An interesting article that relates to some of the Center for 21st Century Communities' (21c3) "eight assets" was just posted to the Ann Arbor Observer / Community Observer's website, arborweb.com. You can now link to "Downtown Rebound: As economy quakes, towns hold firm," by Shelley Daily. The article takes a look at how officials, business owners, and community leaders in Saline, Chelsea, and Dexter, Michigan are trying to leverage and strengthen some of what 21c3 is championing, and it discusses some of the challenges facing downtowns. The piece mentions a number of specific efforts related to things that we blog about on the 21c3 website, including streetscape improvements, downtown marketing projects, mixed use development, supporting the arts, culture, and local heritage, and more. The article also explores how local downtown businesses are faring. "With competition from big-box stores, malls, national franchises, and internet shopping, downtown merchants must often reinvent themselves or band together to market to customers old and new. In this effort, their historic settings and the uniqueness of their businesses are key advantages," the article reads. Read the article to find out what people in Saline, Chelsea, and Dexter think about what it takes to "hold firm" through a tough economy. 

Jennifer Eberbach is a professional journalist and writer. Find contact information on her website www.jenthewriter.info

The Center for 21st Century Communities’ (21c3) “eight assets” that make cities and towns attractive places to live and work have been included among the “core values” of the City of Saline, Michigan’s 2010-2011 Strategic Plan for city governance! 

This means that the ideas, goals, and solutions presented on this website are really starting to have a tangible impact on communities that are looking for ways to become more vibrant places in the 21st Century. The Michigan Municipal League, which created 21c3 and identified the “eight assets,” is particularly pleased to see a community in Michigan so whole-heartedly embracing its effort to help communities “place-make.”

Included among Saline’s “core values” is a call to “Review Potential Components of 21st Century Communities,” and they are using 21c3’s “eight assets” as a model or a jumping off point. The “eight assets” that you can learn about on this website include; Physical Design & Walkability, Green Initiatives, Cultural Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, Multiculturalism, Messaging & Technology, Transit, and Education - all of which appear in Saline’s 2010-2011 Strategic Plan.

Beyond including 21c3’s “eight assets” in the plan, it also sets out a few other goals and objectives throughout the rest of the document that relate to 21c3’s efforts. The city wants to do things like “enhance downtown music activities,” “increase non-motorized traffic, including pedestrian and biking,” “ensure that Saline is a model for environmental efforts,” and improve city government's communications and online presence. If you’ve been keeping up with this site, you’ll notice that these are some of the topics we’ve been blogging about, and you can find many related resources, multimedia resources, and solutions on this site. 

Browse the “eight assets," by clicking around the flash image on the top of this page, or find out more about the Technical Services that the League has started offering communities in Michigan who want to develop as strong, vibrant 21st Century Communities.

Jennifer Eberbach is a professional journalist and writer. Find contact information on her website www.jenthewriter.info