Shore Magazine recognizes Benton Harbor economic development strategy

Big beleaguered cities are not the only ones looking for a roadmap for a better 21st Century, reports Shore Magazine.

To get a sense of the unique challenges facing communities in the region, Shore talked to planning and development officials and perused the "master plans" of six different cities, including Benton Harbor.

It sought out those that recognize "if growth is unplanned and unmanaged, it's more likely to undermine prospects for future growth. Success can trigger negative unintended consequences -- like traffic jams and air pollution."

Excerpt:

Like Gary, Benton Harbor abuts Lake Michigan, but its downtown area doesn't overlook it. Also like Gary, the city is mostly African-American and suffers from many blighted, unsafe buildings due to depopulation. Razing as many of those as possible is a central focus of the residential vision for Benton Harbor outlined in the city's new master plan, which was formally adopted by the City Commission in early January "to meet and plan for future challenges facing the City, including preserving the City's historic character, meeting future housing needs, and economic development."

Read the rest of the story to find out other elements of the plan.

Source: Shore Magazine