It’s the highest structure in downtown Lake Orion, but to many, the dispatch tower behind Village Hall is nothing more than an eyesore.
As such, a suggestion was brought forth by Councilman Douglas Dendel earlier this month to consider placing a lighted sign on the tower.
Dendel said he brought the item to council because he had been approached by members of the community.
Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel asked for input on the matter from Police Chief Jerry Narsh, who also contacted the county.
A memo from Narsh suggested that putting such a sign on the tower would be rather difficult.
Narsh indicated that the village would have to complete a stress/wind study and a radio frequency interference study before proceeding with the placement of a sign on the tower.
Van Tassel said the State Historic Preservation Office would also need to be contacted, because Village Hall and the tower are located in the historic district of downtown.
‘The idea for a sign for the village is a neat idea, but I don’t think the tower is the right place,? said Councilman Mike Toth at the Oct. 22 meeting. ‘I can envision something over M-24 before you get to Broadway.?
Dendel said he liked the concept of the tower because it wouldn’t involve the creation of a new structure.
Toth said the issue might be a good one for the village’s design committee to examine.
Council ultimately voted unanimously not to proceed with a sign on the tower.