There was a surprising turn-out to last Wednesday’s Downtown Design Charette in Leonard.
Hosted by Main Street Oakland County (MSOC), the day-long event drew in close to 30 residents, business owners and property owners presenting their ideas to a team of architects, planners and historic preservationists on how Leonard can define itself as a ‘downtown? district and how to preserve its historic character.
At the end of the night, Ron Campbell from the MSOC presented the results of a survey they had 20 of the attendees take.
According to the surveys, the number one thing bringing residents into the downtown area is the post office, the second reason was to use the Polly Ann Trail, followed by auto services and visiting friends.
When those surveyed were asked what types of businesses they would like to see downtown, the number one answer was a coffee shop, followed by a bakery, then personal services (like a barber, beauty shop or dry cleaner), then specialty shops.
Residents and business owners said they liked the people in the village and that it was a quiet, small town.
They also felt it was important to keep the natural environment landscape as well as keep its history alive.
Attendees wanted to change the building appearances, they wanted more businesses downtown, updated sewers, better communication and better sidewalks.
‘I think when we look through all of those, there are some other priorities you need to address that are on people’s minds,? Campbell told the crowd. ‘Does Main Street help in those areas? Absolutely.?
Now, the Village of Leonard will start in the MSOC’s Mentoring Program, where they will be assigned to a current MSOC community to be their mentor for up to two years.
Once four different committees for Economic Restructuring, Design, Promotions and Organization are formed, they will be able to attend various workshops for training, among other things.
‘It takes about two to three years to understand how the citizens and the businesses work together,? said Bob Donohue from MSOC. ‘The (Main Street communities) where the community officials and the citizens are on the same page are our star players.?
Although it will be a long process, Donohue encouraged the community to ‘stay focused.?
‘There’s so much that has to be done, but we’ll get there,? he said.
Leonard’s primary contact at the MSOC will be Associate Planner Julie Courtney. Feel free to contact her at (248) 858-2033.
If you have your own opinions on how the charette went, feel free to write a letter to the editor and we’d be happy to publish it.