We marked a key milestone last week in our ambitious plan to reconnect with the historic downtown of our county seat: Pontiac.
We started the structural demolition of the Phoenix Center, which opened with so much promise back in the 1970s, but never quite lived up to its full potential.
What now stands as a crumbling structure and an impediment to progress will be cleared away by mid-December, opening downtown Pontiac to more possibilities for revitalization and a bustling, walkable central city.
Last week, city, county and state officials gathered to begin the process by removing the logo letters on the elevator of the Phoenix Center. Those will be preserved for prosperity and future display. Next comes the actual demolition. That begins next month, along with the planning for - and renovating of - the former General Motors office building at 31 Judson Street, which will be transformed into offices for more than 600 Oakland County employees.
You see, I’m bullish on Pontiac. And I believe the county’s investment in the downtown will act as a catalyst for the development of retail and restaurants, residential and hotels, that will bring visitors, new residents and businesses to the city.
For far too long there has been a devastating disinvestment in the city of Pontiac from corporations, government and the small businesses that are the real heartbeat of a community. I’m happy to partner with the city of Pontiac and the state of Michigan to reverse that trend and help restore the city to its rightful place as a center of commerce and gathering place for all.
In fact, it’s already starting to happen with a dozen retail, business and residential projects either underway or in the works. And private developers are telling me that they can’t wait to return to Pontiac.
While we’re excited for this end result, the demolition is going to cause some disruption for a bit. Some streets are going to close and traffic will be rerouted.
I hope you’ll be patient with the inconvenience because I truly believe the redevelopment of downtown Pontiac will be well worth the wait.
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