Growth & Investment  

The Growth & Investment Network has been focusing on strategies to strengthen the quality of place within our communities. Members have been discussing transportation, economic vitality, cultural development, and why it's critical to address these areas when planning placemaking initiatives.

Acme Township
in Action

Acme Township planners have been busy finalizing a detailed Request for Proposal (RFP) for placemaking efforts along the Acme shoreline corridor--the one-mile stretch from M-72 and US-31 to Five Mile Road--including both the east and west sides of the highway.

The project plan is funded by a Community Growth Grant, awarded by Northwest Michigan Council of Governments in partnership with the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Incorporating a grant from Coastal Zone Management into the planning of the shoreline corridor is the foundation of the project. It will be used in association with the Watershed Center to create and implement innovative, Low Impact Design standards for controlling stormwater that will ultimately protect overall water quality.

"Township planners aim to make this project a placemaking exercise for both sides of the highway," said Patrick Kilkenny, Acme Township planner and deputy zoning administrator.

Shoreline Corridor Goals:

• Innovative form-based zoning strategies to create a village feel
• Community-based decisions for improvements
• Traffic calming providing safety for pedestrians
• Parking solutions with commercial enhancements
• Implement Low Impact Design standards for controlling and treating stormwater in the shoreline corridor  

Acme Township planners hope to have a consultant hired and on board by the beginning of April.

"The best part of this kind of comprehensive planning process is that it provides incentive and information for future use of the entire area," Kilkenny said. "It's really up to the community to make changes, which can be as soon the summer months, on streetscaping and park improvements. There's a lot of excitement about placemaking efforts among our community members."

To receive email updates on this project and other Acme Township news, please contact Patrick Kilkenny at  PKilkenny@acmetownship.org   

On January 9, the Elmwood Township Board adopted the Elmwood Township Marina Redesign Master Plan and the Greilickville Commercial Corridor Waterfront District Framework Plan. Both of these plans were developed by JJR of Ann Arbor following an extensive four-month public input process and received a unanimous recommendation for adoption from the Elmwood Township Marina Committee.

The Marina Redesign Master Plan is part of a larger community waterfront concept that aims to seek effective solutions to better use both sides of M-22, much like Acme Township's project. "The ultimate goal is that the commercial waterfront corridor will be enhanced to better serve the future recreational needs of Elmwood and surrounding communities," said Jack Kelly, Elmwood Township supervisor.

The Northwest Michigan Council of Governments awarded the township a 2012 Community Growth Grant to develop a Greilickville Commercial Corridor Sub-Area Master Plan. In addition, the township was recently awarded a $45,000 Great Lakes Fishery Trust grant to complete preliminary engineering and design efforts for a proposed public fishing pier that would be located along the township parkside portion of the marina's breakwater.

"There's a need for a more definitive focus aimed at getting pedestrians safely from the west side of M-22, where future parking opportunities are most feasible, to the east side of M-22 so residents and visitors can enjoy and explore the township's growing waterfront recreational assets," Kelly said. "We're looking forward to developing innovative access management solutions that will help transform Greilickville into less of a pass-through community and more into a destination area that drivers can stop to enjoy."

Visit the Growth & Investment Network page for more info.  

The Housing Solutions Network hosted the first of three workshops in an educational series aimed at bringing stakeholders such as landlords, realtors, and developers to the table to discuss the affordable housing issues in our area.

"Raising awareness of housing issues is the first goal of the Housing Solutions Network," said Sarah Lucas, regional planner and Grand Vision network convener. "Public awareness helps remove one obstacle to new affordable housing projects and connects the public with programs that can benefit them," she said.

On January 19 the network hosted Housing Partnerships 101, presented by federal, state and local agencies. The workshop highlighted how to enhance development projects, guarantee tenants and rental income, and access a variety of funding sources and services within affordable housing programs.  

View the new video: Housing Partnerships featuring guest presenter, Jim Tischler, MSHDA. 

Upcoming workshops:

Rental Partnerships 101 February 9 from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. - Rental assistance programs and procedures

Development Partnerships 101 February 23 from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. - Affordable housing funding programs and incentives for residential projects

So Much News,  

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