money was about to run out this year. - A.L.