Tax breaks, beautification grants, new sign ordinance, and lower speed limit are some ideas for Dixie Highway renovation.
‘We found out the last time the State of Michigan checked the speed on that stretch of Dixie Highway was in 1982,? said Sam Moraco, chairman of the Independence Township Planning Commission. “For the preliminary studies, we’re using Lt. Lebair and the equipment the township already owns.?
The commission studied ideas generated at a Jan. 22 meeting with more than 100 business owners.
‘After the 125 people came to our first meeting, we ended up with 32 items to pursue,? Moraco said. ‘Then I broke that down into four different groups that each had a planning commissioner attached to that.?
A couple ideas include marketing the area, he said.
‘One would be creating a rehabilitation district, which would allow the township the opportunity, if somebody came in and wanted to revamp one of the existing buildings or make improvements, then the township would have certain rights to do a tax freeze, specifically for that site,? he said. ‘Not saying that’s something we’re going to ask for, but that’s one of the avenues were going to explain.?
The committee will present ideas to the township board, April 21.
‘That’s going to be the first round of things we believe they can do to help the business community stay afloat,? he said. ‘It’s things that are in their power.?
Commissioner Joan McCrary said the committee should be happy with the work.
‘We just hope and pray the board will see the necessity for all of this that we’ve been working on,? she said. “Everybody is putting their heart into it, they’re passionate about ‘let’s do something good? and it will be good for the community.”
Maria Rotondo Mark, owner of Make Over Place Salon, also wants people to keep their ‘little hope box going.?
‘Dixie at that stretch, unless we do something, we’re kind of living in the old neighborhood,? Mark said. ‘By joining forces with small businesses and the township board, it’s an opportunity, instead of saying ‘woe is me,? and asking ‘why can’t you.? It’s ‘what can we do together.??
Allen Auger agrees with the ‘old neighborhood concept.?
‘We’re just trying to move forward and get ahead of the game, get some modern technology out there and get all the building occupied, whether it’s ours or another person,? he said. ‘If they’re not occupied, they don’t spur business. When you have vacant buildings, it looks like the whole township is in bad shape, which it isn’t.?
Auger’s wife, Susan, said they’re interested in getting Dixie ‘back to where it was.?
‘Dixie Highway is a main corridor through Independence Township and we want it to look its best and be its best, and attract new tenants and businesses to that area,? she said.
Commissioner Joseph Lawrence agreed.
‘When you look at the master plan that was recently developed by the township planning commission, signed off by the township board, one of the key messages in there is that Dixie Highway serves as a major gateway into the township from both the north and the south,? Lawrence said. ‘The key thing is just to try to work with the business and property owners to help them in these tough times.”
Resident Jim Eppink said he’s been impressed with everyone involved and Moraco did a ‘great job keeping everybody focused.?
‘Property owners and particularly business owners have been understandably concerned from a short term point of view,? he said. ‘They wanted to see immediate relief in terms of signage and maybe help with advertising and marketing, but they seem to also understand that there are some long term issues that need to be addressed and we can’t necessarily sacrifice short term goals for long term stability.?
Treasurer Curt Carson, also a commissioner, said they are trying to address business ownerss concerns in a ‘very positive manner.?
‘Planning Commission Chairman Sam Moraco and the committee have done a fantastic job and worked extremely hard. They’ve had all kinds of meetings, meetings and more meetings,? Carson said.
Township Trustee Mark Petterson also commended Moraco, commission, and business owner’s effort.
‘Hopefully they can come up with something that will benefit all the businesses on Dixie Highway,? Petterson said. ‘All the volunteer businessmen, they didn’t have to do this, they didn’t have to volunteer, they didn’t have to do anything, so my hats off to them for coming forward and working very closely with the planning commission and everybody putting their best foot forward..?
Moraco said he is looking forward to going before the board on April 21.
‘It was important that all the business owners got on board and they have. We’re expecting some good things to come out of this board meeting,? he said. ‘The board is going to realize that we need to be proactive.?