Oakland County
Madison Heights Mayor Touts Business Success and Community Spaces in Annual Speech
Madison Heights Mayor Touts Enterprise Success and Neighborhood Areas in Annual Speech
(Metropolis of Madison Heights, April 1, 2025)
Madison Heights, MI – Madison Heights Mayor Roslyn Grafstein lately offered her State of the Metropolis Handle to an viewers of Madison Heights Hazel Park Chamber of Commerce members and the general public. Hazel Park Mayor Mike Webb offered his speech as effectively. Here’s what Grafstein needed to say about Madison Heights:
Good morning, I’m Roslyn Grafstein, Mayor of Madison Heights. Thanks for becoming a member of us for the 2025 State of the Metropolis handle. It’s an honor to face earlier than you to share our group’s progress, aspirations, and dedication to excellence.
Earlier than we start, I want to acknowledge our Metropolis Council and employees. In case you’re in attendance, please stand to be acknowledged. This 12 months, our theme is Loving Our Companies, and I can’t consider a greater focus. Companies are the spine of our metropolis, they gas our financial system, create jobs, form vibrant areas, and outline our group’s character.
In the present day, I wish to spotlight how we’re supporting companies and share insights from a few of our excellent metropolis departments that make all of it doable.
Lately, an enormous precedence has been fostering a business-friendly surroundings throughout all our processes and practices whereas balancing the wants and necessities of each residents and companies. Over the previous 12 months, we’ve got targeting refining processes and insurance policies in our Neighborhood and Financial Growth Division, with a specific deal with modernizing our zoning ordinance. These updates are a crucial step in creating an surroundings the place each companies and residents can thrive. Whereas finally voted on and adopted by council, our Planning Fee has performed a key function working with our metropolis Planner, internet hosting additional conferences and going line by line via the adjustments. A tedious course of with outcomes that can profit each our residents and enterprise communities.
So Why Had been These Updates Crucial? Zoning ordinances form every part from the place companies can function to what sorts of buildings may be constructed. Over time, our earlier ordinance grew to become more and more tough to navigate—for enterprise house owners, builders, and even residents making an attempt to grasp its influence on their neighborhoods.
Our objective with these updates was easy: streamline the method to make it simpler for companies to develop and achieve Madison Heights whereas sustaining the standard of life that makes our Madison Heights group so particular. A number of of the key adjustments within the new ordinance embrace:
• displaying clear tables, photos, and graphics to make it simple to seek out what land makes use of are allowed the place
• And, how a web site may be developed upon,
• And what design rules have to be met The ordinance now contains hyperlinks which lets you simply soar between related sections. In any case, property house owners shouldn’t want to rent an lawyer simply to learn the way they’ll use their property!
We have now inbuilt flexibility, permitting for faster growth approvals and a extra environment friendly administrative course of. The place for sure requests, the earlier ordinance required a extra formal, costly, and prolonged variance course of involving public hearings, now, sure requirements can now be addressed administratively behind the counter in only a matter of days.
Opposite to well-liked perception, council doesn’t must approve each new enterprise that desires to arrange within the metropolis.
As a lot as we’re shifting ahead, we’re additionally historic successes to assist form our future. The brand new ordinance reintroduces land makes use of that had been as soon as widespread within the early twentieth century however had been prohibited – housing choices equivalent to residences above outlets, townhomes, accent dwelling items (granny flats), and duplexes.
In a metropolis with rising residence costs comprised primarily of single household houses, these choices create a more healthy mixture of residential and business areas.
We have now additionally expanded permitted makes use of to incorporate companies like tattoo artist studios and licensed therapeutic massage remedy places of work, enhancing the vibrancy of our metropolis.
Most significantly, the up to date zoning ordinance aligns with the targets of our Grasp Plan, selling growth that serves not solely drivers but in addition those that stroll, bike, or roll via our metropolis. It contains improved requirements for accessibility, web site design, landscaping, constructing supplies, and structure, all with some flexibility, to make sure high-quality, sustainable growth that can form Madison Heights for the higher within the years to come back. Taking discover of how we’ve got prioritized effectivity, readability, and accessibility for companies, 2024 marked the sixth time that the College of Michigan’s eCities program acknowledged Madison Heights as a 5-Star group -the highest ranking, for fostering a thriving enterprise surroundings.
