Back in 1982, the Verwood Hotel stood boarded up and empty in the village’s downtown area. The then Lake Orion Village Manager Jim Stump approached developer Carl Messer about constructing an 18 unit complex on the site.
Messer told village council members on June 23, Stump felt the remodeling of Verwood was vital to the start of downtown revitalization.
Village council members at that time OK’d a deal that would close a section of West Front Street, lease that property to the owner of the apartment complex so a 30-foot by 200-foot parking lot could be built for tenants.
Thirty one years later, a Main Street committee, conducting a downtown parking study, is looking at the possibility of opening the street up again for on-street parking.
That would involve not renewing Verwood’s lease. And Messer doesn’t think that’s a very good idea.
‘At the time (1982), it wasn’t a good economic deal to (build the apartments),? Messer said. ‘We did it because we felt it was our civic duty.
‘It cost over $600,000 and I doubt you could get your money back today.?
According to Messer, the village at one time was considering abandoning the land, but instead decided to lease it.
‘That was the best deal. This current council should be grateful to the village council at that time for what they did. If it hadn’t been done, the Verwood would probably have been torn down.?
According to councilman Bob Hollenbeck, who is a Main Street committee member, there are about 303 striped parking spots downtown — mostly in the eastern and southern part.
‘We have a big lack in the northwest,? he added. That’s why opening up Front Street for street parking is being considered.
Hollenbeck said the Front Street idea is just one alternative of several being considered.
Messer was asked if he would consider buying nearby property to be used for tenant parking if any came up for sale.
‘In reality it would be financially tough to buy anything else,? he said.