March 2010

Sign up for Concentrate's Speaker Series: Downtown Development - A Gen

Metromode - Lansing, mi
Who decides what a downtown looks and feels like? Are we making it a place where young and talented people want to be? Is density good for our community? Concentrate will be listening for answers at our very first Speaker Series, held March 4th in The Michigan Theater's Screening Room (located at 603 East Liberty Street).

Former E.E. Fell School could be transformed into apartment project for sen

Mlive - HOLLAND, Mi
HOLLAND -- Nearly four years after the project was proposed, work could begin this summer on transforming the former E.E. Fell School into apartments for low and moderate-income seniors.

Governor Granholm Issues Executive Order Consolidating Public Finance Autho

Michigan.gov - Lansing, mi
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued Executive Order 2010-2 to further improve efficiency in state government by consolidating 10 public finance authorities into one Michigan Finance Authority. The new finance authority will be an autonomous entity within the Department of Treasury and is one of the 29 government reforms outlined by the governor in January to transform Michigan government.

State Historic Preservation Office and Archives of Michigan Join Forces to

Forbes - Lansing, MI
LANSING, Mich., March 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Good luck, good timing, and personal relationships played a major role in saving materials from the office of Minoru Yamasaki, one of the world's premier Modernist architects. A native of Seattle, Yamasaki (1912-1986) moved to Detroit in 1945 to work for the firm of Smith, Hinchman and Gryls before starting his own firm in Troy, Michigan. Yamasaki, best known for designing the World Trade Center in New York, also designed the Century Plaza in Los Angeles, the Michigan Consolidated Gas Company Building in Detroit, the Lambert-Saint Louis Air Terminal in Missouri, the McGreagor Memorial Building at Wayne State University and the U.S. Consulate building in Kobe, Japan. Yamasaki's firm continued after his death in 1986.

More Affordable Housing Could Be Coming To T.C.

Fox 32 - Traverse City, mi
Traverse City's housing commission is pushing for more affordable housing.

State Historic Preservation Office and Archives of Michigan Join Forces to

PR Newswire - Lansing, mi
LANSING, Mich., March 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Good luck, good timing, and personal relationships played a major role in saving materials from the office of Minoru Yamasaki, one of the world's premier Modernist architects. A native of Seattle, Yamasaki (1912-1986) moved to Detroit in 1945 to work for the firm of Smith, Hinchman and Gryls before starting his own firm in Troy, Michigan. Yamasaki, best known for designing the World Trade Center in New York, also designed the Century Plaza in Los Angeles, the Michigan Consolidated Gas Company Building in Detroit, the Lambert-Saint Louis Air Terminal in Missouri, the McGreagor Memorial Building at Wayne State University and the U.S. Consulate building in Kobe, Japan. Yamasaki's firm continued after his death in 1986.

Several projects on village of Blissfield’s agenda for 2010

Lennconnect.com - Blissfield, mi
BLISSFIELD, Mich. — Blissfield is poised to make progress on several projects this year even as a new, high-tech company sets up shop in the village and promises hundreds of new jobs.

GH woman appointed to state housing board

Grand Haven Tribune - Lansing, mi
LANSING — Catherine Luckert Schmid of Grand Haven, program director of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, has been appointed to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

MSHDA and MEDC's Travel Michigan Announce Contest Winners

Fox 26 - Lansing, mi
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) today announced the winners of the "Why I Choose Michigan" essay contest. The contest helped kick off the recent launch of PureMichiganLiving.com, a new Web site featuring the people, places and things that make Michigan a great place to live, work and play.

'Why I Choose Michigan' winners announced

Metromode - Lansing, mi
If you're wondering why Michigan is a great state you might be able to find your answer at the Pure Michigan Living web site. It features people, places, and things that make the mitten the place that it is. With the launch of the site came the launch of the essay contest "Why I Choose Michigan." And, finally, those winners were announced.

Michigan announces Pure Michigan Living winners

Concentrate - Lansing, Mi
Is it any wonder that the two winners of the Pure Michigan Living contest come from places in the heart of the state?

