GR Press Q and A: Build Communities Around People
Here is a link to an article by Nate Reens that appeared in the Grand Rapids Press today. It is part of a series running this week on Michigan’s communities and the challenges facing them.
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Placemaking in Small Towns; Five Case Studies
Twitter follower Mike Knutson asked me today for some information on placemaking initiatives in small communities. Placemaking, like most community based efforts, often gets categorized as a big city...
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The Prosperity Agenda: Transportation Can Help Move Michigan Forward
Transportation has long been part of Michigan’s past, but it’s also part of our future. Our most recent Prosperity Agenda radio show on News/Talk 760 WJR focuses on transportation and the vital role it...
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On Sprawl, Cities, and Creating Wealth
“We must avoid the oncoming campaign to sustain the unsustainable.” – James Kuntsler, Author, at CNU20 A recent trip to the annual meeting of the Congress for the New Urbanism (my first) has stirred my...
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Is This Michigan’s Future? Some Initial Thoughts On Innovation Districts
Bruce Katz of the Washington, DC based Brookings Institution recently turned a group of us on to the concept of Innovation Districts as a way to foster a rebirth in ailing rust belt cities. At first I,...
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Not a Political Blog. I Repeat, Not a Political Blog
Where is the talk of cities? Of the crumbling infrastructure in our country? Of the long-term sustainability of our development decisions? I write this at the conclusion of the Republican Convention in...
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Detroit’s Importance
The following shortened blog post is adapted from my column in the upcoming March/April edition of The Review magazine. The editon will be filled with stories about how Detroit is being reimagined and...
View ArticlePlacemaking and Politics- Like Peanut Butter and Hand Grenades
“We can’t wait until 2019. I won’t be open by then.” Those were the words of a small business owner at a recent event in West Branch when representatives of the Michigan Department of Transportation...
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If you are a placemaker, an aspiring pop up retailer, and you Tweet then you...
Attention All Placemaking+Pop Up Retail+Twitter Enthusiasts: On Tuesday, the grassroots focused organization Let’s Save Michigan will host its second Twitter-based conversation, bringing together...
View ArticleChanging the Structural Neglect of Local Governments
“We are still driving on Eisenhower’s roads and sending our kids to Roosevelt’s schools.” - American Society of Civil Engineers President Blaine Leonard, 2010 Cities aren’t static. They are living,...
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Great People, Great Work- How We are Building Great Communities For the Future
I work with some amazing people who dance along the cutting edge of civic innovation. Below are some samples of our collective work. There are examples of city building in all of its facets- civic...
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Walk up style housing coming to Michigan in a big way
Walkable urban places are not just a phenomenon of coastal U.S. metropolitan areas. This report demonstrates that the market desires them in Michigan—and they are gaining traction. If this emerging...
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Notes from an Amazing Urban Gathering in Traverse City
Earlier this month the Michigan Municipal League held its annual meeting in Traverse City. Home to beautiful views, a bustling downtown and an emerging cultural scene Traverse City was the perfect host...
View ArticleState imposed oppressive funding scheme for municipal operations hurts all...
Here is an excellent article that appears in today’s Detroit Free Press from my colleague Tony Minghine, further evidence that Michigan’s system for funding cities is broken and must change. Take a...
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