2017-02-26T10:50:01-06:00 2016-08-31 364049282 PASQUESI SHEPPARD LLC 585 BANK LANE LAKE FOREST IL 60045 990 2015-09-01 237104524 ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES ALLI 3129390838 150 N MICHIGAN AVENUE NO 700 CHICAGO IL 60601 JOEL BRAMMEIER PRESIDENT & CEO 3129390838 2017-01-13 1 DENNIS P O'BRIEN P00008832 8472345000 2017-01-12 2015 2021-01-29 14:40:06Z JOEL BRAMMEIER 150 N MICHIGAN AVENUE NO 700 CHICAGO IL 60601 4431063 0 X WWW.GREATLAKES.ORG X 1971 IL TO CONSERVE AND RESTORE THE WORLD'S LARGEST FRESH WATER RESOURCE USING POLICY, EDUCATION AND LOCAL EFFORTS, ENSURING A HEALTHY GREAT LAKES AND CLEAN WATER FOR GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE. 19 19 35 14926 0 0 3128692 3940923 329441 272500 56781 54235 21424 -12765 3536338 4254893 0 0 0 0 1729622 1837575 0 0 243808 1426419 1432995 3156041 3270570 380297 984323 3762866 4686986 347184 276048 3415682 4410938 X TO CONSERVE AND RESTORE THE WORLD'S LARGEST FRESH WATER RESOURCE USING POLICY, EDUCATION AND LOCAL EFFORTS, ENSURING A HEALTHY GREAT LAKES AND CLEAN WATER FOR GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE. 0 0 1081191 24697 PROTECTION AND PREVENTION: THE GREAT LAKES DEPEND ON PUBLIC POLICY FOR THEIR PROTECTION. WE CHAMPION AND DEFEND ESTABLISHED POLICIES THAT PROTECT THE LAKES. WE SEEK OUT PLACES WHERE EXISTING POLICY AND PRACTICE IS FAILING, AND CREATE ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS TO DRIVE POLICY CHANGE TO ASSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE BENEFIT FROM A CLEAN AND SAFE GREAT LAKES. DURING THE LAST YEAR, THE ALLIANCE'S CAMPAIGNS FOCUSED ON: 1) THE REDUCTION OF POLLUTION AND PROTECTION OF DRINKING WATER IN LAKE ERIE; 2) PREVENTING HARM TO THE GREAT LAKES FROM THE FIRST-EVER PROPOSED DIVERSION OF WATER UNDER THE GREAT LAKES COMPACT; 3) THE PREVENTION OF INVASIVE SPECIES FROM ENTERING THE LAKES AND 4) THE ELIMINATION OF PLASTIC MICROBEADS FROM CONSUMER PRODUCTS.SEE END OF SCHEDULE O FOR SPECIFIC SUCCESSES FOR THE YEAR. 1164388 203352 CULTURE OF CLEAN WATER: OUR ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC FUTURE DEPENDS ON A VIBRANT APPRECIATION FOR HEALTHY WATER THAT PRIORITIZES THE GREAT LAKES IN SIGNIFICANT DECISIONS AT ALL LEVELS OF SOCIETY. WE WORK LOCALLY TO EDUCATE COMMUNITIES, SPARK PERSONAL ACTION, AND ELEVATE THE PRIORITIES THAT WILL BUILD A CULTURE OF CLEAN WATER. WE CULTIVATE THE SUPPORT OF CIVIC AND ELECTED LEADERS, INTEGRATE A FOCUS ON HEALTHY WATER INTO INSTITUTIONS THAT INFLUENCE COMMUNITY OPINION, AND CREATE PUBLIC EXPERIENCES WITH WATER THAT BENEFIT PEOPLE IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION. DURING THE LAST YEAR THE ALLIANCE'S WORK FOCUSED ON: 1) RUNNING VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS THAT REACH UPWARDS OF 15,000 PEOPLE WHO CONDUCT BEACH CLEANUPS AND RESTORE HABITAT; 2) TRAINING EDUCATORS IN COMMUNITIES IN WISCONSIN, ILLINOIS, MICHIGAN AND OHIO TO TEACH THEIR STUDENTS ABOUT THE GREAT LAKES; AND 3) GROWING GREAT LAKES LEADERS AS AMBASSADORS WHO REPRESENT THE ALLIANCE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND FOSTERING YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY PROJECTS THROUGH A MINI GRANTS PROGRAM.SEE END OF SCHEDULE O FOR SPECIFIC SUCCESSES FOR THE YEAR. 427538 44451 BUILDING RESILIENCE: COASTAL COMMUNITIES ARE SEEKING NEW WAYS TO BUILD ON THE PROMISE OF THE GREAT LAKES. GREAT LAKES CITIES MUST ADAPT TO A CHANGING CLIMATE, WHICH MEANS REVITALIZING FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE, REPAIRING DAMAGE TO COASTS, AND ENSURING NEW WATER BENEFITS ARE REALIZED EQUITABLY FOR PEOPLE. WE FACILITATE THE CREATION OF PLANS & POLICIES, BUILD FUNDING AND ENSURE IMPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL ACTIONS THAT STRENGTHEN NATURE-BASED SYSTEMS. WE ADVOCATE FOR DECISION MAKERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SUPPORT INVESTMENT IN