City of Southfield

As the yellow school buses head back on the roads, I realize how quickly 2019 is moving along. My exciting journey around Southeast Michigan continues as I visit with valued member communities to discuss SEMCOG’s new resources—one of which is the update in progress of the Economic Development Strategy for Southeast Michigan.

As the region’s demographics change, communities are seeking innovative ways to promote economic growth that meets future needs. Southeast Michigan communities are all different, so there is no “one-size-fits-all” economic development approach across our landscape.

I recently visited two cities that are quite different on the surface– Luna Pier in Monroe County and Southfield in Oakland County. What each community shares is a rich history and success in bringing its own identity to new economic development efforts.

Luna Pier….revisiting the past to move forward

I was welcomed to Luna Pier by Mayor Jim Gardner who provided me with a history lesson that took us back in time to explain where Luna Pier is today.

Luna Pier Boardwalk, 1926

The now-demolished JR Whiting Power Plant was once the city’s largest business driver, operating from 1952 to 2016. Its "Three Stacks" comprised a prominent landmark for marine traffic as well as traffic on I-75. It could be seen from anywhere in the Lake Erie western basin, providing a guidepost for boaters and anglers between Ohio and southern Ontario for a long time.

A relic of the JR Whiting Plant

The plant stood as an icon of the era of coal-fired energy; it represented prosperity for the city and provided the majority of its revenue. In recent years, it became of a symbol of financial struggles when the plant closed shortly after the last recession. The plant’s demolition has helped the city move on from the past and progress in its transformation into a tourism-based economy—one that takes advantage of a beautiful beach and pier, numerous public green spaces, and a safe atmosphere.

Luna Pier Lighthouse

An award-winning master plan and recently adopted Economic Recovery Strategy, which SEMCOG supported in the development phase, have sparked a revitalization of downtown businesses. These efforts have resulted in a remarkable increase in visitors who want to enjoy dancing on the “pier under the moon,” (hence the name Luna Pier), reminiscent of the Big Band era. Now featuring live music at least five days a week at downtown restaurants in the summer, Luna Pier is drawing on its roots and creating a great story and a great place moving forward.

Southfield….The Center of it all™

I was very impressed with the landscape of Southfield on my way to meet with City Manager Fred Zorn, Business and Economic Development Director Rochelle Freeman, and various other staff for a visit. There were so many new developments I was seeing for the first time.  Southfield’s “City Centre” is very impressive indeed. The word “Centre” holds a significant meaning to Southfield as it adopted the slogan “the center of it all” a few years ago to celebrate its position at the heart of metro Detroit.

City Centre

Here’s a little bit of history….Southfield’s name comes from its founding in the 1820s in the “south fields” of what was then Bloomfield Township. The community was incorporated as a city in 1958 and was already home to one of the first major shopping malls in the nation, Northland Center, named primarily because it was located north of Detroit. Northland Center was the heart and “center” of Southfield’s economy for a long time. Although times changed and Northland Center eventually closed, the same land is now part of Southfield’s latest gem, its City Centre.

City Centre Trail

City Centre is a thriving, welcoming, colorful 1.7-mile mixed-use development consisting of a major business center, Lawrence Tech University, community space, a municipal campus, and residential areas. The development also incorporates walkability and connectivity. The 7.75-mile trail that cuts through boasts shared walking and biking paths, enhanced bus stop shelters, natural landscaping, historical sites, bike-share stations, wayfinding signage, and public art installations (some of which were repurposed from the old Northland Center). These types of amenities build a strong sense of place, and Southfield should be proud of the steps it has taken to enhance its attractiveness for continued development.

Looking Forward

I enjoyed learning more of the history of two valued SEMCOG member communities and how that history has shaped the evolution of their economies. The timing could not be more perfect as SEMCOG develops the Regional Economic Development Strategy. Under this framework, SEMCOG will continue to work with members such as Luna Pier and Southfield, drawing on Southeast Michigan’s great diversity, to make this region a great place to live, work and play.