Planning

*Please contact our office at 517-535-9555 or ced@msu.edu if you would like a copy of one of our reports/publications.

Webberville, Michigan Ave./Grand River Ave. Corridor Plan 2013

The Michigan/Grand River Avenue Corridor Sub-Area Plan for Webberville was created as a resource for the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission and the Village of Webberville. The purpose of this document was to develop a downtown development strategic plan that may assist in the revitalization of Webberville in order to promote sustainability, strengthen the community, and retain existing residents and businesses as well as attract new ones. For the purposes of this plan, downtown Webberville is defined as the area North to South along Main Street from Beech Street to Chestnut Street, East to West along Grand River Avenue from Elm Street to Clark Street, and an annexed area of the community schools.

Catalina Alfaro, Elizabeth Hart, Jasmin Hayne,s Darilis Vázquez Ramos

Idlewild Tourism Development Strategy 2013

This task involved gathering and analyzing information on Idlewild’s background and physical characteristics. To begin this task, the team conducted a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis to provide a general indication of the current issues facing Idlewild; the data for this analysis were gathered through two focus groups with Idlewild residents, public officials, nonprofits, and business owners. Next, using background documents from the client, Internet and library research, and geographic information systems (GIS) data from Lake County, the team assembled a brief history ofIdlewild and an analysis of Idlewild’s geography, topography, water features, land ownership, land cover, zoning, utilities, and key sites with potential for tourist-oriented development.

Cortney Dunklin, Corean Reynolds, Emilio Voltaire, Nathalie Winans, Matthew Wojciechowsk

City of Owosso-South Washinton St. Corridor Study 2013

Owosso’s Washington Street Corridor area is bisected by a set of railroad tracks, and at one time was heavy in industrial uses and manufacturing. Since the decline of the industry there is need for revitalization and reinvestment in this corridor. Our goal is to enhance the corridor between Baker College and downtown Owosso by focusing on the built environment including connections, gateways, and the streetscape. The report seeks to create a sense of place capable of stimulating economic growth and building social equity in the target area.

Ken Hunter, Sam Schultz, Ryan Musser, Jessica Wendlandt, Jia Zhuang

St. Clair County, MI Bike Share Feasibility Ananlysis, 2013

Bike share programs, similar to car sharing, are increasing throughout the U.S., after obtaining a reputation of success in Europe, as a sustainable, affordable and convenient transportation option. They are for short trips, providing ‘the last mile’ of a transit trip, and use branded bicycles strategically placed in urban areas. Advantages of bike share provide users and communities with social, economical, and environmental benefits. The St. Clair County Bike Share Feasibility Analysis was conducted to determine the feasibility of a bike share program in Port Huron, Michigan. A historical overview describes the character of the region, and identifies viable connections along the St. Clair River through non-motorized trails.

Existing bike share programs were studied, specifically three with similar population size to Port Huron, to understand elements of bike share and provide comparison. Anticipated users were detailed, and from them a list of community indicators was compiled.

A demand analysis details the breakdown of bike share users, bike share trips and the density of infrastructure within St. Clair County. A GIS analysis of population, job, and retail density shows Port Huron is the ideal location in St. Clair County. An analysis of community indicators details the local factors that will influence the effectiveness of bike sharing within the city. Local conditions and opportunities specify local policies, regulations, public outreach, placemaking, economic development and tourism initiatives that will have an impact on bike sharing in Port Huron. In addition to the demand analysis, a comparison of each case studies community indicators was detailed. Three case study communities, that have an operating bike share program, were analyzed for specific values for each community indicator. Each community indicator was given a threshold value, or minimum or maximum.

Pam Brushaber. Nash Clark, Jacob Maurer, Jonathan Sharp

South Saginaw Corridor Study 2013

For the first time in fifty years the city of Flint has begun revising its Master Plan, and is currently conducting various studies that will tie into the finished plan. Nine sub-area plans are being developed for inclusion in the Master Plan update, displayed in Figure 1.1. The South Saginaw Corridor has been designated as one of the nine sub areas. To help address issues of outdated planning and economics, the Practicum Team has been assigned to assist in revitalizing the South Saginaw Corridor. In their analysis of the South Saginaw Corridor, the practicum team hopes to contribute to the city’s redevelopment by creating an inventory of the corridor featuring possible economic development strategies, streetscape beautification, an inventory of commercial parcels, existing infrastructure and roads, encouraged use of public transportation, and increases in mixed-use developments. It was critical that stakeholders such as businesses, consultants, city officials, and residents were continuously involved in the plan, thus the practicum team held public meetings with residents, business owners, and city planners to work towards a vision that everyone can agree with.

