City of Birmingham
Around Town E-Newsletter
March
Around Town
E-Newsletter
Welcome to the Around Town e-Newsletter from the City of Birmingham. We hope you enjoy receiving the latest City news and forward it to friends or family who may be interested in the City of Birmingham!
Around Town| March
Inside City Hall with Birmingham City Manager,
Joe Valentine
Receive the latest updates from Birmingham in this month's edition of Inside City Hall with Birmingham City Manager, Joe Valentine.
March 9
Regularly Scheduled Commission Meeting - 7:30 p.m.
March 11
Planning Board Meeting (Master Plan - Neighborhood Components) - 7:30 p.m.
March 23
Regularly Scheduled Commission Meeting - 7:30 p.m.
Updates on Maple Reconstruction
Maple Road Reconstruction Almost Here!
 
The Maple Road reconstruction project is at the starting gate. Project bids were received and reviewed last month, and the City’s Engineering Department is prepared to take the best bid forward to the City Commission for approval at its March 9 meeting. This project is supported by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and will go from the Commission to MDOT for final approval. With all approvals secured, the City expects to launch construction in early April.
 
As with the Old Woodward project, we will be keeping all Birmingham stakeholders informed and updated. We encourage interested residents and business owners to sign up for our weekly emails or texts by using Birmingham’s Enotify system. Sign up at  www.bhamgov.org/enotify  and scroll to construction projects.
 
We’ll be bringing back Birmingham Bucks and free two-hour valet parking. We have 2,600 feet of barricades ready to be covered with art, and we’re looking forward to a safe, smooth project.
Participate in Citywide Master Plan Process

PLANNING BOARD UPDATE – A LIVELY DISCUSSION
Next Meeting – Wednesday March 11 at 7:30pm
 
The February 12 Planning Board meeting, which brought the latest draft of Birmingham’s master plan forward for public discussion was well attended with plenty of thoughtful discussion. The meeting laid out the premises that form the framework of the draft plan and the overall vision for the City through 2040. Planning Board members and most of the residents in attendance expressed support for the plan and offered comments that will be used to further develop our thinking. Please remember that these notes represent individual opinions from your Planning Board members, neighbors and local business owners. While some comments engendered broader support, these notes reflect the overall discussion not decision-making. Comments are grouped together to provide a quick snapshot of the meeting.
 
People
  • The master plan should always focus on people.
  • Neighborhood associations should be the conduit for information and feedback with the City.
  • How can we increase communication with residents and engagement by residents?
  • Could neighborhood “ambassadors” be employed to create community and facilitate engagement?
 
Defining Plan Parameters and Language
  • Consider whether live/work spaces are viable in Birmingham.
  • Have other communities been benchmarked during development of the plan?
  • Gather additional data around school enrollment and the percentage of residences with school-age children.
 
Neighborhoods
  • Create standards for infill housing.
  • General support for the concept of neighborhood centers and destination points such as parks and cafes.
  • Some communities have ordinances requiring city inspection before residential home sales. Should Birmingham consider that?
  • Support for the concept of neighborhood “seams,” but some concern that residents on either side of the seam may not always agree on planning proposals for the area.
  • Continued concern over home demolition in neighborhoods.
  • Promote extending the life of existing homes by incentivizing renovation/rehab over demo/rebuild.
 
Commercial and Mixed-Use Areas
  • Some concern that downtown development is too intense.
  • Office space is in increasing demand.
  • Planning around Lincoln and Fourteen Mile (the Mews) was supported. It will buffer nearby single-family homes and provide more attainable housing.
  • Planning for South Old Woodward (Haynes Square) was supported.

Infrastructure and Roads
  • Support for a pedestrian bridge over Woodward at Maple.
  • Support for a 35MPH speed limit on Woodward.
  • Prioritize pedestrian crosswalks on Woodward and time traffic signals effectively.
  • An overall infrastructure component would strengthen the plan.
 
Environment
  • Consider including greater attention to climate change issues. City should find ways to reduce its environmental footprint.
  • Take a more aggressive stance on supporting and enhancing the tree canopy throughout the City. Preserve our older trees.
  • Support for the planned improvements to the Rouge River watershed.
 
The next Planning Board meeting is scheduled for March 11 at 7:30pm in the Municipal Offices. The Planning Board will review and discuss the Neighborhood Components section of the plan. Public input is encouraged. Please plan to attend.
Communicating is Getting Easier

We are always working to improve communication with residents and business owners in Birmingham. Currently, we connect in several ways – newsletters, social media, our website, public meetings – and we appreciate how many of you use these platforms and provide feedback. We are now looking to expand our communications tools by creating a citywide email list. Many of you have already provided your emails to receive targeted messaging around specific issues such as road construction, the master plan or events in our community. We would like to expand our email list so that we can provide specific, important information in a timely manner. We might want to inform you directly on a public notice about a project planned for your neighborhood or scheduled utility work. We may need to reach residents immediately regarding a neighborhood emergency or an area that should be temporarily avoided. We may want to remind you about an important public hearing so that we can hear from every resident on critical issues. 
 
