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SEMCOG University workshop on neighborhood commercial revitalization scheduled for March 17 Learn about the importance of neighborhood-based commercial revitalization, strategies used by Southeast Michigan communities to revitalize commercial areas, funding programs available to local governments, leveraging funds in creative ways, and partnerships in successful neighborhood commercial revitalization. SEMCOG University presents Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization: Strategies and Tools, on Wednesday, March 17, 2004, from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (registration begins at 8 a.m.). The workshop will discuss strategies and tools for successful neighborhood commercial revitalization using case studies from Southeast Michigan, and will evaluate the impact on revitalizing traditional commercial areas. Neighborhood commercial areas are traditional centers of commerce that have experienced disinvestment over the years, due to competition from regional malls, larger shopping centers, and Internet shopping. This challenge faces many communities in Southeast Michigan. Revitalizing commercial areas is essential because it can provide the impetus for other types of neighborhood revitalization resulting in improved housing choices, neighborhood pride, increased private-sector investment, growth in population, and general recognition of the area as a "cool community." Warren Mayor Mark Steenburgh will be the keynote speaker. Hear how other local governments in Southeast Michigan have put the revitalization "train" in motion. SEMCOG University workshops are free-of-charge for SEMCOG members and partners; there is a $75 fee for nonmember local governments. Contact: Ken Bishop, SEMCOG Community and Economic Development, to RSVP. You can register online at www.semcog.org; the link to the workshop is under Planning Issues on the home page.
Executive Committee meeting highlights SEMCOG's Executive Committee met on Friday, February 20, 2004. Action items approved include:
Contact: Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Legislative Affairs Coordinator. SEMCOG acquires DTE aerial photography SEMCOG is pleased to announce that it has acquired historical aerial photography for Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties from DTE Energy. The aerial contact prints are at a scale of 1"=1200' and span the years 1949-1997. As DTE scans these images, they will donate the contact prints to us. SEMCOG very much appreciates DTE Energy's generosity in donating these contact prints to an organization that will allow public access to the photography. SEMCOG will make photocopies of these originals available for $10, as is the case with our own historical photography. Contact: SEMCOG Information Services.
2004 recreation grants available Application materials are currently available from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). MNRTF grants are available to local units of government for development of public outdoor recreation facilities and acquisition of land for outdoor and/or resource protection. LWCF is a federal program that provides funds to states for land acquisition and development of outdoor recreation facilities. The State of Michigan expects to receive about $4 million in federal funds for FY 2004, a portion of which will be used for local grants. Applications for these grants are due April 1, 2004. Contact DNR Grants, Contracts, and Customer Systems, (517) 373-9125. Positive results for region gained from SEMCOG's Commuter Benefits programs There were 39 vanpools operating in Southeast Michigan in 2003 carrying 338 people. The average round trip commute of those vans was 92 miles, or nearly 867,000 miles annually. These vanpools reduced annual vehicle miles traveled in the region by more than seven million miles. There were more than 2,000 successful carpool matchlists generated in 2003. Assuming that 20 percent of the successful matches resulted in a ridesharing arrangement, the annual benefits to the region are a reduction of more than four million vehicle miles traveled; a $2 million savings in commuting costs; 400 parking spaces freed up daily; and 257 tons of pollution reduced. Contact: Anita Blasius, SEMCOG Manager of Public Outreach Programs. Five
sites now offer no-cost disposal of trees and materials infected with Emerald
Ash Borer
For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mda and click on "Emerald Ash Borer" in the Spotlight section.
Calendar of Spring Workshops We look forward to seeing you at the Spring Workshop scheduled in your county. Please find your county's workshop in the list in the next column.
Contact: Durene Brown, SEMCOG Membership Manager.
SEMPeople We are saddened by the February 13, 2004 death of Homer Case. Mr. Case was Supervisor of Bloomfield Township for 20 years. He was also one of the founders of SEMCOG and served as Chair from 1974-1975.
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