Placemaking MML

January 22, 2016

Mass Transit and Millennial Mobility

When it comes to getting from point A to point B, the increasingly innovative nature of mobility has made mass transit a special area of interest for municipalities as they contemplate how to best allocate resources to attract and retain…

January 13, 2016

Those Who Stay Will Be Champions

This spring, more than 6,000 undergrads will receive their highly-anticipated diplomas from the University of Michigan; I'm proud to be one of them. For some of these students, several of whom have called Michigan home since childhood, graduation will mark…

January 12, 2016

Smart Cities. Smart Policies. Paid Parental Leave.

by Melanie Piana, Ferndale City Council I've watched my friends, women and men, prepare for a new baby with joy and excitement, and also concern about how much time they would have to bond and physically heal before heading back…

January 12, 2016

Our “Permit Corps” idea selected as Knight Cities Challenge finalist!

The Knight Foundation has announced the finalists for this year's Knight Cities Challenge--and the League's idea - "Permit Corps" - is among them! With over 4,500 ideas submitted in the first round, the 158 finalists who have been invited to…

December 21, 2015

2015 Year in Review

As the year draws to a close, we have been reflecting on the League's accomplishments in 2015. We love where you live, so we've been working hard to represent and serve the needs of our member communities in a variety…

December 21, 2015

Pledge to Foster Welcoming Communities

Our country has long been a melting pot, opening its doors to people of all races, religions, and national origins who want to purse the American dream. Michigan has been part of that proud tradition. Indeed, creating welcoming communities is…

December 16, 2015

Michigan Communities Add a Dash of Fun and Excitement to the Holidays and Beyond!

America's Thanksgiving Parade, Detroit Cities and villages throughout our state are unique and inviting all year long, but especially during the holiday and winter season. Tradition and creativity swirl together in events that draw in visitors and remind residents why…

December 10, 2015

PlacePOP brings Activity to Allegan Storefonts

A formerly vacant storefront in downtown Allegan is filled with activity during Festive Fridays. Allegan is doing everything right. They have an historic downtown, a beautiful riverfront, community-wide events, and most importantly, wonderful people who all love where they live.…

November 16, 2015

Forum Features Candid Talk about Race Relations and Law Enforcement

Law enforcement officials participate in a panel discussion at the Race and Law Enforcement in the Urban Community forum in Saginaw Nov. 14, 2015. (View additional photos from the event here) More than 100 people attended a highly successful forum…

November 10, 2015

PlacePlans in action: the skinny on Portage Street

Last week I had the chance to check out progress on part of Kalamazoo's PlacePlan: a "road diet" on a section of Portage Street, passing through the Edison neighborhood's historic Washington Square district. Portage Street had suffered the same fate…