Dear Highland Parkers,
Together, we have made so much progress. Together, let’s keep moving forward. While I am proud to highlight our proven record of transformative leadership that has delivered measurable progress in infrastructure, public safety, and economic development – we have more to do.
When I took office, Highland Park faced serious challenges—but we refused to accept decline as our destiny. Together, we chose progress over paralysis, accountability over excuses, and action over empty promises. The results speak for themselves.
Water Infrastructure: A $100 Million Victory for Public Health
We secured $100 million from the State of Michigan to overhaul the city's water infrastructure—the largest investment in the city's water system in decades. This historic achievement included paying off a crippling $58 million debt, replacing dangerous lead service lines that threatened children's health, and installing master meters to ensure accurate, fair billing. These critical improvements protected public health and prevented a devastating levy on residents' homes, delivering both safety and financial relief to Highland Park families.
Public Safety: Real Investment, Real Results
We made public safety a top priority, and the outcomes are undeniable. The city now operates a fully staffed Fire Department with full-time firefighters, hired six MCOLES-certified police officers, added three reserve officers and two Public Safety Assistants, re-established community policing, and brought on a mental health social worker to support both residents and first responders. These investments have saved lives: violent crime dropped dramatically, from 10 homicides since I took office to just 3 in 2025—a 70% reduction that reflects a city reclaiming its safety and peace of mind.
Economic Development: Building a Foundation for Growth
My administration’s strategic approach to economic development has positioned Highland Park for sustainable growth by forming a Steering Committee comprised of the State, Wayne County, MEDC, McKenna, SEMCOG, and others; we have successfully created and adopted an Economic Development Strategy and currently working on updates to our Master Land Use Plan and developing a Strategic Housing Framework Policy. Along with these planning efforts, we have $5 Million worth of demolition underway – residential, commercial, and large structures; the Joe Louis Greenway construction is underway and nearly complete (over $20M investment); and there are new and improved housing rehab projects taking place (over $135M investment).
Quality of Life: Investing in Community
Beyond the major initiatives, we have prioritized everyday quality of life. The city secured nearly $1 million for Recreation Center upgrades, launched a hot meal program for seniors, installed 10 solar-powered streetlights (with another 50 scheduled by summer 2026) through partnerships with Soulidarity and Solartronic, and completed a one-mile stretch of the Joe Louis Greenway in collaboration with the Joe Louis Greenway Partnership—expanding green space and recreational opportunities for all residents. City services were strengthened through the hiring of four new DPW workers and a state grant for new snow removal trucks, ensuring more reliable and responsive service delivery.
Highland Park, together we can keep moving forward!
Highland Park is no longer defined by what it used to be—we are building what it will become. A safer city. A stronger economy. A more vibrant community.
I am running for reelection to finish what we started and to continue fighting for every resident, every business, and every family that calls Highland Park home.
I humbly ask for your vote on August 4, 2026. I am committed to earning your trust and your vote for another term. This next term will reaffirm my commitment to transparency, collaboration, and sustained investment in Highland Park's future, pledging to build on the momentum of measurable progress with bold vision and unwavering accountability.
Sincerely,
Glenda McDonald
Mayor Glenda McDonald