Volunteering is a phenomenal way to get involved, give back, and get to know your community. Whether on your own or in a group, it is a fulfilling experience. And not to mention, it keeps programs and events that define our community running smoothly. It’s important to remember that volunteers are needed throughout the whole year – not just at big events. Truthfully, volunteers are the lifeblood of our community and of our Community Center.

We have plenty of volunteer opportunities at the Auburn Hills Community Center and there is always something new coming around that we can use your help at.

Kitchen Help – The Auburn Hills Community Center is looking for volunteers for our monthly Senior Parties and daily meal service. Daily meal service includes packing meals for Meals on Wheels, as well as, serving meals on site to our seniors. We also have monthly Senior Parties. This includes set up, food service, tear down, and clean up. These parties have monthly themes and are a lot of fun for our seniors and volunteers.

Time: Varies, 10am-12pm or 10am-1pm
Place: Community Center

 

Meals on Wheels – Our Community Center is looking for Meals on Wheels drivers. Meals on Wheels is a program that delivers nutritious and well-balanced meals to home-bound seniors Monday – Friday. The Community Center is the starting point for Meal Delivery in Auburn Hills. Volunteers pick up meals to be delivered and deliver them to the home-bound seniors designated on each route. We are looking for consistent individuals, as well as, back-up help for this fulfilling program. This is great for groups or individuals.

Time: 10am – 12pm, Monday through Friday

Homebound Library Program – The Auburn Hills Library needs volunteers to help deliver library books and materials to home-bound residents. Volunteers are needed every 3 to 6 weeks depending on the need, and materials are picked up at the library. Delivery takes about an hour. If you’re interested in helping our home-bound seniors, then this might be the volunteer opportunity for you!

Time: Varies

Rake and Run – Do you have a group that is looking to get involved and help seniors in the community? The Rake and Run program is a perfect opportunity for you! Rake and Run takes place over 2 weeks in fall, and groups are assigned to houses belonging to Auburn Hills seniors who are unable to rake the leaves in their yard. Groups are able to select any of the dates (listed below), but supplies (rakes) are limited. Groups are welcome to bring their own rakes or lawn supplies (bags are supplied). Groups will pick up supplies at the our Community Center, and then head out into the community to rake and bag leaves. This is a great group opportunity!

Dates: October 24th – November 7th
Time: Varies by group preference and supply availability

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, visit our website and fill out a Volunteer Application. You can email, mail, or bring the application back to the Community Center. For more information about any of these opportunities, feel free to contact Natalie Stasyk, the Senior Services Volunteer Coordinator at 248-370-9353.

It is a pleasure to work with people who demonstrate a passion and commitment to the City of Auburn Hills like Planning Commission Chairperson Greg Ouellette.

At the September 12th Planning Commission meeting, Greg was recognized for his achievement of being a 20-year member of the Michigan Association of Planning (MAP). He became a member of MAP when he began serving on the Planning Commission in February 1998. Yes, that’s right 1998! In January 2009, Greg was selected by his peers on the Planning Commission to lead their meetings and serve as their Chairperson.

Greg has professionally represented the City during his 20 years of service, showing the utmost respect to both the citizens and businesses that have brought development related issues and proposals before the Board. As a volunteer, he has built his knowledge base in planning and leadership by attending numerous training sessions provided by MAP and other organizations.

Director of Community Development, Steve Cohen, and I concur with MAP’s recognition and appreciation for Greg’s long-term commitment and dedication to quality community planning and the City of Auburn Hills. We feel very lucky to have him on our team.

Congrats Greg! Thank you again for your leadership and service.

 

Shawn Keenan, City Planner

We’re pleased to report that Bacall Development LLC has submitted a development application to the City of Auburn Hills to construct a $20 million multi-family residential development called Fountain Circle of Auburn Hills on 16.4 acres of land generally located north of Auburn Road, east of College Drive. The project is proposed within the City’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) District.

The luxury apartment community will feature 258 residences in seven buildings of various sizes, with a clubhouse, pool, and park areas. The buildings will be constructed with high-quality interior and exterior features, including exteriors of masonry and stone veneers with complimentary materials for architectural details. The residences will consist of one, two, and three bedroom units ranging from 575 square feet to 1,375 square feet. The developer anticipates rental rates to be comparable to other new apartment complexes in the surrounding area.

The City of Auburn Hills acquired this property from Mound Steel and Superior Concrete in 2012 and has since conducted an environmental clean-up of the site to prepare the land for development. As part of the new project and land sale, Bacall Development LLC will build a segment of Parkways Boulevard through the site allowing the roadway to extend from Squirrel Road to Adams Road per the City’s Downtown Master Plan.

Those interested in learning more about this proposal are encouraged to attend the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 10th at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber at City Hall. A final decision on the application is anticipated by the City Council on Monday, October 22nd.

If approved, construction is expected to begin this Fall.

 

Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

I often joke that when I attended OU from 1985-1990, earning both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees during that time, OU was a one room schoolhouse. Well, not quite. But I do remember the excitement surrounding a milestone of having a student body that crossed the 11,000 mark. Now, with a student body that hovers around 20,000, OU is an even more exciting and inviting place for higher education.

Today I spent some time with my staff at Grizzfest, a tremendous event drawing hundreds upon hundreds of students to the area out front of Kresge Library where students could learn about the many things that OU has to offer them as they return to class. If you’re a Freshmen, it’s a “must attend” event. Looking around campus today, this year’s class is welcomed by many new and exciting additions to the campus such as the new 750-bed Hillcrest Residence Hall, and the incredible and newly expanded Oakland Center. Walking through the Oakland Center today I was envious of new students who get to take advantage of its many modern amenities. Frankly, just having enough seating for everyone is going to be a great achievement. And best of all, both of these new facilities are located in Auburn Hills!

Congratulations to OU and to the entire OU student body who are the recipients of these great new amenities. With all of the excitement around campus, there’s no doubt that more and more students of all ages will be giving serious consideration to OU not only for its quality and affordable education, but also for the amenities that it offers in the category of mid-sized universities. OU has it all. GO GRIZZLIES!

Thomas A. Tanghe, City Manager

On August 1st, I had the opportunity to join Karen Adcock, our Senior Services Director, and Natalie Stasyk, our Program Coordinator at Meadow Creek Village Senior Apartments to distribute cleaning supplies and personal care items to its residents.

Earlier this year, a company in Auburn Hills that makes plant-based and chemical free products was shuttering their operations with plans of opening under new ownership. As a result, they donated hundreds of cases of items to the City and in turn, the City was able to provide many of these items to area non-profits that serve the residents of Auburn Hills and surrounding communities.

The bulk of the items went to Rochester Area Neighborhood House in Rochester Hills and Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac. But on August 1st, we reached out to a senior apartment complex to deliver items to them directly. Residents of Meadow Creek Village were given a cloth bag provided by the Senior Services Department and were able to go into a room where we had all the products on display to pick out what they wanted. Items included tub and tile cleaner, laundry detergent, air freshener, and much, much more.

Everyone was very excited to receive the items and certainly expressed their gratitude. We were happy to get these items into the hands of people who need them most. All our best to everyone at Meadow Creek Village.

 

Thomas A. Tanghe, City Manager