Why I am Running
The City of Arvada is a great place to live, work, learn and play. With a park inside a one-mile reach of every resident of the city, Arvada offers a great quality of life for a growing community. The choices and decisions we make today directly impact the quality of life for generations to come. Building a great city comes from fostering strong communities. I’ll work to make sure Arvada has a clean and sustainable water supply, address our housing and transportation needs, and ensure that Arvada is a safe and inclusive community for all.
Meet Mike
Background
In the first grade Michael (Mike) Griffith would pick up trash at recess. Inspired by the Captain Planet TV show, young Michael encouraged his classmates to join him, beginning a long career and passion working with others to grow, maintain and sustain great communities.
Michael met his co-pilot in life, Abigail, while studying for his Bachelors of Landscape Architecture at Louisiana State University where they both graduated (Geaux Tigers!). They then moved to Colorado to attend the University of Colorado at Denver. After graduating in 2013 with a Masters of Landscape Architecture and Masters of Urban Design, Michael and Abigail got married and moved to Arvada settling into a home that was originally built in Olde Town Arvada 110 years ago and moved to its current location on W. 62nd Avenue in the late 1980’s.
Landscape Architect & Urban Design Professional
Michael is a licensed Landscape Architect and Urban Designer who works with architects, developers, city planners, engineers and contractors in a highly collaborative environment across the State of Colorado and locally here in the Metro Denver Area. Michael leads green infrastructure and placemaking projects for Stantec, a company recently awarded the title of “Most Sustainable Company in North America.” Currently, Michael is working on a project with the City of Denver to plan for the 2021 Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 13th, 2021.
Michael has over a decade of professional experience leading the design and construction of complex infrastructure and mixed-use development projects at various scales, all focused on building sustainable and resilient communities. As a LEED accredited professional, Michael led the design and documentation of the highest scoring LEED ND (Neighborhood Development) Gold project in the State of Colorado. That project also included 20% affordable housing and integrated increased density and amenities into the existing single-family neighborhood fabric.
Mike at Home
When he’s not planting large trees or riding his Triumph Thruxton motorcycle, Michael is the ‘Tim Allen’ of the family. Michael is in the process of rebuilding his father’s 1968 Pontiac GTO and can often be found renovating and/or repairing the family’s 110-year old home. Michael and Abigail are also the parents of a toddler, new baby and two dogs.
Service
Arvada Planning Commission
Michael applied for and was appointed to the City of Arvada Planning Commission in 2017 to review applications from residential and commercial developers and builders who wish to create new spaces in the City of Arvada. Since then, he has overseen dozens of important new developments and provided informed guidance to the City Council members that has led to better design negotiations for our community. He is now Vice Chair of the Arvada Planning Commission.
Land Code Development Advisory Committee
Michael was a part of the 2020 Land Development Code Advisory Committee providing professional insight and firsthand knowledge of code application for the update. The Land Code provides more predictability and streamlined processes for all developments. This code update will reduce unnecessary burdens on developers and clarify the process for citizens. Michael attended numerous committee meetings with city staff, council members, citizens, and planners that led to the revised Land Development Code.
Mentorship
Michael partnered with the Arvada’s Parks Department and the University of Colorado to host educational workshops for local Landscape Architecture students living in Arvada. Michael has also hosted Arvada Cub Scout Pack 600 in a tour of the Arvada City Hall discussing citizenship and community government for their Civic Duty badge.
COVID-19 Response
Michael helped small businesses and the Arvada community during COVID-19. Using his professional experience and knowledge, Michael sought out Olde Town Business Improvement District leaders to help them reimagine the use of Olde Town Arvada’s public spaces. Michael volunteered his time to the City of Arvada and the Arvada Resiliency Task Force to:
- Present temporary street closure concept walking tours in May 2020
- Imagine new safe people focused uses for roadways in Olde Town by providing the Olde Town Business Improvement District with concept drawings that showed Olde Town Arvada parking and drive lanes converted into pedestrian oriented outdoor dining spaces in June 2020
- Help construct and install the warming huts in Olde Town in November 2020
- Assist the Olde Town BID with making informed design decisions for Olde Town’s permanent street closures program in April 2021