Mobile Workshops are $20 (in addition to your conference fee).
Wednesday, September 30
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Not so Looney Development in Michigan
This bus and walking tour will take you to the home of the Great Lake Loons, the state of the art Dow Diamond Baseball Stadium located at the west edge of downtown Midland. This development has breathed new life into the downtown with foot traffic to and from the stadium benefiting the merchants. The partnerships created to build the stadium, recruit a major league baseball team and purchase a local radio station to promote local sports is a model that can be followed in many Michigan communities. The DDA currently has a budget of approximately $500,000 ($444,975 from TIF capture). Learn about Midland DDA's history of projects and partnerships on the bus ride to and from Midland.
Tony Kulick, Midland DDA Director
Mike Hayes, vice-president and secretary of the Michigan Baseball Foundation , and DDA Board Member
Thursday, October 1
1:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Tour the Saginaw Chippewa Reservation
Explore the history, culture and traditions of the Saginaw Chippewa tribe and glean insight into the tribe's local government operations including planning, permitting, and housing departments. This tour will conclude with a visit to the Ziibiwing Center, which Midwest Living magazine calls the Midwest's top American Indian museum. Transportation to and from the site will be provided.
1:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
The Art of Unique Downtowns
A focus to revitalize downtown Mt. Pleasant began 10 years ago, and has resulted in a recent selection by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority as a Main Street community of Michigan. Join us on a walking tour of downtown Mt. Pleasant to see how they have incorporated historic preservation and heritage to create interest and community involvement downtown. Learn about the Bronze Legends art project that captures Mt. Pleasant's heritage, how the restoration of the Borden Milk Factory retained historic elements, and how their banner project incorporated artwork from more than 160 local residents to beautify the streets and provide a unique sense of place. Transportation to and from the site will be provided.
Michelle Sponseller, Downtown Development Director, City of Mt. Pleasant
Friday, October 2
9:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
That Dam Tour
Learn how the city of Mt. Pleasant planned for the removal of an existing15-foot by 110-foot concrete dam located on the Chippewa River to eliminate safety concerns and restore riverside wild and plant life. This tour will discuss lessons learned, challenges and how the project was funded. Transportation to and from the site will be provided.
Jim Tiffany, Engineer, Wilcox Associates
Chris Bundy, Parks and Recreation Director, City of Mt. Pleasant
9:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Tullymore: A Visit to Heaven in the Palm of Michigan
An exciting example of investment in rural Michigan is Tullymore, a $50 million upscale residential golf community located in Mecosta County. Funded entirely by private investment, the development consists of two nationally ranked golf courses, a variety of housing types, two outstanding club houses, and additional development plans. Join us in a visit to the area's premier development and learn more about the decisions which drive the project, sources of financing, future plans, and its impact on the area economy. Transportation to and from the site will be provided.
Rick Marino, Developer/Owner, Tullymore
William Mrdeza, Mecosta County Development Corporation
Karen Neuhan, Managing Real Estate Brooker, Tullymore
1:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Innovations in Recreational Planning and Adaptive Re-use
This bicycle tour will explain how a cooperative agreement between Isabella County and a private foundation was developed to form the creation of the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail. This tour covers five miles from Loomis to Clare and will explain how the parks and recreation department planned one of Michigan's best known rail-trail parks. Bring your bike, or rent one. Dress for the weather. Inclement weather will result in a bus tour of the park.
Sue Ann Kopmeyer, Director, Isabella County Parks and Recreation Commission
Tim Dolehanty, AICP, Administrator / Controller, Isabella County
1:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
LEED From A to Z
Projects that implement the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards are on the rise. How much do you know about the process to plan for and implement a project that is LEED certified? This is your chance to tour a LEED building and have your questions answered. This tour will take you to Central Michigan University's new LEED certified Education and Human Services Building, where CMU facilities management staff will talk about the use of natural light to save energy costs, how they incorporated recycled materials, and the green roof which is planted with over 50 percent Sedum to protect the roof structure, reduce storm water runoff, and improve the quality of water runoff. Transportation to and from the site will be provided.
Linda Slater, Director of Plant Engineering and Planning, Central Michigan University
This page last updated on 7/28/2009.
