STATE

LANSING, Mich. -- Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer continued the Thanksgiving tradition of pardoning a turkey. This year, Governor Whitmer pardoned two turkey sisters. The winning names, Faygo and Vernors, and were selected through a bracket-style competition on social media. These names were selected from 1,500 entries in the yearly statewide contest and voted on by thousands of Michiganders all across the state. Faygo and Vernors are the fourth and fifth turkeys to be pardoned by the governor.  

“Today we continue our tradition of pardoning a turkey,” said Governor Whitmer. “But this year, we’re pardoning two turkey sisters, a reminder that the most important part of the holiday season is coming together with friends and family. This Thanksgiving, I hope everyone enjoys time with loved ones, finds a way to give back to the community, and cheers on our Lions.”

"I always enjoy joining Governor Whitmer for this holiday tradition as we kick off the Thanksgiving season," said MDARD Director Tim Boring. "Michigan agriculture touches all sides of the dinner plate. So as we spend time with family and friends this month and next, MDARD is also giving thanks to our farmers and producers, processors, grocery store employees, food safety inspectors and more who make these celebrations possible each year." 

Last year, the governor pardoned Aiden Cluckinson, a name selected from nearly 4,500 entries in the statewide contest. In 2023, the governor pardoned Dolly Pardon and in 2022, the governor pardoned Mitch E. Gander. tsuLast year, the governor pardoned Aiden Cluckinson, a name selected from nearly 4,500 entries in the statewide contest. In 2023, the governor pardoned Dolly Pardon and in 2022, the governor pardoned Mitch E. Gander. 

 LANSING, Mich. -- Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to announce a redevelopment project receiving support from the bipartisan Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program, creating 89 residential units and an event space in the Village of Lake Orion. The project will redevelop the community’s former high school into the Flats and Lofts at West Village, generating a total capital investment of over $31 million while addressing the housing shortage and driving new activity in the community.

“Here in Michigan, we believe everyone deserves to have a roof over their heads,” said Governor Whitmer. “That’s why I’m proud to announce this redevelopment project in Lake Orion that will create 89 residential units and an event space. Overall, this $31 million investment bolsters my commitment to make sure everyone can ‘Make it in Michigan’ by increasing affordable housing in our state. Together, let’s keep attracting and retaining talent, enabling business creation, and providing resources for our Michigan communities.” 

The RAP program provides access to gap financing for place-based infrastructure development and real estate rehabilitation and development.  

“On behalf of the MEDC, we are pleased to work with communities across Michigan and invest in their resilience through the RAP program as part of our placemaking efforts in support of the state’s ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy,” said Michele Wildman, MEDC’s SVP of Community Planning and Development Readiness. “We look forward to seeing how the redevelopment of the former high school brings new residents and opportunities to the Village of Lake Orion.”  

“For West Construction Services, the West Village Project is about honoring the past and investing in the future,” said Kyle J. Westberg, president and CEO of West Construction Services. “By thoughtfully transforming this historic school into homes and community space, we’re helping bring new residents, local spending, and lasting value to the Village of Lake Orion, preserving a landmark that has always been part of the village’s story.” 

“The Flats and Lofts at West Village is an exciting rehabilitation and redevelopment project on the site of the cherished 1927 Lake Orion High School,” said Darwin McClary, village manager for Lake Orion. “West Village represents the Village of Lake Orion’s unwavering dedication to historic preservation and adaptive reuse of obsolete buildings. This project also reflects the community’s strong commitment to fostering diverse housing options within our downtown, public event spaces, and unique opportunities for our senior citizens to continue to age in the place they love: beautiful Village of Lake Orion. For these reasons, and others, the Flats and Lofts project is an important addition to the fabric of our community.” 

When complete, the Flats and Lofts at West Village will provide new housing options and help meet the needs of Lake Orion residents looking to downsize while remaining in the community. The project is being awarded a $1.5 million RAP grant to support the cost of the historic redevelopment and new construction and is expected to bring a total capital investment of $31,041,298.  

Developer West Village Owner, LLC is a subsidiary of West Construction Services, a general contracting and construction development firm located in Pontiac. Led by Kyle Westberg, the development team has prior experience developing other MEDC-supported projects in downtown Pontiac, including The Strand Theater and the Lafayette Place Lofts. 

The community of Lake Orion is supporting the project with a PA-210 Commercial Rehabilitation Act Abatement valued at an estimated $1.8 million over eight years. Oakland County has also awarded the Flats and Lofts at West Village project a $20,000 environmental assessment grant. 

Since its launch in 2022, the Revitalization and Placemaking program has supported 244 total projects in communities across the state. 

-courtesy story