Ann Arbor is often described as a college town, but City Administrator Milton Dohoney Jr. sees something far more layered. To him, community is not a single group or institution — it’s the full ecosystem that makes a city feel like home.
“Community refers to every aspect of people that reside within our city. It’s city workers, it’s residents, it’s institutions, it’s businesses… it’s all part and parcel of what makes us Ann Arbor.”
That sense of wholeness defines Ann Arbor’s identity. When asked to describe the city in one word, Milton didn’t hesitate: “Trees.” Not just as scenery, but as a symbol of intention. Ann Arbor’s tree canopy was planted thoughtfully over generations, and in the fall, when the leaves turn, the city becomes a shared experience of beauty and pride.
In 2024, Ann Arbor celebrated its 200th anniversary, reflecting on what makes it special while also looking forward. Five years from now, Milton hopes the city will be known for tackling one of its most pressing challenges: housing.
With only 28 square miles and no ability to annex outward, growth must come from within. Ann Arbor is currently undergoing a comprehensive planning process — one that embraces difficult conversations around density, growth, and inclusion.
Transparency plays a central role in that effort. The city recently launched a new outward-facing data dashboard, making public information easier to access. Ann Arbor no longer relies on a single channel to communicate. Instead, the city embraces a multi-platform approach, supported by staff who specialize in digital communication and community engagement.
Milton is also clear-eyed about who still needs intentional outreach: residents who don’t use the internet. Engagement, he emphasizes, must remain inclusive.
Looking ahead, one of the city’s most ambitious projects is Arbor South — a proposed development representing more than $600 million in private investment, 1,000 housing units, and over 200 affordable homes, alongside retail, hospitality, and public gathering spaces.
For Milton, placemaking and belonging are inseparable. Ann Arbor residents are deeply engaged — more than 70% are college graduates — and they show up, speak up, and care deeply, even when they disagree.
“Hearing from them demonstrates that they care.”
By intentionally bringing together city leadership, the University of Michigan, schools, foundations, and business groups, Ann Arbor continues to model what collaborative, people-first governance can look like.
