The City of Big Rapids Master Plan recently received the Outstanding Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan, Planning Excellence or Leadership Award by the Michigan Association of Planning (MAP/APA Michigan).

"The Community Development Department is extremely excited about receiving the award for
the Master Plan," said Michelle Stenger, Community Development Director. "The Master Plan update was a long process, but we are thankful for the Steering Committee, Planning Commission, City Commission, City Staff, and Williams and Works for all the time and effort put into making a great plan."

A jury of APA Texas Chapter professionals reviewed and selected the project, commenting that the non-motorized plan was innovative.

"We are also thankful to the community for showing up and providing input at the different
public engagement sessions," Stenger said in the release. "The input from the community really helped to shape the foundation of the plan for the City. We heard many great discussions and enjoyed the vision and ownership people feel for their community. We look forward to implementing items in the Master Plan, beginning with the updating of our Zoning Ordinance.”

The Michigan Association of Planning, the state chapter of the American Planning Association, is
a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting sound community land use planning that
benefits the residents of Michigan. Learn more at www.planningmi.org.

A copy of the city's master plan can be found here: CITY MASTER PLAN

_{Release courtesy of City of Big Rapids.}