Collaboration will create vision for Colon

The first step in a long and comprehensive process to create a vision for the village of Colon begins tonight.

Colon Downtown Development Authority and the village council have partnered to engage in a collaboration with Michigan State University. Together, and with the input of business owners and the public, the focus will center on a project called Sustainable Built Environmental Initiative.

DDA chair Tadd Davis said SBEI is a project through MSU’s School of Planning, Design and Construction, as well as MSU Extension. They assist communities to address physical planning, design and land-use issues.

Davis said today’s session is the first of three. The 90-minute program starts at 6 p.m. at Curly’s. He said final information will be handed off to the DDA as a sort-of road map to guide its members through the future.

According to the details of SBEI, its project objectives include assessing and developing the downtown business area, creating a cohesive look that ties the village together, increasing the village’s appeal and making the downtown area pedestrian friendly.