It was a busy two weeks for the Highland Downtown Development Authority (HDDA)! Beginning on June 7, the HDDA conducted a long-range planning session with the assistance of Jackie Binkert, a local organizational development specialist. Thanks to Dr. Binkert's superb facilitation of this meeting, the HDDA was able to reaffirm our vision, set five-year goals, and deepen the understanding of our mission in a way that went beyond our expectations. The results of the long-range planning meeting will lead us right into drafting work plans for 2007. Discussion on these work plans will take place at upcoming meetings this summer. Thank you to all 12 board members who participated in this workshop.
On June 13-14, the HDDA board and committee members worked with consultants from Main Street Oakland County (MSOC), who provided initial services aimed at assessing the needs of our organization and our downtown area. The outcome of this meeting will also help the HDDA with work planning as well as setting an agenda for a week-long service visit in October from consultants associated with the National Main Street Center. Thank you to MSOC for providing these complimentary services to Highland.
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June 14 was another big event! The Notebenders performed at our first-ever downtown concert on North John Street in Highland Station. The lawn of Highland Middle School provided ample grassy seating and shade from the summer sun. The Notebenders great mix of blues and rock had much of the crowd tapping their feet, clapping their hands and having a ball! Thank you to our HDDA board and committee members who staffed the event; to the Kensington Valley Credit Union for allowing us to put the stage in its parking lot; to the Huron Valley Arts Council for coordinating the entertainment; and to Huron Valley Schools for permitting us to use the school's lawn.
Applause also goes to our concert sponsors: the General Motors Proving Ground and the Tyler Family, with Carpet Classics of Highland sponsoring the stage. Special thanks go out to the Highland Township Fire Chief Jim Crunk who went "above and beyond" (as usual) to help this concert get off the ground that night! It was another unique "save" for our fire department that is always there for us. The summer concert series will continue with the Ragbirds on July 12 and String Fever on August 9.
Last, but certainly not least, on June 15 we celebrated the ground breaking of the first new building project in Highland Station in over 20 years! Larry Shew will begin construction on an 18,000 sq. ft., two-story building that will feature retail shops on the first floor, offices and/or residential on the second floor.
Currently a vacant parcel, the HDDA hopes this project will be a catalyst for future development, leading to the revitalization of Highland Station.
Thank you to Larry Shew, Township Supervisor Triscia Pilchowski, Planning Commission Chairman Eugene Beach, HDDA Chairman Keith Rhodes, State Rep. John Stakoe, Main Street Oakland County Program Manager Bob Donohue and many other township board and committee members for attending this historic event.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of many, many people, Highland's vision of a real community center, a downtown, are within reach.
Jill Bahm, Director,
Highland Downtown Development Authority
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