Please know that the City of Birmingham holds all of your information in the strictest confidence. Email addresses will be used for City messages only and we are keeping a calendar to be sure we don’t monopolize your mailbox. Sign up for our citywide email list at bit.ly/bhamnews .

Water Works
Lead Service Line Replacement

The City’s program to replace lead water-service lines got off to a quick start with eight lines identified for immediate replacement. Four homes and two businesses were scheduled in first round of construction. Work began on February 20. Work on four homes was completed in a little over a week and the City’s Engineering Department expects to be finished with the remaining locations by the end of the first week in March. Engineering expects to resume replacement work this summer, following water testing at all locations with lead service lines and the development of a prioritized replacement plan.
 
Water testing is moving forward at an equally quick pace. The City identified 728 locations for testing and water test kits have been provided to 301 locations. Those kits are collected by an outside vendor and submitted for testing. The remaining 427 kits will be distributed and collected by March 20. All property owners will receive test results and those results will be used by the City to develop a prioritized remediation plan. 
 
This work is mandated by the State of Michigan, but Birmingham is far ahead of the timetable for addressing its water service lines. We appreciate the cooperation of everyone involved in the testing. Your assistance has helped keep this project moving forward.
Register Now for 2020 Spring Birmingham Citizens Academy

Would you like to learn more about your local Birmingham government?
Registration is now open for those seeking to be a part of an elite group of Birmingham residents who are interested in increasing their knowledge about local government operations. This is a free educational offering, and applications are accepted on a first-come basis, for a maximum of 30 people.

If this sounds like something you or a friend would enjoy, fill out the Citizens Academy Application , and mail or email it in today. The first of eight total sessions will be held on Tuesday, April 21 st . Sessions will be offered on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6-8:30pm. Applicants must be Birmingham residents and over the age of 18.

Participants will graduate with a better understanding of how their City operates and have an opportunity to learn more about various departments such as: police, fire, engineering, building, planning, finance, department of public services, and more. 
Welcome New Businesses

Stop by the following new businesses soon and give them a warm welcome!

Bakehouse 46 - 136 North Old Woodward. Find cupcakes, donuts, bagels, ice cream, cakes and other sweet treats in this collaborative culinary experience that pairs the Cupcake Station and Blake's Farm. 

Planthropie - 135 Pierce Street. Plant based cheese and dessert bar.

The Colore Room - 588 North Old Woodward. Hair salon.

Essential Nail Bar - 282 West Maple Road. A full-service nail salon and spa.
Still Time to Complete Parking Satisfaction Survey

Share your feedback via our Parking Satisfaction Survey . With more than 900 responses collected to date, the Advisory Parking Committee (APC) and City Staff want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to participate in this process. The survey will be open until March 10, 2020, with the results of the survey being presented at a subsequent APC meeting in addition to being posted on the APC webpage. Thank you for your feedback!
Participate in the Celebrate Birmingham Hometown Parade
Planning is picking up steam for the 2020 Celebrate Birmingham Hometown Parade on Sunday, May 17 at 1:00 p.m. Community groups, local businesses, dance teams, scout troops, children and adults of all ages are encouraged to march in this year’s parade. It’s a great opportunity to spotlight your group.
 
Sponsors are welcome to join the 2020 festivities. Being a sponsor is another way for a business, a group, organization or individual to be recognized as part of this family friendly event which reflects the hometown feel of Birmingham. The Hometown Parade is televised by Bloomfield Community Television and is covered by traditional and social media, giving sponsors a good PR opportunity.
 
Visit  www.bhamgov.org/parade  for registration forms and sponsorship packages coming soon!
 
Early Golf Incentives
Spring is just around the corner!

We invite you to Lincoln Hills Golf Course during the last two weeks of March for our 2020 Early Sign Up Membership Bonus. Early birds will receive their first round of golf on us! 

Get the Deal: Simply renew your membership between March 16 thru 20th and March 23rd through 27th at Lincoln Hills Golf Course between 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Lincoln Hills Golf Course is located at 2666 West 14 Mile Road. Learn more at  www.GolfBirmingham.org . We'll see you on the green!  
Support the In the Park Summer Concert Series
The 40th season of In the Park Summer Concerts will be held in Shain Park this summer. The concert series is offered to the community thanks in part to our generous sponsors. Download the  2020 In the Park Summer Concerts Sponsor Form  to view various levels of sponsorship opportunities that fit all budgets. Thank you in advance for your support!
Submit Your Restaurant Week Feedback
Did you enjoy Birmingham Restaurant Week? Please take a moment to complete our short Restaurant Week survey . Your feedback will help us to improve this event next year. One lucky respondent will be randomly selected to receive a $50 gift card!
Birmingham Green Article from the Planning Department
The landscaping choices we make as a community have true and meaningful effects on the natural environment. Whether starting from a blank slate or reworking existing landscaping, utilizing native plants is a huge advantage. Native plants can offer beauty and serenity to rival any ostentatious or exotic flora all while staying low maintenance and less chemical dependent. They do not need artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or any synthetic product due to their native disposition and ability to tolerate the environment that they have been in for centuries. This not only provides a healthy place for people, it provides a healthy contributor to the climate, wildlife and our valuable water resources. Additionally, native plants are foolproof additions to rain gardens, which makes for increased functionality on top of their natural beauty. Information on native plants is plentiful, but there are also some unique web tools available to gather native plant information specific to your zip code! Check out the Audubon native plants database as an example – www.audubon.org/native-plants.
Special Siren Test set for March 25th