And in case you are questioning how a lot growth passed off, throughout the previous 12 months, CED issued 758 permits and authorized over $10 million in new business building, contributing to an ongoing whole challenge worth of just about $30 million.
On high of that, over $27 million in whole building was accomplished in 2024. Strengthening Enterprise Help & Partnerships
We perceive that behind each enterprise is a dream, and sometimes a threat. That’s why we’re invested in packages to help native entrepreneurs. We have now a robust partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and companion with them to supply workshops, networking occasions, and direct session to assist companies develop.
Furthermore, our Clerk’s workplace has streamlined the method for enterprise licensing within the Metropolis. We satisfaction ourselves on offering a welcoming surroundings for brand new and established companies and guiding them as they turn into stakeholders locally. This dedication to effectivity and accessibility ensures that companies can deal with progress whereas feeling supported from day one.
Along with supporting companies via licensing, we recurrently companion with organizations to increase alternatives. One instance is Mission DIAMOnD (Distributed, Unbiased, Agile Manufacturing On Demand), it’s an initiative accelerating producers’ digital transformation via the world’s largest 3D printing community.
Mission DIAMOnD exemplifies a digital-first mindset in manufacturing, redefining conventional provide chains and enterprise fashions whereas fostering innovation and sustainability.
One other manner we present like to our companies is thru infrastructure funding and public- non-public partnerships. An instance of that is our latest collaboration with McNaughton McKay to enhance Pinehurst Drive, making enterprise operations extra environment friendly citywide.
In the meantime, our Division of Public Companies ensures dependable infrastructure; clear water, well-maintained streets, and purposeful drainage techniques. This final 12 months alone, DPS has overseen the substitute of three,850 ft of water primary, the entire reconstruction of three,250 ft of residential streets, and sectional concrete restore on 4,200 ft of main roads.
We have now additionally managed 22 snow occasions and two snow emergencies this winter, from mid-November so far. Our water and sewer crews have additionally been busy, with the immediate restore of 29 water primary breaks, over half of which have occurred because the first of the 12 months.
Between I-75, I696 and the Oakland county portion of John R, our residents and companies should cope with quite a lot of visitors backups and highway building. However, our DPS and Metropolis administrative employees are in frequent communication with the County highway commissions and MDOT, doing every part they’ll to mitigate the consequences of those main building initiatives. This co-ordination permits native companies to deal with what they do greatest. Whether or not it’s guaranteeing clients can safely entry storefronts after a storm or sustaining the roads that join folks to their favourite outlets and eating places, DPS performs a significant function in maintaining our native financial system shifting.
Revitalizing Downtown &Making a Thriving Metropolis
Madison Heights has had a “downtown” since 1997. Palms up if you understand the place it’s. I all the time inform folks it’s a couple of mile east of the Royal Oak Farmers Market, with Telway on the middle at 11 Mile and John R. And now, we’re reshaping its future.
With the assistance of the Madison Heights Downtown Growth Authority and an Oakland County Placemaking Grant of $313,000, we’re launching Part 1 of our 11 Mile Streetscaping Plan between John R and Lorenz, proper by the highschool.
This transformation will enhance visitors security, improve pedestrian entry, and create an inviting, vibrant environment for companies and guests.
A thriving downtown is a spot the place folks wish to collect, store, and spend time. Companies like Woodpile BBQ, with its out of doors seating and community-driven environment, are already setting the tone. Investing in a re-imagined downtown is an funding in our companies and success.
And, for any builders seeking to construct in our downtown, preserve a watch out as a result of we are going to quickly be looking for proposals to develop a key parcel at John R and 11 Mile, proper within the coronary heart of our downtown.
Recognizing Enterprise Contributions
Exhibiting like to companies additionally means celebrating their contributions to our group. Madison Heights companies do greater than serve clients, they provide again. This 12 months, we’re spotlighting companies that prioritize sustainability and group involvement.
