Community Development

Coverage of community groups bringing about changes, innovations, and solutions in their community.

Public invited to share ideas on Oshtemo Township parks improvements

The recent upgrades at Oshtemo Township Park are proving to be popular with park-goers, township officials say.    The number of kids on the new playground is up. Tennis, pickleball, […]

Latest in Community Development
Michigan Hosts the Architectural and Industrial Design Event of the Year

State Historic Preservation Office launches blockbuster show June 14 at Cranbrook Art Museum in Bloomfield Hills. 

Through Our City: A comic about the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail

Because there is more than one way to tell a story Southwest Michigan's Second Wave asked artist Simon Borst to create a graphic way of telling of the tale of the Kalamazoo Valley River Trail. He presents a story of gaps in the trail and what they mean for trail users. 

Kalamazooans rally around the Beer City USA vote
Coldwater’s historical Tibbits Opera House saved by the community
What I’ve learned during Michigan’s fight on home foreclosure

MSHDA is partnering with the state’s religious leaders and faith communities to help homeowners avoid foreclosure with a program that addresses each homeowner’s unique situation.

Neighbors in Vine to meet to discuss need for grocery
Kalamazoo’s Largest Networking Event returns
Residential upstairs, retail downstairs mix things up at Metropolitan Center

It took major doing on many levels, but the Metropolitan Center is now a model of what can be done when there's will to overcome what others believe is impossible. Jane Parikh talks to James Dally about how his company's redevelopment brings together residential and retail in a historic blend.

Changing the face of downtown with historic redevelopment

Second Wave photographer Erik Holladay captured some of the details inside and outside at the Metropolitan Center that make the historic renovation of the downtown buildings a place that young professionals and empty nesters alike want to live and one where retailers want to locate. See the slide show here.

Our Sponsors

Gilmore Foundation

Our Media Partners

Battle Creek Community Foundation
BINDA Foundation
Southwest Journalism Media Collaborative
Southwest Michigan First
Milestone Senior Services
Consumers Energy

Don't miss out!

Everything Southwest Michigan, in your inbox every week.

Close the CTA

Already a subscriber? Enter your email to hide this popup in the future.