WATER, AND CONNECT COMMUNITY EXPERTISE AND PASSION FOR NATURE TO THE GREAT LAKES. DURING THE LAST YEAR THE ALLIANCE'S PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS FOCUSED ON: 1) INCREASING THE CAPACITY OF COASTAL COMMUNITIES IN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN TO MANAGE THEIR COASTAL RESOURCES, ESPECIALLY THOSE THREATENED BY CLIMATE CHANGE; 2) IMPLEMENTING WATER RESILIENT LAND USE PLANS, POLICIES AND PROJECTS IN COASTAL COMMUNITIES IN INDIANA; 3) IMPLEMENTING LOCALLY PRIORITIZED GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN DETROIT.SEE END OF SCHEDULE O FOR SPECIFIC SUCCESSES FOR THE YEAR. 2673117 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 24 0 1 35 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 X 19 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 IL IN NY OH WI MN X X THE ORGANIZATION 3129390838 150 N MICHIGAN AVENUE SUITE 700 CHICAGO IL 60601 LORI COLMAN CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 SANJIV SINHA VICE CHAIR FOR POLICY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 RACHEL SCHNEIDER VICE CHAIR FOR DEVELOPMENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 PAUL BOTTS SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 FRANK WASHELESKY TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 SUSAN MIHALO BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 BUZZ PATTERSON BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 DAVID PIPPEN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 PAUL CULHANE BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 THOMAS DENBOW BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOYCE SOLBERG BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOAN ROTHENBERG BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOY MULINEX BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JEFFREY REUTTER BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 WILLIAM BLACK BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 STEPHEN BREWSTER BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JEFF PEARSALL BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 KATHRYN FRIEDMAN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 LAURA RUBIN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOEL BRAMMEIER PRESIDENT & CEO 40.00 X 141156 0 23395 CAROLYN SCHOLZ INDIVIDUAL PHILANTHROPY DI 40.00 X 105014 0 3631 STEPHANIE SMITH VICE PRESIDENT - OPERATION 40.00 X 110248 0 21707 356418 0 48733 3 0 1 0 0 212119 3728804 89678 3940923 CONTRACT REVENUES 541900 262530 262530 MISCELLANEOUS 900099 9970 9970 272500 54235 54235 36182 0 36182 36182 36182 127223 212119 176170 -48947 -48947 4254893 272500 0 41470 X 164551 127273 19915 17363 1385875 1071917 167723 146235 172891 133724 20924 18243 114258 88374 13828 12056 21700 21700 762638 701602 57151 3885 60408 49679 153 10576 15171 11920 1504 1747 230481 186966 23595 19920 84234 79953 3192 1089 82996 76676 3981 2339 24685 19395 2448 2842 SUPPLIES 80216 75215 1966 3035 MISCELLANEOUS 28779 14996 13005 778 POSTAGE AND SHIPPING 21881 19865 596 1420 TELEPHONE AND INTERNET 19806 15562 1964 2280 3270570 2673117 353645 243808 1903982 2391905 485241 888068 209253 128504 94239 58977 297352 132163 78950 165189 991201 1054343 3762866 4686986 242819 178491 104365 97557 347184 276048 X 2309120 2778413 1106562 1632525 3415682 4410938 3762866 4686986 984323 10933 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 2438832 2541026 3030587 3128692 3940923 15080060 2438832 2541026 3030587 3128692 3940923 15080060 340963 14739097 21041 29072 67996 119260 90417 327786 1373 1373 15409219 1575210 0.95650 0.91760 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 5201 25395 30596 2642521 2673117 283656 70914 0 0 283656 283656 425484 30596 30596 70914 70914 106371 5201 5201 1515262 2144591 12723 1410710 2261866 1602961 1495723 -1307 1582115 1515262 1170379 1780615 13812 1361845 