Vision and passion.
Anyone who has ever chatted with Christian Mills, owner of the Lake Orion-based Mills Real Estate Ventures, for any length of time can tell he obviously possesses an abundance of both these qualities.
Right now, every ounce of them is being poured into the ‘Legacy Center: A Community in Motion? in Oxford Township.
‘This is my largest project by far,? said the 1988 Lake Orion High School graduate, who’s been in the real estate game for about 15 years and owns multiple properties in downtown Lake Orion including the Ehman Center.
Workers are plying their trades at a feverish pace transforming the old 208,000-square-foot Sea Ray boat plant into a multi-faceted, multi-generational facility that Mills intends to be teeming with a mixture of businesses geared toward fitness, family entertainment, team/individual sports, music, art, life skills and healthy dining options.
‘We wanted to create a community hub to interconnect all community members, from toddlers to seniors,? explained Mills, who purchased the former industrial building, located at 925 N. Lapeer Rd., about a year ago. ‘I think there’s a lot of growth in this community and it’s definitely family-centric, so they need a place to go.
‘I could have leased this building out five times over if I had wanted to put some type of manufacturing (in here), which would have actually been the easiest thing to do, honestly. (But) entrepreneurs never go the easy route, right? You stubbornly follow your passion.?
Mills is investing a significant amount of money, time and effort to ultimately create a ‘really positive? place that builds character in young people and teaches them ‘life skills to meet their goals.
He wants to give families a place to ‘reconnect? in an environment that’s free from ‘video games? and all the other distractions that fill people’s ‘busy lives? these days.
Finally, Mills wants the Legacy Center to be a place where senior citizens can pass on their ‘immense knowledge, talent and experience? to young people, thereby developing a ‘renewed (sense of) purpose? for themselves.
‘My vision kind of got carried away,? said Mills with a chuckle. ‘This is a major project, an insane undertaking, but I think people are going to really buy into it. There’s nothing like it in the state of Michigan.?
When completed and filled, Mills said Legacy Center will generate an estimated 300 to 400 jobs and draw about 15,000 to 20,000 families per month.
‘This is going to be a destination,? he said. ‘I think it will draw families from about a 60-mile radius.?
Mills expects the Legacy Center will help bolster the local economy.
‘If you have a (youth sports) tournament here, it will feed all the restaurants, businesses and gas stations,? he said. ‘We expect to have a pretty significant community impact.?
Located on a 19-acre site on the west side of M-24, north of W. Market St. and across from Meijer, the sprawling building overlooks a small lake located just south of Stony Lake.
‘The building is about half-leased already,? Mills said.
The current tenant list includes:
n Urban Air ? a 35,300-square-foot indoor trampoline park.
n Latitude 42 ? a 6,400-square-foot space offering yoga, pilates and massage.
n Building Your Temple Fitness ? a 7,400-square-foot space offering CrossFit training and group fitness.
n Splash ? a 12,000-square-foot swim school containing two heated pools that will offer classes for everyone, from mothers and their babies to high school athletes to senior citizens.
Building Your Temple will open Nov. 1, according to Mills, while the other businesses should be up and running in December and January.
Businesses already housed in the building, such as Great Lakes Kids Energy Zone (20,000 square feet), Bullz Boxing Club (2,400 square feet) and Bryant’s Karate (2,000 square feet), are staying put.
Mills noted the Energy Zone will be expanding its business to encompass some new offerings. ‘They run a really first-class program there,? he said.
Folks with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to be their own boss are invited to consider opening a business in the Legacy Center. Spaces ranging from 500 to 50,000 square feet are available for lease.
‘We’re just starting to market this,? he said.
Right now, there’s a list of 14 pre-approved franchises welcome at the Legacy Center. They include P2R Karting, La Prep, Bach 2 Rock, Mathnasium, TSS Photography, KoKo Fit Club, Drama Kids International, Play It Again Sports, Tap Out Fitness, Medi-Weightloss, Menchies Frozen Yogurt, Soccer Shots, Biggby Coffee and Papalani Gelato.
‘We just need franchisees who want to invest and bring those businesses here,? Mills said. ‘Even if it’s not on that list, you can bring your own franchise or start your own business here.?
But the Legacy Center isn’t just for private businesses.
Oxford Community Television (OCTV) is considering leasing space in the building to house its station and Mills is quite open to the idea of potentially collaborating with the Oxford Twp. Parks and Rec. Department.
‘We’re very hopeful,? he said. ‘We spoke to (Parks Director) Ron Davis. I know they have other plans for their sports and activities, but I think there’s probably an opportunity to work together in some capacity . . .We would hope that they would come join our team.?
In addition to existing space, the Legacy Center site contains up to 50,000 square feet of vacant land that can be built to specifications for purchase, lease or build-your-own.
Sports teams and programs looking for a place to practice should know the Legacy Center currently has 20,000 square feet of indoor field space that’s available for lease on a daily or seasonal basis. The field space is suitable for soccer, baseball, lacrosse, flag football, volleyball, cheerleading and specialty sporting camps and meets.
The Legacy Center has a 5,000-square-foot rentable space that’s available for conferences, meetings, church functions, wedding receptions, bridal showers, family reunions, engagement parties, concerts and graduations. Smaller rental spaces are also available for homeschooling needs, art classes and scout meetings. They can be rented by the hour, day or month.
Mills wants to expand the Legacy Center to make use of the outdoor areas and the lake.
‘We’ve had yoga instructors inquire about doing yoga on paddle boards,? he said. ‘We’ve had people talk to us about hockey in the wintertime and opening up maybe a sledding hill and toboggan run.?
Because Sea Ray manufactured and tested boats on the site for many years, Mills said, ‘There’s a misperception about this property that it’s been significantly contaminated.?
‘We’ve had (the soil) tested and really, that’s not the case,? he said.
As far as the lake goes, Mills said, ‘From what I can tell, this water is as clean as any other lake in the area.?
‘We’re going to have the water tested and take a look at the shoreline (to) make sure everything is clean and safe,? he noted.
Mills was extremely complimentary of the working relationship he’s had thus far with the township government, from its elected officials and building department to its consultants and fire chief.
‘Those guys have been amazing to work with,? he said. ‘Everyone has been very gracious and helpful.?
To learn more about the Legacy Center, please visit www.legacyiscommunity.com or call (586) 960-5811.