The Next Generation Of Affordable Housing
By: Constance Crump, 10/1/2009
Forget traditional notions of affordable housing. If Metro Detroit wants to end the brain drain, attract new economy workers and revitalize its communities it needs to pay better attention to the housing needs of 20 and 30somethings. What does that mean? Affordable rentals, downtown condos and hip, walkable neighborhoods.
Going Green On The Cheap: Low Impact Development
By: Amy Kuras, 9/24/2009
Sometimes it's the little things that count. What might seem like flower gardens or stretches of grass can be valiant guardians of the health of the region's waterways. Low impact development uses native plants to minimize the impact of water overflow into lakes and streams -- and looks pretty doing it.
Preservation vs Demolition
By: Jon Zemke, 3/26/2009
Dilapidated eyesore or historic keystone to downtown redevelopment? It's an argument that's repeated over and over in Metro Detroit communities. Lincoln Park's Mellus Newspapers building is only the latest flashpoint. Jon Zemke gives you the lay of the land and gets some insight from downtowns that have fought this fight and won.
The Brew It Yourself Culture
By: Ryan Allen, 1/29/2009
Homegrown, homemade, home brewed. Whether it's the faltering economy or a rejection of what prefab corporate America has to offer, Metro Detroit do-it-yourselfers are taking matters into their own hands. And it's good libations all 'round for local beer aficionados, who are learning to handcraft their own buzz.
Turning Brownfields Into Greenbacks
By: Jon Zemke, 8/7/2008
The old philosophy was knock it down and build anew. But what do you do with polluted or blighted land no one wants to take responsibility for? Creative economic incentives are transforming these unwanted brownfields into successful (and sometimes unexpected) properties.
How Historic Preservation Can Help SE Michigan
By: Jon Zemke, 7/10/2008
Everything old is new again. And profitable. Historic preservation is more than just a longing for the old ways. It can be an economic driver for those SE Michigan communities that know how to leverage what they've got with where they're going.
A Cultural Center
By: Lucy Ament, 2/21/2008
Southeast Michigan's community art centers not only offer locals the opportunity to experience and express artistic inspiration but also to score a budding Monet or Picasso at bargain prices.
The D Brand and You
By: Clare Pfeiffer Ramsey, 1/17/2008
The
'D' brand isn't just about pulling in conventions and tourists. With
the D Brand Summit, branding gurus are showing us how the power of the
'D' can also attract more talent and business to the region.