1602961 968552 1296376 3447 1097996 1170379 510621 1183500 12229 737798 968552 0.27820 0.00000 0.72180 0 0 32313 5873 26440 185239 126290 58949 79800 79800 165189 DEFERRED RENT 97557 97557 X 4561721 10933 119725 176170 306828 4254893 0 4254893 3566465 119725 176170 295895 3270570 0 3270570 PART V, LINE 4: THE ORGANIZATION'S ENDOWMENT CONSISTS OF DONOR-RESTRICTED FUNDS TO BE USED FOR SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS AS WELL AS BOARD-DESIGNATED FUNDS WHICH ARE INTENDED AS A FINANCIAL RESERVE TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THE ORGANIZATION. PART X, LINE 2: MANAGEMENT PERIODICALLY REVIEWS ITS TAX POSITIONS AND HAS DETERMINED THAT THERE ARE NO MATERIAL UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE RECOGNITION IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: FUND RAISING EVENT EXPENSES NETTED AGAINST EVENT REVENUES. 176,170. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: FUND RAISING EVENT EXPENSES NETTED AGAINST EVENT REVENUES. 176,170. TASTE OF GL 245086 212119 32967 1163 6976 4550 2075 87928 DESCHUTES 94256 94256 500 27428 45550 339342 212119 127223 1163 7476 31978 2075 133478 176170 -48947 X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 JOEL BRAMMEIER PRESIDENT & CEO 141156 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23395 0 164551 0 0 0 X 8 54265 MARKET VALUE X VARIOUS AUCTION ITEMS 7 35413 RETAIL VALUE 0 0 1 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE BOARD TREASURER ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD BEFORE IT IS FILED. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE ALLIANCE MONITORS ALL SITUATIONS OR TRANSACTIONS FOR POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ON AN ONGOING BASIS AND ALSO EXPECTS THAT BOARD MEMBERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES WOULD BRING ANY SUCH POTENTIAL CONFLICTS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATED POLICY OF THE ALLIANCE. DETERMINATIONS OF WHETHER CONFLICTS OF INTEREST EXIST ARE MADE BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE UPON REVIEW OF THE SITUATION OR TRANSACTION IN QUESTION. IF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DETERMINES THAT THERE IS A PERSON WITH A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST, THAT PERSON IS THEN PROHIBITED FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE GOVERNING BOARD'S DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS REGARDING THE SITUATION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 COMPENSATION IS DETERMINED BY THE CHARIMAN OF THE BOARD AND APPROPRIATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS WITH INPUT FROM INDEPENDENT PERSONS AS DEEMED NECESSARY. INFORMATION IS OBTAINED FROM SURVEYS AND OTHER SOURCES FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES. DELIBERATIONS IN DETERMINING COMPENSATION AND THE BASIS FOR DECISIONS REACHED ARE DOCUMENTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. ITS AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE POSTED ON ITS WEBSITE. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G CONSULTANTS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 701,602. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 57,151. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 3,885. TOTAL EXPENSES 762,638. FORM 990: PART XII, LINE 2C: THE ORGANIZATION HAS AN AUDIT COMMITTEE WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT. THIS PROCESS IS UNCHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. FORM 990: PART III, LINE 4: SPECIFIC SUCCESSES FROM FISCAL YEAR 2016: PROTECTION AND PREVENTION: - THE ALLIANCE IS PUSHING OHIO, MICHIGAN AND ONTARIO TO ACHIEVE A 40% REDUCTION IN PHOSPHORUS ENTERING WESTERN LAKE ERIE BY 1) IDENTIFYING SOURCES OF PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN INCLUDING LOCATIONS, CAUSES AND AMOUNTS TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE