community development

The Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority's "Explore Ypsi" Initiative finished its third year this holiday season. It is a program in partnership with EMU intended to help new students and faculty get off campus to explore Ypsilanti and get connected with local business owners. For this week’s “On the Ground Ypsi,” Concentrate Media’s Rylee Barnsdale is joined by Ypsilanti DDA executive director Elize Jekabson to explain how the program works, how it has evolved in its third year and what the future may hold.

Washtenaw County officials recently finalized the purchase of the 26-acre plot of land the former Cheney Elementary School sat on with the intent to build a state-of-the-art community and recreation center in the school's place, leading some Ypsilanti residents wondering how this new initiative will uphold the legacy of Willow Run Schools, as well as the school's namesake. Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale discusses everything that led to this project becoming a reality with Ypsilanti Community Schools trustee Jeanice Townsend.

For quite some time, Ypsilanti went without a brick-and-mortar art supply store. That is no longer the case. Megan Foldenauer opened Ypsi Art Supply & Atelier almost a year ago. She says she couldn’t have done it without the help and mentorship of many in the Ypsilanti small business community. Selling art products and learning about the art of community building—that’s what Megan talks about with Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale.

Saline Township is exploring developing underused parking space into a place for the public to gather. WEMU’s Taylor Bowie has more.

The state is approving a $10 million loan to help create a new Workforce Housing Loan Fund. Colin Jackson has more.

The City of Dexter is one step closer to building a new Multigenerational Community Center. We get the details from WEMU’s Taylor Pinson.

The old DTE coal-gasification site along the Huron River is about to undergo a massive transformation. It is to be converted into the new, seven-acre, Broadway Park West. It is to include new mixed-use development for housing and retail with more greenspace and community connectivity. Still, there are environmental issues and concerns to be addressed. Marie Klopf is president of the Lower Town Riverfront Conservancy, and she joined WEMU's David Fair with up-to-date progress information.

Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton announced that he will not run for reelection in 2024. He has endorsed Derrick Jackson to replace him. WEMU’s Josh Hakala reports.

The Ypsilanti City Council is expected to approve a "PILOT" – or Payment in Lieu of Taxes – for an affordable housing development on Clark Road. WEMU's Josh Hakala tells us that not everyone is thrilled with the plan.

This week, "Art and Soul" is about the visual arts. 89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with with a creative strategist working with the Americans for the Arts…