Posted on 02/06/2004 6:51:35 PM PST by Dan from Michigan
Saginaw chosen to kick off Cool Cities initiative
By BARRIE BARBER
The Associated Press
2/6/2004, 12:26 p.m. ET
SAGINAW, Mich. (AP) — The state has selected Saginaw as the first of 12 urban areas to kick off its highly touted "Cool Cities" initiative, Gov. Jennifer Granholm says.
What played into her administration's first-at-bat choice?
The Democrat noted Saginaw's recent collaboration of community and business leaders to revive the long-ailing city as it has watched its jobs and population dwindle.
"You guys are one step ahead of many other places," Granholm said Thursday. "You've laid the groundwork almost better than any other city."
The governor noted the push to lay out a road map from groups such as Saginaw Future Inc. and Saginaw County Vision 2020.
Though no timeline is set and officials said it's too early to say how much money or what other kinds of assistance the city might receive, Saginaw boosters celebrated the surprise announcement.
"When she told it to me, I'd like to jump out of the chair," said Saginaw Mayor Wilmer Jones Ham. "It's just phenomenal. It's great for our city. We're trying so hard."
Said Saginaw Future Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer JoAnn T. Crary: "It's a boost to our own self-image, but I also think it's going to be positive because we will get the attention and the assistance of departments throughout state government."
The state will "focus like a laser," Granholm said, to bring together the resources of agencies such as the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Department of Environmental Quality, and Michigan Economic Development Commission, among others, to offer expertise, promote multiple uses in vacant buildings, and potentially put housing, arts and economic development grants on the table.
Since 2001, changes in downtown Saginaw include the $14 million renovation of the County Event Center, a $7 million facelift at the reborn Temple Theatre, a projected $4 million conversion of most of the former Jacobson's building into the future New Covenant Christian Center, another $1 million to convert the former Saginaw Plaza Hotel into a Howard Johnson's, and extensive streetscape improvements along South Washington.
The Cool City committee is still coming up with what it wants to tell Lansing. It hasn't set a date yet for its next public meeting.
- Simon and Garfunkel
I think 1/2 of Michigan already moved to Dallas or the Gulf Coast.
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