John Grissim, FASLA, named 2003 Citizen of the Year by Huron Valley

MILFORD, Mich.?EUR??,,????'??? Not much can surpass the euphoric feeling of being honored and recognized in your own hometown. That?EUR??,,????'???s what happened to John N. Grissim, FASLA, who was recently named 2003 Citizen of the Year by the Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce in Michigan.

?EUR??,,????'??It was an awesome and wonderful experience for me,?EUR??,,????'?? Grissim told LASN. ?EUR??,,????'??I was thrilled and it brought tears to my eyes. I got the call from Sue Happle, head of the Chamber of Commerce and she told me I had to keep it a secret until they made an announcement at a breakfast.?EUR??,,????'??

There were high praises for Mr. Grissim at the annual Chamber dinner-dance, and received awards and plaques from local politicians. He also rode in a Corvette convertible in the parade downtown.

Founding principal of the Northville landscape architectural firm Grissim Metz Andriese Associates, a firm featured in this issue (see ?EUR??,,????'??The Garden of Youthful Imagination), Grissim was cited for his profound and visionary impact on the urban planning, streetscape, parks and landscape of his home of Milford. He?EUR??,,????'???s been the coordinating landscape architect of the village since its inception in the 1980s.

?EUR??,,????'??At first we had no money, but it?EUR??,,????'???s just a matter of time to get the donations coming in,?EUR??,,????'?? said Grissim. ?EUR??,,????'??I?EUR??,,????'???d show some plans that called for buying light fixtures, irrigation and paving, and the donations would come in. We had tremendous participation and a lot of community pride, which spurred me on. I even got down on my knees and laid some brick work for a fountain.?EUR??,,????'??

Once Grissim got the approval to repair the downtown, the projects turned out great: YMCA, local library, and two cemeteries. The more he got involved, the more fun he had. When Grissim talks about the suburb 35 miles northwest of Detroit, other people become envious and want to live there. Milford has lots of parks, lakes and rolling hills, providing a testing grounds for General Motors new cars.

Grissim has served as the coordinating architect for the Milford Downtown Development Authority and on the Milford Beautification Committee, donating his services and expertise. An ASLA Fellow, Grissim has been in private practice since 1961. His firm, Grissim Metz Andriese Associates, Inc., is noted for its fine landscape architectural design work and is widely feature in numerous publications. The firm has received over 50 design awards, highlighted by four trips by Grissim to the White House.

?EUR??,,????'??I think landscape architects should donate time because they have the most expertise in their communities,?EUR??,,????'?? said Grissim. ?EUR??,,????'??I have the sense of this place as being home and I love to do it. I never had any confrontations with the City Council ?EUR??,,????'??? they always supported me. It gives me a sense of pride and I?EUR??,,????'???m totally committed to it.?EUR??,,????'??

John Grissim