Sign up for Concentrate's Speaker Series: Downtown Development - A Generational Divide

Who decides what a downtown looks and feels like? Are we making it a place where young and talented people want to be? Is density good for our community?

Concentrate will be listening for answers at our very first Speaker Series, held March 4th in The Michigan Theater's Screening Room (located at 603 East Liberty Street).

The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited so you must pre-register.

The event starts at 5 p.m. with sign in starting at 4:45PM. The presentation will begin at 5:15 p.m. and run for a little over an hour. Refreshments (beer, wine, and bottled water) will be provided.

Our featured speaker is Dan Gilmartin, executive director of the Michigan Municipal League, an organization that represents over 500 local governments throughout Michigan. Dan is the youngest leader in the MML's 110 year history. Dan previously served the League as the organization’s lead advocate in Lansing and in Washington DC, where he concentrated on issues like transportation, land use and urban redevelopment.

Following Dan's talk there will be a short panel discussion, with locals who represent both ends of the generational perspective on downtown development

• Anya Dale, Economic Development and Energy Specialist with Washtenaw County
• Richard Murphy, former Ypsilanti City Planner now staff member at the Michigan Suburban Alliance
  
• Ray Detter, chair of the Downtown Area Citizens Advisory Council and 20 year downtown resident
• Alice J. Ralph, Architect and Civic Activist in Ann Arbor

Networking and discussion afterward is encouraged.

Concentrate's Speaker Series is sponsored by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.


Concentrate's Speaker Series is sponsored by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.