Detroit Free Press - www.freep.com - HIGHLAND... -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 5/9/2007
Last Visited: 9/3/2008
Fires destroyed several buildings that were never rebuilt, and that is one reason the area began to struggle, said Jill Bahm, executive director of the Highland Township Downtown Development Authority.The pickle factories closed and the railroad no longer stopped in town, she said.
But the plan is expected to breathe new life into Highland Station, with the hopes of making it a place for the community to shop, dine and get access to Highland State Recreation Area via walking paths and horse trails.The idea is for the downtown area to have a rural feel -- more Franklin than Birmingham, Bahm said.
"We want to make the area a place our residents can use and enjoy without making any drastic changes," Bahm said."But we also want to attract outsiders to the community with amenities that will help sustain the community."
In other words, township officials have the big picture down but are still working on the details, Bahm said.
...
Bahm said officials and residents have a vision for Highland Station to remain a quaint little hamlet with a rural flair.
"We don't want it to be formal or artificial," she said.