Corkboard:Monthly News from the Michigan Suburbs Alliance



	Volume 1 Number 7 \| December 2005
	In this issue... E.D. Message: A look at the first First Suburb Project Updates: The Suburbs Alliance helps craft housing recommendations In the News: Collaboration dominates the press in November Upcoming Events: Redevelopment Summit revs up for a return
	Message from the Executive Director The First First Suburb "No great town can long exist without great suburbs." *Frederick* *Law Olmsted* Riverside . The name itself conjures up the peaceful, innocent life of the country, a simple life strongly contrasting the bustle of the big city. The village itself is nine miles outside of Chicago and it blossomed to fullness in 1871, two years after its initial planning by Frederick Law Olmsted and his partner, Calvert Vaux. Riverside is a true First Suburb - a community deliberately designed to be separate from, yet interdependent with a core city. In the 130-some years since its founding, the community has maintained its character and vibrancy, offering lessons and challenges to our cities as we strive to reinvent our region. We are at a time to capture and expand upon the Riverside model to strengthen the diversity and economic strength of our region. Finish reading Project Updates MDRII November was exciting for the MDRII project. On the 14th, grantees participated in LISC's Policy Leadership Training where they learned strategies for tackling policy issues that affect the efficiency of their projects. Our own Conan Smith was a featured speaker. The groups have also been busy with their project plans. The Fort-Visger Initiative's subcommittee on public safety has been hammering out details for a cross-border neighborhood patrol. The Detroit/Grosse Pointe Park Collaborative created subgroups to address issues of business and commerce as well as arts, recreation, and youth activities. And finally, the Warren V-8 Collaborative focused on solidifying next steps for executing their plans for a greenway and other projects. Affordable Housing During the past few months, the Suburbs Alliance has taken an active role in the Michigan State Housing and Development Authority (MSHDA) Land Use work group. Contributors from MSHDA, the Suburbs Alliance, the Michigan Environmental Council, the Michigan Association of Planning, and other organizations have created a series of recommendations to improve the housing/land use paradigm in Michigan. Issues of sprawl, legacy costs, and exclusionary zoning are just a few of the hot topics. The recommendations will continue to be researched for potential impact and feasibility before being published for public opinion. A public hearing on the work group's overall strategy will be held next week. Stay tuned for how to contribute, and in the meantime, click here for more information on MSHDA's Land Use work group. back to top>> In the News Thanks to the Creating Collaborative Communities conference, the seed of regional collaboration has been planted, and public interest in the welfare of cities is taking off. Following the conference, the Free Press ran an op-ed about the benefits of municipal collaboration. Check out "Team up for savings." In addition, throughout November, Michigan Farm Radio ran a series of reports on the Creating Collaborative Communities program. Download the audio installment here. If that is not enough Suburbs Alliance publicity for you, here's another must-read: "Lift cities, reverse property tax rules," an op-ed written by the one and only Conan Smith. Honing in on the root cause of municipal money woes (state and federal policies and legislative action), Conan prescribes an action plan for a financially secure future. Don't miss this one! Hats off to Jim Townsend, Board Member and former Executive Director of the Suburbs Alliance. Jim was named one of Crain's Detroit's 40 Under 40 in September. Currently, he is the Executive Director of the Tourism Economic Development Council and is working to boost regional tourism in metro Detroit. Congrats, Jim! Today is the last day to purchase Super Bowl banners from the Tourism Economic Development Council. The banners can be hung indoors or outdoors and are available to local governments, nonprofits, and businesses. Several Suburbs Alliance communities have already ordered theirs to decorate their city halls. If your city is interested, go to www.theworldiscoming.com to place an order. back to top>> Upcoming Events Our annual Redevelopment Summit is scheduled for February 24th and quickly approaching. We are seeking vendors and sponsors to help make this event even better than last year. Melanie Brown is on hand to respond to any comments and/or questions, so shoot her an email if you're ready to get plans in motion. All interested parties are welcome and encouraged to join the planning committee meeting which meets next week. Registration will open soon! Friday, December 9. 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. Council Chambers at Ferndale City Hall If you are looking to learn more about the overall strategy of the MSHDA Land Use work group, be sure to attend the public hearing this Friday. Friday, December 9. 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Focus: Hope Center for Advance Technology 1400 Oakman Blvd. Detroit, MI 48238 The RRC Committee is busy rewriting the RRC standards and best practices. Anyone who's interested is welcome to join this lively gang, just get in touch with Melanie and let her know you're coming. Friday, December 16. 8:00-10:00 a.m. Council Chambers at Ferndale City Hall The Creating Collaborative Communities Workshop Series kicks off next month with Fire Services. Registration is now open! This half-day workshop equips city leaders and fire service providers with the skills and knowledge necessary for developing successful fire service partnerships. A light breakfast will be provided. Three additional workshops in the spring will focus on public works and police services. For more information on the Fire Services workshop or others in the series, contact Rachel Gartell. Register today! Fire Services Workshop Wednesday, January 19. 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Fairlane Center at the University of Michigan - Dearborn back to top>>