One of the fun things about working in SEMCOG’s Government Affairs group is engaging with our members throughout the region, and hearing about their challenges, opportunities, and successes. It’s particularly exciting when a topic or issue is raised by several community leaders, because we know there is likely a need going unfilled.
Over the past several months, we’ve repeatedly heard that municipal facilities throughout the region are outdated and in need of costly repairs. And on top of that, communities often lack dedicated funding to update, modernize, and replace these facilities. Whether coming from members of SEMCOG’s Justice40 Communities Task Force, Legislative Policy Platform Task Force, or anecdotally through one-on-one meetings and gatherings with local government managers groups, we’ve been hearing the same thing: we’re looking for examples of how to improve or replace our aging municipal buildings.
Madison Heights’ new Active Adult Center completes a major project that renovated City Hall and Library, enhancing recreational programming in Civic Center Plaza.
It was no surprise, then, that when we started promoting a webinar focused on sharing case studies from communities throughout the region, interest (and registration numbers!) was sort of unprecedented.
Fast forward to last week, when I had the privilege of facilitating SEMCOG’s Modernizing Municipal Buildings webinar, which featured presentations from community leaders who shared their experiences with replacing or refreshing municipal buildings – from city halls to fitness centers to public safety facilities.
Case studies from varying types of facilities
Often I hear of interesting projects that are happening in Southeast Michigan communities, that might be of broader interest to all SEMCOG members. It was great to assemble some of these examples for last week’s webinar, which featured these excellent case studies:
- Madison Heights: City Manager Melissa Marsh presented on the City’s Civic Center Plaza redevelopment – which is spotlighted in a recent SEMCOG-produced video;
- Royal Oak: Two presenters shared the story of Royal Oak’s City Hall/City Center Redevelopment – Mayor Michael Fournier and Todd Fenton from Plante Moran Realpoint;
- Pittsfield Township: Supervisor Mandy Grewal talked about the much needed township’s Public Safety Facility improvements;
- Chesterfield Township: And then, we heard about two recreation-related facilities. First, Supervisor Brad Kersten and his team presented on the Chesterfield Township Community Center; and
- Orion Township: Wrapping up our presentations was Supervisor Chris Barnett, who talked about the township’s unique purchase of a fitness center.
Each of our presenters cover similar basic details, including: What need the project filled in their community and what makes their project unique; The finance/funding mix they assembled for the project; and how they addressed challenges with political will and how they “sold” the project in their community.
SEMCOG’s Locals Lead Initiative
June 20, 2024: “From Conflict to Conversation” featuring (l-to-r) Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, President, Oakland University; Bryan Barnett, Mayor, City of Rochester Hills; Dave Bing, Former Detroit Mayor, Founder, Bing Youth Institute; Maureen Krauss, President and CEO, Detroit Regional Partnership
This webinar was hosted as part of SEMCOG’s Locals Lead Initiative, which highlights the vital role that local leaders have in Southeast Michigan’s success.
Effective leaders innovate and collaborate to foster resilient, vibrant communities. They provide a calm and steady voice and help to cut through misunderstandings. They combat divisiveness and lead constructive conversations that reach mutually beneficial outcomes. Each of the presenters and projects featured in our Modernizing Municipal Buildings webinar were the embodiment of “locals leading.” I want to thank each of our presenters for leading their communities through these challenges to enhance their municipal facilities – to the benefit of their residents and community employees.
Over the next several months, we will be hosting webinars on a variety of topics that provide innovative and practical approaches for local leaders to move their communities forward. And, throughout the Locals Lead initiative, we’ll be looking for opportunities to share your story. If you have an example of how your community is leading through innovation or collaboration, let us know! We’re eager to share your stories on social media, blogs, and through presentations at webinars and events. Please reach out if you have a story to share!
Interested in reaching out about this initiative? Contact me via email at [email protected].
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