Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has announced plans to transform the former Lake Orion High School into a mixed-use development featuring 89 residential units and an event space. The initiative, labeled the Flats and Lofts at West Village, carries a $31 million price tag and is part of the state's efforts to increase affordable housing options. "Here in Michigan, we believe everyone deserves to have a roof over their heads," Whitmer stated, according to ClickOnDetroit.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is providing a $1.5 million grant through its Revitalization and Placemaking program to support the West Village redevelopment project in Lake Orion. Village Manager Darwin McClary said, "West Village represents the Village of Lake Orion's unwavering dedication to historic preservation and adaptive reuse of obsolete buildings," as reported by WXYZ. The project also received a $1.8 million Commercial Rehabilitation Act Abatement over eight years from the village and a $20,000 environmental assessment grant from Oakland County, as mentioned by Mlive.
Michele Wildman, senior vice president of community planning and development readiness at the MEDC, said, "We look forward to seeing how the redevelopment of the former high school brings new residents and opportunities to the Village of Lake Orion," as per WXYZ. The project is designed to attract residents who want to downsize while staying in the village and may encourage investment in downtown. Since 2022, the RAP program has supported 244 redevelopment projects across Michigan, focusing on the reuse of vacant or underused properties and supporting the 'Make It in Michigan' initiative.