The study area for analysis in this report involves the South Saginaw Street Corridor, defined as the blocks immediately touching South Saginaw Street from Interstate 69 in the north to Hemphill Road, the city’s southern boundary. The study area extends one block east and west of South Saginaw Street.

Russ Cotner, Xiangyun Li, Keshia Owens, Deja Torrence

City of Frankfort Beach Infrastructure Plan 2013

Frankfort is located in the Northwest portion of the lower peninsula of Michigan and serves as a popular tourist destination in the summer months. Frankfort, located within Benzie County, is the County’s only designated city. Benzie County also contains Almira Township, Benzonia Township, Colfax Township, Crystal Lake Township, Homestead Township, Lake Township, the Village of Beulah, and the Village of Elberta. According to the 2010 US Census Bureau, Benzie County has a population of 17,443, with 7% of the population residing in the City of Frankfort. Benzie County is a rural region with a dispersed population making Frankfort a main hub for activity. Frankfort thrives on their tourism industry with only 63.8% of the homes used as permanent residencies. With a population of 1,280 residents, the City of Frankfort is a small community during the winter months.

The team worked with Frankfort to create elements of a Beach Master Plan for the Lake Michigan Beach as well as undergo improvements to the roughly 200,000 square foot Father Charlevoix “Cannon” Park. Our goals for the project include improved signage, structural improvements, improved restroom facility location, a control on sand blowing, and aesthetics in order to enhance and expand Frankfort’s already strong tourism industry.

Troy Anderson, Clayton Hagen, Michelle LeBlanc, Virginia Vander Veen

St. Martha’s Commons Community Vision, 2012

“St. Martha’s Commons Community Vision” was prepared on behalf of Canterbury on the Lake and Presbyterian Villages of Michigan (PVM) by Michigan State University students in the Urban and Regional Planning Program capstone practicum course. Canterbury, PVM and their partners on the St. Martha’s Commons Planning Team have been working over the past year to develop a plan for reuse and redevelopment of St. Martha’s Episcopal Church and surrounding sites. The property is located on the south side of Joy Road, west of Greenfield Road, in Detroit, Michigan. The MSU Practicum Team joined the project with the goal of creating a report that will aid the planning team in pursuing their revitalization objectives. Accordingly, the scope of this report encompasses: targeted demographic data; a profile of community assets; an inventory and description of the parcels in the study area; a determination of strengths and weaknesses of the site and the surrounding neighborhood; conclusions about the needs and character of the neighborhood in the context of its past, present, and future; and a vision for the reuse and repurposing of the subject site with specific recommendations. The primary methodology used in achieving these objectives includes: gathering and compiling of demographic data; cataloguing of existing improvements and conditions; surveying community stakeholders; utilizing regional benchmarks for comparison to local data; and limiting recommendations and conclusions to elements that are supported by the data gathered.

Lauren A. Chapman, Patrick D. Crawford, Michael R. French, Christopher T. Hughes, Yiming Li, Sharnese L Marshall, Melinda R. McIntosh Alexxa B. Young

Food Innovation Districts: A Land Use Tool for Communities Seeking to Create and Expand a Regional Food Industry, 2012

As communities strive to localize their economy, food planning is of growing importance. Local and regional food systems affect health, wealth, and quality of life. With food having such an influence over daily life, it is important that it be given adequate attention in the planning field. The Michigan State University (MSU) Practicum Team, in partnership with the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (NWMCOG), the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems, and Regional Food Solutions LLC, has created this report. This report takes an in-depth look at the development of FIDs as a land use and economic development tool for building regional food system opportunities. The research analyzes best practices for economic development and planning implementation of FIDs statewide in Michigan.

Nicholas DansZane Grennell, Michelle Leppek, Sean McNaughton, Marlon Phillips, Kirstie Sieloff, Claire Wilke

Cheboygan Port & Community Asset Inventory, 2012

The City of Cheboygan is located at the northern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, 16 miles east of the Straits of Mackinac and Mackinaw City. US-23 runs east-west through the city connecting, in the center of the city, with M-27 which runs south-southwest toward I-75. The city is approximately 270 miles north of Detroit. Since the city is strategically situated at the intersection of two Great Lakes, and near the intersection of a third, it is has very good access to the largest fresh water system in the world. The city has a strong history of industry and trade since the 1700’s with a major lumber boom in the late 1800’s. A subsequent paper industry emerged in 1904 with the creation of what is now known as the Great Lakes Tissue Company. Today, the city’s economy is mostly dependent on tourism and recreational activities.

