The Review Magazine: July/August 2023

the review The official magazine of the Michigan Municipal League

Features

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6 The Importance of Strong Michigan Downtowns By Dana Walker

14 People-Friendly Streets Initiatives Strengthen Downtown Ann Arbor Quality of Life and Resilience By Amber Miller, Chris Wall, and Bob Doyle 17 A Bright Future for Renewable Energy in Michigan By Matt Wagner 20 COVER STORY Reaching NEW

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10 Sturgis DDA—Providing Creative and (Mostly) Free Events By Ryan Conrod

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Muskegon Heights By Morgan Schwanky 28 Five Steps to Better Records Management By Caryn Wojcik

5 Executive Director’s Message 31 Legal Spotlight 32 Northern Field Report 34 Municipal Finance 37 Municipal Q&A 38 Membership Engagement Columns

COVER Muskegon Heights change agents interim manager Melvin Burns (left), Mayor Walter Watt (center), and DDA Chair Brad Hillary (right). The city is reinvigorating its downtown with the goal of bringing people back to live, work, and play.

the official magazine of the

July / August 2023

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS on the cusp of reaching its fullest potential >> p. 20

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People-Friendly Streets Initiatives in Downtown Ann Arbor >> p. 14 The Importance of Strong Michigan Downtowns >> p. 6

See mml.org for the electronic version of the magazine and past issues.

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TIFs for Economic Development >> p. 34

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JULY / AUGUST 2023

THE REVIEW