Enough stuff to warrant an email

[Kurt A]

Hello Neighbors, 

It was fun hanging out with so many of you last night at the Corner Brewery for St. Patrick's day. It certainly made me remember why I like our neighborhood so much. 

So what is going on you ask? 

Here are answers: 

    • The St. PAWdy's Day Parade - 'march of the mutts' is in Depot Town on Saturday. Dress your dog(s) and come on down Saturday at 12:30pm . Details are below 
    • 'The Friends of Prospect Park ' MEETING next Monday March 22, 7pm in the multi-purpose room of Adams School..Enter from the North Parking lot. - these are fine folks that got the birdhouse rebuilt, kept the park clean last summer, Continued work on the Luna Lake Native Plants Garden, Put on the Luna Lake Hoedown, and laid the Mulch on the Playground. I encourage you to become a part of this group which gets things done with a combination of volunteers, City (workers and $), The Ypsilanti School district, and the YMCA. The major projects for 2010 will be: A community garden in the park, Repairing and Painting at least one of the pavilions and equipping it with rain barrels for the garden. 
    • 
107 East Cross Demolition to Begin - Monday's deadline passed without any appeal being filed by Mr. Kircher for 107 E Cross Street (building behind Thompson block). The City has a court order to demolish and will be proceeding with demolition as soon as possible. At least this saga is coming to an end - I think. 
    • Clean Energy Coalition Kicks-Off 2010 Rebuild Ypsilanti Program - Details Below 
    • Youth Master Gardener Program beginning soon - Details Below 
    • The Mayor's State of the City Letter - Look Below 
    • Cafe' Luwak is not just sandwiches anymore they now has some great Lunch Specials and breakfast daily. A large Portion of Vegetarian or Meat Lasagna with side salad and garlic bread for $6.49 -- This is a great deal. If you missed your Corned Beef Luwak has an excellent Corned Beef and Cabbage dish too. Don't forget the sandwiches, ice-cream, and coffee too. 

I think that is about all I have for today. 
Take care, 
Kurt 
prospectparkneighborhood at comcast.net 





Come on down to Depot Town Saturday, March 20th for the St. Pawdy's Day, March of the Mutts, Pet Parade!! 
Registration will be at 12:30 PM. Parade will start at Sidetrack, in Depot Town and end at Riverside Park Parade starts @ 1 PM. 
Pets Supplies Plus is providing Doggie Treat Bags for participants: 

Special Grand Prizes for the: 
Cutest dog 
Best costume 
Ugliest dog 
Best behaved dog 
Most Irish dog 
Dog that looks most like their owner. 

Suggested entry fee for the contest is $5/dog, with all proceeds benefiting the HURON VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY. Registration Parking will be at the parking lot on Rice Street, South of E Forest. Local merchants will be offering special sales and treats for dogs and their owners, so come on down with the family on March 20th and celebrate the first day of Spring! 

For more information go to: depottownpromotions at gmail.com . 



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , March 17, 2010 
Contact: Joshua Brugeman, Project Manager 
Email: josh at cec-mi.org 
Phone: 888.818.0987 x 708 


Clean Energy Coalition Kicks-Off 2010 Rebuild Ypsilanti Program 
Improving Energy Efficiency for Commercial Buildings in Ypsilanti 


YPSILANTI, MI – Clean Energy Coalition (CEC), an Ypsilanti-based nonprofit organization promoting clean energy technologies, is kicking off its 2010 Rebuild Ypsilanti Program, a project aimed to reduce energy costs by assisting Ypsilanti commercial building owners with energy efficiency improvements. Commercial buildings include offices, retail space, restaurants, multifamily residential units, and more. 


“Clean Energy Coalition is based in Ypsilanti. We’re extremely excited to work right here in the community towards energy efficiency practices that will help building owners reduce their operating costs and avoid the challenges of rising energy prices,” said Sean Reed, CEC’s Executive Director. 


Getting Involved 
The general public is invited to the 2010 Rebuild Ypsilanti meeting: 


Increasing Your Energy Efficiency and Your Bottom Line 
RSVP Required 
April 29th, 10AM – 12PM 
Ypsilanti District Library 
5577 Whittaker Road 
Ypsilanti, MI 48197 
www.ypsilibrary.org 


This meeting will include an update on Rebuild Ypsilanti program as well as expert speakers on energy efficiency, financing options, and financial incentive opportunities for energy conservation measures (RSVP required, as space is limited). 


The Rebuild Ypsilanti program also provides complimentary energy audits to owners and renters of commercial buildings in Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township. If you are interested in receiving an audit, please complete an application online at cec-mi.org . 


To get involved in Rebuild Ypsilanti or to RSVP for the Kick-off meeting, please contact Joshua Brugeman at josh at cec-mi.org . For more details about the project, visit our website at cec-mi.org . 


