Keeping things together by creating a viable downtown is among the 2009 goals for the Village of Oxford
With the economic problems facing Michigan, Village Manager Joe Young hopes to create a financial atmosphere that will benefit downtown businesses.
‘If people buy locally and patronize local businesses and services in town and (around the) area, it would certainly be a big help,? Young said. ‘That’s why I think a lot of business networks and chambers grow since they realize value of customer base close to you geographically.?
Young considers maintaining the village’s tax and business base in the community, along with stabilizing the housing market to be among the biggest concerns for 2009. Besides this, they’d like to see the redevelopment of areas like the James Lumber property.
‘We’re doing all we can to keep things together and move forward,? he said.
For 2009, among the projects to finish up are improvements in downtown’s northwest parking lot, relocating utility poles in the southeast parking lot (DTE Energy’s responsibility, not the village’s) and finishing construction of the new $2.5 million water treatment plant on S. Glaspie St.
‘All three of these we want to get done by early spring,? Young said.
There are no new projects yet that have been funded or approved. Among those the village is considering include dealing with the drainage problems, surface issues and vision limitation at W. Burdick Street’s ‘cemetery hill.?
‘This would be a joint project with the county and township,? Young said.
They’re also looking into developing the east alley and getting it moving forward to make a new roadway on the east side of Washington Street (M-24) along with placing a traffic signal at Broadway.
Young said they’re also considering left turn lanes at Broadway and other places.
In 2009, Young would like to see the village council address infrastructure repairs, such as water mains. ‘We’ve really kept up on a lot of our items, so we’re in good shape in that sense,? he said.
He would, though, like to see the drainage and surface issues worked out in the parking lot behind the village and township offices, along with addressing what’s going to happen with the old township hall.