Dixie Highway is set to get its share of attention from the township.
The Independence Township Board appointed a nine-person panel with a $23,800 budget. Their mission: work on ways to improve the area’s appearance and economic opportunities.
‘I can’t remember a time when we have had as many vacancies as I currently see,? said Independence Township planner Dick Carlisle, as he stood before the board, July 1.
Carlisle, township Supervisor Dave Wagner, Building Department Director Dave Belcher, Planning Commission and Township Board members, and residents have been discussing Dixie Highway for a year, he said.
‘We have a resource there that probably should not be forgotten even though we’ve devoted attention to other areas of the township more recently,? he said.
Carlisle’s plan starts with a nine-member study team, ‘broadly based,? including property owners, planning commissioners, township board members, and a representative of the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce.
The team will explore ideas to improve Dixie Highway, he said.
‘More importantly, improve the investment climate, so we can potentially reap the benefit from a taxpayer’s standpoint of property improvements through that particular area,? said Carlisle.
‘I like the idea ? especially involving residents and owners of the commercial properties,? said Trustee Dan Travis.
Issues facing Dixie Highway include lack of organization and maintenance, though the area is not yet ‘blighted,? Carlisle said.
‘I would not characterize them as serious, but I would characterize them as significant,? he said. ‘I think this community has always stepped up to the plate to address what we consider to be significant issues before they become serious issues.?
Funding could be an issue, said Trustee Larry Rosso.
‘I just don’t know where the money is coming from,? he said. ‘These business owners, whether they are in vacant or occupied businesses along there, I’m not sure they’re going to really spend the money when they say they don’t have it.?
Treasurer Jim Wenger said he also sees the declining economy as a problem.
‘I guess I’m torn between, let’s throw some money at a project and what are we going to get in the end, versus we need to do something,? said Wenger.
Dixie is deteriorating because efforts have been going to Sashabaw Road, Wagner said.
‘Even though there was a lot of money spent on Dixie and White Lake, it was like we were trying to abandon it,? said Wagner. ‘These last couple of years, it’s just been deteriorating further, further, and further.?
Wagner said he is happy to move the project forward, especially since panel members are working on a volunteer basis. Their budget will be spent on studies, if needed.
‘There is no money being paid to them,? he said. ‘This is for all the work that goes into it to determine what exactly can be done, what’s necessary to do. A lot of hours will go into this.?
Trustee Dan Kelly, who lives near Dixie, agreed with Wagner.
‘I absolutely agree that nothing we were proposing last night involved spending taxpayer’s money,? he said. ‘It was getting business owners and property owners together to try and brainstorm how we can improve Dixie and that’s a good idea and should be done.?
The board voted unanimously to approve the committee.