"The BIZ plays a uniquely important role in the ongoing growth and success of Downtown Detroit, and its impact extends far beyond cleaning and maintenance. The commitment has always been to deliver an exceptional public realm, to anticipate and address the evolving needs of our community, and to operate with the utmost transparency and fiscal responsibility. I’m proud to report that the BIZ continues to deliver on those promises."
DDP Chief Community Impact Officer and BIZ Executive Director
$6,023,940
FY 24-25
Committed to Transparency Scan to see official records of the BIZ
The BIZ’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency is shown by its record of 100% clean independent annual audits since inception.
THANK YOU BIZ PROPERTY OWNERS
$6,101,522 Certified BIZ Assessment
GINA CAVALIERE
BIZ Ambassadors
Highlights & Successes
Value Of The Downtown Detroit BIZ
The BIZ has developed expertise that informs and facilitates productive discussion and offers data-driven solutions to advance the growth of the Downtown BIZ and beyond.
OF DOWNTOWN BIZ AMBASSADORS
LIVE IN DETROIT
General
RELOCATING THE BIZ AMBASSADOR HEADQUARTERS
1420 BROADWAY IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT
EXPANDED PARTNERSHIP WITH CARHARTT LAUNCHING WORK BOOT PROGRAM
Urban Innovation
748.5 TONS OF TRASH COLLECTED
900+ ENGAGEMENTS AND 500+ REFERRALS WITH UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS TO SOCIAL SERVICE RESOURCES
Downtown Safety
COLLABORATION IS KEY
Worked with the DDP, City of Detroit, and safety professionals to create a safe and welcoming Downtown for all
NEARLY 100,000 HOURS WORKED TO KEEP DOWNTOWN DETROIT CLEAN, SAFE, AND WELCOMING ON BIZ AMBASSADORS AND
COMMUNICATE REGULARLY
Shared real-time updates about road closures, and partnered with Detroit Public Works on traffic-related best practices
6
264 NEW AND REFURBISHED NEW STATIC WAYFINDING SIGNS INSTALLED
TRASH AND RECYCLING CANS
DEPLOYED THROUGHOUT THE BIZ
Data and Marketing
LAUNCHED THE DOWNTOWN DETROIT PROFILE
51,354 ASSISTED DOWNTOWN (hospitality team) (safety and outreach team) PEDESTRIANS TO OUTFIT BIZ AMBASSADORS with key investment and growth data
PRODUCED THE 2025 COMMUNITY AND DEVELOPMENT UPDATE DOWNTOWN DETROIT
Special Binational Edition: Detroit-Windsor
"The BIZ’s mission aligns so closely with the DDP’s – to cultivate a vibrant Downtown Detroit that is clean, safe, and welcoming for all who experience our city. I'm proud to work together to serve our community thoughtfully, strategically, and efficiently."
ERIC B. LARSON Chief Executive Officer
BIZ Ambassador Community Impact
“Richard, thanks for taking a picture with us and assisting us with directions. Great guy.”
KAREN D.
“My daughter and I were lost in the rain this Sunday morning in Downtown looking for the brunch spot, Sugah Please! and luckily, we ran into your employee Richard W. Miller who escorted us to the little hidden gem of an eatery! I am so glad you have dedicated safety resources and friendly professional employees to make out of town visitors like me feel welcome!”
ERIKA L.
“Everyone does an amazing job keeping the city clean and safe, but Mr. Miller simply loves his job. Not because he’s cleaning and serving, but because what he does makes people genuinely happy.”
NICOLE L.
“Being Ambassador of the Year means a lot to me. It means my work is being noticed. I make a lot of friends, I stay in shape, I talk to different people, I love being around kids, I love making my community clean and a great place to be.”
JOHN FOLEY, BIZ AMBASSADOR
"We are from Tecumseh, and we came Downtown to celebrate the holidays. We had a great experience coming to Detroit. We met Thomas S. He was picking up litter and offered to take our picture (we may have looked like we needed help, lol). We talked with him about how nice it was to see the city so clean and welcoming. You have all done a great job. We appreciated Thomas taking the time to talk to us."
