Michigan has approximately 1,500 miles of roads that have received national, state, or county scenic designations. Among numerous other benefits, these special roads provide stunning views of the Great Lakes, access to many of our state’s most beautiful parks, and even the ability to travel through time when we visit points of historical significance. As such, we believe these corridors deserve considerable attention, thoughtful planning, and viewshed protection where warranted.
In 2017, we set out to conduct what we believe to be the first inventory of all roadways that have received scenic designation in the state. We hope the map below (click on the full screen for more navigation options) may help you as you think about exploring a new corner of our incredible state. And, if you live near one of these corridors, we welcome your help in preserving and protecting the special attributes and enhancing the less than scenic components. We would love to get you involved as one of our scenic ambassadors. You can learn more about these designations in our full report: 2017 Scenic Road Inventory
This Michigan Sign Guidebook addresses local planning and regulation of nearly all types of exterior signs.
Detroit is working on a new sign ordinance. A good sign ordinance complements city planning efforts, enhances community aesthetics, and balances community interests. Unfortunately, the draft ordinance under consideration falls short on these three points. In an effort to appease the interest of the outdoor advertising industry and building owners…
We are excited to announce the winners of Scenic Michigan’s 2019 Photo Contest. This year, thanks to our partnership with MLive, we received over 2,000 submissions. We are thankful to everyone who participated in this contest. Our judges definitely reported that they found it challenging to select just one winner…
We are excited to announce the beginning of our 2019 Photo Contest. This year we’re taking it up a notch and we have partnered with MLive to increase the visibility of the contest. We’re thrilled that we’ll be able to share the many amazing photos we receive with a broader…
Last night we presented Troy resident, Alec Peeples (Keep Troy Beautiful) and the City of Troy with Scenic Hero Awards! Thanks to good community organizing (following the permitting of 5 digital billboards in Troy) and a responsive City Council, the City of Troy adopted a new sign ordinance in 2018…
We have exciting news to report! Today, Governor Snyder vetoed SB 964. This bill, introduced by Senator Casperson, would have amended the Highway Advertising Act of 1972 solely to benefit the outdoor advertising industry and would have provided no public benefit. The final version of the bill even stripped provisions…
