We have officially welcomed AM General to the Auburn Hills Community. Even though they technically moved into their building at 1399 Pacific Drive in October 2017, yesterday gave us a great reason to celebrate with elected officials and employees of AM General.

AM General designs, engineers, manufactures, supplies and supports specialized vehicles for military and commercial customers worldwide. Through its military business, the company is widely recognized as the world leader in design, engineering, manufacturing and logistics support of Tactical Vehicles.

As a leader in global mobility solutions provider, this new state-of-the-art facility houses the engineering, product planning, and prototyping departments as well as business development, US Defense, and strategic marketing functions. It was great to see some of their work on display yesterday and hear from the employees who had a hand in designing and prototyping the latest and greatest in technology.

We wish to thank AM General for choosing to grow in Auburn Hills.

 

 

Today is a sad day for Auburn Hills as we learned of the passing of the City’s first City Manager, Leonard Hendricks. Mr. Hendricks was first appointed as City Manager from 1984 to 1991. However, his passion and commitment for the city did not stop there. He came back for a brief period in December of 1996 to July of 1997 when the city was in need and searching for a replacement. Even after Mr. Hendricks retirement, he remained in Auburn Hills until his passing yesterday, Wednesday, April 11. Mr. Hendricks was an engineer by degree and brought that expertise, along with tremendous leadership skills, to Auburn Hills when we needed it most. Let’s just say that the Auburn Hills of Leonard’s time does not look like the amazing community we know today. But Leonard set a course for success many years ago as he implemented a number of economic development tools and City policies that are still practiced today.

Last summer, City Council and City Staff wanted to recognize Mr. Hendricks for his contributions to Auburn Hills and the lasting legacy he created. Leonard was known to park a distance away from his office on the municipal campus each morning and walk to the building as a means of getting a little exercise. The pathway he utilized each and every day, unbeknownst to him, was affectionately referred to by the staff as Leonard’s Lane. So in order to honor him, a park bench was installed along the pathway and a sign with his name on it was affixed to the decorative lamp post alongside that same pathway. We are thrilled that Mr. Hendricks was able to enjoy the honor bestowed upon him last summer as it will continue to be a lasting tribute to his sincere dedication and devotion to this community.

Everyone at the City of Auburn Hills extends their sincere condolences to the family of Leonard Hendricks. His efforts here will not be forgotten and will forever be recognized.

Photo taken October 10, 2017 at the dedication of Leonard’s Lane

 

In preparation for the Auburn Road Construction, the raised planter boxes will be rehabilitated. Over the years, the existing pear trees have become problematic as the root systems have overgrown their available space in the planter boxes. Additionally, the overgrowth has caused interference with existing electrical and irrigation systems.

 

The City of Auburn Hills Department of Public Works will begin removal of the pear trees on Saturday, April 7, 2018, beginning at 7:00 AM. Minimal traffic interruptions are anticipated and traffic controls will be in place. The incremental work is anticipated to be completed in mid-Summer, and will include new soils and irrigation, LED lighting, and the planting of new trees.

 

We are very excited about the growth of downtown! The construction is anticipated to begin on April 16, and to be substantially completed by the end of October. This project is expected to encourage more pedestrian traffic by improving the walkability of downtown, upgrade infrastructure to better serve our businesses and residents, and the new planned developments will bring more residents to the downtown!

 

Questions, comments, concerns about the project? Contact Samantha R. Seimer, MPA, Director of Authorities: 248-364-6806, sseimer@auburnhills.org.

Snowflakes are still present and the wind has a bite, just hang in a little longer because spring is in sight. The days have gotten longer and the clocks have leaped ahead, a signal for sleeping flowers to awake from their beds. The snow will melt away yielding to a blanket of green and soon after that the robins will sing. Michiganders are tough, another winter survived, the first warm sunny day – Ahhh it’s great to be alive. I hope you had a great winter and 2018 is on track, now let us share some of the great outdoor activities Auburn Hills will bring back.

• Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Bonnet Contest- March 31^st 12:00 PM Auburn Hills Community Center
• Arbor Day Celebration- April 27^th 2:00 – 3:00 PM Will Roger Elementary School
• PaddlePalooza- June 2^nd 8:00 AM at Riverside Park
• Fishing Derby- June 9^th 7:30 – 10:30 AM Riverside Park
• Summerfest- Friday, June 22^nd 4:00- 10:00 PM and Saturday 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM Downtown Auburn Hills
• Fieldstone Golf Course- Open 7 days a week as soon as weather permits

 

• 8 City Parks- Open all year
  • Civic Center Park
  • Clinton River Trail
  • Riverside Park
  • River Woods Park
  • Skate Park
  • Dennis Dearing JR. Memorial Park
  • Manitoba Park
  • Dale Fisk Hawk Wood Nature Center

 

Please visit us online for a complete and detailed list of outdoor offerings. www.auburnhills.org

Don Grice, Assistant City Manager

Since 1992, Rebuilding Together Oakland County has rehabilitated over 1,040 houses and non-profit facilities, involving over 33,000 volunteers.

The mission of Rebuilding Together is to preserve and revitalize homes and communities, assuring low-income homeowners, particularly these who are elderly, disabled, and families with children, live in warmth, safety, and independence.

I was very fortunate to be part of Rebuilding Together for many years, coordinating projects in Brandon Township.  We were able to enhance the lives and homes of over 15 people over the years, improving their overall quality of life through the generosity of volunteers and businesses. I personally know what a positive difference this program makes for both homeowners and volunteers.

If you are a homeowner who is in need to home repairs, or know someone who would benefit from the generosity of Rebuilding Together, or want to volunteer, call 248-484-8061 or visit their website www.rebuildingtogether-oaklandcountyorg.

Karen Adcock, Director of Senior Services

Each month, depending upon need, the City Council holds a workshop before one of their City Council meetings.  The purpose of each workshop is usually one of two reasons.

First, it may be designed simply to be informative, perhaps in the category of training for the City Council.  The other is to seek feedback and direction from our elected leaders for the purpose of creating policy.  Last night’s workshop was led by Fire Chief Jim Manning and was a review of the roles and responsibilities of the Mayor and City Council in the case of a large-scale emergency that would cause the City Manager to declare a State of Emergency.

Chief Manning presented the steps that would be taken should there be an emergency declaration as he reviews the Emergency Operations Plan with City Council and staff.

Nearly every employee of the City, in addition to your elected leaders, have a role in supporting citizens in such an emergency and being prepared to take on that role was the purpose behind the workshop.

 

 

Within a week, Michigan has lost two very important business leaders and humanitarians who have become icons in their respective businesses and were generous contributors to metropolitan Detroit, the state, and beyond.

Dominic S. Moceri, legendary homebuilder whose corporate headquarters is located in Auburn Hills, passed away at the age of 86.  Art Van Elslander, Founder of Art Van Furniture, passed away at the age of 87.  Both men built businesses that have become household names and built reputations for their significant generosity.

I met Mr. Moceri only a few times, but know his sons Dominic and Mario far better.  He was the patriarch of the family and will always be remembered for the positive impact he has had in our area.  No doubt some of the most beautiful neighborhoods around have the Moceri name on them.  His legacy is not just home building, it’s giving back to the greater community that he called home.

 

Art’s passing has more of a family connection for me.  Art was my cousin.  I only got to know him less than twenty years ago.  He shared stories about his youth and remembered back when he and my Dad were childhood playmates.  Our families came here from Belgium, mine would find its way directly to Detroit; his went first to Canada and then settled in Detroit.  I got to know him a little better over the years and was invited to a number of special events he held.  It was an honor to get to know him and it was particularly exciting to be able to visit with him when he opened an Art Van Furniture Store at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills.  In the picture above, my wife and I were attending an event where Art was being honored as Belgian-American of the year.  He was always very proud of our Belgian heritage and for this event, he personally called and asked me to be there.  Oh, and one other item of credit I have to give him.  He introduced me to his friend, supermodel Cindy Crawford.

All of us at the City of Auburn Hills pay tribute to Dominic S. Moceri and Art Van Elslander.  Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time.

Tom Tanghe, City Manager