Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Executive Director Katie Zimmer asks for the community’s patience, and participation, as the DDA works with the Oakland County Main Street program to revitalize downtown Lake Orion.
Zimmer was the Orion Area Chamber of Commerce’s featured speaker at their Sept. 1 luncheon, held at the Sand Bar in downtown Lake Orion.
She has been DDA director for four months, and works with the Downtown Lake Orion staff of administrative coordinator Janet Hartman and event coordinator Amy Lieblein.
Zimmer said Downtown Lake Orion has been working with the Main Street program for four years.
‘It’s a committee-driven method,? she told the chamber. ‘The Main Street program focuses on revitalizing traditional, older downtowns…so it’s perfect for Lake Orion.?
Zimmer said the program encourages economic development in terms of historic preservation, and a return to community self-reliance.
‘It also focuses on distinctive architecture and a pedestrian-friendly environment,? she said. ‘As well as local business owners and a sense of community.?
Zimmer said Lake Orion has the unique opportunity of working with the Oakland County Main Street program, the only county-run program in the country.
‘We have several different committees that we invite people to join,? she said.
Those committees include organization, promotion, and design.
‘With organization, we are working on getting everyone focused on one goal,? she said. ‘Promotion is selling a positive image, and design is getting (the downtown) in top physical shape.?
Zimmer noted that the streets of downtown Lake Orion were originally designed with pedestrians in mind, not cars.
‘That’s unique,? she said. ‘We need to look at it as a positive.
‘We also have a lot of historic buildings down here, so we are working to establish a historic district,? said Zimmer.
The DDA is working to improve the streetscape of downtown and increase walkability.
‘We want to convert unused space into developed property,? she said. ‘The philosophy of Main Street relies on eight guiding principles.?
Among the key principles of the program, Zimmer said, is making the program comprehensive.
‘There is no single focus,? she said. ‘It’s also an incremental process…baby steps come before walking.?
Among the other principles are self-help, partnerships and identifying, capitalizing on the downtown’s existing assets, change, and finally, implementation.
‘No one else is going to save your Main Street,? she said. ‘We want to find out what makes the downtown unique…such as the historic buildings and parks.
‘We need to emphasize quality in every aspect,? Zimmer continued. ‘From store front design to events.?
Zimmer said changing attitudes and gaining public support is also important to the success of the program.
‘We need better business practices, as well as physical attributes,? she said.
‘It’s a long term effort, but the downtown center is the most visible indicator of our community pride, and visual representation of our community heritage.?
Zimmer said it’s important to remember that the downtown didn’t ‘deteriorate over night.?
‘And it won’t be revitalized just as quickly,? she said.
The DDA committees meet once a month, so not a lot of time is required if anyone in the village is interested in getting involved.
Hartman said she is working to get downtown business owners together, with the Business Neighbors group, meeting the second Thurs. of every month.
The Oct. 13 meeting will feature Lynda Deplaunty Earhart of the Oakland County Planning and Economic Development Services (PEDS).
‘She’s a one-woman human dynamo, and a wealth of information,? Hartman said.
Through Oakland County PEDS, local business owners have access to start-up market strategies, business plans and even financing, said Hartman.
‘It’s in their best interest to have you succeed, because it insures their tax base as well,? she said.
Hartman said Deplaunty Earhart will also bring a business resource team with her in the future, and meet one-on-one with business owners.
‘She’ll bring with her a financial or marketing expert,? Hartman said.
Lieblein told the chamber that Downtown Lake Orion is working to develop events that will bring together the whole village.
Their Main Street Mingle on Sept. 18, from 2-7 p.m., will combine a ‘country hoe-down? with a pig roast and volunteer recognition.
‘We’ll have Crystal Lynn and the Paint Creek Boys here, and there will be square dancing and a mechanical bull,? she said.
‘We’ll also have couples activities; like a husband calling contest and wife carrying contest; a chicken toss, and stuff for the kids like a pumpkin roll and cow roping.”
Upland Farms will provide animals for a petting farm.