2024 Regional Showcase Award Application and Member Meetup

Oak Park Nine Mile Redesign-2023 Regional Showcase Winner

SEMCOG is looking for the next Regional Showcase award winner. Each year we confer the Regional Showcase Award to highlight a project or initiative that has made a significant contribution to the quality of life in Southeast Michigan. Showcase projects represent model implementation of SEMCOG’s regional policies and plans.

Examples of past award winners include a riverfront redevelopment in Port Huron; a trail in Washtenaw County (Ann Arbor Township); and a water resource recovery facility in Oakland County.

Allen Creek Berm Project – 2022 Member Meetup

We will be touring the 2023 award-winning project on May 17, 2024 at a Member Meetup. The project is the redesign and creation of a linear park along Nine Mile Road in the City of Oak Park. The project reduces the number of traffic lanes and adds several enhancements to create and define new public spaces. The project both encourages safer driving behavior and increases economic development and recreation opportunities. The results are impressive:

• the vacancy rate along Nine Mile has been reduced from 4.9% to 2.3%;
• a new restaurant, bar, and a transit-oriented apartment complex located in the corridor;
• bicycle rentals are available
• play structures have been built
• playful statues by a local artist have been installed

Learn more about the amenities available along the corridor and how Oak Park accomplished this re-imagining of Nine Mile Road in this video.

Oak Park Nine Mile Redesign-2023 Regional Showcase Winner

If you have a project you would like to submit for a Regional Showcase Award, the application form will be available until May 1, 2024.

If you would like to tour and learn more about how the redesign and linear park was accomplished in Oak Park, register for the Member Meetup taking place on May 17, 2024.