$1.5 Billion Targeted for Struggling Homeowners

AOL News - Lansing, mi
(March 1) -- Housing finance agencies are anxiously awaiting a small windfall to help some 125,000 struggling homeowners in five states hardest hit by the housing market crash. President Barack Obama announced the $1.5 billion infusion for housing agencies in Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan and Nevada, where home values have fallen more than 20 percent from the peak 2006 and 2007 markets.


February 2010

Affordable Housing To Draw In Families

UpNorthLive.com - FRANKFORT, mi
FRANKFORT -- A Northern Michigan community is hoping to attract new families by building affordable housing. Construction is underway for an affordable housing project in Frankfort. Hollander Development Company received funding for the 36 unit apartment complex from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. City Officials say what was once an eyesore in the community will now be a family friendly area.

Seven Cities of Promise Communities Selected for Downtowns of Promise Progr

PR Newswire - Lansing, Mi
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Keith Molin, executive director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) announced today that seven Cities of Promise communities have been chosen to take part in the Downtowns of Promise program. The Downtowns of Promise program will focus on creating an action-oriented strategy that will help in the efforts of revitalizing their traditional downtown or traditional commercial neighborhood districts. The seven communities selected for the Downtowns of Promise are Benton Harbor, Detroit, Flint, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Muskegon Heights and Saginaw.

New Partnership Forms to Ensure Future of Michigan Historical Marker Progra

Media Newswire - Lansing, MI
(Media-Newswire.com) - LANSING – Department of Natural Resources and Environment Director Rebecca Humphries today announced that Eastern Michigan University and the Michigan History Foundation have joined the Michigan Historical Commission in a new partnership to ensure the continuation of the Michigan Historical Marker Program. The partnership was in response to Executive Order 2009-36, which abolished the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.

MSHDA and MEDC's Travel Michigan Announce Contest Winners

WWJ 950 - Lansing, mi
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. Wednesday announced the winners of the "Why I Choose Michigan" essay contest. The contest helped kick off the recent launch of PureMichiganLiving.com, a new Web site featuring the people, places and things that make Michigan a great place to live, work and play.

MSHDA and MEDC's Travel Michigan Announce Contest Winners

Action 3 News - Lansing, Mi
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) today announced the winners of the "Why I Choose Michigan" essay contest. The contest helped kick off the recent launch of PureMichiganLiving.com, a new Web site featuring the people, places and things that make Michigan a great place to live, work and play.

MSHDA and MEDC's Travel Michigan Announce Contest Winners Residents fr

Mi News Wire - Lansing, mi
LANSING, MI - The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) today announced the winners of the "Why I Choose Michigan" essay contest. The contest helped kick off the recent launch of PureMichiganLiving.com, a new Web site featuring the people, places and things that make Michigan a great place to live, work and play.

State tells Lincoln Park to save the Mellus

Metromode - Lincoln Park, mi
A Michigan Historic Preservation Officer has sent a strongly worded letter to the Lincoln Park Downtown Development Authority, urging local officials to save the Mellus Newspaper building in the Downriver suburb's downtown.

Idlewild documentary to be shown in Grand Rapids

WZZM13 - Idlewild, mi
GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM)- A once popular resort for African Americans is the focus of a fundraiser this week in Grand Rapids.

HUD Secretary Donovan to Serve as Keynote Speaker at 2010 Michigan Affor...

New Mexico Business Weekly - Lansing, Mi
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan will serve as the closing keynote speaker at the 12th annual Michigan Conference on Affordable Housing on Wednesday, April 28 at the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing

HUD Grantees Share Similar Approach

National League of Cities - Lansing, mi
by James Brooks The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $2 billion in the second round of funding for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP-2) to 55 entities — states, localities, land banks and housing developers. Common to nearly all the recipients was a combination of three principles: a coalition of partners to implement programs; targeted efforts across a limited number of census tracts; and leveraging of other funding to support the federal program dollars. Coalitions

Mich. among states to benefit from $1.5B federal plan From The Detroit New

Detroit News - Lansing, Mi
Financially strapped homeowners in Michigan and four other states with hard-hit housing markets could get help under a $1.5 billion federal plan announced Friday. The program is targeted for states where the average price of homes has fallen by more that 20 percent from their peak. The White House wants states to use the funds to help unemployed borrowers, those who owe more on their mortgages than their home is worth, and homeowners who have problems keeping current with either a second mortgage or a home equity credit line.

