BENTON HARBOR, MI – The City of Benton Harbor has been awarded the Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan by the Michigan Association of Planning (MAP), recognizing the Best Benton Harbor Community Plan as a model for inclusive, forward-thinking city planning.
The award honors the City’s 2023 Master Plan, created in partnership with McKenna and Toole Design, which was praised by MAP jurors for its bold approach to inclusive development, extensive community engagement, and vision for equitable growth.
The plan, developed through a robust public engagement process beginning in 2022, included a week-long Planning Week charrette, neighborhood workshops, local tours, focus groups, a talent competition, and participation in Benton Harbor’s Peace Day and Juneteenth celebrations. This high level of public input shaped a vision grounded in community values and needs.
“This plan is not just a document, but it’s a living roadmap created by and for the people of Benton Harbor,” said Benton Harbor City Manager Alex Little. “To receive this level of recognition is a testament to the power of community-led planning and our shared vision for a vibrant, inclusive future.”
The Master Plan addresses land use, transportation, natural resources, arts and culture, historical preservation, andmore. It serves as the City’s official guide for physical development over the next 15 to 20 years, offering strategies to manage growth while preserving neighborhood identity and affordability.
As Benton Harbor experiences rapid redevelopment, the plan is designed to help the City navigate change with a focus on avoiding cultural displacement and gentrification. It includes specific recommendations to guide private investment and ensure local dollars are spent effectively on public improvements.
The 2023 Master Plan envisions Benton Harbor as a city of renewed community pride, job creation, strongerneighborhoods, increased access to healthy food, safer streets, more education opportunities, and improved communication between the City and residents.
The full 2023 Master Plan is available on the City’s website at: https://www.bhcity.us/files/documents/2023MasterPlan1743105041030624AM.pdf
More information about the award can be found at the Michigan Association of Planning’s website: https://www.planningmi.org/aws/MAP/pt/sp/award-nominations
# # #
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.