News & Events

In the News

The following news and feature stories highlight the Michigan Suburbs Alliance, its projects and its staff.

2012

• "SOUTHGATE: City to film energy assessments for local cable." (News Herald, January 12, 2012)

2011

• "Commentary: Transportation key to young staying in state." (Detroit News, December 15, 2011)
• "Bus Rapid Transit: A real alternative to light rail, or just a lovely parting gift?" (Mlive.com, December 14, 2011)
• "Economic Development office helps businesses grow, promotes energy efficiency." (Advisor & Source, December 14, 2011)
• "SOUTHGATE: Energy Efficiency Forum Tonight At City Hall." (Downriver News Herald, December 13, 2011)
• "Residents invited to a holiday energy-saving workshop." (Advisor & Source, November 21, 2011)
• "Federal program to provide energy audits for Macomb County homeowners." (The Macomb Daily, November 12, 2011)
• "Better energy efficiency for Roseville Homes." (Roseville C&G News, November 2, 2011)
• "Guest Commentary: Highland Park makes wise investment in LED lighting." (Detroit Free Press, November 1, 2011)
• "Transforming Woodward." (The Collaborative Group blog, November 1, 2011)
• "Conan Smith praises governor for supporting increased road funding and regional transit authority." (AnnArbor.com, October 26, 2011)
• "BetterBuildings program officially kicks off." (Sterling Heights C&G News, October 12, 2011)
• Working Films blog post: "Reimagining the Region: Building A New Detroit Metropolis." (Working Films, October 5, 2011)
• "New partnership aims to assist businesses with efficiency upgrades." (C&G News, October 4, 2011)
• "Green energy grant program begins." (The News Herald, September 18, 2011)
• "SEMREO set to kick of 'Better Buildings' program." (Advisor & Source, September 15, 2011)
• "SOUTHGATE: City adding to 'green' initiatives." (The News Herald, September 13, 2011)
• "Engaging the new metropolis." (Model D Media, September 13, 2011)
• "Cool Places to Work 2011." (Crain's Detroit Business, September 5, 2011)
• "Two Ypsilanti neighborhoods approved for energy improvement breaks." (AnnArbor.com, August 22, 2011)
• "YPSILANTI: Local neighborhoods to participate in energy savings program." (Ypsilanti Courier, August 19, 2011)
• "YPSILANTI: U of M students work to help municipalities improve energy efficiency." (Ypsilanti Courier, August 19, 2011)
• "Neighborhood tapped for energy-efficiency program." (C & G News, August 17, 2011)
• "SOUTHGATE: Residents in designated neighborhood will see up to $1M in energy-efficient upgrades." (The News Herald, August 13, 2011)
• UniverCities Interns Jordan Eizenga & Michael Stepniak guest blog (MetroMode, August 8, 2011)
• "Washtenaw County OKs Energy Accord." (The Ann Arbor Chronicle, August 3, 2011)
• "Next stop: Oakland?: Suburbs study expansion of Woodward rail." (Crain's Detroit Business, July 31, 2011)
• "UniverCities tasks interns to cut 25% of municipal energy usage." (Concentrate, July 27, 2011)
• "Sterling Heights neighborhood selected for energy-efficiency project." (Advisor & Source, July 25, 2011)
• "Green living: simple, affordable, sustainable." (C & G News, July 13, 2011)
• "Highland Park's first hoop house grows some city green." (Model D, June 21, 2011)
• "Woodward Avenue as linear city." (Metromode, June 9, 2011)
• "DOE BetterBuildings case studies highlight replicable lessons for energy efficiency programs." (FM Link, May 30, 2011)
• "Metro Detroit ranked 12th most dangerous in nation for pedestrian deaths." (Oakland Press, May 26, 2011)
• "Report: Detroit Among Most Dangerous For Pedestrians." (NBC Detroit, May 25, 2011)
• "Ann Arbor Spark keeps current chairman, elects new board members." (Crain's Detroit Business, May 26, 2011)
• "Ann Arbor SPARK reconfigures Board of Directors." (AnnArbor.com. May 23, 2011)
• "Earth Day: Teaching kids to live green." (Wicked Local Nantucket, April 21, 2011)
• "City awarded grant to install new lights at DPW." (Advisor and Source, April 20, 2011)
• "Interview with Conan Smith, Executive Director of the Michigan Suburbs Alliance." (Michigan Policy Network, April 19, 2011)
• "Energy grant sheds new light in Hazel Park." (Daily Tribune, March 31, 2011)
• "SOUTHGATE: City receives $45,000 grant to further energy conservation projects." (The News Herald, March 26, 2011)
• "Lathrup offers deal for energy efficiency." (C & G News, March 24, 2011)
• "What Does Washtenaw Corridor Need?" (The Ann Arbor Chronicle, March 15, 2011.)
• "ESD Talks Billions In Renewable Energy Opportunities." (CBS Detroit, March 2, 2011)
• "Hoping to Hop on Board." (Metro Times, March 2, 2011)
• "95 More Efficient Ferndale Homes." (Ferndale 115, February 22, 2011)
• "TESTIMONY OF MICHIGAN SUBURBS ALLIANCE REGARDING HOUSE BILL 4214 AND 4215 OF 2011." (Benton Spirit, February 17, 2011)
• "Lighting upgrades conserve power in city buildings." (C & G News, January 26, 2011)
• "LINCOLN PARK: City installs LED streetlights." (The News-Herald, January 20, 2011)
• "More Stimulus Money For Michigan Neighborhoods." (Michigan Radio, January 18, 2011)
• "Energy-efficient lighting will save city thousands annually." (Downriver Sunday Times, January 15, 2011)
• "The Suburbs Are Suffering Too." (Detroit 2020, January 7, 2011)

