Michigan

Detroit Announces New Program to Jumpstart Mortgages

Low property values continue to stunt the comeback of Detroit—so the city and a group of banks have created a program to guarantee 1,000 mortgages in the city.

February 21, 2016 - Detroit Free Press

America's Coast-to-Coast Toxic Crisis

Flint, Michigan is not an anomaly.

February 19, 2016 - TomDispatch

Detroit Gets Another Round of Property Tax Reductions

In an effort to bring relief to homeowners, the city will reduce property taxes on 95 percent of the city's residential properties.

February 4, 2016 - The Detroit News

Big Development Investments Expected to Follow New Detroit Red Wings Arena

Developers are predicting that the new $627.5 million arena to house the Detroit Red Wings, paid for with both private and public money, will spur another $596 million of investment in the neighborhood.

February 2, 2016 - Detroit Free Press

How the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Failed the People of Flint

While blame squarely lays with Michigan state officials, agencies, and possibly Gov. Rick Snyder himself, the EPA also played a role by both detecting the cause of the problem but not acting on the reports of improper treatment of river water.

January 31, 2016 - Huffington Post

First Step to Restoring Drinking Water for Flint—Coat the Existing Pipes

Gov. Rick Snyder (R-Mich.) announced on Wednesday that the state is working to ensuring safe tap water for Flint residents. While there is no schedule to replace the corroded lead pipes, they are being treated to prevent further lead leaching.

January 30, 2016 - Detroit Free Press

Excessive Lead in Drinking Water Spread to Ohio

Learning from the mishaps shown by state regulatory agencies in Michigan, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency wasted no time in beginning a criminal investigation resulting from reports of concentrations of high lead levels in some Ohio homes.

January 27, 2016 - WFMJ-TV

The Erosion of Public Trust

The damage caused by Michigan environmental agencies charged with protecting public health extend far beyond Flint. Residents suffering health effects from a huge natural gas leak in Southern California see parallels with the lead poisoning crisis.

January 26, 2016 - The New York Times

Detroit Seeking a New Vision for its East Riverfront

The city of Detroit will review the presentations of seven finalists tasked with creating a new vision for the east riverfront—a part of Detroit poised for redevelopment momentum.

January 25, 2016 - Detroit Free Press

GM Announces Renovation of Detroit's Iconic Renaissance Center

Detroit's most iconic building, the Renaissance Center, will soon get a major upgrade.

January 23, 2016 - Detroit Free Press

Detroit’s Rosa Parks Transit Center Not Living Up To Its Name

Inside the efforts to clean up and improve the centerpiece of Detroit’s transit system.

January 18, 2016 - Detroit Free Press

Illustrating the Toxicity of Flint's Water Supply

The Washington Post shows why the Flint water crisis is so concerning for the health of the residents affected.

January 16, 2016 - The Washington Post

Michigan Governor Finds Himself at Center of Flint Water Crisis

A case is made that Gov. Rick Snyder's handling of the lead-tainted water in Flint, Michigan is analogous to former President George W. Bush's bungling of the crisis resulting after Hurricane Katrina touched-down on the Gulf coast in August 2005.

January 14, 2016 - MSNBC

Motorcycle No Helmet

The High Cost of 'Motorcycle Freedom'

Michigan's mandatory motorcycle helmet law was repealed in April 2012. It only took a week for Dr. Carlos Rodriguez to notice an increase in patients not wearing a motorcycle helmet in his trauma unit in Grand Rapids, so he launched a study.

January 12, 2016 - Huffpost Healthy Living

Detroit Bus Drivers Union in Dispute Over Regional Transit Expansion

Detroit Department of Transportation drivers are mobilizing against a plan to expand regional service on the SMART system. Supporters say the proposed changes are for the benefit of commuters.

January 6, 2016 - Detroit Free Press

What Downtown Development Means for Detroit

A preliminary picture of the new Detroit is coming into focus, while much of the city still struggles with vacancies and blight and downtown anticipates a wave of development and new residents.

January 5, 2016 - Detroit Free Press

Utah's New Years Day Surprise: Nickel Gas and Diesel Tax Increase

The fuel tax increases in the Beehive State by 4.9 cents on Friday. But don't count on gas prices increasing. Not only are prices dropping due to plummeting crude oil prices, but service station owners may be reluctant to pass on the increase.

December 31, 2015 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Detroit Redevelopment Boom Expected for 2016

An in-depth look at some of the high-profile properties slated for redevelopment in Detroit in 2016 provides inspiration for some of the properties that still need solutions.

December 29, 2015 - Detroit Free Press

Downtown Detroit

Detroit First U.S. City Awarded U.N's 'City of Design' Status

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has recognized the singularity of Detroit, dubbing the motor city the country's first "City of Design."

December 23, 2015 - Crain's Detroit Business

Detroit Street Art

Detroit's Getting Better, Say Detroiters

According to a wide-ranging poll conducted by the Detroit Free Press, residents have regained some optimism about their city and its management. Sixty-nine percent said Detroit is headed in the right direction.

December 21, 2015 - Detroit Free Press

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This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

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