First Suburbs Coalition
Latest News
The next meeting of the First Suburbs Coalition will be in late April or May. This meeting will be a celebration of the Coalition’s 10th anniversary. Watch this space for more information on time and place.
Please RSVP
to Eliza Waterman.
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The First Suburbs Coalition, in partnership with MARC, ULI, and member communities, has received a HUD Communities Planning Challenge grant. The grant will be used to develop a sustainable code framework and use the framework to audit codes in eight first suburb communities. For more information contact Dean Katerndahl.
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The First Suburbs Coalition at its recent meeting adopted its agenda for 2011. The agenda focuses on being ready to take advantage of new opportunities once the economy picks up, on working with MARC to advance transportation and sustainability priorities, and continuing the Remodeling Loan Program with a focus on energy retrofits.
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Having adopted a new mission and values (see story below), each of the members of the coalition is developing an assessment of their community’s priorities align with the First Suburbs Coalitions mission and values. This information will be used by the Planning Working Group to develop an updated draft agenda for the coalition to be presented at the next meeting for discussion and adoption.
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The First Suburbs Coalition, in partnership with other suburban communities and MARC, is promoting the use of its popular Remodeling Loan Program in conjunction with energy-efficiency incentives offered by utilities and state and federal governments. By combining these programs, homeowners can reduce energy use and utility bills while making their homes healthier and more comfortable. For more information about these incentives visit MARC?s energy efficiency website.
First suburbs are communities where a majority of the housing was
built shortly after World War II and limited amounts of undeveloped land
exist within the city's boundaries. These communities face common issues
related to the age of their private and public infrastructure and their
lack of green fields for development. However, they also have a number
of assets including strong leadership, strong community institutions
and excellent geographic location.
The First Suburbs Coalition was formed in 2002. After a period of study, coalition
members decided that they could more effectively address the issues they faced
by working together, sharing information and forging a larger partnership between
the public and private sector.It has initiated a number of successful
programs, especially to promote housing remodeling in member communities. The
coalition is guided by this vision:
The mission of the First Suburbs Coalition is to promote sustainable communities with healthy environments, vital economies and a high quality of life for all current residents and future generations by promoting the preservation, reinvestment and revitalization of first suburb neighborhoods, commercial areas and infrastructure.
The coalition works through working groups comprised of elected officials, local government staff and private sector partners. The coalition currently has three working groups, each with their own agenda. If you are interested in participating in one or more of these working groups, contact Dean Katerndahl.