Volume 2 Number 10: March 2007

                  

Depot Town in Ypsilanti

Q&A with the Executive Director

Crafting an Image

Q.      
 Dear Suburbs Alliance:  I just got back from Chattanooga, TN – a wonderful place that my boyfriend dragged me to because he read about the train station there.  While it was definitely romantic, what I noticed most is that it’s not all that different from metro Detroit . . . hey, we’ve got The Henry Ford!  The thing is, people flock there for vacation.  It’s hard to imagine that about our corner of the world.  What’s the deal?

– Christine P.

A.       
Dear Christine,
You’re right that southeast Michigan can offer just about everything any other region can.  If you live here, you know that.  It’s our reputation beyond our borders that poses serious challenges for us, and that’s a hard-earned standing that is going to take both positive messaging and proactive reforms to overcome.  That’s the focus of our March 23rd Regional Redevelopment Summit this year, where you can learn great strategies for hyping up what’s great about Metro Detroit and honing in on those things that need to be torn down and rebuilt.  Finish reading

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Project Updates

  
Hubba Hubbub

The first quarter edition of Suburban Hubbub is in circulation.  This issue surveys the 2007 legislative landscape and comes fresh with bios of new state reps, analysis of southeast Michigan's increased clout in the capital, and info on newly created committees.  Read it here.

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Jobhunters come hither

Our papers are piled high, our calendars are out of control, and we have more admin tasks than we know how to handle.  Capable, creative, committed individuals - we need you!  That's why we've created a new administrative assistant position.  If you are searching for an innovative, flexible work environment in an organization working to improve southeast Michigan, apply today!  Know someone who may be interested?  Send them our way!

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A little help from our friends?

We are looking to recruit several helpers for our Regional Redevelopment Summit on March 23. Volunteers receive complimentary admission in addition to our eternal appreciation.  Email melanie@suburbsalliance.org if you're interested. 

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 Hats off to the greenies

If you attended the Mayors and Managers Breakfast on energy efficiency last week, congrats!  You deserve a pat on the back.  The feedback was outstanding and will help us tremendously in shaping our recommendations for state and local action to address our energy challenges, which you'll find in the next issue of In the Ring.  On a side note, the Suburbs Alliance staff enjoyed an afternoon in Lansing this past month delivering the first issue of In the Ring to state legislators.  Let us know if you have any questions about our revenue sharing recommendations!

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One D Survey from United Way et al

United Way, metromode and a slew of other community organizations want to know what you think of the quality of life in southeast Michigan.  Results will help the One D alliance and partners address regional challenges and build a stronger, more vibrant southeast Michigan.  Take it here.

 

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In the News

  

The U.S. EPA's National Award for Smart Growth Achievement is up for grabs!  Local and state governments and other public sector entities are eligible.  This year features a new category - Equitable Development.  Demonstrate your community's success and commitment to Smart Growth - apply today! 

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The Michigan Government Finance Officers Association has published a new white paper on collaboration.  Selling Stakeholders on Interlocal Cooperation offers helpful advice on implementing successful service sharing agreements.  Definitely worth a read.  Find it and other resources on service sharing in the Joint Service Delivery/Intergovernmental Cooperation section of our website. 

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Here's two new tools to check out: Citizen Planner Online, a training tool for citizens and officials involved in land use planning, and SGRAT, the Smart Growth Readiness Assessment Tool.  Both will help your community become better equipped to plan and manage growth.   


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Upcoming Events

  

Cutting Costs, Not Services

Looking for insight on service consolidation and cooperation?  Eric Lupher, the Citizen Research Council's Director of Local Affairs, and Naheed Huq, SEMCOG's Manager of Community and Economic Development, are teaming up to instruct a seminar offered by the Institute for Local Government. It will take place on Thursday, March 15.  For more info, visit CRC's website.  

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Regional Redevelopment Summit

Our annual Redevelopment Summit has become a showcase Suburbs Alliance event, drawing attendees from the government, development, real estate and nonprofit communities to learn about current best practices in redevelopment.  This year’s Summit will focus on innovative marketing strategies for promoting communities and redevelopment sites.

 

Register here!


Paul Schutt, publisher and co-CEO of Issue Media Group, will keynote the event.  Also joining us is Jim Townsend of the Tourism Economic Development Council, Michael Finney of Ann Arbor SPARK, Bill Milliken, Jr. of Milliken Realty Company, and Doug Brown of ASTI Environmental.  Interested?  Go to our website for more info on speaker topics, registration info, and special offers.

 

Businesses and other organizations can now sign up to become vendors in the Redevelopment Marketplace.  This bazaar-like atmosphere gives representatives from local government, development, real estate, finance, and nonprofits a chance to interact and converse while browsing the products, services and properties for redevelopment available throughout southeast Michigan.  Download the Marketplace Vendor Registration Form to check out available sponsor packages and register for the event.  Questions?  Email Melanie Piana. 

 

2007 Regional Redevelopment Summit

"Placemaking: Marketing Your City for Redevelopment"

Friday, March 23, 2007.  8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The Fairlane Club

5000 Fairlane Woods Dr.

Dearborn, MI  48126
Event website

 

The 2007 Regional Redevelopment Summit is sponsored by the Michigan Suburbs Alliance, the Detroit Regional Chamber, and Wayne State University.

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Shrinking Cities

Shrinking Cities, a project by Germany's Federal Cultural Foundation, the Kulturstiftung des Bundes, explores a form of urban development that has become a global phenomenon. Starting in 2002, local teams were commissioned in Detroit, Manchester/Liverpool (Britain), Ivanovo (Russia), and Halle/Leipzig (Germany) to investigate and document processes of urban shrinking. In more than fifty exhibition contributions, artists, architects, filmmakers, journalists, culture experts, and sociologists reveal and illuminate the changing realities of these cities.  The Shrinking Cities exhibit is on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit and Cranbrook Art Museum until April 1. Read on for more info...

 

Visit our website for more upcoming events!

 

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