The Main Street program is new to downtown Oxford, but to Amanda Katt Cassidy it’s a familiar old friend she met in school.
Cassidy was hired earlier this week to be the new executive director of the Oxford Community Development Authority (OCDA) at an annual salary of $44,000 plus benefits. She starts in two weeks.
Since July 2000, the Berkley resident has been involved as a volunteer with the Main Street Oakland County program in Royal Oak, where she lived prior to marrying husband Dan Cassidy two years ago.
Main Street Oakland County is an economic development program specifically targeted to provide technical assistance to the 30 traditional downtowns in the county. Oxford Village was accepted into the program in September 2004.
In Royal Oak, Cassidy served as a member of Main Street’s organization committee and currently chairs the design committee, through which she recently helped complete the design guidelines for the downtown’s facade improvement program.
Royal Oak is the first Main Street community to complete its design guidelines, she noted with pride in her voice.
Cassidy first learned of the Main Street program through a class at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, where she obtained both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture.
The class was taught by Bob Donohue, program coordinator and principal planner for the Main Street Oakland County.
Donohue’s introduction to the program coupled with class tours of various downtowns inspired a self-professed ‘passion? in Cassidy for Main Street.
‘I believe in the program and what it does,? she said. ‘I watched it work for Royal Oak.?
While pursuing her master’s degree, Cassidy spent two full semesters writing research papers on Main Street ? one on the program’s central ‘Four Point Approach? which involves Organization, Promotion, Design and Economic Restructuring; another on Main Street’s progress in Royal Oak
Now, Cassidy’s mission is to take her academic research coupled with her nearly five years practical experience in Royal Oak and make Main Street work for downtown Oxford via her new position as the OCDA’s executive director.
‘Right now I want to focus on getting the word out about what Main Street is and what it can do for the downtown,? she said. ‘I also want to start building a base of volunteers because I know from working in Royal Oak that volunteers are what make things start moving.?
During her interview Monday night, OCDA member Lisa Farlin asked Cassidy if she has ‘any concerns about working with a wide variety of people ? merchants, residents, political figures.?
‘I see the executive director being pulled in a lot of different directions and being overwhelmed by a tremendous workload. How do you feel about that?,? Farlin said.
As a senior materials consultant for the Plymouth-based Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc. since May 1999, Cassidy said she’s had a lot of experience working with contractors, construction managers and property owners, and resolving the conflicts that arise between these different groups. ‘I’m used to being involved with numerous groups pulling my arms in different directions,? she said.
Cassidy said she believes the best way to accomplish many different tasks without being overwhelmed is to work them out ‘step by step? and deal with them ‘thing by thing.? ‘I think you can get through more that way,? she said.
OCDA Chair Sue Bossardet told the board Cassidy has a ‘divide and conquer approach? to getting things done through Main Street.
Cassidy describes her self as ‘outgoing? and ‘personable.? She said she finds it easy to talk to people and is always willing to listen. ‘She’s aware of the need to be out on the street working with merchants, property owners and developers,? Bossardet told the board.
Cassidy said Oxford reminds her of the small farming community she grew up in ? Merrill, Michigan.
When she’s not working, Cassidy enjoys nurturing her creative side by painting and building things. ‘Every birthday and Christmas, my dad gives me a new power tool,? she said. ‘I’m the ultimate wife. I have a basement full of tools.?