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Smarter Growth Arrives in Michigan
Institute celebrates progress and promising days ahead
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On
any journey there comes a point when you feel like you’re close to
home; a moment of clarity when the destination comes into focus, and your
pace quickens. That moment is now in Michigan for people who want better
land use planning and more careful development.
A powerful momentum is converging in communities across the state. People from all walks of life are speaking out with newfound conviction about practical alternatives to sprawling growth. And land use reform has become a priority in Lansing as useful new legislation gains support from both parties.
For six years, the Michigan Land Use Institute worked statewide with citizens and other organizations for this day. We used our communications and organizing expertise to expose how our Main Streets empty into sprawling mega malls, our farmland turns to pavement, and our lakes and rivers fill with polluted runoff. We also helped define and promote a more positive future that celebrates our priceless assets and advances smarter ways to grow.
The year 2000 was an important milestone in this journey. Across our four program areas — curbing sprawl, promoting transportation alternatives, protecting natural resources, and assisting grassroots groups — the Institute’s careful research and reasoned advocacy produced results. Last year, for example, the state scrapped wasteful proposals to extend highways U.S.-23 and U.S.-131, and legislators proposed $25 million in new funding for public transit. As the Detroit News proclaimed last May in a front-page story: “The great era of interstate highway construction in Michigan … is slowing to a crawl.” We helped make it happen.
The year 2000 was also one of transition for the Institute. In September, I became executive director after Keith Schneider assumed the role of program director. Keith now works with managing editor Patty Cantrell to lead our communications program — or “activist newsroom” as they like to call it — into the 21st century.
As director, my goal is to build our momentum and dedicate the Institute’s skills and resources to making sure Michigan becomes a national example for policies that link economic development and environmental protection.
Finally, I want to thank all of our members and funders for their essential support. Because of you, the Institute is a vital part of Michigan’s growing movement better land use practices and greater government accountability.
HANS VOSS, Executive Director
A powerful momentum is converging in communities across the state. People from all walks of life are speaking out with newfound conviction about practical alternatives to sprawling growth. And land use reform has become a priority in Lansing as useful new legislation gains support from both parties.
For six years, the Michigan Land Use Institute worked statewide with citizens and other organizations for this day. We used our communications and organizing expertise to expose how our Main Streets empty into sprawling mega malls, our farmland turns to pavement, and our lakes and rivers fill with polluted runoff. We also helped define and promote a more positive future that celebrates our priceless assets and advances smarter ways to grow.
The year 2000 was an important milestone in this journey. Across our four program areas — curbing sprawl, promoting transportation alternatives, protecting natural resources, and assisting grassroots groups — the Institute’s careful research and reasoned advocacy produced results. Last year, for example, the state scrapped wasteful proposals to extend highways U.S.-23 and U.S.-131, and legislators proposed $25 million in new funding for public transit. As the Detroit News proclaimed last May in a front-page story: “The great era of interstate highway construction in Michigan … is slowing to a crawl.” We helped make it happen.
The year 2000 was also one of transition for the Institute. In September, I became executive director after Keith Schneider assumed the role of program director. Keith now works with managing editor Patty Cantrell to lead our communications program — or “activist newsroom” as they like to call it — into the 21st century.
As director, my goal is to build our momentum and dedicate the Institute’s skills and resources to making sure Michigan becomes a national example for policies that link economic development and environmental protection.
Finally, I want to thank all of our members and funders for their essential support. Because of you, the Institute is a vital part of Michigan’s growing movement better land use practices and greater government accountability.
HANS VOSS, Executive Director
The Power of the Pen and the People >>
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