CITY OF GROSSE POINTE — The culmination of hundreds of hours of work from business owners in The Village, city staff and elected officials took place Tuesday, Feb. 18, when the team traveled to the Michigan Economic Development Corp. headquarters in Lansing to make a 40-minute presentation as to why the City should be selected for the Michigan Main Street Program, which would aid in the revitalization of The Village.

The program helps communities with economic development through organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring.

“Traditional retailers of all types are facing the challenge to remain relevant in a world where seemingly everything you need is just a mouse click away from being on your doorstep tomorrow,” Downtown Development Authority Chairman Andy Martin said. “We as the DDA and the community as a whole have struggled to reach a consensus as to what to do to return The Village to the lively environment place it ought to be. We just need some help. That’s why we want and need to be a Michigan Main Street community.”

Two other districts — Corktown and North End, which is near Hamtramck — have applied for the Main Street Program, as well.

The program selects up to three Michigan communities each year, which has left the City essentially competing against itself, Mayor Sheila Tomkowiak noted.

“Grosse Pointe is great now,” Councilman Terence Thomas said. “It can be greater. I think the Main Street Program is something that has really galvanized our community. There’s great support. The framework that the program provides is outstanding.”

While representatives for various parties associated with The Village, such as the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce, attended the meeting to show support, the presenters were Tomkowiak, Martin, Thomas, DDA member Jim Bellanca — who also manages 80,000 square feet of frontage in The Village — and DDA member and owner of Small Favors, Kasey Malley.

“I see Main Street as an opportunity for Grosse Pointe to initiate the kind of marketing which will attract those young urban pioneers that have caused the resurgence of downtown Detroit and has brought it to its former glory, for their shopping and dining pleasure now and in the future as they look to raise some kids and find a community to have dogs and cats around,” Bellanca said. “I see the Main Street Program as having a major part in suggesting that those urban pioneers look east, not just north to Royal Oak, Birming-ham and Ferndale, as they seek out schools, public parks and family-oriented housing.”

State Rep. Joe Tate was unable to attend the presentation, but sent his support for the City’s acceptance to the Main Street Program.

The results on whether the City has been selected into the program are expected to be announced in early March.

“Just working through the application process itself was absolutely transformational and now, with your support, we hope that’s just the beginning,” Tomkowiak said.

If selected, an executive director to oversee the program likely will be hired to start July 1.

“We’re definitely falling short of our potential and we realize that,” Malley said. “We need Main Street to take us to the next level.”