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Upcoming SEMCOG Universities focus on Safe Routes to Schools and Goose Management Implementing Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) in Southeast Michigan — August 15, 2007, 9 a.m. - noon (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.). Safe Routes to School is an international movement — and now a federal program — to make it safe, convenient and fun for children to bicycle and walk to school. When routes are safe, walking or biking to and from school is an easy way to get the regular physical activity children need for good health. This workshop will present an overview of the SR2S program as well as provide success stories from communities and schools throughout the region. Contact: Sally Walt, SEMCOG Transportation Administrative Assistant. The Wild Goose Chase: How to Manage Resident Geese Population — August 21, 2007, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (registration begins at 9 a.m.). Resident geese populations can create nuisances in public parks, golf course, and other recreational areas. If high concentrations of geese exist in a single area, they may even elevate bacteria levels in surface waters. The benefits of managing local geese populations include protecting human health and improving water quality in recreational areas. This workshop will present numerous management techniques, particularly shoreline modification, so that communities can decide what options will work best in their area. Three communities will also share real life examples of techniques they are actively using to manage their local geese populations. Contact: Ken Bishop, SEMCOG Environment Administrative Assistant. SEMCOG University workshops, held in SEMCOG's Ambassador Room, are free-of-charge for members; there is a $75 charge for nonmember local governments. Seating is limited. Please respond as soon as possible. You can also register online at SEMCOG's Meeting Calendar.
Nonresidential construction down 20 percent in 2006, according to SEMCOG report Nonresidential floorspace completed in Southeast Michigan in 2006 totalled 14.3 million square feet, according to data released by SEMCOG. Nonresidential Development in Southeast Michigan, Summary 2006 tracks projects which were completed or under construction in the seven-county Southeast Michigan region during 2006. Completed projects contributed 14.3 million square feet of new floorspace, which is a 20 percent drop from 2005. More than 25.7 million square feet were under construction in 2006. Leading the region, Wayne County had 13.5 million square feet of floorspace either completed or under construction in 2006, accounting for 34 percent of Southeast Michigan's total nonresidential development. Oakland County followed next with 10.3 million square feet of floorspace completed or under construction (26 percent of region), and Macomb County, at 5.6 million square feet of new floorspace, was third (14 percent of region). The three largest development projects in the region in 2006 were the new C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital (Ann Arbor; 1.1 million square feet); the new North Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (820,000 square feet); and the U.S. Postal Processing Center (Pontiac; 806,000 square feet). Data are available in PDF format on SEMCOG's Web site. Under the "Data" tab at the top of the home page, look for "Nonresidential Development." Contact: SEMCOG Information Services.
SEMCOG Executive Committee approves $1.8 billion Transportation Improvement Program At its July 26 meeting, SEMCOG's Executive Committee approved the FY 2008-2011 TIP containing 546 projects, representing $1.8 billion in investment. Highlights of the meeting can now be viewed on www.semcog.org. From the home page, link to News & Notices in the upper bar, then look for the link in the right column. This meeting marked the first official use of electronic keypads for voting purposes, allowing the results of both one government one vote and population-weighted voting to be displayed immediately. All action items passed both forms of voting. Contact: Sue Stetler, SEMCOG Director of Communications.
Summer issue of SEMscope focuses on the important role of local government The Summer issue of SEMscope, SEMCOG's quarterly magazine, has been mailed. The focus of this issue is devoted to local government and how they provide the critical services essential to maintaining our quality of life and enhancing our economic prosperity. This special issue discusses the current system for funding local governments and looks at the trends and challenges we all face. Anyone interested in better understanding how communities manage tax dollars needs to read this issue. We encourage you to share this issue with citizens. Please contact us for additional copies to be displayed at city hall, local libraries, or schools. It is also available in PDF. Additionally, we are interested in your feedback and examples of local government efficiency. Contact: SEMCOG Information Services.
National Brownfields 2008 Conference coming to Detroit Brownfields 2008 — the national brownfields conference — will be held in Detroit at Cobo Center on May 5-7, 2008. The free event will be co-sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and International City/County Managers Association (ICMA). Over 6,000 attendees are expected from all levels of government, real estate, business, finance, and from local communities to share ideas and experiences in the field of urban and environmental development. This conference provides educational sessions, and also gives Southeast Michigan communities an opportunity to showcase projects and convey stories of successful brownfield redevelopment to a national audience. The national and local planning committees currently have an open call for session, workshop, and poster ideas. Additionally, there are sponsorship, endorsement, tour hosting, and transaction forum opportunities. More information is available at www.brownfields2008.org. SEMCOG is involved in the local planning efforts for this conference. Contact: Kevin Andrew Johnson, SEMCOG Community and Economic Development Planner.
Workshop on exporting to Canada scheduled for August 9 All cities can benefit when small and mid-size companies located in their communities export more products. Now, the Institute for Trade in the Americas, Michigan State University's College of Law and the Canadian Studies Centre, have partnered to present a free workshop to teach the basics in exporting to Canada. "Turning Boundaries into Opportunities: A small business guide to trading with Canada," is a free workshop scheduled for Thursday, August 9, 2007, at the MSU Management Education Center, 811 W. Square Lake Rd. in Troy. Contact: Casey Fry, (517) 432-6980, or visit www.tradingwithcanada.msu.edu for more information.
SEMPeople At the annual joint meeting of the Michigan Association of Regions and the Michigan Transportation Planning Association, John Jones received the Leadership Award; and Michigan State Representatives Hoon-Yung Hopgood and Craig DeRoche received Legislator of the Year Awards. Two SEMCOG products — A Region in Turbulence and Transition: The Economic and Demographic Outlook for Southeast Michigan Through 2035 and Integrating Environmental Issues in the Transportation Planning Process — received Best Practices awards.
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