Michigan to share in $1.5B for homeowners

Detroit Free Press - Lansing, Mi
Michigan is among five states getting money under a $1.5-billion program announced Friday to help struggling homeowners, but it's unclear how many people will be helped or how the program would work.

Michigan modern architecture a draw for travelers

Fosters.com - DETROIT, mi
DETROIT, Michigan (AP) — Stop by the Minoru Yamasaki-designed McGregor Memorial Conference Center at Wayne State University in Detroit, and you will find its halls open for a stroll through what is considered a masterpiece from the architect who created the World Trade Center.

Wolcott Mill earns national historic status

Advisor and Source Newspapers - Ray Township, Mi
The Wolcott Mill Historic Center was named to the National Register of Historic Places in December.

Home away from home: Historic Kalamazoo house now used as office was built

mlive - Kalamazoo, Mi
KALAMAZOO — One of the oldest homes in Kalamazoo, the Richard Dexter Walker House on South Park Street was built in 1857 and served several families as a residence for nearly 100 years. But for the last half century, the Greek Revival structure has housed professional offices for attorneys and a doctor.

Donovan To Be Keynote Speaker

MultifamilyBiz.com - LANSING, mi
LANSING, MI - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan will serve as the closing keynote speaker at the 12th annual Michigan Conference on Affordable Housing on Wednesday, April 28 at the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing. Secretary Donovan is expected to give an update on the progress Michigan and communities nationwide are making in the effort to combat the effects of vacant and abandoned homes while creating jobs.

HARRY CASSIDY: Walking away from your home is a bad idea

The News Herald - Lansing, mi
As Michigan and the rest of the country struggles with the effects of the mortgage-lending crisis — skyrocketing payments, tumbling housing values and tighter lending requirements — I’ve read about Web sites and companies that help owners to “walk away” from their homes. I can understand the motivation for this troubling development, but it’s still a very bad idea in many cases.

Developer plans 'work force housing' for old RHD Tire spaces on S

The Grand Rapids Press - Grand Rapids, MI
GRAND RAPIDS -- Another Miracle on South Division Avenue may be in the offing from Midland-based Brookstone Capital. The company is laying the groundwork to buy three buildings, mostly used as storage by RHD Tire for two decades. Then it plans to renovate them into what it calls work force housing.

SEDP is upbeat during annual luncheon and awards

The Argus-Press - OWOSSO, mi
OWOSSO - During an upbeat 2009 annual luncheon meeting Thursday of the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership, President and Chief Executive Officer Justin Horvath said, “Despite the difficult economic climate, there was much positive news (to report) about Shiawassee County.”

Window Rehabilitation Workshops Teach Contractors to Repair Rather than Rep

PR Newswire - KALAMAZOO, mi
KALAMAZOO, Mich., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The second of three workshops aimed at teaching contractors to repair wood windows begins today in Kalamazoo and continues through February 19. In Michigan, 20 percent of the housing dates from before 1950, therefore, a number of houses have wooden double hung windows.

Passionate supporters to speak at 'Touting Michigan'

WZZM13 - Grand Rapids, Mi
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM)- "Touting Michigan" is the subject of a new monthly series created by Rapid Growth Media.

Window Rehab Workshops Train Contractors

Qualified Remoldeler - Kalamazoo, mi
KALAMAZOO, Mich., -- Feb. 8, 2010 -- The second of three workshops aimed at teaching contractors to repair wood windows began Feb. 8 in Kalamazoo and continued through February 19. In Michigan, 20 percent of the housing dates from before 1950, therefore, a number of houses have wooden double hung windows.

Michigan governor's State of State will be 'all about jobs'

The Detroit News - Lansing, mi
Lansing -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm delivers her eighth and final State of the State address tonight with a heavy focus on the two issues she sees as most important to propping up the foundering state in her last 10 months in office: jobs and education.


January 2010

State OKs historic nomination for Rosedale Gardens

Observer and Eccentric - Rosedale Gardens, MI
After eight years of gathering historical information and pushing for an historical designation for a Livonia neighborhood, John Stimac has received good news. The Michigan Historic Preservation Review Board nominated the Rosedale Gardens Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places.

