On this month's Corkboard...

• E.D. Message: Firefighters are doing their job, it's time for us to do ours
• Project Updates: Suburbs Alliance, MEC, TEDC awarded beaucoup bucks for TOD project   
• In the News: Brookings writers look at mature suburbs around the country
• Upcoming Events: Inner-ring leaders to convene in D.C.

Hamtramck: "Detroit's Hippest Community"             

Message from the Executive Director

A Region on Fire

It's one of the toughest jobs in the nation.  Whether it's battling building blazes, responding to floods, or answering the call for emergency management on our highways, our firefighters accept enormous risk in exchange for the opportunity to serve us, our friends, family and neighbors.  The firefighting industry, however, is in a period of significant transition.  Improved building materials, better codes and increased public education are all contributing to a reduction in fire incidents.  So, many political leaders are faced with the challenging question of justifying the expense for personnel without compromising the safety of their citizens, no matter how remote.    Finish Reading

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Project Updates

Michigan's Golden Spike
The Suburbs Alliance has just received word that the Kellogg Foundation's People and Land group is awarding us $150K to kick off Michigan's Golden Spike, a transit-oriented development (TOD) project for the Ann Arbor-Detroit mass transit line. Working with the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) and the Tourism Economic Development Corporation (TEDC), the Suburbs Alliance will educate the public about the merits of transit-oriented development, build a network of community and business leaders interested in mass transit, and assist four cities in developing high-density, mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods in the areas surrounding the stops. For more information on TOD, click here. Stay posted for updates on this exciting new project!
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Creating Collaborative Communities
Managerial, financial, and technical representatives from over 20 southeast Michigan cities participated in discussions about collaborative fire service efforts at our first half-day workshop.  Attendees received a "collaboration how-to" manual, which includes key steps, best practices, elements of success, and case studies of service partnerships from around Michigan. Electronic versions of this binder are available; just drop a note to Rachel Gartell if you would like a copy.  Additional workshops focusing on new topics will be held in the spring.  We'll let you know when dates are set.

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In the News

Bruce Katz and Robert Puentes of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program discuss the challenges cities in Nassau County, New York and other inner-ring suburbs around the country are facing in last Sunday's New York Times.  "Extreme Makeover: Nassau" also highlights how Arlington, Virginia reinvented itself by embracing transit-oriented development.  This is good stuff, check it out!
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Governor Granholm kicked off the new year by signing a bill that will help older, core communities stimulate investment and retain residents by cutting property taxes.  Public Acts 338, 339 and 340 will eliminate the Proposal A "pop-ups" that occur when a home is sold for houses located in designated neighborhood enterprise zones.  Read Crain's reporter Amy Lane's article to learn more.

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Kudos to Roseville, Warren and Eastpointe, three southern Macomb County Suburbs Alliance members whose redevelopment efforts were recognized last month in Crain's Detroit Business.  Faced with declining populations, these cities have been fighting to attract new investment � and are doing a pretty darn good job of it!  How, you ask?  Well, Eastpointe is an RRC pilot city, but read "Southern Strategy" to see how others have approached redevelopment.

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Upcoming Events

The RRC pilot cities will be officially recognized next month at a certification ceremony.  Join the Suburbs Alliance, local elected officials, developers, and possibly even Governor Granholm to support these cities' hard work!  We will also be announcing the new RRC standards at this event.  Location specifics are still being nailed down; contact Melanie for details.

Wednesday, March 8.  9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Hazel Park

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With the impending certification announcement for the RRC pilot cities, the Committee is getting ready for a new round of RRC cities.  Contact Melanie Brown if your city is interested in applying to the RRC program for 2006.  Join us this month as we finalize revisions of the standards and best practices. 

Friday, February 17.  8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Council Chambers at Ferndale City Hall

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One-Fifth of the Nation: America's First Suburbs
The Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program will present a morning symposium focusing on America's inner-ring, "first" suburbs featuring Hillary Clinton as the keynote speaker. Highlighting the event is the release of a new Brookings report presenting a range of demographic, market, and economic changes in first suburbs over the past 50 years. Following the presentation will be a panel comprised of leaders from a diverse set of first suburbs who will focus the discussion on their assets, as well as the particular challenges these places are facing. Melanie Brown will be there representing the Suburbs Alliance.  For more information contact Saundra Honeysett, via phone at 202-797-6139 or e-mail at mailto:shoneysett@brookings.edu?subject=First Suburbs Event.

Wednesday, February 15.  8:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Brookings Institution Falk Auditorium

Washington D.C.

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Registration will soon begin for our 2nd annual Redevelopment Summit, which will focus on city marketing. It is not too late to be a vendor or sponsor for the event, but those interested should contact Melanie Brown ASAP.  April is just around the corner!

 

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