East Jordan is at a crossroads. With a strong history of manufacturing, the community desires to preserve this rich heritage while building on bright opportunities for redevelopment and reinvestment. Nestled at the south Arm of Lake Charlevoix at the confluence of the Jordan River, East Jordan is optimally located to serve as both a industrial center as well as hub of recreation-based tourism with a bustling year-round economy.
BRI assisted the City in the master planning process. The City chose a collaborative, interactive process for the community engagement portion of the plan.
The City of East Jordan recognizes the importance of having a community-supported vision for growth and investment to guide land use decisions and inform priorities. The City is ready for redevelopment and reinvestment and realizes the potential for transformational change through proper planning, regional coordination, and cooperation between the public and private sector.
Over 400 community members provided insight and guidance on the future of East Jordan through this inclusive 12-month planning process. Hundreds of community members responded to a community survey, high school students and elementary students participated in a series of visioning sessions, business leaders attended a business-after hours master plan open house, dozens of community leaders came out for a two-day design charrette focused on conceptual design ideas.
This master plan process placed a special emphasis on developing realizable visions for three priority redevelopment sites. In addition to focusing on the former EJ Foundry, a legacy redevelopment site which includes a half mile of Lake Charlevoix waterfront, community members also provided guidance on future redevelopment of the city-owned Community Center and former Boat Launch site.
BRI utilized the community feedback to provide schematic design plans for the redevelopment sites.
East Jordan Community Master Plan
East Jordan, Michigan
2022 Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan
Michigan Association of Planning
2021 Planning Excellence Award for Public Outreach
Michigan Association of Planning
Click here to view the City of East Jordan Community Master Plan