First Suburbs Coalition
Latest News
The next meeting of the
First Suburbs Coalition TBD.
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The First Suburbs Coalition has formed a partnership with KC4Aging in Community (KC4AIC), a regional initiative to help communities prepare for the large increase in older adults that will occur over the next two decades. The partnership is focusing on helping communities become communities for all ages providing the housing, services, and amenities that support multi-generational communities. The partnership is starting their work by hosting three focus groups to discuss what becoming a community for all ages means.
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Watch the new First Suburbs Coalition 10th Anniversary Video on YouTube! It features several first suburbs and promotes Coalition programs.
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MARC received a Department of Energy grant to help cities under 35,000 population install high efficiency street lights in their communities. Many of the participating cities are First Suburbs Coalition members. The high efficiency lights allow communities to improve public street lighting while reducing energy costs. It also helps the entire region establish the market for such lighting. For more information visit the Smart Lights webpage.
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In 2012, the First Suburbs Coalition through MARC received a grant from HUD to develop a sustainable code framework and audit the codes of eight of its members. A Request for Proposals has been issued and members of the coalition will begin reviewing the proposals after the June 1, 2012, receipt of proposals. Contact Dean Katerndahl for more information.
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.