Stakeholders in Michigan have bought in to the innovation district concept.
"Last week, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. announced the launch of the Michigan Design Council, a public-private advisory board that will look for ways to help cement Michigan's position as the top spot in the country for industrial or product design talent," reports Sherri Welch.
"The council plans in the coming year to look at establishing a statewide design prize and a design district or 'mecca' in Detroit, sort of a 'Hollywood' for industrial designers," according to Welch.
There are not yet details about how the Michigan Economic Development Corp. could create a district to achieve its goals, but are there are local efforts already underway in Detroit that could pave the way for their work.
Welch notes, for instance, that work of the Detroit Creative Corridor Center "to knit together various creative clusters in a seven-mile area of Detroit" and an announcement last summer by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan to designate an innovation district for the "area stretching up Woodward Avenue from the riverfront to New Center."
FULL STORY: New council aims to solidify Michigan as creative hub

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

San Francisco’s Muni Ridership Grew in 2024
The system saw its highest ridership since before the Covid-19 pandemic, but faces a severe budget shortage in the coming year.

Colorado Lawmakers Move to Protect BRT Funding
In the face of potential federal funding cuts, CDOT leaders reasserted their commitment to planned bus rapid transit projects.

Safe Streets Funding in Jeopardy
The Trump administration is specifically targeting bike infrastructure and other road safety projects in its funding cuts.
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