USING THE BEST AVAILABLE SCIENCE; 2) BUILDING ON EXISTING MONITORING WORK TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A MEASURABLE, REPORTABLE AND VERIFIABLE WATER QUALITY MONITORING SYSTEM WITH CONTINUOUS SAMPLING STATIONS IN LOCATIONS THAT WILL PROVIDE DATA FOR THE WHOLE WESTERN LAKE ERIE BASIN WATERSHED THAT CAN BE USED TO DETERMINE WHETHER REDUCTION IN PHOSPHORUS ARE BEING ACHIEVED; AND 3) REPORTING PUBLICLY ON PROGRESS MADE TOWARD ADDRESSING PHOSPHORUS POLLUTION IN THE WESTERN LAKE ERIE BASIN AND TOWARD ACHIEVING THE 40% REDUCTION GOAL. - THE ALLIANCE WAS HEAVILY ENGAGED ON WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN'S PROPOSAL TO DIVERT WATER FROM LAKE MICHIGAN UNDER THE GREAT LAKES COMPACT. WE WORKED WITH PARTNERS AROUND THE REGION TO PRESSURE THE STATES AND PROVINCES TO IMPROVE WAUKESHA'S APPLICATION THROUGH AMENDMENTS AND CONDITIONS. THE GREAT LAKES GOVERNORS AND CANADIAN PREMIERS AGREED WITH US THAT, AS SUBMITTED, THE WAUKESHA DIVERSION APPLICATION FAILED TO MEET THE STANDARDS IN THE COMPACT. THUS, THE GOVERNORS AND PREMIERS ADDED CONDITIONS TO THE PROPOSAL THAT MADE THE ALLIANCE COMFORTABLE THAT THE DECISION TO APPROVE THE DIVERSION UPHELD THE LEGAL AND POLICY INTEGRITY OF THE COMPACT AND SET A PROTECTIVE PRECEDENT FOR FUTURE DIVERSION REQUESTS. - WE EDUCATED DECISION MAKERS ON THE PROBLEM OF MICROPLASTICS IN THE GREAT LAKES THROUGH INVITED TESTIMONY TO CONGRESS THAT ULTIMATELY LED TO A FEDERAL BAN ON PLASTIC MICROBEADS IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS. - THE ALLIANCE PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN DRIVING CONSENSUS AMONG A DIVERSE SET OF STAKEHOLDERS ON A SET OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SHORT- AND LONG-TERM MEASURES TO ADDRESS AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES TRANSFER, SUCH AS ASIAN CARP, BETWEEN THE GREAT LAKES AND MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASINS, EXPRESSED IN TWO LETTERS FROM THE CHICAGO AREA WATERWAYS ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS. CULTURE OF CLEAN WATER: - MORE THAN 15,000 VOLUNTEERS CLEANED UP AND MONITORED 330 COASTAL SITES IN EIGHT GREAT LAKES STATES AND ON ALL FIVE OF THE GREAT LAKES THROUGH ADOPT-A-BEACH . BEYOND THE IMMEDIATE BENEFIT OF VISIBLY CLEANER WATERFRONTS AND A MORE ENGAGED PUBLIC, THE PROGRAM HAS HELPED CALL REGIONAL AND NATIONAL ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEM OF PLASTIC DEBRIS IN THE GREAT LAKES AS WELL AS DEPLOYED SHARED ON-THE-GROUND PROJECTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHOOLS, PARK DISTRICTS, SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES IN IL, NY, WI, OH AND MI. - WE TRAINED 340 TEACHERS FROM CHICAGO, EVANSTON, RACINE, DETROIT, AND CLEVELAND TO USE OUR GREAT LAKES IN MY WORLD CURRICULUM AND PLACE BASED STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES-THEREBY REACHING NEARLY 8,000 NEW STUDENTS. ONCE TRAINED AND ENGAGED BY THE ALLIANCE THESE TEACHERS USE THE CURRICULUM YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT, AS WELL AS TRAINING OTHERS WITHIN THEIR SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS. OUTSIDE EVALUATIONS OF THE PROGRAM DEMONSTRATE AN INCREASED UNDERSTANDING AND COMMITMENT TO THE GREAT LAKES BY BOTH TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AFTER ENGAGING WITH THE ALLIANCE. - WE DEVELOPED TWO PROGRAMS TO ENGAGE ALLIANCE VOLUNTEERS AND FOSTER THEIR GREAT LAKES KNOWLEDGE AND LEADERSHIP. WE TRAINED 17 PEOPLE AS AMBASSADORS WHO REPRESENT THE ALLIANCE AT COMMUNITY EVENTS AND ARE ABLE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE ORGANIZATION, THEREBY EXTENDING THE OUT REACH AND GROWING VOLUNTEERS' SKILLS. WE ARE INVOLVING 27 MILLENNIALS IN A YOUNG PROFESSIONALS COUNCIL IN WHICH THEY PLAN EVENTS THAT BENEFIT AND SUPPORT COMMUNITY PROJECTS BY GIVING AWAY FUNDS THROUGH A MINI GRANTS PROGRAM. BUILDING