Through this engagement, Better City will work with the City to develop a locally focused economic development strategy to strengthen Downtown Berkley and support future growth. The strategy will build on Berkley's existing assets while identifying opportunities to enhance the downtown experience, support local businesses, and encourage thoughtful investment. The process will include research, stakeholder engagement, and market-informed analysis to help inform recommendations and establish a clear, actionable framework for economic development.

"We are proud of the positive momentum we're seeing in Berkley and are focused on building on that," said Kristen Kapelanski, director of community development for the City of Berkley. "Creating a vision and strategy for some of our significant properties and working toward their redevelopment is the next step, and Better City's resident-focused approach will help us attract investment and development opportunities that match our community's goals."

Jason Godfrey, Better City's CEO, said, "We are honored to partner with the City of Berkley on this important strategic planning project. Berkley is clearly a community on the move with proactive leadership and a clear vision, and we are looking forward to playing a small part in its success story."

The project is now underway, and a dedicated website has been created to provide project updates and opportunities for resident and business input. Information will be shared on the website, as well as through the City’s social media channels, municipal cable channel, and email.