In an effort to promote severe weather safety preparedness, Oakland County will conduct a special test of the Outdoor Warning System on Wednesday, March 25th at 1:00 p.m. The purpose of this test is to raise the awareness level of our citizens and offer schools and businesses an opportunity to test their internal disaster plans during normal business hours. View future  siren testing dates  online here .
Set Out Yard Waste in April
Please note you may start putting yard waste bags curbside for pick up on your refuse day during the week of April 6th. Only the kraft-style paper bags are acceptable, or trash containers with a "Yard Waste" decal sticker attached (no plastic bags). 

If you have yard waste bags prior to April 6th, you can either hold onto the yard waste until the curbside yard waste pick up begins, or take up to 10 paper yard waste bags to SOCRRA, located at 995 Coolidge, Troy MI. 

For more information view yard waste guidelines at  www.bhamgov.org/yardwaste  or contact the Department of Public Services at (248) 530-1700.
March News from The Birmingham Museum
From the very beginnings of aviation, Birmingham has contributed its best and brightest. Come fly with us on March 12, at the Baldwin Library for the Birmingham Museum’s talk, “Early Aviation and the Ferguson Women.” The presentation will explore the romance and tragedy of Edna Ferguson and her fiancé Harry Brooks, both of whom were pilots with a passion for flight in the 1920’s. But also learn how Birmingham contributed women pilots and air support during WWII. Share our discovery of how the city is connected to the “Mercury 13” and one of the first women who trained to be astronauts. Explore more about women in flight with Edna’s daughter Roberta, who is still part of the Ninety-Nines (an organization for women pilots), and started the magazine Women Pilots . Don’t miss it - “Take-off” is 7pm on Thursday, March 12 at the Baldwin Library!

The Birmingham Museum is located at 556 W. Maple, and open Tuesday through Saturday, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Admission is $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children under five and seniors. For more information, visit us online at www.bhamgov.org/museum or www.facebook.com/TheBirminghamMuseum
Edna Ferguson and Harry Brooks in a Curtiss "Jenny"
March News from the Baldwin Library  
Saturday, March 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Drop in and create clever gadgets to enhance your garden using the Idea Lab's tools and equipment.

Wednesday, March 11, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Best for ages 3 and up. Don't let the pigeon drive you to the library for this fun pigeon-filled time, ask your grown up instead. The pigeon does NOT have a driver's license.

Sunday, March 22, from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Shop for gently used purses, wallets and briefcases priced at $1 and up. Enjoy bagels and coffee as you browse through high-quality used books. All proceeds benefit Library programs. We are now accepting bag donations for the sale. Please bring donations to the circulation desk in the lobby.
The Baldwin Public Library is located at 300 W. Merrill Street. For more information visit www.baldwinlib.org   or call (248) 647-1700. 
Next: A Community Center for Boomers & Beyond
Coming to Next in March:

DETROIT’S IRISH HISTORY
Monday, March 16 at 11:00 am
The Gaelic League of Detroit/Irish American Club strives to be Metro Detroit’s Center for preserving and promoting Irish culture and tradition. Kathleen O’Neill, a past club president and current board member, will present a lively history of the Irish presence in Metro Detroit. We will enjoy tea and cookies at 11:00 am and the program will follow at 11:30 am.
 
VOTING MATTERS - VOTING RIGHTS, CENSUS & REDISTRICTING
Thursday March 12 6:00 pm
Kurt Metzger, Demographic Research Consultant
Michigan’s democracy has changed and your participation means more than ever. Michigan voters amended the state constitution in 2019, changing voting rights. Learn about this and the Redistricting Commission - and how to apply to participate. Finally, you will discover the cost to Michigan if everyone is not counted in the Census. All community members are welcome.
 
BEGINNING POTTERY: Intro to Hand Building
Tuesdays, March 24 through April 28
from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Next welcomes artist/instructor Jan Lindell-Meinhard!
Free your inner artist — join Jan and learn the art of pottery.
Intro to Hand Building will be an opportunity for students to work with clay as an art medium, focusing on the process of ceramic making from start to finish. Learn slab building, coil method, pinch method and modeling. All materials will be supplied by Next.
Cost 6-week class: $130 members / $135 guests plus $45 materials fee, to be paid at registration
Respond to the 2020 Census

Keep your eyes peeled! Next month, households will receive official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail.
Thank you for reading Around Town, a monthly e-newsletter from the City of Birmingham. We hope you find the information timely and useful. Please feel free to forward this e-mail to friends and neighbors who may be interested in Birmingham.
151 Martin St. P.O. Box 3001 Birmingham, MI 48012
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tel: 248-530-1800