The City of the Village of Clarkston is hoping to cash in on
President-elect Barack Obama’s Federal Economic Stimulus plan.
“Some of the numbers we have heard in this first round could be $300-$350 billion,? said City Mayor Stephen Arkwright. ‘Michigan may get up to 25 billion, it’s significant.?
City Council gathered for a special meeting early Christmas Eve to come up with project ideas for any possible stimulus money. On Monday, they had another special meeting to discuss ideas with the Planning Commission.
Ideas include more efficient municipal buildings and building use, improving public and handicap accessibility within the city, refurbish historic buildings, Depot Park development, parking, and infrastructure improvements.
“Anything that makes the community able to have higher density and get more people into it is a benefit, in my opinion, versus someone leaving the community because it’s easier to go live somewhere else,? said Councilman Cory Johnston.
‘Those types of things get people in and that gets the housing market going because people want to live here, which is what Clarkston always had as its ace.?
Though excited about the possibilities, Councilwoman Kristy Ottman said the city must be able to afford any improvements they make.
“Our tax base is not going to grow,? she said. ‘We have virtually no new development that can come here, so while it’s fabulous that we have great ideas, we have to support what we have.?
Ottman also said they should focus projects on the city’s greatest assets, which is downtown and Depot Park.
However, they only have 180 days to submit the projects.
Johnston, who is doubtful they will get any money, said they should be smart as to what projects they submit.
“I think any project we put out has to be a realistic project that we want,? he said. ‘Let’s not ask for something we don’t want because we might get it. Who wants to waste government money or tax money, which is our money, on things when we really would like to be doing something else, but we can’t because we were told ‘we were going to give it to you for this.? So I think the projects need to be prioritized on what we need.?
Arkwright said their submission should also include benefits of being a historic district as well as ‘going green.?
Councilman Mike Gawronski agreed.
“I think we really need to sell ourselves as approaching this as becoming the model for the Midwest in how you integrate and move forward into a green future and still maintaining a historical background,? said Gawronski.
Arwright said he and Johnston would prepare a final plan this week and submit it to the council at the next meeting, Monday, Jan 12.