Downtown authority sets course

Lake Orion’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) drafted a list of their short-term and long-term goals at the Feb. 11 meeting.
The items with top priority included lake parks improvement, an updated and more easily identifiable streetscape, building and storefront enhancements and more frequent high-quality community events.
Councilmember Chuck Schneider voiced his interest in opening up lake parks, like Green’s Park, for more use.
He also expressed concern for the downtown’s aesthetics, noting that M-24 traffic can only see the unattractive backs of buildings.
Rob Reetz, the Village Council president, said he wanted to reinvigorate Lake Orion’s nightlife.
‘I can’t tell you how many people have asked for the beer tent back,? he said, referencing the Fourth of July Jubilee.
Reetz said he would also like to see the village council and the DDA work more harmoniously together.
‘We’ve forgotten that we’re working toward the same goal,? he said. ‘But we’re coming to a better understanding of cooperation.
Councilmembers across the board voiced interest in the DDA acquiring the right of first refusal for buildings downtown.
The right would give the DDA the option to purchase any building up for sale before it went to the public.
This would allow the DDA to dictate the type of new business moving in, therefore controlling the downtown ‘mix? and avoiding, say, 15 hair salons from opening up.
From an administrative standpoint, Lois Golden, the DDA’s director, says she wants to pursue more funding opportunities outside of taxpayer dollars, like grants and sponsorship.
‘I’d like to match and exceed our tax revenue,? she said.
Matching funds would open the door for more improvements downtown, and right now the DDA has requests out for $700,000 in grant money.
Genesys, Waste Management and Renewal by Anderson Windows have already committed $5,000 each this year in sponsorship and two more sponsors might be committing soon.
The next DDA meeting will be March 10 at 7:15 p.m. in the village office building. Public comment is always welcome.