Michigan Land Use Institute reports on brownfield redevelopment

BEAULAH, MI, Jan. 25, 2006 -- Today, the Michigan Land Use Institute releases a number of articles about a great Michigan success story -- brownfield redevelopment. Sounds wonky, but it's a wonderful way to revivify faded downtowns.

The five pieces are from its special report, "New Plans for Barren Lands." Former Institute colleague Mac McClelland conspired with Keith Schneider to explain the hows and whys of brownfield restoration -- one of the state's brightest redevelopment success stories.

The first article recounts what prompted Michigan to grapple with abandoned, toxic land and buildings. Start digging here: "New Plans For Barren Lands"

Then, we recount how two of Michigan's most influential elected leaders put a new, more workable brownfield program in place. Click here for a blast from the past: "Governor, Mayor Hatched State's Brownfield Boom"

Next, we visit Traverse City, which has taken great advantage of brownfield programs to spark a lasting renaissance within its borders: "Traverse City's New Economy Rises on Old Brownfields"

Then we take you on a whirlwind tour of some other Michigan towns that have done well with fairly modest brownfield programs. You can leave the driving to us: "Up-North Brownfield Revivals Yield Jobs, Parks"

And we bring it all back home with a look at brownfields' great success in Michigan and suggest ways to improve the program: "Brownfield Program's Big Pay-Off"

New Plans is also a downloadable PDF on the MLUI website: www.mlui.org.

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