CLOSUP survey on rise of placemaking as an economic development tool covered by multiple news outlets

January 23, 2014

The latest Center for Local State and Urban Policy (CLOSUP) poll on the increased use of placemaking as a community and economic development strategy by Michigan municipalities received coverage in a variety of news outlets, including two articles in MLive, the Michigan Municipal League's blog, and the Tony Conley Morning Show.

The report found that Michigan communities are trying to attract workers and business leaders by creating stronger relationships between people and the places they live, including adding green spaces, bike paths, and attractive public buildings.

The coverage by MLive asked local government leaders about their placemaking efforts. In one article, Deputy City Manager Matt Butts of Grandville, where the Downtown Development Authority has recently remodeled a stretch of its downtown to make it more attractive to residents and diminish commercial vacancies explained that the creation of vibrant, attractive space has become a goal in itself. He stated, at first, "a lot of (the incoming commercial tenants) won't have a lot of value. The real value is from the creation of place."