Sterling Heights City Council adopts resolution for Visioning 2040 ballot proposal

Having approved a Visioning 2040 strategic plan in April 2024, the Sterling Heights City Council is taking the next incremental step for making the vision a reality by authorizing a ballot proposal for residents to invest in and improve their community. If approved by Sterling Heights voters on Nov. 5, 2024, the Visioning 2040 ballot proposal will amend the City Charter to authorize the City to levy a dedicated .95 millage that will generate funding for a number of placemaking projects and initiatives that with create and maintain unique pathways and walkways, preserve open space, reforest the community, and provide new and enhanced parks to keep pace with residents seeking quality of life and enhanced recreational opportunities.

The incredible success of the Visioning 2030 strategic plan and the transformative Recreating Recreation that resulted has generated tremendous interest in how the city can build on this foundation. To answer this question, city leadership decided to undertake Visioning 2040, a strategic approach to ensuring that Sterling Heights has a clear vision of the community it strives to be and the guiding principles for making that vision a reality. To facilitate the 2040 visioning process, city administration engaged with residents and businesses through surveys, community forums and social media to help frame the Visioning 2040 Plan. This process culminated with the development of the following components, which together comprise the 2040 Vision:

A. Mission Statement: Innovating Living

B. 2040 Vision Statement: An inclusive, vibrant community that is safe, active, and sustainable.

C. 2040 Guiding Principles

1. Public Safety: Public safety that is equitable, responsive and proactive;

2. Sustainability: A city that is exceptionally maintained, sustainable, and environmentally responsible;

3. Enriched Living: Educational and recreational opportunities and programming for all ages, abilities and interests;

4. Neighborhoods: Plentiful and diverse housing and green spaces available for existing and new residents;

5. Connected: A city engaged with residents and businesses through innovative channels and technology;

6. Business Innovation: A destination for entrepreneurs, high-tech and emerging industries;

7. Distinctive Areas: Vibrant and attractive areas with unique offerings and focal points; and

8. Mobility: An accessible city that is connected with a robust system of pathways and trails.

Armed with the 2040 Vision, city administration set about identifying the projects and initiatives that aligned with the objective of creating a vibrant community that is safe, active and sustainable. If approved by the voters, the city will deliver the following for the benefit of residents:

Pathways

• Nature Preserve natural pathway -- Except for small sliver of the Plumbrook Trail on its southern boundary, the 85-acre Sterling Heights Nature Preserve located in the northwest quadrant of the city is inaccessible to residents. The development of a natural interior pathway, including strategically placed observation areas, will allow visitors to truly experience the unique natural environment of a mature, old growth forest that is a living museum of what Sterling Heights was before suburban development. With connectivity to the Plumbrook Trail and the asphalt hike/bike path being constructed along Dobry Drive, this natural pathway will create an unrivaled destination for those seeking the tranquility of nature.
• Sidewalks -- Provide equitable connectivity to residents seeking to move about their neighborhood or traverse the city through non-motorized means. As an alternative to the long-standing special assessment process, this would provide a dedicated funding source to cover costs associated with sidewalk repair, replacement and completion where there are gaps.

Open Space Preservation

As undeveloped parcels and other underutilized parcels go up for sale, some present an opportunity for the city to preserve open space or add to publicly owned parcels dedicated to recreation. Many residents have expressed concern that every available parcel in the city is going to be developed with uses that don't add to the community's overall quality of life. An open space preservation initiative helps realize a community that is environmentally sustainable that has plentiful and diverse green spaces.

Reforestation

At 19 percent tree canopy coverage, Sterling Heights falls far below other municipalities both in Michigan and nationally, and well below the state of Michigan's goal of 40% for municipalities. The canopy coverage deficiency is acute in the City's neighborhoods, where 36% of homes lack a street tree. Much of this deficiency is attributable to the removal of street trees infected with the Emerald Ash borer in the early 2000s. This plan will create a meaningful and on-going reforestation program for the city, which provides benefits such as:

• Reduced heating and cooling energy costs
• Natural air purification
• Improved neighborhood property values
• Reduced urban heat island effect
• Slower neighborhood traffic
• Improved ground water

The plan would include planting of approximately 15,000 street trees to reforest Sterling Heights neighborhoods and realize the tremendous benefits of a robust tree canopy.

Enhancement of Clinton River and Public Parks

• Pickleball Complex - It is impossible to ignore the demand for pickleball courts throughout the city. This proposal would support an indoor paddle sport complex that provides for six table tennis tables and eight pickleball courts that will allow for year-round play.
• Clinton River/Rotary Park - This park is 17.7 acres, but only .97 acres is developed with a picnic shelter, playscape, and paved parking lot. The park's proximity to the Clinton River makes it a logical choice as the disembarking point for canoe and kayak paddlers, but its limited size strains the park's capacity for this purpose. The city recently purchased four parcels near Rotary Park with the intention of creating a new, larger footprint for the park. There is potential to acquire more property for the purpose of creating a large-scale public park that offers amenities/attractions such as:

• Installation and operation of a canoe/kayak livery to offer access to the safest and most scenic stretches on the Clinton River
• An internal asphalt pathway and boardwalk that affords park patrons the opportunity to explore this unique riverscape
• Athletic fields and courts
• Two picnic shelters
• Restroom facility
• A tribute to Belvedere Park, a privately-owned park on the banks of the Clinton
• River that drew residents of Detroit to the rural Sterling Township in the 1920s to swim, picnic and attend dances and musical acts within the Belvedere Park Pavilion.
• A pedestrian bridge and walkway will provide access to the site of dance pavilion. The city will initiate the process to erect a state marker to signify the historical significance of Belvedere Park.
• Playscape
• Expanded parking for park patrons and those disembarking from the Clinton River at the end of their paddling adventure

• Creating Red Run Park - Development of this 14.9-acre parcel is critical as the southeast quadrant of Sterling Heights lacks open park space. The park will intersect with the proposed Iron Belle Trail and connect to L.W. Baumgartner Park via a pedestrian bridge across the Red Run Drain. This will create a full-service recreational outdoor space for area residents. Planned improvements and amenities include:
  • Dog Park
  • Six lighted outdoor pickleball courts
  • An internal asphalt path for hikers and bikers
  • Restroom facility
  • Two picnic shelters
  • Pedestrian bridge spanning the Red Run Drain and providing connectivity with L.W. Baumgartner Park
  • A nature observation deck over the Red Run Drain
  • An on-site, 24-hour/365-day public library that will serve as a satellite branch to the Sterling Heights Public Library on Dodge Park Road. Patrons will be able to access library materials and services at a fraction of the cost of building a branch. The 24-Hour Library is the ideal solution for bringing library resources to places where residents congregate. Intuitive to use and easy to maintain, the 24-Hour Library enables patrons to: check out and return materials, place and pick up holds, download audio and eBooks, browse the catalog, get information on library programs and events and tap into a Wi-Fi hot spot.

"Without question, Recreating Recreation has engaged and connected the City to its residents in ways that just weren't possible prior to 2016," said Mayor Michael C. Taylor. "It is the foundation for building a great city and Visioning 2040 is an opportunity to continue the success that so many residents now take pride in."

"Visioning 2040 answers the question that I hear often - What's next?" said City Manager Mark Vanderpool. "The Visioning 2040 projects are exactly what's needed to maintain Sterling Heights' status as a destination for families and businesses seeking a great quality of life."

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