Downtown Studies  

City of Tecumseh Central Business District
Preservation of homes and restoration of business buildings receives the strong support of the whole community, and is a prime concern of the City's Historic Preservation Commission, the Downtown Development Authority, and the Planning Commission who undertook a central business district improvement program. Research of historic documents and photos revealed details that could be incorporated into streetscape improvements. The overall design is intended to complement and enhance the historic character of Tecumseh, while providing a modern level of convenience and function. The streetscape improvements provide a complimentary setting for an attractively restored downtown and have spurred additional building restoration and improvement.
 
City of Alpena Streetscape Improvements
The City of Alpena is a primary shopping destination for over 65,000 people in the northeast section of the lower peninsula of Michigan. Downtown Alpena traditionally provided all types of goods and services for this region of the state. As "big box" and discount stores outside the city in the adjacent townships began to erode market share from the city and particularly the downtown area Vilican Leman & Associates, the City's Planning Consultants were retained to assist in a downtown improvement program. A series of brainstorming sessions were held to address goals and objectives and most importantly a strategy for their accomplishment. At the conclusion of the sessions, agreement was reached on an improvement program covering all aspects of downtown including streetscape improvements needed, re-routing of traffic, snow removal and overall downtown maintenance. As a signal of earnestness to the city fathers, the property owners and business persons at a closing session volunteered to purchase and demolish a dilapidated building adjacent to the main business intersection for a fountain plaza. Downtown streetscape improvements including the fountain plaza were designed and construction documents were prepared by Vilican Leman & Associates.
 

City of Wyandotte Central Business District
The decision to make a major effort in CBD improvement required a joint private/public partnership that was solidified by establishing firm goals and objectives that both groups agreed upon. A 32-acre urban renewal project in the mid 1960's clearing dilapidated structures allowed for new business construction and sparked interest in renovation outside the renewal project area. Full retail and office occupancy with expansion in and abutting the CBD continues today as downtown Wyandotte has gone through an evolving process of improvements. Vilican Leman has served in the initial planning process through all phases of a 1960's renewal program including a 1970's design and construction plan for streetscape improvements and more recently in a new streetscape design plan in 2002, construction of which is now being completed.

Design review of all downtown developments including signage is required under recently amended zoning provisions. A five member design review committee is selected by the Planning Commission to review all new and remodeling construction in keeping with a design guidelines manual which replicates the underlying theme of the 1800's architecture of downtown Wyandotte. The design committee reports to the Planning Commission on a "fast track" procedure for final site plan approval by the Commission.