Andrew Baglini, Brad Beck, Shiraz Gillani, Priyamvada Kayal, Matt Lafferty, Graham Malott & Eric Phillips

Beecher Neighborhood Stabilization Plan, 2012

The study is in support of the Neighborhood Stabilization Plan (NSP) 1 & 3 funding granted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission (GCMPC). A portion of these grants were allocated to Beecher site, located in Mount MorrisTownship, Genesee County, Michigan. The area has experienced noticeable property abandonment and blight. To revitalize distressed portions of this neighborhood, GCMPC requested a land use analysis and recommendation on the future of this neighborhood.

Austen T. Ayres, James E. Bonfiglio, Justin J. Dunn, Gentjan Heqimi, Ye Ki, Hanbing Liang, Gino M. Piccirilli, Raymond J. Whearley, Andrew Baglini, Brad Beck, Shiraz Gillani, Priyamvada Kayal, Matt Lafferty, Graham Malott & Eric Phillips Assisted

Alpena Port & Community Asset Inventory, 2012

The assessment is an on‐site and off‐site analysis where a range of information was compiled. Basic demographic and socioeconomic data was collected on the City of Alpena through the U.S Census. Each of the major property owners, LaFarge, Decorative Panels International (DPI), Alpena Marc LLC, and the City of Alpena on the port were also identified and described. Community planning also highlighted key visions of the Alpena Comprehensive Plan including existing and future land‐use for the properties along the Thunder Bay River, zoning, plans for the downtown development towards the waterfront, as well as completed and current brownfield projects. Other characteristics identified including the status of the city’s utilities systems, which indicate capacity for growth, an in‐depth‐look was given the transportation systems of Alpena as well as port navigability.

Marc Coburn, Tatsuya Fukushige, Evan Gross, Corey Jackson, Mark Jones, Elizabeth Masserang; Assisted City of Alpena, Michigan State University and Northeast Michigan Council of Governments

Recommendations for Diversifying the Tax Base of Luna Pier, Michigan, Spring 2011

Luna Pier is located in Southeast Michigan between the metropolitan areas of Detroit, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio. Its eastern boundary lies on the western shore of Lake Erie and its western boundary is adjacent to Interstate 75. Currently, uncertainties exist regarding the future stability of Luna Pier's tax base. To establish a stable tax base, Luna Pier is seeking to capture revenue from tourism by capitalizing on its beach front and other local assests. The practicum team has assembled data regarding city demographics, regional tourism, physical infrastructure, market growth potential, and tax increment finance scenario to determine recommendations for diversifying the tax base through tourism.

Nikki Ayres, Alex Constantelos, Matthew Galbraith, Kevin Gill, Jessica Sternberg, and Josh Vertalka

Downtown Mount Clemens, Michigan, Spring 2011

Many downtowns have experienced levels of disinvestment over the past half a century due to an exodus to outlying suburbs and shopping malls. Downtown Mount Clemens is an area that has experienced this hardship. Though the downtown has been negatively affected by vacancy and a reduction of its commercial base, the city has been successful in maintaining its historic downtown character. This includes the preservation of historic structures and continued efforts to include public artwork within the downtown.

Josh Croff, Emily Gehle, Justin Hablewsky, Daniel Luscombe, Eric Sarb, and Robert Wertman

Elements of Master Plan city of Owosso, Michigan, Spring 2011

The City of Owosso is centrally located in Michigan's Lower Peninsula in central Shiawassee County, directly west of the City of Flint and northeast of the City of Lansing. The closest major expressways are I-69 to the south, and I-75 to the east. Michigan state highways M-21 and M-52 run directly through the city; intersecting in the downtown area. Historically, the City of Owosso has been in close proximity to large automobile manufacturing centers. Because of its location, manufacturing has been one of the leading industries in the city's past. It is also on the border of southeastern Michigan, the most populated region of the state. The Shiawassee River runs directly through the main downtown area of the city.

Brett Johnson, Dobeen Kim, Hyelim Kim, Andrew LeMarbe, Kelly Redburn and Jared Sherwood

Downtown Portland Market Study, Spring 2011

Portland, Michigan holds the distinction as Michigan's first downtown to garner both the Michigan Main Street designation and the Michigan Cool Cities designation. As such, the community takes tremendous pride in its downtown and all of the economic and social benefits that it has to offer, and is excited to capitalize on emerging opportunities in order to maintain the success that the downtown has enjoyed in the past.

