For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36601 Ford Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 724.721.2310

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Westland Plans to "Green" It's Oldest Neighborhood

Westland, MI - The Norwayne Community landscape is undergoing an eco-friendly renovation - 120 newly planted trees - as a result of a recent grant awarded to Westland through the Alliance of Rouge Communities (ARC). The types of trees include Red Maples, Sunset Maples, Sweet Gums, Swamp White Oakd and Little Leaf Lindens.

The "Restoring Trees in an Urban Watershed" grant funding came from the USDA Forestry Service Division and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). ARC is a non-profit organization that includes Westland and 34 other municipalities, in addition to Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland Counties.

"These 120 new trees are a symbol of the rebirth of Westland's oldest neighborhood" said Mayor Bill Wild. "As we collectively work with the community groups within Norwayne to return the neighborhood to a "community of choice. Additional trees and green space will play a pivotal role in the future livability of the area."

Constructed in 1942, the NorWayne neighborhood is Westland's oldest subdivision. It was added to the National Registry of Historic places in July of 2013. Erected during World War II for the workers at the Willow Run Bomber Plant and during its peak was home to over 20,000 residents. By the 1980s NorWayne's housing stock started to decline and it was apparent that the area was in need of restoration. Since Mayor Wild's term began, the City has taken an active role in the stabilization of the neighborhood, using federal dollars through qualifying programs, and has encouraged investment in the neighborhood through renovation grants. Funds have also been used for road improvements and infrastructure repairs.

ARC strives to to encourage watershed-wide cooperation and mutual support to meet water quality permit requirements and to restore beneficial uses of the Rouge River to the area residents.

For more information, please contact Administrative Secretary Aubrey Berman at (734) 467-3200

The City of Westland is the 10th largest city in Michigan with a population of over 84,000. The city's residential development is an excellent blend of single family homes, apartments and condominiums. The broad selection of housing opportunities is complimented by over 1500 acres of well-maintained parks and nature trails as well as a highly rated municipal golf course. Also available is a skate park, ice arena, a state-of-the-art Library and novel city park themes that are fun and family-friendly.

Westland has the location, land, infrastructure, and leadership, under Mayor William R. Wild to attract new industry and help existing businesses redevelop properties and to maintain competitiveness in today's global economy. Six modern platted industrial parks on 320 acres are served by class "A" internal roads, with up to date utilities and rail access available within two of the parks. Westland is conveniently located within the center of southeastern Michigan's expressway system, minutes north of Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and ideally located between downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor.

Westland is the area's premier "Shopping and Dining Destination". Westland Shopping center, one of the country's original four regional malls, boasts 80 retail stores and has anchored Westland's commercial district for more than 30 years. Westland's diversity and progressive planning offers residents a wide variety of life experiences, and make Westland truly the "All American City".