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Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula May 5, 2005  Updated May 6, 2005, May 12, 2005, and May 16, 2005 Text © 2005 and courtesy Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education. National Park Service Photo by T.M. Baker © 2003, from Keweenaw Now files. Reprinted with permission.

"Better Development by Design" workshops to be held May 10, 17 

HOUGHTON -- "Better Development by Design" is the topic of two workshops to be conducted from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on successive Tuesdays, May 10 and 17, 2005. The workshops will take place on the second floor of the Memorial Union Building (Ballroom A) at Michigan Technological University. Business owners, township and city officials, planning commission members, developers, contractors and community residents are all invited to attend. 

On May 10, the topic will be "How Are We Doing?" with representatives from Calumet, Houghton, Lake Linden and the Keweenaw sharing their vision, progress and needs as they guide their community's growth. Panel members include Scott MacInnes (Houghton City Manager), Robert Poirier (Village of Lake Linden), Sue Cone (Village of Calumet).

During her tour of Calumet's historic Fifth Street on Aug. 20, 2003, Gov. Jennifer Granholm chats with Frank Fiala, Keweenaw National Historical Park (KNHP) superintendent. Also accompanying the Governor are Sue Cone, left, Calumet Village comptroller and KNHP commissioner, and Tom Tikkanen, far right, director of Main Street Calumet! The Main Street program seeks economic development through historic preservation. (National Park Service Photo by T.M. Baker © 2003, from Keweenaw Now files.)

On May 17, the topic will be "Growing Business and Enhancing Our Assets," with representatives from Calumet, Laurium and Hancock discussing how we can have it "all" -- economic growth, attractive communities, scenic views and other amenities that make this a great place to live and a great place to visit. Panel members will include Glenn Anderson (City of Hancock & Great Lakes Cities Initiative), Julie Sprenger (Laurium Historic District), Joel Tuoriniemi (MTU School of Business and Economics) and Mike Lahti (real estate and tourism).

Mike Lahti, Houghton County commissioner and business owner, will discuss how development that builds on our assets of historic character and scenic northwoods landscapes will be an economic benefit to all, whereas unplanned development detracts from others' efforts for more sensitive/smart growth.

As an example, Lahti said he will speak about the success of his subdivision of manufactured homes, Birch Grove in Hancock.

"It's a very nice subdivision, and if you put the same kind of homes in a trailer park it wouldn't be as pleasant," Lahti noted. 

The Birch Grove subdivision is designed with trees (including tall white birches), flowers and green space among the homes. This not only improves the appearance but increases the re-sale value, he added.

Joel Tuoriniemi, faculty member of Michigan Tech's School of Business and Economics and Keweenaw County road commissioner, will speak about the "Use of Grant Programs to Foster Economic Development." He will discuss the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge expansion project. Julie Sprenger, Laurium Manor owner, will indicate how the historic designation for Laurium will benefit Laurium businesses; and Glenn Anderson, Hancock city manager, will to discuss how protection of the Great Lakes (public access, water quality, scenic views, etc.) and the Great Lakes Cities Initiative will benefit Keweenaw communities and businesses.

Both sessions will include small-group discussions for participants from each community after the panel presentations.

Typically, communities want vibrant economies without losing what makes them special  -- scenic landscapes, historic downtowns and places of unique cultural character and natural beauty. Unplanned development can have significant impacts on natural and cultural resources. Find out what Copper Country communities are doing to manage growth and how you can participate. All workshop participants will receive a free copy of Design Guidelines to Enhance Community Appearance and Protect Natural Resources, a 65-page guidebook that compares traditional development to a more visually appealing approach that is good for business and protects an area's natural and cultural resources.

Refreshments will be available at 6 p.m. before the workshops begin. Please R.S.V.P. to Mary Taddeucci at Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region (WUPPDR) office by calling 906-482-7205. An R.S.V.P. is not necessary to attend, but will help with planning refreshments and seating.

"Many of the workshop sponsors, including the League of Women Voters of the Copper Country (LWVCC), have co-hosted community 'visioning' sessions over the years," said Kristine Bradof, Natural Resources chair for the LWVCC, City of Houghton planning commissioner and Community Programs coordinator for the GEM Center for Science and Environmental Outreach. "These workshops, and another planned for September with Grand Rapids developer Guy Bazzani, are intended to help give people the tools they need to actually move their communities toward the futures they envision."

Bradof will be among several interviewees on a 30-minute radio recording about the workshops on Catch the Keweenaw from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday, May 8, on K-BEAR 102.3 FM, WOLF 97.7 FM and WCCY 1400 AM. Other  interviewees on this program are Richard Baker, Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce; Tom Tikkanen, Main Street Calumet; Dick Taylor, Houghton County Historical Society; and Joan Chadde, Western UP Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education.

More than 18 local organizations and units of government are sponsoring these workshops, including the League of Women Voters of the Copper Country, Keweenaw Community Foundation, Keweenaw Industrial Council, Keweenaw National Historical Park, MTEC Smart Zone, Keweenaw Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Keweenaw Convention and Visitors' Bureau, Houghton-Keweenaw MSU Extension, Houghton County Planning Commission, Keweenaw Land Trust, Michigan Tech Center for Science and Environmental Outreach, Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region, The Wege Foundation, Americana Foundation, Village of Calumet Downtown Development Association, Main Street Calumet, Lake Linden Downtown Development Association and the Village of Lake Linden. 

For more information, contact Kristine Bradof (kbradof@mtu.edu), Joan Chadde (jchadde@mtu.edu) or Mary Sue Hyslop (kcfdirector@charterinternet.com).

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