$47,000 state grant to pay for weatherizing historic buildings

Kalamazoo Gazette - Kalamazoo, MI
KALAMAZOO — The city of Kalamazoo will get a $47,000 state historic preservation grant that could lead to employment opportunities for small contractors and energy savings for some homeowners.

Building's history may not be enough to still the wrecking ball

Charleviox Curier - Charlevoix , mi
A preliminary determination of the 1870s house at 108 Park Ave. by the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office is not enough to save it. The Charlevoix Downtown Development Authority (DDA), acting on a recommendation from DDA executive director Keith Carey, voted to unanimously to go forward with the parking project.

Grants to aid Lapeer home renovation projects

Lapeer Area View - LAPEER, mi
LAPEER — Single-family homeowners living on Lapeer’s north end are eligible to apply for grant funding to renovate their homes to make them more energy efficient and enhance and stabilize their neighborhoods at the same time.

DDA to seek bids to remove canopy over Elixer

The Davison Index - DAVISON, mi
DAVISON -- Slowly but surely, more of the canopy will be removed along the southwest block in downtown. The Davison Downtown Development Authority gave approval for city staff to go out for bids to remove the portion of the canopy above Elixer, 211 N. Main Street, with a 6-1 vote. Mayor Fred “Mac” Fortner cast the dissenting vote.

State unveils 'Pure Michigan Living' campaign

Crain's Detroit Business - Lansing, mi
The "Pure Michigan Living" campaign was launched this week to collect and publish stories on why people are choosing Michigan. MSHDA and Pure Michigan, as well as Metromode's parent company Issue Media Group, have teamed up to roll out the new web site.

Countdown to 2010 Paczki Day Festivities in Hamtramck, MI

PR Web - Hamtramck, mi
Autmobile industry town near Detroit, MI finds reason to celebrate. Thousands to converge on culturally diverse Hamtramck, MI for Paczki Day, a celebration of baked goods, Polish food and polka music, bar crawls, also known as the 'Polish Mardi Gras' and the 'Polish St. Patrick's Day.'

Bids for Lebowsky Center roof, walls sought

Argus-Press - OWOSSO, mi
OWOSSO - Construction of a new roof at the Lebowsky Center could start soon.

Pure Michigan Living Campaign

Associated Content - Lansing, mi
Pure Michigan Living is the new campaign launched on January 26, 2010 by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, MSHDA, and Michigan Economic Development Corporation, MEDC. The Pure Michigan Living campaign will try to share stories of the quality of life in Michigan. This is a nationwide campaign, so many of you will be seeing Pure Michigan Living ads!

MSHDA's Michigan Main Street Center and State Historic Preservation Of

Ajax World Magizine - Lansing, mi
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Keith Molin, executive director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) today announced that the Michigan Main Street Center in partnership with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), recently unveiled renderings for proposed facade improvements for a building in downtown Scottville. Locals consider the currently vacant building at 130 S. Main Street as key to Scottville's efforts toward revitalizing its downtown.

Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA to Host Informational Webinars on the A

Ajax World Magizine - Lansing, mi
LANSING Mich., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Keith Molin, executive director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) announced today that the Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA (MMSC) will be holding informational webinars for communities interested in learning about the Associate Level Michigan Main Street program for downtown and traditional neighborhood commercial district revitalization. The webinars are free, open to the public, and will take place February 10 at 9:30am and February 16 at 2pm.

State building Pure Michigan Living effort

The Alpena News - LANSING, mi
LANSING (AP) — A new ‘‘Pure Michigan Living’’ campaign is being rolled out to promote the state as a place to call home.

Council OKs move to help development group get tax-exempt status

Heritage Newspapers - Milan City, mi
Milan City officials approved a modification in the way that tax revenue is estimated and collected for a rental housing complex for low- to moderate-income tenants.