2010

• "Governor Comes to Town to Kick Off Energy Efficiency Program." (Ferndale Patch, December 10, 2010)
• "City Hall Reworked For Efficiency." (C & G News, December 9, 2010)
• "Woodward communities form task force to discuss transportation vision." (Metromode, December 2, 2010)
• "Task force to study support for mass transit in Oakland County." Crain's Detroit Business, November 19, 2010)
• "Ferndale Neighborhood Picked for Better Buildings Grants." (Ferndale 115, November 10, 2011)
• "Cleanup of contaminated GM sites nears: $26 million slated for metro Detroit." (Crain's Detroit Business, October 24, 2010)
• SEMCOG snags $2.8M Sustainable Communities grant." (Concentrate, October 10, 2010)
• "$30M in fed cash set aside for building retrofits." (Concentrate, April 28, 2010)
• "Washtenaw County saves $766,900 with solar panels." (Get Off the Grid!, January 4, 2010).

2009

• "The year that was." (C and G News, December 30, 2009).
• "Community energy savings part of millennial outreach." (Crain's Detroit Business, December 20, 2009)
• "Millennials helping metro Detroit take action." (PAL Update, Fall 2009)
• "Quarterly News & Updates." (Oakland County Board of Commissioners, Fall/Winter 2009)
• "Creating an attractive region." (One D video, December 18, 2009)
• "Strong commitment to cooperation." (One D video, December 18, 2009)
• "Civic Opportunities Network." (YouTube, December 13, 2009)
• "Region on its way to being an arsenal of sustainability." (Hometown Life, December 10, 2009)
• "County board hears protests, passes budget." (The Ann Arbor Chronicle, December 6, 2009)
• "County board faces full year-end agenda." (The Ann Arbor Chronicle, November 29, 2009)
• "Washtenaw County Avails Itself of $766,900." (Cooler Planet, November 24, 2009)
• "Washtenaw County to get $2.5 million in energy efficiency programs." (Ann Arbor.com, November 19, 2009)
• "Newest council member topped election." (Royal Oak Daily Tribune, November 8, 2009)
• "Ferndale split on gay candidates." (Between the Lines, November 5, 2009)
• "Blogger: Megan Owens." (metromode, November 5, 2009)
• "Election night in Washtenaw County." (The Ann Arbor Chronicle, November 4, 2009)
• "New commissioners opposed moratorium." (Royal Oak Daily Tribune, November 4, 2009)
• "Green Michigan conference focuses on sustainable options." (metromode, October 29, 2009)
• "Finances top concern of council candidates." (Ferndale Mirror, October 25, 2009)
• "Ferndale candidates eye shelter move, deficit." (Royal Oak Daily Tribune, October 25, 2009)
• "Future, Past: Meet Present." (Ecology of Absence, October 21, 209)
• ""Mayor Majewski deserves re-election in Hamtramck." (Detroit Free Press, October 16, 2009)
• "Bringing cities together is her passion." (Detroit Free Press, October 9, 2009)
• "Shining Light winners show right path." (Detroit Free Press, October 9, 2009)
• "Lessons for Detroit from Torino." (Next American City, September 22, 2009)
• "Shining Light awards honor three for outstanding commitment to region." (CNBC, August 31, 2009)
• "Shining Light awards honor three for outstanding commitment to region." (Entrepreneur, August 31, 2009)
• "Shining Light awards honor three for outstanding commitment to region." (MarketWatch, August 31, 2009)
• "Congratulations to Brittany & the Suburbs Alliance." (Vote Jim Townsend, August 31, 2009)
• "Shining Light awards honor three for outstanding commitment to region." (Reuters, August 31, 2009)
• "Shining Light awards honor three for outstanding commitment to region." (EarthTimes, August 31, 2009)
• "Shining Light awards honor three for outstanding commitment to region." (mlive, August 31, 2009).
• "Honoring those who make a difference in Detroit." (Detroit Free Press, August 30, 2009)
• "Woods leaders hope to realize long-term savings from energy agreement." (C and G News, August 2009)
• "Farms council narrowly approves energy agreement." (C and G News, August 2009)
