MUSKEGON --
So, just
how is Muskegon doing?
A great indicator of our
area’s condition can be seen in an Atlantic magazine story by American treasure
James Fallows who, with his wife Deb, has traveled the United States over the
past few years to see how America is doing. Their conclusion might surprise you
-- that despite the negative rhetoric of the current political campaign season,
when looked at from the perspective of communities like Muskegon, much of
America is thriving. Read the report here.
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| James Fallows Article |
Fallows has come up
with a check list of 11 characteristics that help identify successful, thriving
communities. Check out the list here.
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| 11 Signs a City Will Succeed |
How's Muskegon doing?
A bit of a mixed bag, I would say, but overall there is plenty to be encouraged
about. Here is my take on Muskegon as it relates to Fallows' community check
list:
1. National politics
are a distant concern.
Our local divisions
don't seem to be defined by right vs. left, Blue vs. Red. And that's a good
thing.
For me, this was
driven home in a recent private conversation I shared with Democratic Muskegon
County Board Chairman Terry Sabo and Republican County Commissioner Bob Scolnik.
The talk of an important county-wide public policy was in the context not of
partisan ideology, but of what was best for Muskegon County.
2. They have identifiable
local "patriots."
We have plenty of
patriots moving Muskegon forward. I'd begin by pointing to business leaders
Larry Hines, Mike Olthoff and Chuck Johnson, but there are plenty more in
elected office, the non-profit world and education.
3. They have
public-private partnerships that are real.
Our best example of a
public-private partnership is the new downtown Muskegon Farmers Market. And
just watch what will be announced soon on the Sappi site as another great
example.
4. People know the
community civic story.
From fur trading,
lumbering to our industrial history, Muskegon knows our past story boom to bust
economic cycles. But it gets a bit fuzzy when talking about our current and
future stories. The Muskegon story is still developing, which is one of the
needs for the Watch Muskegon community image campaign.
5. They have a
downtown.
Yes, Muskegon has a
downtown that is in transition, developing year-by-year from the old Muskegon
Mall era that ended in the early 2000’s. Muskegon has irreplaceable assets such
as the Muskegon Museum of Art, the Hackley and Hume homes, Frauenthal Center
for the Performing Arts and Hackley Library, among other historic and cultural
icons. They create the foundation for a developing downtown that will include
residences, restaurants, entertainment and eventually retail.
6. They are near a
research university.
Well, we strike out
on this one, but only Ann Arbor (University of Michigan), East Lansing
(Michigan State University) and mid-town Detroit (Wayne State University) have
such significant higher-educational institutions.
7. They have and care
about a community college.
What is lacking in a
major, research university, Muskegon has in spades with the power of Muskegon
Community College. The recent voter-supported bond issue that has created a new
science center, purchase of the Muskegon YMCA, current development of The
Chronicle building as a downtown center and planned physical education and arts
facilities on the Quarterline campus is testament to the importance and public
support of MCC.
8. They have unusual
schools.
Successful
communities have special, innovative schools that could be public, charter or
private institutions. Outside of the Muskegon Area Career Tech Center, I think
we lack in such educational showcases.
9. They make
themselves open.
The seeds of opening
Muskegon to diverse communities such as new immigrant groups are there, but
plenty of attention and encouragement is needed. I am heartened by the quick
and strong support -- and lack of opposition -- to a civil rights expansion
policy at the city of Muskegon a few years back to include the LGBT community.
10. They have big
plans.
We have plenty of
immerging plans in Muskegon but not the overarching, county-wide plan that some
might like. I would say keep an eye on the port development activities and the Muskegon
Lake Vision 2020 plan as it develops. Muskegon Lake is central to our identity
and future prosperity.
11. They have craft
breweries.
Seriously, craft
breweries and distilleries are a key, if not the most critical, indicator of a
successful, thriving community, Fallows says. They show entrepreneurial spirit
and a dynamic millennial population.
As for Muskegon, the
success of Unruly, Pigeon Hill and Fetch breweries and the current construction
of the 18th Amendment Distillery are great signs of our future success.
So there are the 11
critical community characteristics. I would say we are weakest with our
community story and educational innovation but super strong with our community
college and craft beer.
What do you think,
Muskegon? I'd love to hear your reactions.
