Features

Feature Story Oak Park Event Hub Group

Oak Park is reaching new heights with event hub construction

Oak Park officials recently broke ground on a community event hub. The new facility, part of a parks and recreation plan dubbed Elevate Oak Park, is slated to include a band shell, a farmers' market space, a commercial kitchen, and room for year-round events.

Development News Ferndale bikelanes on Livernois could soon connect with the Nine Mile Road Greenway Corridor project.

Multi-city Nine Mile Road greenway among 11 transportation projects to win TAP grants

"These 11 projects show both the need our region has for high-quality, well-maintained walking and biking infrastructure as well as the commitment our communities have to ensuring quality of life for residents and visitors," says Amy O'Leary, executive director of SEMCOG.

Development News The historic 1887 home of John and Margaret Ruby in Sterling Heights.

Property values keep rising in Sterling Heights and especially in these two categories

“There are many factors that go into strong property values like market conditions and economy, but quality of life is key, and that’s where Sterling Heights stands out among other communities,” says Mayor Michael C. Taylor.

Longform Rx Kids has provided for the Wright family stability during an unpredictable time.

More than a stipend: Rx Kids is transforming childhood beginnings

Rx Kids, the country’s first universal and unconditional cash prescription program for pregnant people and infants, provides financial support to every eligible family within a geographic area, no income requirements, no strings attached. Families receive a one-time $1,500 payment during pregnancy and $500 per month during the baby’s first year of life.  

Feature Story Kevin Fischer3

Medicaid cuts threaten Michigan’s mental health

Federal Medicaid cuts threaten the very lives of those living with serious mental illness, disabilities, and substance use disorders as well as the quality of life and livelihoods of those managing their mental health care with medications and support that Medicaid currently covers.  

Feature Story A prescribed burn at Kensington Metropark.

Where there's smoke, there may be environmental renewal: How parks use fire to support nature

A burning field, forest, or prairie in your local park may be an alarming sight, but sometimes it's actually a sign of an intentional, controlled process with significant benefits for the environment. 

Longform Supplemental Science student Madison Taylor with her exhibit on soil samples at a science fair at WAY Academy in Detroit.

Metroparks offer year-round hands-on science classes in 2 Detroit schools

Through the Supplemental Science program, Huron-Clinton Metroparks staff work with school staff to offer science lessons in schools, usually multiple times a week throughout the school year. 

Longform Erik and Israel Nordin of Detroit Design Center created the sculptures for Masons Corner.

More awards for Downtown Farmington as it turns its attention to the future

2025 is also the year where the general public has an opportunity to help shape the direction of downtown Farmington in the years to come.

Feature Story “Burst” by Ray Katz in Sterling Heights.

Sterling Heights innovates ways to grow defense industry while filling the talent pipeline

"With nearly 100,000 square feet of new training space, this facility will not only provide life-changing career opportunities for residents across Southeast Michigan but will also strengthen our local economy for years to come," says Mayor Michael Taylor.

Feature Story Consumer's Energy Four Cities Metro Pipeline project will occur from 2026 to 2029.

Natural gas pipeline project to update aging system in four Metro-Detroit cities

Consumers Energy will invest $182 million to replace eight miles of outdated natural gas pipeline in four Metro Detroit cities from 2026 to 2029. The company claims this project will improve the safety and reliability of its natural gas system, but environmental advocacy groups argue that money and resources could be better invested in renewable, cleaner energy sources.

Feature Story The chapel of St. Mary's Academy

Vacant for 20 years, historic Monroe building will be repurposed for community goodNonprofit Journal Project Feature

In Monroe, the former St. Mary’s Academy building left an empty space in the city’s downtown when it closed in 2003. Demolition was on the table until a developer with a personal connection to the building stepped up to save it.

Feature Story "Magic Wonder Safari” by Anthony Lee at Zap Zone.

PHOTOS: New adventures in public art with Sterling Heights

Several new artworks have debuted in Sterling Heights since we last took a stroll around the city’s art-strewn municipal campus. Let’s take a look at what’s new in Sterling Heights.

Development News The Jackson House once provided shelter for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his allies throughout the tumultuous Selma-to-Montgomery marches of 1965.

Local history projects win grants in Dearborn, Mount Clemens, Rochester, and more

“The volume of applications demonstrates the necessity of this funding,” says Larry J. Wagenaar, executive director and CEO of the Historical Society of Michigan.

Development News The 10th annual Sterling Edge Awards will be hosted inside Lakeside Mall, the now-closed shopping center soon to be razed for a transformational mixed-use development in Sterling Heights.

Nominations open for Sterling Edge Awards as City plans event inside shuttered Lakeside Mall

Nominations for the 10th annual Sterling Edge Awards are currently being accepted online until a Friday, July 18, deadline.

Longform Cam Underdown and Chris Powers are the co-founders of ReciproCity, which developed a new housing resources website called Shelter Oakland.

Real-time shelter bed openings and other housing resources offered on new Shelter Oakland website

A new website offers real-time information on the number of beds available at almost all Oakland County shelters, as well as a massive list of resources available to those experiencing housing insecurity in the county. 

Feature Story Huge CNC Machines at Tarus's factory in Sterling Heights.

TARUS turns 40 with bold moves and innovation in manufacturing and software

As TARUS celebrates 40 years in Sterling Heights, the Michigan-based manufacturer is forging a bold new path—combining precision tooling for critical industries with the launch of its custom-built software platform, VERAX ERP, to help manufacturers thrive.

Feature Story All Gods Children Developmental Learning Center plans to be certified by  Michigan’s free PreK for All program by fall of 2025.

Detroit early education center preparing littles for “the next phase in life” despite challenges

All of Gods Children Developmental Learning Center in Detroit exemplifies the need for addressing early education professionals low wages and the need for increased state child care subsidies.

Feature Story Robyn and Melissa Childers, owners of Welcome Home Yoga & Wellness.

LGBTQ+ owned businesses in Metro Detroit you should know about

In celebration of Pride Month, here are some businesses owned by folks in the LGBTQ+ community that you should check out.

Longform Making connections at Dinan Park.

How local musicians help connect parks and people in downtown Farmington

“That keystone moment of creating Riley Park has led downtown Farmington down the direction of creating this network of other cool little public nodes, like Dinan Park and the Masonic park, and connecting them,” says John Bry, Program Coordinator at Main Street Oakland County.

Feature Story Randi Rossario Maples holding her newly launched book "Sis I Get It!"

Detroit influencer's new book, “Sis, I Get It” explores black girl empowerment and sisterhood

Randi Rossario Maples, Detroit's most followed influencer, has authored several books focusing on co-parenting and the art of goal setting. In her latest publication, “Sis, I Get It!” which hit the shelves last month, delves into themes such as establishing boundaries in friendships, the challenges of motherhood, and the journey of discovering one's voice.

 
Nonprofit leaders across southeast Michigan are contributing their thoughts via journal entries on how COVID-19 is affecting their organization. 
This series is made possible with the generous support of our partners, the Michigan Nonprofit Association and Co.ACT. Click here to read the journal entries.