Program Benefits 
For owners and renters of commercial buildings in Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township, Rebuild Ypsilanti Program will provide: 




    • Free and Reduced Cost Energy Audits 
    • Technical Guides 
    • Print and Electronic Publications 
    • Financial Strategies for Energy Projects 
    • National, Regional, and Local Workshops & Meetings 
    • Key Program News 
    • Reduced costs on energy efficiency products 
    • Access to incentive and project management specialists 



These resources will assist program participants in improving the energy efficiency of their facilities, which will not only reduce operating costs, but also improve comfort and health for building occupants and the environment by preventing pollution. 


Increasing Energy Costs and Potential Savings 
Over the next five years, demand for natural gas and electricity are expected to increase by 4.36 percent and 8.29 percent respectively.i With increased demand comes increased prices. Electricity supplied to the Ypsilanti region through DTE has increased 13.1 percentii over the last year. For the businesses in Ypsilanti, rising energy prices have become a significant burden on their operating costs. 


Energy efficiency improvements can result in substantial energy savings. For example, savings of $.50 per square foot is readily achievable. Although the savings will vary significantly from building to building, a 100,000 sq. ft. commercial building could realize annual savings of $50,000. Even simple solutions such as lighting and HVAC retrofits can generate noticeable results. It’s possible to save up to 40 percent on lighting costs alone by switching to T8 fluorescent lights from older T12 lights.iii Also, by installing a programmable thermostat to automatically set back during unoccupied hours, buildings can decrease energy use up to 16 percent.iv Many of these energy efficiency measures offer a payback period of less than 5 years. 


Freeing up this money from decreased energy usage will serve the other budget areas of participants, feeding local economies and the community. The Rebuild Ypsilanti program is part of a greater emphasis on energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy independence on the local, state and national levels. The program is part of the Rebuild Michigan program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and administered by the State of Michigan Energy Office (Bureau of Energy Systems), which promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy development and use with Michigan residents, businesses and public institutions. Local officials, businesses and organizations are enthusiastic about the continuation of the program. 


A variety of incentives are available to commercial building owners in Ypsilanti. The incentives include federal tax reductions and utility optimization funds that help offset the initial cost of equipment and shorten payback periods. The Rebuild Ypsilanti program guides building owners through the process of leveraging all possible incentives. 


Current committed stakeholders include 1st Step Referral Services, A3C Collaborative Architects, AWTEC, City of Ypsilanti, Corner Brewery, Cribley Drilling Co, Inc., Depot Town CDC, Detroit Regional Chapter US Green Building Council, Dragon's Hoard Accounting, Eagle's Net Laundry, Gross Electric, Growing Hope, Haab's Restaurant, Houdini's Cleaners and Laundryland, Impact Energy Management, Jacobsen/Daniels Associates, Kenco Energy Services, Manchester and Associates, Materials Unlimited, Michigan IR, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Riverside Manor Apartments, SecurAlarm Systems, Inc., SOS Community Services, Stadium Meadows Condominium Association, Vanston / O'Brien Inc., W. W. Grainger, Inc., Willow Building, Ypsilanti Chamber of Commerce, Ypsilanti District Library, Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority, Ypsilanti Food Co-op. Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a stakeholder. We are always looking for new partnerships! 


About The Clean Energy Coalition 
CEC is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting clean energy technologies as a way to create healthier, energy independent communities. CEC implements, manages, and evaluates cost effective, market transformation projects and programs in the building and transportation sectors. For more information visit cec-mi.org . 

It's springtime! And, it is a great time to think about gardening--for children! 

The 4-H Junior Master Gardener program is now accepting applications from youth ages 9-11. This program hosted by MSU Extension program is open to all county residents, but there is so much interest in gardening in Ypsi, that this is a great opportunity for children you know to learn more about gardening. They could even consider learning about business and trying out the Farmer's Market. The registration deadline is April 26, 2010. The program begins in May and there is a fee to participate in this six-week program. 

Please click on "Jr. Master Gardener" at the following link or call (734) 997-1678 for more information: http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/extension/4-H . 




March 16, 2010 



Dear Ypsilanti Neighbors and Friends: 



The state of the City of Ypsilanti in 2010 is a mix of good and bad. Michigan’s economic crisis is forcing expenditure reductions and layoffs for Ypsilanti as well as many other Michigan cities. But Ypsilanti’s geographic, cultural, and urban advantages are attracting businesses and families and will keep Ypsilanti thriving. 



In the first half of this message, I will feature the many good things happening in our city. In the second half, I will discuss the fiscal challenges facing Ypsilanti. Retooling in Ypsilanti 


Last year I cited the former Ford automotive parts plant as an example of Michigan’s economic crisis coming to Ypsilanti. Since then, Angstrom USA , an automotive supplier that produces aluminum tubing and needle bearing assemblies, has purchased the property. As part of the sale, the oldest building on the site will be demolished. The retooled facility will provide jobs and tax revenue again, but on a smaller scale. 