RESILIENCE: - WE EXECUTED TARGETED FACILITATION STRATEGIES TO ENSURE THAT LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS, LAND MANAGERS, AND PRIVATE LANDOWNERS IN FOUR (4) WISCONSIN AND ILLINOIS COASTAL RAVINE COMMUNITIES COMMIT TO IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT CONSERVE SPECIAL COASTAL HABITATS AND IMPROVE WATER QUALITY. WE ORGANIZED AND RAN A TWO-DAY RAVINE SYMPOSIUM, WHERE WE ENGAGED OVER 160 RAVINE RESIDENTS, ELECTED LEADERS, AND EXPERTS FROM ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN COMMUNITIES IN CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE RAVINES. THE OUTCOMES WERE PLEDGES TO TAKE ACTION: FOR EXAMPLE THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK PLEDGED TO IMPLEMENT NEEDED REVISIONS TO HER CITY'S LOCAL ORDINANCES. - OUR ILLINOIS SAND MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP, COMPRISED OF ELECTED OFFICIALS AND PUBLIC AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT OWN LAND ALONG THE ILLINOIS COAST, MET OVER A SERIES OF 5 MEETINGS AND CREATED SHORELINE MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES, IDENTIFIED REGIONAL ASSETS, AND OUTLINED ACTION STRATEGIES AND NEXT STEPS. RECOGNIZING THAT REGIONAL SAND MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS MUST BE DATA-DRIVEN, ONE OF THE MAIN OUTCOMES OF THE FIRST PHASE OF THIS WORKING GROUP WAS THE NEED TO GATHER, SHARE AND ANALYZE ADDITIONAL DATA IN ORDER TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE PROCESSES DRIVING COASTAL CHANGE IN ILLINOIS. THE ALLIANCE DRAFTED A FINAL REPORT THAT OUTLINED THE SAND MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP'S FACILITATION PROCESS, OUTCOMES, AND RECOMMENDED NEXT STEPS. - WE HELD A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS FOR MICHIGAN CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS, STAFF, AND RESIDENTS DESIGNED TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR WIDESPREAD IMPLEMENTATION OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE POLICIES, PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS. THE FIRST WORKSHOP WAS A FIELD TRIP FOR THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AND MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENT HEADS TO HAVE AN EXCHANGE WITH THEIR PEERS IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN. THE SECOND WAS FOR MUNICIPAL STAFF TO HELP THE CITY COORDINATE MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES ON GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE SITES. ATTENDEES CREATED MOCK UPS OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE PLANS. ALL OF THIS WORK IS DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE CHANCES OF SUCCESSFUL LOCAL GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE IMPLEMENTATION. IN ADDITION TO WORK IN MICHIGAN CITY, WE BEGAN PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE CITY OF GARY AND HOBART TO IMPLEMENT GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, POLICIES AND PROGRAMS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. - THE ALLIANCE JOINED TOGETHER WITH SEVERAL DETROIT GROUPS TO IMPROVE THE GRATIOT TRIANGLE BUS STOP. THE PROJECT, COMPLETED EARLIER THIS FALL, IMPROVES TRANSPORTATION ACCESS AND BEAUTIFIES A CORNER THAT WAS ONCE AN EYESORE AND FLOOD RISK. PROJECT PLANNING INVOLVED FEEDBACK FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND WAS FUNDED BY A COMBINATION OF CROWDFUNDING AND GRANT SUPPORT FROM LOCAL FOUNDATIONS. THE GRATIOT TRIANGLE BUS STOP PROJECT IS THE START OF A LARGER ALLIANCE COMMITMENT TO BUILD CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN DETROIT NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS AND THE DETROIT RIVER AND GREAT LAKES VIA THE CONNER CREEK GREENWAY AND OTHER CITY GREENWAYS: HTTP://WWW.GREATLAKESNOW.ORG/2016/10/ GREENSPACE-IN-DETROIT-THE-GRATIOT-TRIANGLE-BUS-STOP-PROJECT/