Austin Colson, Brian Keesey, Josh Kluzak, Maria Kornakova, Ann Sojka, and David Wood

Tri-County Regional Growth Plan: A Choice for Our Future Reassessment, Spring 2011

The regional growth reassessment project focuses on the Tri-County Regional Growth Initiative. The borders of the initiative are limited to Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties and all connected communities. In partnership with the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission and Harmony Gmazel (TCRPC Land Use Planner, AICP), the MSU Urban and Regional Planning Practicum Team has reassessed Tri-County's existing Regional Growth: Choices for Our Future, which was adopted in 2005. The client asked the team to formulate a method for reassessing this initiative and to offer recommendations for improvement based off the findings.

Anita Blout, Benjamin Glendening, Jared Tulaga, Jon Matle Matthew Williams, Qiao XO

Wellhead Protection Ordinance Evaluation, Spring 2011

The Wellhead Protection Ordinance Evaluation Team, as a part of Michigan State University's Urban and Regional Planning Practicum, has compiled an analysis of wellhead protection planning for the major municipalities in the Tri-County area of mid-Michigan. The project includes the analysis of six target communities; the Charter Townships of Delhi, Delta, Lansing, and Meridian and the Cities of Lansing and East Lansing.

Jon Benaderet, Kellie Green, Tyler Klifman, John Pickering, Ryan Soucy, and Yue Zhang

Blissfest Music Organization Tourism and Renewable Energy Feasibilty, Spring 2010

The first goal was to make recommendations for new programming activities for the year round use of the site to draw in tourists. Secondly, a determination of the feasibility of employing wind and solar energy on site. Therefore, this report is divided into two main sections; tourism and alternative energy.

Josh Grab, Laura Grant, Nazaruddin (NFN), Dean Perach, Ba Qiang, and Kelly Richardson

A Feasibility Study for Blending Housing and Urban Argiculture in Lansing, MI, Spring 2010

The project site is located along Aurelius Road on the City of Lansing's south side. It lies in a largely residential neighborhood consisting single-family and multi-family housing. The primary client and property owner, Cohousing Development Company, in partnership with the Greater Lansing Food Bank, has enlisted the help of the Michigan State University Urban and Regional Planning Practicum Team to develop use alternatives for the project site. The clients sought a development option that included both housing and agricultural elements.

Paul Best, Matthew Earls, Brandon Haddock, Sarah Nassiri, Paige Seabrook, Natalie Youakim

LED Street Lighting Study for Okemos Downtown Development Authority, Spring 2010

The intent of this project has been to evaluate the potential impacts of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting in downtown Okemos and provide recommendations and conclusions determined by the findings, develop and design a pre and post survey to asses public knowledge on LED technology, and assist in the creation of content on LED technology to be aired on HOM -TV. The methodology used in achieving these goals include site and socio-economic profile analysis of the target area, description of the importance of illumination in commercial districts, presentation of LED advantages and disadvantages, and analysis of case studies in communities which have implemented similar projects in their regions.

Abrar Alhusain, Huijing Geng, Gentjan Heqimi, Yuguang Li, Regan Massey, Alex Wisney

Greening Mid-Michigan Toolkit, Spring 2010

Urban and Regional Planning Practicum students at Michigan State University have compiled this report at the request of the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (TCRPC) to assist in the implementation of a regional green infrastructure online toolkit for the Clinton, Eaton, & Ingham Counties. The current initiative was formed in 2007 by the TCRPC and it's partners and is referred to as the Greening Mid- Michigan Project (GMMP). Additional partners include: The Clinton County Parks & Greenspace Commission, Clinton County Agricultural Preservation Board, Clinton County Conservation District, Eaton County Parks, Eaton County Conservation District, Ingham County Parks, Ingham County Agricultural Preservation Board, The Greater Lansing Regional Committee for Stormwater Management, and The Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance.

