It's no secret that people and businesses are looking for communities with vibrant, walkable downtowns. What's a suburb dominated by shopping centers to do? Southgate has some innovative ideas about how they can thrive in the 21st century.
Believe it or not, improving mobility in metro Detroit doesn't necessarily mean we have to blow billions of dollars on highway expansions. Metromode presents three fairly inexpensive ideas for how to improve our struggling transportation system.
The lines between suburban and urban are finally blurring in some Metro Detroit communities. And none too soon. Though our region ranks last in terms of urban revitalization among the 25 largest metros, things are looking up. "You're moving in the right direction," says Christopher Leinberger, senior fellow at The Brookings Institution.
There are community art centers and then there is what Dearborn has decided to do. Demonstrating a uniquely powerful commitment to arts and culture, the city plans to transform its former city hall building into ArtSpace, a place where nearly 50 artists will live, create and display their work. It's the first of its kind in Michigan.
If you build it they will come ...and come and come. MDOT plans to spend $2.7 billion widening I-94. Research shows that the benefits of such a move are, at most, limited. Metromode considers a few better uses for those very big transportation dollars.
Having more women in tech leadership positions isn't just about equity, it's about economic vitality. Metromode's Natalie Burg connects with a trio of prominent local women to get their ideas on how to unlock a new generation of female technology chiefs.
The Michigan Suburbs Alliance is piloting Green Anchors, an innovative program that takes a holistic approach to affordable housing, green building and community engagment. The plan is to turn the tenants of newly renovated Southgate homes into neighborhood evangelists for energy efficiency. Think of it as a 'Domino Effect' of sustainability.
People in glass houses... should probably take a class at The Glass Academy in Dearborn. From local craft brewery fans (who make their own mugs) to healthcare workers to an annual glass pumpkin fest, this innovative small business has found a way to introduce old world skills to new economy talent.
Placemaking and land-banking are all the rage these days but neither are easy to measure with any accuracy. So, how do you get the biggest bang for your economic development buck? Enter Nigel G. Griswol, an economic development consultant who has crunched the numbers.
Local businesses are hiring... but struggle to find the employees they need. Enter Athena Trentin, director of the Global Talent Retention Initiative, who wants to see the international students who graduate from our universities stay here to work. And it says something that she's convinced her pro-union dad that what she's doing is good for Michigan's economy.
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