Moreover, via our Madison Heights Neighborhood Basis, made doable by donations from our marihuana amenities, we’ve got funded the Madison Heights Meals Pantry, occasions like Path Tunes and Revin’ within the Heights, the addition of a disc golf course at Rosie’s Park, the library makers house, and public artwork. As well as, High quality Roots has funded new Gateway signage all through our group with set up happening quickly at:
• 14 Mile and John R
• each 12 and 14 Mile at Stephenson Hwy
• and shortly on the Madison Heights Hazel Park border at 10 Mile and Progress Drive
Guaranteeing Security & Accessibility
Our companies thrive as a result of they function in a secure and accessible metropolis. Our Police and Fireplace Departments work tirelessly to maintain our group safe. Routine enterprise property checks, emergency preparedness coaching, and security audits present companies with the peace of thoughts they should succeed. We additionally provide companies the power to take part in CPR coaching and discounted AED packages, due to our Fireplace Division’s partnership with Stryker, guaranteeing that security is all the time a precedence in our group areas. After incomes our first accreditation in 2022, our Police Division was lately reaccredited by the Michigan Regulation Enforcement Accreditation Fee. This rigorous course of included interviews with myself and the Metropolis Supervisor, together with a complete analysis of the division’s insurance policies, procedures, operations, and practices. Accreditation ensures that our police proceed to fulfill established requirements, selling effectivity, effectiveness, and adherence to greatest practices in legislation enforcement.
In terms of group security, we’ve got been proactive in supporting our firefighters and investing of their well-being and effectiveness. I’m deeply grateful to our firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers, and command employees for his or her dedication and sacrifices in maintaining Madison Heights residents and companies secure. They constantly go above and past. Few professions require the extent of teamwork, communication, and split-second decision- making that firefighting calls for. In high-pressure emergencies, there is no such thing as a room for error, and our total firefighting crew, is second to none. Irrespective of the challenges, they present up every single day, able to put their lives on the road for our security.
With the passage of GEMT by the Michigan legislature earlier this 12 months, we established the Deputy Fireplace Chief place. Please be a part of me in congratulating Ray Gilson on his promotion as our first Deputy Fireplace Chief.
Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Nicely-Being
Our Parks and Recreation Division continues to increase alternatives for residents, guests, and companies. Over the previous six years, we’ve got invested over $2 million into our parks, together with new pickleball courts at Rosie’s Park and a bandshell at Civic Heart.
In 2025, we are going to see even higher funding with a number of park initiatives citywide, specializing in Rosie’s Park and a $7 million transformation of Pink Oaks Park (previously Ambassador Park) on 13 Mile. By means of our partnership with Oakland County Parks and Recreation over the previous few years, we are actually reimagining this seven-acre park with multi-generational options and improved accessibility. Many of those initiatives have been made doable via beneficiant partnerships and grants.
Final 12 months at Path Tunes, we premiered our new bandshell at Civic Park, funded primarily by a $250,000 grant from the Customers Vitality Basis. This summer time, we are going to host our first summer time live performance collection, with plans to make use of the absolutely accessible stage for varsity performs and different native performances.
This spring, due to a $20,000 grant from the Southeast Michigan Pickleball Affiliation (SMPA), we are going to open our first pickleball courts at Rosies Park. Along with funding, SMPA supplied steering throughout growth and can host leagues, classes, and tournaments on the brand new courts.
The Energetic Grownup Heart additionally enhances our group’s well-being and creates an unparalleled synergy amongst our residents. The middle hosts quite a few journeys and occasions all year long, starting from instructional seminars to highway journeys. With the transfer to the brand new middle, we’ve got elevated choices and have seen a progress in attendance and utilization. Partnering with our police and different public security organizations, we’ve got additionally been in a position to present our seniors with quite a lot of security seminars.
Wanting Forward As we glance to 2025, we stay dedicated to supporting our companies in modern methods. We’ll proceed working with the Chamber of Commerce, selling sustainability, and guaranteeing Madison Heights stays a hub for entrepreneurs and financial progress.
To all our companies, thanks for selecting Madison Heights. Your resilience, creativity, and dedication encourage us every single day.
To our residents, thanks for supporting native companies and contributing to the colourful group all of us cherish. And at last, I want to thank Metropolis Supervisor Melissa Marsh, Govt Assistant Harley Mordarski and Chamber member Imaginative and prescient 1 Media president Tony Austin for his or her assist making ready our presentation this morning. Collectively, let’s proceed constructing a stronger, extra affluent Madison Heights. The longer term is vibrant. Town is robust. Thanks.
For more information on the Metropolis of Madison Heights, go to https://www.madison-heights.org/
