Grosse Pointe Farms Launches New Website

The new Grosse Pointe Farms website features online registration, resident photos and more. The project has been in the works for about a year and was an objective of the communications committee established last year as a way to analyze and improve communication between the city and its residents. 

City Manager Shane Reeside said Thursday the website had not been updated in about 12 years. The new site offers a new, more updated look. It also interfaces with existing software programs already used by the city, Reeside said, giving registration for recreation activities as the main example. 

The site, designed by Bill Costello, cost about $35,000, Reeside said. The Grosse Pointe Farms Foundation donated $10,000 toward the project, helping the city reduce its expense, he said. 

Thus far, city officials have recieved a lot of positive feedback, Reeside said. Officials are making sure to follow up with users to evaluate their experience so any glitches that may arise are addressed quickly. As of Thursday, the site had not experienced any major problems, Reeside said. 

One the biggest improvements the site is able to offer is the online registration for recreation activities, Reeside said. Online registration was opened to residents this week and Recreation Director Richard Huhn has been following up with those who have used it already to ensure it is user friendly and working appropriately, Reeside said. 

The site offers users access to a variety of public records, including meeting agendas, minutes and other documents. It also highlights upcoming events and encourages users to follow them on Facebook and Twitter--additional new ways to communicate with residents.