to move the project forward. “We’ve gone through a pretty stringent process, and right now we’re set— hopefully that will begin next year,” he adds. The plans for the property include townhouses,mixeduse development and dynamic public spaces, which will bring new housing options and potential retail or commercial opportunities to the area. Mayor Tapp also notes that housing expansion isn’t limited to one location.“We are constantly looking for areas for housing,” he says, noting the city’s openness to exploring opportunities outside its current limits, including in nearby township areas. This proactive approach, he says, is supported by Lasko’s outreach to developers and ongoing efforts to promote Huron as an attractive destination for residential projects. Lasko takes a comprehensive view of Huron’s housing needs, explaining that the city is focused on creating a balance across all housing types. “We need highend for-sale homes, first-time buyer homes, middleincome housing, affordable rentals, and market-rate rentals,” he says. The city’s leadership is also taking an active role in facilitating housing development. Beyond connecting developers with available land, the city is directly involved in land assembly efforts.“We’re trying to acquire acreage throughout the municipality to control its use,” Lasko explains. Reserving this land for middle-income or affordable housing projects will ensure these developments align with Huron’s broader vision for the community. LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR CONNECTIVITY AND GROWTH 178 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01
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