Volume 2 Number 12: May 2007

                  

We'll convene in new member city Lathrup Village

this Friday for our 2007 Annual Meeting

 


Director's Message


Help us celebrate our first 5 years - 
REGISTER TODAY for our annual meeting!


This month Associate Director Melanie Piana waxes poetic on her recent experience with redevelopment in Germany.

From Städtverfall to Civic Success
    
 Last September, Robin Boyle, Chair of the Geography and Urban Planning department at Wayne State University, asked if I was interested in co-authoring a paper and presentation about the Suburbs Alliance’s Redevelopment Ready Communities program for the 2nd Annual European Conference on Managing Urban Land in Stuttgart, Germany (yes, a mouthful). Of course I was interested! It was an opportunity to travel and gain a new perspective on how our European friends plan for redevelopment.  Finish reading

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Project Updates

  
RRC Count: 7

With Grosse Pointe Woods being awarded certification last month, southeast Michigan is now home to seven Redevelopment Ready Communities!  Details on Grosse Pointe Woods' path to certification are waiting to be read here.  Applications for the new program year will be released this month.  Charter members - get ready to apply to this nationally-recognized program!

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Innovative Nonprofit Seeks Student Passionate About Redevelopment

We're looking for a little help this summer from a creative, knowledgeable student.  Our redevelopment intern will assist with the Redevelopment Ready Communities and Michigan's Golden Spike programs.  We could use some help tracking down the ideal candidate, so please spread the word!  Details about the Redevelopment Intern position are here. 

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In the News

  

Just days after graduating from the University of Michigan's Masters of Urban Planning program, Luke Forrest has become our new public policy director.  Luke began working with the Suburbs Alliance a year ago this month as an intern and, since the fall, has been a part-time project assistant.  Feel free to drop him a welcome note at luke@suburbsalliance.org.  Congrats, Luke, and welcome!   
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Citizens Research Council has just released a new reference document outlining all Michigan laws that authorize joint service delivery.  The 77 provisions in Michigan law are presented in outline form to provide legal citations, describe the functions or services that can be jointly provided and types of governments eligible to use the laws, explore the financial powers gained by utilizing these laws. . .the list goes on.  Learn how your city can use the law to its advantage in Authorization for Interlocal Agreements and Intergovernmental Cooperation in Michigan.

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A year after becoming one of the first Redevelopment Ready Communities in metro Detroit, charter member Hazel Park (http://www.hazelpark.org) is welcoming its first condo development and largest residential project in 25 years!  Read more. . .
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Welcome Highland Park!  Highland Park is our newest charter member, which puts our city count to 29 and moves the Suburbs Alliance one step closer to representing 1 million southeast Michiganders!  Home to the Model T, mass production and the first paved mile of highway in the nation, Highland Park - like many of southeast Michigan's inner-ring suburbs - adds rich cultural heritage to our region.  Learn more about our newest member at the city's website, http://cityofhighlandpark.us/.  
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Cheers to SEMCOG whose executive committee last week approved an amendment to their voting process that will help create greater consensus around regional decisions.  SEMCOG will incorporate a populations-weighted vote into all of their decisions, taking advantage of new technology to tally and record the votes.  This new system will dramatically improve the balance between urban and rural interests, likely compelling more significant discussions about investment priorities.

 

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Upcoming Events

  
    2007
Suburbs Alliance
Fundraiser & Annual Meeting


In just five years of existence, the Suburbs Alliance has grown into an influential and respected advocacy organization representing nearly one million southeast Michigan residents.  This Friday we'll celebrate our accomplishments over the past half decade and talk about how we can harness our collective strength moving forward.  One thing we know for sure is that we'll need your support!  Your ticket purchase will bolster our work over the next 12 months AND score you some Suburbs Alliance membership perks.  Register now!

 

2007 Fundraiser & Annual Meeting

Friday, May 11, 2007.  9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Michigan First Credit Union.  Lathrup Village, MI

Click here for more event info

 

Charter members: make sure your city is represented so you can cast your vote in the Board of Directors election.  RSVP today!

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Intergovernmental Cooperation in Michigan: A Regional Dialogue

We are recruiting a team of local leaders from Suburbs Alliance member cities to attend an MSU-sponsored dialogue about intergovernmental cooperation and regionalism.  Discussion will ultimately result in a consensus document outlining policy changes to enable greater regional cooperation.  Interested?  Contact conan@suburbsalliance.org.  More details are available here.

Thursday, May 17 - Friday, May 18, 2007
Kellogg Center
East Lansing, MI

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Mayors & Managers Breakfast: Legacy Costs
Next on the agenda for the M&M Breakfast series is legacy costs.  It's no secret that growing retirement and healthcare expenses are threatening to shut down some cities.  Save the date for this discussion about ways local governments can overcome these expensive challenges.  Charter members can RSVP to melanie@suburbsalliance.org.  General registration will open soon!

 

Mayors & Managers Breakfast: Legacy Costs
Friday, June 29, 2007
8:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Macomb Community College - South Campus
14500 E. 12 Mile Rd.

Warren, MI 48088
 

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