Keith Derwich, Andrew Haglund, Steven Hill, Katherine Kline, Trinh Nguyen, and Tory Niewiadomski

Transforming the Michigan Avenue Corridor a complete streets and transit-oriented development study, Spring 2009

The Michigan Avenue Corridor is the connection between the campus of Michigan State University and downtown East Lansing and downtown Lansing, Michigan's Capitol City. However, the Corridor is not currently meeting its full potential. Much of the length of the Corridor is unattractive, has dysfunctional land uses and lacks an effective and modern transit system. The process of making changes to this corridor is complicated by the fact that it is cross-jurisdictional, falling within the boundaries of the City of East Lansing, Lansing Charter Township, and the City of Lansing. The overall goal of planning and redevelopment efforts on the Michigan Avenue Corridor is to create an attractive and economically viable corridor that connects the state's largest university with the state capital. Specifically, participants in the planning process want Michigan Avenue to become a high-performing public transit, cultural and economic development corridor.

Dominic Adams, Annie Fardell, Jon Roberts, Jeff Stivenson, Lindsay Stolkey, Chris Weir, and Annie Wistow

Vanguard Community Development Corporation Small Business Incubator Study, Spring 2006

This report was prepared for the Vanguard CDC by the Michigan State University (MSU) Practicum Team. Vanguard CDC serves the Northend neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan with a wide-variety of programs, from youth services to in-fill housing construction. More recently, Vanguard CDC is exploring plans to develop the Milwaukee Junction Small Business Center, which will foster small business development within the Northend Neighborhood.

Julie Car, Lenise Lyons, Sherika Mosley, Christian Murdock, Scott Rodriguez, and Jeff Vitton

Lansing, Michigan General Motors Verlinden Avenue Site Feasibility Study, Spring 2006

This site feasibility report focuses on the Westside Neighborhood section of the NWLHCI, an area bounded by Oakland Avenue to the north, Olds Avenue to the south, Clare Street to the west, and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the east. It provides realistic options for redevelopment of the GM site while considering the impact on the Lansing economy and the needs of surrounding neighborhood residents. It provides site-specific data pertaining to GM plant #6 and the facilities contained on that property. The report also identifies goals and recommendations to assist in the redevelopment of the former industrial site.

Evan Boehm, Andrew DeWitt, Yung-Yee Cha, Brian Graham, Sarah Panken, and Michelle Yang

West Dearborn Business District, Principal Shopping District Feasibility Study, Dearborn, MI, Spring 2006

This Principal Shopping District (PSD) Feasibility Study focuses on the area that encompasses the West Dearborn Business District (WDBD) around the main thoroughfare, Michigan Avenue (US -12). The City of Dearborn is interested in establishing a PSD designation for this area and is currently trying to determine which would be the best assessment model to be used and the approximate flow of revenues.

Ryan C. ALbright, Brandon L. Bartoszek, Brain J. Crimmins, Julia A. Darnton, Stephen M. King, Bogdan Neamtu, Kurtis R. Pozsgay, and Ruqi Yang

A Revitalization Study for Three Southwest Lansing Intersections, Spring 2005

This report details the need for revitalization of three Lansing intersections-Holmes/Pleasant Grove, Holmes/Jolly, and Jolly/Waverly in Lansing. Market analysis, property inventory, demographic studies, traffic studies, and community meetings were used to determine the most appropriate course of action to revitalize three declining intersections.

Reggie Jefferson, Kristin Brooks, Dan Grenawitzke, and Teddy Daligga

East Lansing SmartZone: An Analysis of the High-tech Economic Development Potential, Spring 2005

This report summarizes state, regional and national SmartZone trends and examines the potential for an information-technology SmartZone in the City of East Lansing. Based on an IT cluster analysis, recommendations for strategic partnerships and program elements offered three phases.

Katharine Czarnecki, Leonard Minifee, Lori Mullins, Pamela Shinn, and Andrea Zeeb

Dossin Great Lakes Museum Strategic Plan, Spring 2005

This report provides a historical overview of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Belle Isle, Detroit; a detailed a SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis conducted in 2005; and four case studies of comparable mid-west maritime and historical museums. Recommendations are prioritized by short-term and long-term and amount of investment required.

Kristen Kapelanski, Sandy Beadle, Jason Kyle Peasley, Trevor Anderson, and Robert McPherson

Hagadorn Corridor Study East Lansing, Michigan, Spring 2005

This corridor study was assembled to identify, inventory, and assess current land use, pedestrian friendliness, traffic flow, and roadway design to make recommendations for future development in terms of pedestrian safety, zoning, and capital improvements. Upon completion of the Hagadorn Road Corridor Study, the research, methods, findings and recommendations presented will provide a model to address additional corridors throughout the city.

Kevin Newman, Robin Palmer, Jennifer Rigterink, Rachael Tupica, and Thomas Veldman