Project Homeless Connect today

Lapeer Area View - LAPEER, mi
The second annual Project Homeless Connect event takes place today, Thursday, Jan. 28, at the Lapeer Center Building, 425 County Center St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Michigan boasts gems of modern architecture by Yamasaki, Saarinen and other

The Canadian Press - DETROIT, mi
Stop by the Minoru Yamasaki-designed McGregor Memorial Conference Center at Wayne State University in Detroit and its halls are open for a stroll through what's considered a masterpiece from the World Trade Center architect.

Pure Michigan Living' Web Site Launches

Chanel 7 ABC News - LANSING, mi
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announce the official launch Tuesday of a new web site featuring the people, places and things that make Michigan a great place to live, work and play.

Marches, Speeches Mark MLK Day In Detroit

WWJ - Detroit, mi
There were marches, speeches and volunteerism throughout Detroit and southeast Michigan Monday as thousands paid tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.

Black resort from segregation era seeks comeback

Associated Press - IDLEWILD, mi
Tiny Idlewild wants to be Michigan’s comeback story. And state and federal governments seem intent on making that happen in the historic community tucked away in the Manistee Forest.

Holland housing partnerships align to fix abandoned homes

The Grand Rapids Press - HOLLAND, mi
HOLLAND — Three nonprofit organizations are partnering with the city to buy and fix up abandoned or foreclosed homes in the Midtown neighborhood.

Residents are ready to see millions in federal funds put to use in Flint ne

Mlive - Flint, mi
FLINT — A federal grant is about to give the Flint area more money than it has ever had to demolish and rehabilitate run-down homes, and Sharon Burnett has a message now that the check is in the mail:

Mich. gets $223.9M for neighborhood revitalization

Kcoy - DETROIT, mi
DETROIT (AP) - The federal government awarded Michigan $223.9 million on Thursday to help tear down blighted buildings and revitalize neighborhoods in a dozen cities including Detroit, Grand Rapids and Flint.

Saginaw knocked down record homes in '09

Mlive - Saginaw, Mi
City Development Director Odail Thorns said crews knocked down 265 blighted homes last year.

Idlewild, black resort from segregation era, seeks comeback

Mlive - Idlewild, mi
Tiny Idlewild wants to be Michigan's comeback story. And state and federal governments seem intent on making that happen in the historic community tucked away in the Manistee Forest.

Sturgis faces budget woes in 2010

Sturgis Journal - Sturgis, MI
There are other good things happening in the city this year. Demolition of the Arkwrights property across from the Sturgis Post Office happened a year ago, with the help of a MSHDA grant totaling $178,092. Now the city is exploring ways to promote development on the vacant land.

2010 Resolutions

Michigan Main Street - Lansing, MI
So, the New Year is upon us. Gone are the restful and luxurious days off of the holiday break, sleeping in, eating cookies for breakfast, playing with friends and relaxing on the couch. Its time to get back to business. So, in addition to my personal list of resolutions, which could be another complete blog, in honor of making this year better than the last, I give you my list of Main Street resolutions:

MSHDA CDBG DOWNTOWN RENTAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM

City of Hillsdale - Hillsdale, mi
Through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are being made available for the purpose of creating and/or rehabilitating rental housing units within the Downtown area. Funds of up to $35,000 per unit are available. A minimum of twenty five percent (25%) of the total project cost is required to be paid by the Property Owner.

DONT LOSE YOUR HOME TO FORECLOSURE THERE IS HELP AVAILABLE

City of Gilbraltar - Gilbraltar, mi
It is no secret that a number of our residents and fellow Michigander's are facing some economic challenges that are affecting their ability to maintain their quality of life. More and more individuals and families are finding it increasingly difficult to make their mortgage payments resulting in possible foreclosure. The most unfortunate thing is that many do not realize that they dont have to lose their homes. In many cases, there are programs available designed to assist homeowners in getting back on track. If you are facing foreclosure, there is help available

Michigan Communities Achieve National Main Street Accreditation

Triangle Business Journal - Lansing, mi
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Keith Molin, executive director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) today announced that four Michigan Main Street communities have been awarded National Accreditation through the Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA.

The Neighborhood Stabilization Program

City of Dearborn Heights Truth Page - Dearborn Heights, MI
As previously reported, Section 2301 of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA), enacted on July 30, 2008, appropriated nearly $4 billion to state and local governments for the purchase and redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed upon residential properties (covered properties), creating the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).