Berkley mayor reviews 2025: strategic framework, zoning rewrite and downtown openings
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Summary
Mayor Bridget Dean outlined the city’s 2025 accomplishments, including adoption of a two-year strategic framework, completion of an in-depth zoning ordinance update that won a public outreach award, and several new downtown businesses that officials say signal renewed economic activity.
Bridget Dean, mayor of Berkley, delivered a year-in-review address highlighting administrative changes, planning milestones and business openings that she said define the city’s progress in 2025.
Dean said the city council adopted "a comprehensive strategic framework to guide us through the next 2 years," describing the framework as the organizing tool for city priorities after the transition to City Manager Van Vleck from interim manager Geinzer. She said goals and objectives were developed with resident input and departmental collaboration to align city decision-making.
The mayor announced completion of an in-depth zoning ordinance update and said the effort won the Michigan Association of Planning’s public outreach award. "I'm proud to share that our in-depth zoning ordinance update was completed this year," she said, and added the new ordinance will help implement the city’s master plan and improve the ability to attract investment. Dean said the update also moves Berkley closer to completing the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Redevelopment Ready Communities program.
On downtown activity, Dean listed returning and incoming businesses, saying the Berkley Theatre will again host entertainment operated by the Roxy Theatre Group and that restaurants including Slows Barbecue and a new Beverly Restaurant are opening. She also highlighted a local pharmacist, Alvin, who opened Coolidge Pharmacy after a nearby Rite Aid closed.
Dean framed these developments as evidence of a welcoming community and said they reflect resident and business confidence in Berkley. The address closed with thanks to city staff, council members and volunteers for their work over the year.
The council adoption of the strategic framework was described in the speech; no vote tally or mover/second was provided in the address. The mayor’s remarks did not include an explicit council vote on the zoning update in this recorded segment.