KACEY P.
“Just wanted to pass along a quick positive note that I ran into and spoke to one of the BIZ Ambassadors, Shane. He was so pleasant, helpful and I could tell he was very attentive to his work. I know the city appreciates all the team does!”
EVA W.
Scan to watch Downtown Detroit BIZ Ambassador highlights
Downtown Detroit BIZ Assessment
2024 BIZ Assessment - $6,101,522 Your Investment at Work (FY 2024-2025 BIZ)
Total Downtown Population (2010-2023)
Sources: U.S. Census ACS. 2017–2021, 5-yr Avg.
Source: Placer.ai, compiled by Downtown Detroit Partnership
Source: CoStar Group, 2024 Average Daily Visits (2020-2025) (excluding Downtown workers and residents)
Downtown BIZ Geographic Scope
"The success of the BIZ is a direct result of the continued dedication of property owners, city officials, businesses, residents, and visitors who actively support and engage with us. Every project, innovation, and enhancement supported by the BIZ reflects our shared vision. Closest to my heart is the BIZ Ambassador program. Thank you to this team of dedicated Detroiters whose passion exemplifies the spirit of our community."
STEVE OGDEN BIZ Board Chair Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Rocket Companies
About The BIZ
MISSION
The Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) cultivates a clean, safe and welcoming environment for all by leveraging the collective resources of property owners, the City of Detroit, and other stakeholders.
VISION
The Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone is a global leader that delivers a vibrant, sustainable and prosperous Downtown community built on Detroit’s rich heritage.
CORE VALUES
• Inclusive
• Diverse
• Sustainable
• Transparent
• Innovative
• Responsible
• Collaborative
• Proactive
• Data-driven
• Accountable
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
• Ambassadors (Hospitality, Clean, Safety)
• Supplemental Lighting
• Infrastructure and Planning
• Park and Street Landscaping
• Safety
• Data
• Marketing and Communications
BIZ Governance
The Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) is a public organization dedicated to enhancing the attractiveness and overall appeal of Downtown Detroit. It is a special purpose assessment district that was authorized by a vote of property owners in 2014. The BIZ is led by a volunteer Board of Directors who represent the community of dedicated property owners. The BIZ Board contracts with the Downtown Detroit Partnership to manage its day-to-day operations.
BIZ Board of Directors
* Executive Committee Member
CHAIR
Steve Ogden*
Senior Vice President of Government Affairs
Rocket Companies
SECRETARY
Michael McLauchlan*
Vice President, Government Relations Ilitch Companies
TREASURER
Tony Tomczak* President Tomczak Enterprises, LLC
George P. Barnes, Jr.*
Founder
Heritage Vision Plans, Inc.
Hassan Beydoun
Group Executive for Economic Development and Counsel to Mayor Mike Duggan City of Detroit
David Di Rita
Principal The Roxbury Group BIZ Resident
Regina Gaines
Owner
Your IP Expert Consulting Firm
Rainy Hamilton President
Hamilton Anderson Associates
Richard J. Hosey III*
President and Founder
Hosey Development LLC BIZ Resident
Christos Moisides
Executive
400 Monroe Associates
Athina Papas
Chair & President Greektown Neighborhood Partnership Executive, The Atheneum Suite Hotel and Conference Center
Steven Pecic*
Senior Director of Facilities Management Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Dwight W. Phillips Retired
Member and Shareholder Phifer, Phillips & White, PC
Khalil Rahal
Director of Economic Development
DTE Energy
Eric B. Larson
DDP Chief Executive Officer
Gina Cavaliere
KaTaya Beverly Program Manager, BIZ Ambassadors
Abigail Haag BIZ Coordinator
Krissy Johnson Accounting Director
Joshua Long Data Program Director
Escarleth Ortega Program Manager, Data and Marketing
Anjana Schroeder Director of
DeShawn Singleton Program Manager, Safety and Infrastructure
