March 9, 2020
I do not like these trees.
Down the street from the League’s Ann Arbor offices is this row of oak trees, 20 years old or so. They line the vacant lot, about a five-acre grassy space, at the edge of an office park. I do not…
Category Archives: Physical Design & Walkability
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October 9, 2019
Scaling down Detroit’s riverfront
Thanks to the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, this year's Convention attendees had the chance to be wowed by the transformation of Detroit's waterfront during two mobile workshops and a general session with Conservancy CEO Mark Wallace. While our largest city's efforts…
August 27, 2019
How Detroit Built a Better Preservation Playbook
Detroit is midstride in its great comeback, emerging like a phoenix in full burn. In a city which has suffered so much loss, not only are community leaders and private investors acting to salvage what remains, but they are making…
February 28, 2019
Modular Housing – Really?!
League staff have recently helped educate legislators on the need to reinstate Michigan's historic tax credit, which could have broad applications for multi-unit rental housing in historic buildings, upper story residential in downtown cores, adaptive reuse of underutilized buildings, and…
February 20, 2019
Kalamazoo’s neighborhood zoning repairs make the code conform to the context
Last month Kalamazoo's City Commission cut down their lot size requirements in several residential areas. Notably, these amendments weren't done in the name of permitting anything "new" in those neighborhoods—but to support and reinforce what's already there and remove some…
February 13, 2019
Why is it So Damn Expensive to Build?
Okay, you're right. It costs the earth to build new in Michigan or do a significant rehab. But don't immediately rush to load up the U-Haul and venture off to cheaper climes. All is not lost. The summers are too…
January 23, 2019
Let’s fix the damn roads for ALL the damn modes.
Michigan's roads took center stage (as if they ever leave it?) in this past November's election, as now-Governor Gretchen Whitmer's "Fix the damn roads," slogan struck an obvious chord. While the need for pavement maintenance is obvious, it's only one…
November 27, 2018
Is Michigan prepared to handle growth if we actually get it?
Economic growth what-if scenarios are (again) a hot topic in the wake of Amazon's location announcements, so I'll throw my own—non-Amazon related—offering on the table. For all the time Michigan has spent talking about things like "talent attraction" and "economic…
November 7, 2018
The League Launches New Program on Developing Great Places
Over the past several years, the League has worked with many partners to create how-to guides, conduct data-informed studies, and carry out dynamic placemaking activities in communities across Michigan. W've now built a new online collection of resources, success stories,…
September 19, 2018
New Guide Steps You Closer to a More Walkable, Successful Community
By Luke Forrest Walkable downtowns and main streets are highly desirable qualities in today's communities. But how do you move your community in that direction? A good place to start is by updating your zoning code. On Sept. 21, at…