• "Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office to expand." (metromode, August 6, 2009)
• "Millennial Mayors Congress launches in Michigan." (1,000 Friends of Connecticut, August 3, 2009)
• "Two more cities join Michigan regional energy initiative." (Pure Eco, July 29, 2009)
• "Madison Heights, Ferndale join regional energy initiative." (Crain's Detroit Business, July 28, 2009)
• "Sustainability is focus of Millennial Mayors Congress meeting" (Crain's Detroit Business, July 24, 2009)
• "Metro cities to get new grants." (Detroit Free Press, July 11, 2009).
• "Michigan Suburbs Alliance aims to regionalize stimulus money." (The Ann Arbor Business Review, July 7, 2009).
• "Under-30 crowd gives input for revitalizing region." (The Source, July 6, 2009).
• "Roseville, Lincoln Park join energy-efficiency coalition." (Crain's Detroit Business, July 6, 2009).
• "Local Congress brings new generation of leaders." (Detroit Free Press, June 30, 2009).
• "Neighborhoods get new life with with a little work." (Lexington Herald-Leader, June 28, 2009). Reprinted from the Associated Press.
• "Grassroots efforts to deal with repossession properties." (E-Foreclosure Magazine, June 26, 2009).
• "Cities seek to stem rising tide of vacant properties caught up in nation's housing downturn." (Simple Thoughts, June 24, 2009. Reprinted from the Associated Press.
• "Cities and citizens try to reclaim vacant lots." (Associated Press, June 24, 2009).
• "Hills leads by putting first 'green' foot forward" (metromode, June 30, 2009). Reprinted from Hometown Life.
• "Hills sends right message in joining Regional Energy Office." (Hometown Life, June 18, 2009).
• "City's representative named to Millennial Mayors Congress Executive Committee." (City of Sterling Heights, June 18, 2009).
• "Hills leads by putting first 'green' foot forward" (Hometown Life, June 14, 2009).
• "Community Foundation celebrates 25 years of good deeds with surprise $25,000 grants" (Model D, June 9, 2009).
• "25 area nonprofits get surprise grants of $25,000" (Detroit Free Press, June 7, 2009).
• "Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan Marks 25 Years of Service to Region" (PR-USA, June 7, 2009)
• "Millennials Matter." (metromode, June 4, 2009).
• "Community Foundation gives total of $625,000 to 25 area nonprofits" (Crain's Detroit Business, June 4, 2009).
• "Millennial Mayors Congress" (Michigan Youth Political Alliance, June 3, 2009).
• "City of Ferndale - Millennial Mayors Congress" (City of Ferndale, 2009).
• "Community Foundation gives total of $625,000 to 25 area nonprofits" (Crain's Detroit Business, June 4, 2009).
• "Millennial congress' goal: Help area move beyond an automotive economy" (Crain's Detroit Business, May 31, 2009).
• "MNA member goes mobile." (Michigan Nonprofit Association, May 19 2009).
• "Grant could bring green to 'green' Farmington Hills city hall" (Mirror, May 13, 2009)
• "Events: Millennial Mayors Congress" (GLUESpace, May 8, 2009).
• "Michigan Suburbs Alliance." (Michigan Policy Network, May 1, 2009).
• "Southfield forum hopes to foster better relations between Detroit and suburbs." (The Detroit News, April 29, 2009).
• "Millennial Mayors Congress Engages Leaders of Tomorrow" (City of Taylor, April 19, 2009).
• "Conan Smith." (Concentrate, April 16, 2009).
• "Under 30 and involved." (metromode, April 2, 2009).
• "Energy efficiency center expands horizons." (Crain's Detroit Business, March 8, 2009).
• "Alliance searching for young leaders." (Crain's Detroit Business, March 3, 2009).
• "City aims to retain, attract young people." (City of Sterling Heights, March 3, 2009)
• "Community Conversation with Millennials" (Michigan NOW, February 23, 2009).
• "The Millennial Mayors Congress" (Motor City Connect. February 22, 2009).
• "Regional effort launches Web site, awards program for young leaders" (Crain's Detroit Business, January 27, 2009).
• "Review: Retrofitting Suburbia" (The Urbanophile, January 10, 2009).

