McKenna

05/01/2026

What an amazing week at the National Planning Conference (NPC)!

The McKenna team was proud to be part of an event that put the energy, innovation, and impact of Detroit and Michigan communities in the spotlight on a national stage.

From great sessions and fresh ideas to new connections and plenty of conversations, the conference was an incredible experience from start to finish.

A huge thank you to the American Planning Association and to everyone who stopped by, connected with us, and shared in such a memorable week. We’re inspired, energized, and excited for what’s ahead!

04/27/2026

In between sessions, coffee runs, and figuring out where your next panel is… make sure to stop by before it’s over.

Find McKenna today at:
• Michigan Booth #912
• Midwest Booth #419

We’re talking practical planning, real-world zoning services that actually work, and the challenges keeping communities moving.

Swing by before the day wraps: we’d love to connect, hear what you’re working on, and talk through what’s keeping you up at night.

04/23/2026

Big ideas are great. Making them work? That’s the real challenge.

At the National Planning Conference this year, we’re diving into the topics planners are actually wrestling with right now:
• How to keep mom-and-pop shops from disappearing
• What it really takes to revitalize older neighborhoods
• Data centers (because yes, they’re coming fast)
• Lessons you didn’t expect—from Detroit and from TV

Join the McKenna team on Sunday, April 26 - we promise practical insights, a few surprises, and conversations worth your time.

12/01/2025

McKenna is hiring a Building Official / Building Inspector to support communities in the Detroit area. The position includes plan review, construction inspections, and working with residents and municipal staff to ensure safe, consistent code enforcement.

McKenna has been recognized as one of Crain’s Best Places to Work for two years in a row, and we welcome applicants with a strong background in building services.

Learn more or apply:

Careers Are you interested in joining our team? We are always looking for passionate, talented, tenacious, and creative planners, designers, and building professionals who want to see their work make very real differences in the communities they serve. Our purposeful work impacts people by influenci...

11/26/2025

We are thankful for the communities that trust us to help plan, design, and build their futures.

11/25/2025

Shopping small starts with smart zoning.

Our recent Elevations post highlights easy, actionable steps communities can take to help small businesses open and thrive — from pop-ups to home-based businesses to clearer permitting.

Read the post:

Navigating zoning ordinances can be a surprising challenge for new small business owners eager to get started. From permitted uses and site standards to signage and parking requirements, your community’s zoning ordinance directly and indirectly influences if, how, and where a small business can lo...

11/24/2025

We’re hiring a Senior Planner!

McKenna is looking for a Senior Planner to join our planning and design team and help strengthen communities across Michigan and Ohio.

Our Senior Planners work directly with cities, villages, and townships to guide development, support neighborhood revitalization, and create places that truly work for the people who live in them. We’re seeking someone with strong experience in zoning, master planning, and community development—someone ready to lead projects with confidence and clarity.

We’re also proud to share that, for the second year in a row, McKenna was named one of Crain’s Detroit Business Best Places to Work in Southeast Michigan!

If this sounds like the right fit for you—or someone you know—apply here:

Careers Are you interested in joining our team? We are always looking for passionate, talented, tenacious, and creative planners, designers, and building professionals who want to see their work make very real differences in the communities they serve. Our purposeful work impacts people by influenci...

11/20/2025

As the Midwest settles into winter, our lakes, rivers, wetlands, and shorelines move into their off-season rhythm. This is when planning for housing, small business support, and shoreline resilience matters most.

Our latest blog shares simple steps lakefront communities can take to support residents and care for these places year-round.

Each summer, Michigan’s lakefront communities host a high tourism season that brings a heavy influx of visitors, seasonal workers, and infrastructure demand. Many of these local economies depend on a successful tourism season to sustain their own annual operations and local quality of life. But wh...

11/19/2025

We’re hiring an Associate Planner in our Kalamazoo office!

McKenna’s Associate Planners help guide projects that make neighborhoods safer, greener, and more connected across West Michigan. The work is hands-on and community focused, and every project supports a real place close to home.

We are honored to be named a Crain’s Best Places to Work twice, a reflection of the supportive and collaborative environment our team has built together.

If you or someone you know is ready to grow their planning career in Kalamazoo, please share this opportunity.

Careers Are you interested in joining our team? We are always looking for passionate, talented, tenacious, and creative planners, designers, and building professionals who want to see their work make very real differences in the communities they serve. Our purposeful work impacts people by influenci...

11/18/2025

New on the McKenna blog, Elevations

Associate Planner Ashley Jankowski, AICP, writes about how communities can better support unhoused residents through planning, zoning, and thoughtful public space design. Her article outlines practical steps local leaders can take to expand housing options, strengthen partnerships with service providers, and make parks and civic areas more welcoming for everyone.

If your community is exploring housing access or looking to improve public spaces, this is a thoughtful place to begin.

Homelessness is a complex public health issue that results from numerous, compounding socioeconomic factors, systemic barriers, and individual or family circumstances—including lack of affordable housing and healthcare, unemployment, poverty, mental illness, substance misuse, domestic violence, an...