Although conflicts often characterize land use debates in Michigan, some communities have found ways to promote growth and conservation at the same time. MEC's Land Use Heroes project, completed this summer, is the first major attempt to catalogue communities that are working successfully to integrate both values.

Funded by the Americana Foundation, the Land Use Heroes project sought to highlight and promote the work of organizations from every State House legislative district. These issues could include re-development, clean-up projects or any number of different land use issues. In order to best showcase the achievements of these land stewards, the project culminated in the creation of a booklet containing information on the organizations and their local contributions towards the promotion of Smart Growth. This booklet will now be disseminated to state legislators and environmental groups throughout the state. MEC hopes that the booklet will highlight these local organizations and their advocacy for Smart Growth, which is both environmentally and economically sound.

A prime example of the important Smart Growth approach highlighted by the project is the work of Peter Cummings & Associates, a real state development company located in Detroit. The company has been taking a Smart Growth approach to revitalizing and re-developing many pieces of property in the Detroit area. Instead of developing previously undeveloped parcels of land, Peter Cummings & Associates has looked to build or re-build on areas plagued by urban deterioration or where abandoned structures already exist. This approach to development is different from many developers in the state who build based on the bottom line with little regard for the long-term effects on the people and environment.

One of Peter Cummings & Associates' current redevelopment projects is the Detroit Orchestra Hall. Redeveloping the structure that was home to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, rather than starting a new building on a new undeveloped site, is an example of how Smart Growth decisions can affect development and the environment.

"Land use decisions in this state have, in the past, too often been made with no regard for sustainability of the land," said Conan Smith, MEC's Land Programs Director. "With the Land Use Heroes Project, organizations from every corner of the state will be showcased for their work with Smart Growth land use options."

Land Use Heroes

Organization: Central Lake Superior Watershed Partnership
Location: Marquette
House District: 109
Current projects: Pushing for the unification of local zoning laws regarding riparian buffers in order to protect rivers and streams. Also working to protect native species threatened by sprawl. It has been projected that Marquette County will experience an 80% increase in the number of second homes by the year 2020.

Organization: United Growth for Kent County
Location: Grand Rapids
House District: 76
Current projects: Working to merge the Rural and Urban Growth Committees of Kent County in order to promote a common land use vision. This has included coalition building with state legislators in order to gain support for the formation of the United Growth Coalition.