Highland DDA to Pitch Sidewalk, Streetscape Project

A change in the local political landscape and backing by some in the Highland business community has reinvigorated hopes that the township board will support the Downtown Development Authority’s plans for a streetscape project along S. Milford Road through the sale of municipal bonds.

The project – which includes the installation of sidewalks, reconstructing curbs and driveway paths, as well as street and landscape improvements – was presented and discussed during a Dec. 5 public meeting hosted by the DDA at M-59 West.

About 100 people attended the meeting, including members of project members and design and engineering consultants with Land Design Studio and Nowak Fraus Engineering.

“This town needs to have the most positive outlook it can get,” said Highland Township Supervisor Rick Hamill, who serves on the DDA. “We have a lot of positive people here now, and my goal is to keep it that way.”

Elected in November, Hamill ran on a pro-business campaign and stated plans to attract new businesses and generate revenue by utilizing the downtown area. The DDA’s sidewalk and streetscape project fits the vision of building a downtown infrastructure that will support growth and establish a hub for community events.