Angstrom USA is one of many retooling efforts happening in Ypsilanti. 



For example, in downtown: 

    • the Corner Health Center celebrated its renovations and expansion into the next store front, 


    • Mix , a collection of clothes and other items new and used, opened on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Adams Street, 
    • SPARK East , a hub of small business entrepreneurship in Ypsilanti, opened last spring on Michigan Avenue, 
    • The Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority installed attractive decorative lighting along Michigan Avenue, 
    • Puffer Reds on Michigan Avenue took advantage of the state façade grant to spruce up their east store front, and 
    • Thomas Blondi opened a very sharp looking styling salon on North Huron Street. 




North of downtown: 

    • VG Kids found a larger space on Railroad Street and will move their printing operation from their downtown Michigan Avenue location, 
    • James Marks, owner of VG Kids , has fully leased Spur Studios ─ a collection of private work spaces for artists on Lowell Street, 
    • Schoolpictures.com , at the former Ave Maria Campus on West Forest, is expecting to be designated the first pre-1950 building in Michigan with Silver LEED status for environmental friendliness, and 
    • The LeForge Street bridge has been repaired. 




In the Depot Town area: 

    • The Friends of the Freight House received a $500,000 stimulus grant for exterior repairs to the Freight House and will be hosting “ The Train Stops Here ” fundraiser at the Firehouse Museum on Thursday, April 9, 
    • Plans for the East and West Cross streetscape renovation project are being drawn up, and 
    • The Friends of Prospect Park won the Keep Michigan Beautiful Award for programs and activities that substantially contribute to environmental improvement, clean up, beautification, site restoration, and historic preservation. 




South of Michigan Avenue: 

    • The HOPE Clinic on Harriet Street continues their expansion, 
    • The former Cannon’s store at South Hamilton and Harriet streets has been remodeled and is ready for retail tenants, 
    • Parkridge Community Center has been renovated with $78,000 in federal funds, 
    • The Harriet Street corridor is slated to receive $20,000 in federal funds through the Washtenaw Urban County to pay for the planning of pedestrian-access improvements, healthy food initiatives, and job creation, and 
    • The Ypsilanti Housing Commission is negotiating with the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to renovate Parkview Apartments . 




On the West Side: 

    • College Place will be finally be repaved, 
    • A sidewalk has been installed in front of West Middle School, 
    • Mansfield Street repaving will continue this year, and 


    • The Friends of Rutherford Pool held their Seeking a Clear Vision event to drum up support for renovating Rutherford Pool. 


Fiscal Challenges 


Ypsilanti property owners recently received their property value assessments. The good news: property taxes are going down. The bad news: property tax revenues for the city of Ypsilanti are declining. 



Although the Water Street bond payments are kicking in with no compensating tax revenue in sight, lower tax revenues are the major cause of Ypsilanti’s economic crisis. Reductions in property tax and state revenues will create annual deficits starting in 2011 ( Figure 1 ). 



This stark economic scenario has prompted Ypsilanti City Council to cut expenditures starting in 2011. These cuts, representing 10 percent of the budget, will save up to $1.4 million per year. City council’s target expenditure reductions delay annual deficits until 2012 ( Figure 2 ). 



Fortunately, the city has budgeted conservatively through the years and has $10.4 million in reserves as of 2009 ( Figure 3 ). Cutting expenditures now will keep Ypsilanti sustainable until 2015 and buy time for collaboration with neighboring municipalities who are also facing lower tax revenues. 

City Staff Changes 


In 2008 the city cut a dozen vacant staff positions without layoffs. But this year the tough expenditure cuts include closing City Hall for thirteen furlough days and laying off five police officers and three to six firefighters. In spite of these reductions, emergency response and public safety will continue to be top priorities in the city of Ypsilanti. 



In January, Ypsilanti police lieutenant Amy Walker was sworn in as the city’s police chief. At a recent neighborhood meeting her leadership was on display. Speaking of personnel cuts in the police department, Chief Walker assured residents that “we will be here for you.” She could have easily been speaking for the entire city. 



With best regards, 

Paul Schreiber 

Mayor, City of Ypsilanti 

734.277.5446 










Figure 1 is a graph of the city of Ypsilanti general fund projected revenues minus expenditures in blue and the Water Street bond payments in orange . With no expenditure reductions, lower property tax and state revenues will create annual deficits starting in 2011. 






Figure 2 is a graph of the city of Ypsilanti general fund projected revenues minus expenditures at targeted expenditure levels in green and the Water Street bond payment in orange . City council’s target expenditure reductions delay annual deficits until 2012. 




Figure 3 is a graph of the city of Ypsilanti’s combined reserves using projections for declining tax revenue and two options for expenditures. The blue line shows reserves without expenditure reductions and the green line shows reserves with expenditure reductions. Cutting expenditures now will keep Ypsilanti sustainable until 2015 and buy time for collaboration with neighboring municipalities who are also facing lower tax revenues. 






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