2008

• "Millennial Mayors Congress - Post 4" (metromode, December 17, 2008).
• "Alliance to enlist young leaders--Millennial Congress: Empower the next generation" (Detroit Make it Here, December 16, 2008. Reprint from Crain's).
• "Detroit, The Land of Opportunity" (metromode, December 15, 2008).
• "A proving ground for innovative problem-solving/collaboration" (metromode, December 12, 2008).
• "Michigan Suburbs Alliance expands its office virtually" (metromode, December 11, 2008).
• "Millennial Mayors Congress - The Backstory" (metromode, December 11, 2008)
• "Take a free trolley ride to shop, dine, see lights" (The Detroit Free Press, December 8, 2008)
• "Millennial Mayors Congress" (D-Blog Design Cell, November 11, 2008)
• "'08 election another milestone for political family" (The Ann Arbor News, November 8, 2008)
• "Internship Program Gives Michigan Students Link to Comeback" (WWJ Newsradio 950, October 30, 2008)
• "Michigan Millennial Joins Congress" (Social Citizens, October 1, 2008)
• "Smart Mayors Meet Millennials" (CEOS for Cities, September 23, 2008)
• "Redevelopment Program Comes to Benton Harbor" (WSJM AM 1400 & FM 94.9, July 29, 2008)
• "Brownstones in the Mix" (The Detroit Free Press, July 28, 2008)
• "Rebuilding America's First Suburbs" (Democratic Leadership Council, May 11, 2008)
• "MPSC Approves Nearly $6.5 million in Michigan Energy Efficiency Grants" (Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, May 8, 2008)
• "Collaborative seeks to make area communities more energy efficient" (Crain's Detroit Business, June 16, 2008)
• "MPSC Approves $6.5M in Energy Efficiency Grants" (WWJ Newsradio 950, October 30, 2008)
• "Initiative Can Keep Talented Youth In State" (The Detroit Free Press endorsement of the Millennial Mayors Congress, May 23, 2008)
• "MPSC approves nearly $6.5 million in energy efficiency grants." (Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth, May 8, 2009)
• "Suburbs Alliance Annual Meeting" (D-Blog: Design Cell, May 6, 2008)
• Brownfields and Michigan: Interview with Melanie Piana, Doug Brown, and Peter Allen (WDET 101.9, May 1, 2008)
• "Rewriting the Story of Inner Ring Suburbs" (PM Magazine cover story, April 2008)
• "Event puts spotlight on urban redevelopment" (Oakland Business Review, March 6, 2008)
• Regional Redevelopment Summit: Interview with Melanie Piana, Jim Townsend, and Steve Duchane (WDET 101.9, March 4, 2008)
• "Just go" (Metro Times, February 27, 2008)
• "Regional Redevelopment Summit" (Transportation Riders United, February 21, 2008)
• "DLEG Energy Office Awards 'Rebuild Michigan' Community Partnership Grants Totaling $77,849" (Michigan.gov, February 21, 2008)
• "Cities Strive to Use Less Juice" (The Detroit Free Press, February 17, 2008)
• "Kresge Foundation's Fourth Quarter Grants of Nearly $50 Million Highlight its New Values Criteria" (Kresge Foundation, January 16, 2008)
• "Restoring Prosperity" (Restoring Prosperity, January 14, 2008)

