 Get Downtown Lake Orion NEWS! Sign-up for our Newsletter.
Downtown Lake Orion combines a unique, historic central business district with
a commercial corridor that extends south along M-24.
The Village contains important historic residential and commercial architecture, and is designated a National Register Historic District as of 2006.
Downtown is a destination for numerous annual events, with nearby services, shopping, restaurants and entertainment. Historic neighborhoods along the northeast boundary of the core downtown and lakefront add to Downtown Lake Orion's distinct sense of place.
Though small in size, few communities offer so many amenities. Housing opportunities range from affordable apartments to lakefront mansions.
Recreational opportunities are within walking distance with six public parks, a 500-acre lake, the Paint Creek, and two major trail systems - the Polly Ann (14 miles) and Paint Creek Trails (9 miles) . Lake Orion is one of the few significant trail system hubs with connections to the north / south and east / west connections to the ambitious Michigan trail system - with plans to eventually connect to Canada and the international trail network.
The Orion Senior Center, Orion Art Center, and Orion Historical Society are important and active community organizations. Members of these organizations along with representatives from Orion Township and the Orion Township Library serve as participants in Downtown Lake Orion's Main Street Committees.
The Village of Lake Orion has managed to preserve much of it past, while embracing the new - benefiting its residents and visitors.
Downtown Lake Orion is a member of the Oakland County Main Street and National Trust Main Street programs.
What is the Main Street Approach?
The Main Street Approach is a community-driven, comprehensive mechanism used to revitalize and preserve traditional downtown business districts. It encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation, while adapting to today's marketplace. It advocates community self-reliance, local empowerment, and the revitalization of traditional commercial districts, capitalizing on distinctive architecture, a pedestrian-friendly environment, personal service, local ownership, and a sense of community.
Downtown Development Authority Board of Directors
Gene Carlson, DDA Board Chair, Economic Restructuring Committee; Design Committee
Robert Hollenbeck - DDA Board Vice-Chair, Design Committee Chair
Robert Reetz, Village Council President
Matthew Gibb, Orion Township Supervisor
Angie Davis - Business Owner & Volunteer
Leila Freijy, Business Owner & Retail Committee; Farmer's Market Committee
Ron Kalso, Promotion Committee Chair
Chuck Schneider, Property Owner
Monica Squarcia, Economic Restructuring Committee Chair
LAKE ORION DDA BYLAWS DDA DISTRICT MAP DDA DISTRICT MAP & HISTORIC DISTRICT
STATE ENABLING LEGISLATION: - DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Act 197 of 1975
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TAX INCREMENT FINANCING
Meetings
DDA Board meets at 7:15 pm every second Tuesday of the month at the
Village Offices 37 E Flint Street, Lake Orion, Michigan 48362,
All Main Street Committees meet at the DDA offices
51 N. Broadway - Suite B, Lake Orion Michigan 48362
Design Committee: Meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 9:00 am.
Economic Restructuring Committee: Meets the second Thursday of the month at 8:00 am.
Organization Committee: Meets the third Wednesday of the month at 4:00 pm.
Promotions Committee: Meets the third Thursday of the month at 9:00 am.
Business Neighbors: Meets on the second Thursday of the month at 9:00 am or as announced.
DDA Staff
Lois Golden, Executive Director
Janet Hartman, Administrative Coordinator
Margaret Monprode, Special Events & Development
Nancy King, Facilities & Beautification
Community Development
The Village of Lake Orion Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Village of Lake Orion have invested over $2.5 million in the following community development efforts:
- Building Exterior Improvement Grant Program - Ongoing with an annual $40,000 Investment
- Municipal Parking Lots & Improvements - Most recently, N. Broadway & Shadbolt
- Roadway Improvements throughout the Village - Upcoming Flint & Broadway Repaving
- Repair & Maintenance of Decorative Lighting - Annual Effort
- 2008-09 Installation of Decorative Lighting Along M-24 at Cemetery & Green's Park
- 2008 - Planning & Design Phase - Various Children's Park Improvements
- 2008 - Entryway Design & Implementation
- Downtown Signage
- Sidewalk Improvements (Downtown)
- Seminars for Business Owners
- Replacement of Meek’s Park Bridge - In Progress, to be complete Spring 2009
- Children’s Park Improvements - In Progress
- Pedestrian Crossing Signals - M-24
For more detail, visit our PROJECTS PAGE |
