Plans are underway to revitalize Downtown Okemos.
Douglas J. salon is teaming up with Meridian Township to bring new life to the area.
It's all a part of a proposed $100 million investment in Meridian Township's Master Plan.
FOX 47's Cryss Walker spoke with residents who say they're looking forward to a new downtown.
Redevelopment is on the way to the corner of Okemos and Hamilton Roads
And people say they're very excited to see a change.
“You know, more life at least in this area, it would be nice to see that”, said Sahara Hussein who takes karate classes downtown.
Beth Smith also frequents the area and she says she knows just what the area needs.
“Well I'd really like to see maybe a little more parking availability but maybe a nice restaurant on the corner there”, Smith explained.
Thursday officials from Meridian Township along with developers announced their plans to rejuvenate an area that lost its luster after the closure of the Bottoms Up Dancewear and Okemos Hardware.
Meridian Township Supervisor Ron Styka says a lot of work went into bringing the plans together.
“We've made a lot of changes at the Meridian Township level in terms of our ordinances and our policies to make it happen.”
Developers say they envision bustling Downtown Okemos with a warm historic feel.
The proposal calls for a mix of retail, office space and residential units.
This isn't Douglas J.'s first attempt at redeveloping the area.
The company bought property in 2012 but plans fell through in 2016 over a disagreement about burying powerlines.
“In our vision of really having a walkable community and finding a developer that had that same vision”, said Douglas J. President Scott Weaver.
“And the means to uh accomplish the development of that size and magnitude.”
Residents and local businesses will get an opportunity to weigh-in on what they would like to see in the project.
Feedback sessions will begin in the late summer.