2007

• "Push for regional mass transit grows in Metro Detroit" (Oakland Business Review, November 6, 2007)
• "Message from the Mayor" (City of Berkley, October 2007)
• "Michigan Suburbs Alliance breakfast to focus on healthcare legacy costs" (metromode, June 12, 2007)
• "Detroit needs millennials, millennials need transit" (Transportation Riders United, June 11, 2008)
• "Interview: Conan Smith" (Jack Lessenberry Essays and Interviews, April 3, 2007)
• "Michigan Suburbs Alliance to host annual Regional Redevelopment Summit Mar. 23" (Model D, March 20, 2007)
• "Building walkable communities" from Michigan State University's Engaged Scholar magazine (Vol. 2 2007)
• "Immobility in the Motor City" (Toni Moceri and Kelly Parker) Note: This article is a component of the Shrinking Cities initiative.
• Detroit Today: Interview with Conan Smith (WDET, May 10, 2007) Note: Select the 5-10-2007 episode of "Detroit Today"  from the program archives.
• Jack Lessenberry's Interviews and Essays: Interview with Conan Smith, Michigan Suburbs Alliance (Michigan Public Radio, April 3, 2007)
• Charlie Mahoney Named Guardian Angel of the Year by Monroe County United Way (March 28, 2007)
• "Speakers promote business accelerators, helping entrepreneurs" (Crain's Detroit Business, March 26, 2007)
• "Suburbs get tips on development" (The Detroit Free Press, March 24, 2007)
• "Betting on the Tracks" (metromode, March 21, 2007)
• "The Future, According to a Non-Prophet Organization" (metromode, March 21, 2007)
• "Building Money and Power" (metromode, March 19, 2007)
• "Looking Back for a Way Forward" (metromode, March 16, 2007)
• "I Only Wanted Something Else To Do But Hang Around" (metromode, March 15, 2007)
• "Mayor Brown Gives State of the City Address" (City of Lincoln Park, March 15, 2007)

2006

• "Alliance of suburbs promotes regional cooperation" (The Oakland Press, December 24, 2006)
• "Alliance pledges to save Rackham" (The Daily Tribune, December 6, 2006)
• "Governor Announces $30,000 Grant from MSHDA to Redevelop Michigan's Oldest Suburbs" (October 31, 2006)
• "Detroit's Vast Water System: A Tangle of Regional Resentment" (Michigan Land Use Institute, October 22, 2006)
• "Rail is Right" (Metro Times, August 16, 2006)
• "Michigan Suburbs Alliance Launches New Site" (Inner Circle Media, August 2006)
• "Inner-ring metro cities are key to regionalism" (The Detroit Free Press, May 19, 2006)
• "Five inner-ring suburbs deemed 'redevelopment ready'" (Model D, March 14, 2006)
• "Michigan Alliance aims to aid ailing communities" (Michigan Journal, January 24, 2006)

2005

• "Team up for savings" (The Detroit Free Press, November 6, 2005)
• "Lift cities, reverse property tax rules" (The Detroit Free Press, November 6, 2005)
• "Blurring the Lines" (Model D, September 7, 2005)
• "Prop A., Headlee drains funds from suburbs" (The Detroit News, August 23, 2005)
• "Regional Collaboration - Best Practices" (Michigan.gov, June 28, 2005)
• "No pain means a gain" (Oakland Business Review, May 12-18, 2005)
• "Hazel Park races forward" (Oakland Business Review, May 5-11, 2005)
• "Redevelopment and Regional Planning a Pair" (Brownfield News, April/May 2005)
• "Thursday: Is Equity Planning Practical?" (Arbor Update, March 31, 2005)

2004

• "Suburbs look into revitalization group" (The Toledo Blade, September 26, 2004)
• "Rebuilding America's First Suburbs" (Progressive Policy Institute, May 6, 2004)
• "Council told sprawl threat to older cities" (Ypsilanti Courier, April 22, 2004)
• "Making Inner-Ring Suburbs Redevelopment Ready" (Planetizen, March 19, 2004)
• "Rebuilding America's First Suburbs" (Progressive Policy Institute, March 14, 2004)
• "A new lease on life" (American City & County, March 1, 2004)
• "Targeting the new 'creative class': an innovative economic-development strategy is coming to the digital drive" (Detroiter, March 1, 2004)

2002

• "'U' community interacts with Detroit at rally" (The Michigan Daily, September 29, 2002)