8th Annual Park(ing) Day “Detroit to Pontiac” 2024

Hybrid Event from 12-4pmEST @ Metropolis Cycles on Michigan Avenue in the Michigan Central Innovation District & Zoom from 1-3pmEST

Introductory Newsletter

On NEW Ideas

Overview of our time at 4 N. Saginaw, downtown Pontiac (7 years). The initiatives co-created at this site are LIVE & DIGITAL, connected to public places & spaces.

Our works in progress, documented here, require great RISK! (Still controversial…) — Our works in progress, documented here, have required great RISK! (Still controversial…)

We are participating as a “Demonstrator Project” in the Newham Policy Lab, and London Strategy & Policy Network

We served as a Case Study for a PhD dissertation by Lindsay Oluyede, PhD, AICP, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. This covered our work on “Regional Transportation” as applied to our 2016-17 “Design Thinking” & Community Codesign engagement with SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation).

We hosted a video-conference program for the 3rd International Placemaking Week, October 2nd. 2019 that took place in Chattanooga, TN. A result of a three year learning exchange where we’ve explored possibilities around the development of a sister-c… — We hosted a video-conference program for the 3rd International Placemaking Week, October 2nd. 2019 that took place in Chattanooga, TN. A result of a three year learning exchange where we’ve explored possibilities around the development of a sister-city like relationship and/or learning exchange.

Serving as one of five originating National Street Service Pilot Cities. Credited in the NSS Field Guide for having developed a new model for working with small and distressed urban cities. — Serving as one of five originating National Street Service Pilot Cities, funded by Ford Motor company. Credited in the NSS Field Guide for having developed a new model for working with small and distressed urban cities.

AERA Toronto 2019 Conference Presentation: “Trauma and Resilience in Pontiac.” We contributed our “Digital Design Thinking” platform as a programming element to the effort to understand and heal trauma in our community. — AERA Toronto 2019 Conference Presentation: “Trauma and Resilience in Pontiac.” We contributed our “Digital Design Thinking” platform as a programming element to the effort to understand and heal trauma in our community, where pre-pandemic over 80% of children in Pontiac Schools children were suffering.

Our OU / Pontiac Initiative Early Childhood Education (OUPIECE) presented on the "Resilience Screenings Initiative" at the AERA Conference - "Leveraging Education Research in a Post-Truth Era:" bit.ly/2uUQe8i -

Session: bit.ly/ResilienceAERAToronto3 Leave a sticky note here: http://bit.ly/resiliencedesign

The Messy Business of Social Context: Thoughts on the Phoenix Center. A summary of our efforts during the controversial Phoenix Center demolition project.

"Design Walk" a community-based learning, STEAM placemaking program.

As part of the global, open source Park(ing) Day placemaking event, Pontiac celebrated at the intersection of Saginaw and Pike streets and in the "Hub & Grub" development concept for 2 N. Saginaw to serve as a community planning center and eatery.

Ottawa Towers Open House, September 19, 2015

Original Pontiac Plan with vision for the "Project" which became the Ottawa Towers/Phoenix Center/Transportation Center (this concept was originally adopted via a community led campaign that rejected a proposed shopping mall development for the land… — Original Pontiac Plan with vision for the "Project" which became the Ottawa Towers/Phoenix Center/Transportation Center (this concept was originally adopted via a community led campaign that rejected a proposed shopping mall development for the land left vacant due to disastrous Urban Renewal policies of the 1950's)