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

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

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Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
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MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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