By Mike Fossano

The Woodward 5 Sustainability Partnership will host a public open house for residents and businesses on Thursday, October 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Pleasant Ridge Community Center, 4 Ridge Road in Pleasant Ridge.

Berkley, Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak and Huntington Woods are seeking citizen feedback on topics like economy, education, environment, government and community that the five communities can address together to be more sustainable.

The participating Woodward Avenue communities, in conjunction with Oakland County, launched a partnership earlier this year to examine sustainability issues.

The partnership engages a diverse cross-section of the community, including environmental, business, social services, health, and educational institutions. Above all, the goal of the group is to develop a plan which will help the communities work together and leverage shared resources for a sustainable future.

Oakland County Planning & Economic Development Services will provide $25,000 of in-kind services to match a $50,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to facilitate a South Oakland Multi-Community Sustainability Partnership.

For more information about the group, visit www.Woodward5.com.