Placemaking MML

November 20, 2014

East Lansing Leads Nation in Equality Policies

Communities prioritizing talent attraction and retention should focus on investing in equality, says a new report from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). HRC's Municipal Equality Index recently published its 2014 evaluation of municipal LGBT equality laws across the country. According…

November 10, 2014

Kalamazoo Cooks Up a Special Event for League Book-Signing

The tantalizing aroma of freshly-roasted chicken and thick, juicy steaks wafted through the dining room of Webster's Prime, accompanied by artfully-prepared salads and vegetable creations. Many of the delectable items on the restaurant's menu are locally-sourced from places like Kirklin…

October 30, 2014

Small Businesses Promote Place and Enhance the Local Economy

Cafe con Leche in Southwest Detroit There are many incentive programs targeting entrepreneurs, such as funding opportunities like Hatch and Revolve, but few grant dollars are going towards existing businesses. With the goal to increase business sales, create new jobs,…

October 29, 2014

Finding the Future of Places in Buenos Aires

During the first week of September, I had the privilege of attending an international conference in Buenos Aires that focused on streets as public spaces and how they can drive urban prosperity. This is the second of a series of three…

October 24, 2014

Baroda Drinks in its Starring Role in the League’s New Book

Excitement filled the air as a crowd of about 70 Baroda-area residents packed the patio of the village's downtown Round Barn Public House. The occasion was a celebration of Baroda's revitalization efforts, which are featured in the League's new book,…

October 23, 2014

Promoting Civic Engagement

Photo courtesy of Washtenaw County Civic engagement is becoming more and more talked about at all levels of government. Not only is it a core principal of democracy, great engagement is good for the community, aids governmental capacity, and leads…

October 23, 2014

Halloween is a Boo-tiful Time for Downtown Placemaking

The air is crisp, trees are ablaze with color, and pumpkins are everywhere just waiting to be carved into spooky designs. It's the perfect time to scare-up a Halloween-themed event to draw people into your downtown. Communities all across Michigan…

October 15, 2014

League Member Communities Attending Convention in Marquette Share Placemaking Success Stories

Placemaking images from Marquette - the site of the League's 2014 Convention. Each year, the Michigan Municipal League Board president gives a welcome speech to kick-off our Convention. League President Jacqueline Noonan, Utica mayor, put her own unique spin on…

October 9, 2014

Jackson’s Anchor Initiative Aims to Revitalize Downtown, Attract Talent

Over snacks and drinks, our group of five had been immersed in a lively conversation about the benefits of living downtown. As we left Grand River Marketplace, Leslie Youngdahl chimed in with a laugh, "I'm going to walk home now."…

October 7, 2014

Take elements of ArtPrize back to your community

ArtPrize attracted more than 400,000 people this year to enjoy 1,536 pieces of art scattered throughout Grand Rapids. The 19-day event is coming to a close this week as the public and art experts determine winners of a $260,000 and…