CADILLAC — The Cadillac Downtown Development Authority officially assumed management of the Cadillac Commons on Jan. 30, 2026. Following City Council approval, the authority implemented a modernized reservation policy intended to prioritize community access and ensure the long-term sustainability of the space.
The management shift comes after the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) invested more than $1 million into the facility. Under the new administrative structure, 100% of revenue generated from rental fees will be reinvested directly into downtown Cadillac for projects such as public art and streetscape beautification.
The DDA is now responsible for the scheduling, marketing and oversight of activities within the Commons. The site includes the Rotary Performing Arts Pavilion, City Park, the Plaza, the White Pine Trailhead and the Market building. While the DDA handles daily administration, the City of Cadillac will continue to manage general maintenance, including landscaping, snow removal and infrastructure repairs.
To support these efforts, the DDA will reimburse the city an annual service fee calculated as 20% of the facility’s annual rental revenue. The remaining 80% of funds are dedicated to essential downtown improvements, including historic preservation and business recruitment.
Travis Owens serves as the DDA director and Main Street program manager. He noted that the new fee structure turns event organizers into partners for local development. “By hosting an event at the Commons, organizers are directly fueling the revitalization and economic growth of Cadillac,” Owens said.
The updated policy replaces a first-come, first-served system that had been in place since 2017. A new Tiered Scoring & Priority System now determines bookings when multiple requests are made for the same time slot. Top priority is given to “Civic Events,” followed by registered nonprofit organizations.
The system also awards preference points to city residents over nonresidents. Both residents and nonprofit organizations are eligible for discounted rental rates. Owens emphasized that the pricing structure acknowledges the role local citizens play in the project.
“Our discount structure intentionally gives the biggest discount to residents of Cadillac, because like the DDA, they are an investors in the Cadillac Commons,” Owens said.
DDA officials stated the previous reservation policy had not been updated in nearly 10 years. It did not account for recent upgrades to The Market, which now features heating, restrooms and overhead doors. The new rates were established by comparing event venues and community spaces across Michigan.
Organizers interested in summer events are encouraged to submit requests through the DDA website, as the primary application window for peak dates is beginning to close. The complete reservation policy is available online for public viewing.