Promises and Progress
Promises made, promises kept.
Mayor Ken Johnson is a fifth-generation resident who loves this magnificent city. With four years as Mayor and eight years as City Commissioner, Ken brings deep insight and dedication to his community. His message is simple: Promises made, promises kept—because progress is happening everywhere he promised.
Growth for Everyone: Bringing Investment Home and Helping Neighbors Thrive
Mayor Johnson is working hard to support a broadly diversified economy, attract capital, and ensure there are quality and affordable housing options available for every resident.
Investment Surge
Muskegon is moving! The city has attracted over $400 million in investment over the last three years and saw the most building permits issued this century in 2024.
More Housing Options
Over 1,600 new housing units are already built or in progress. Ken’s goal is to continue building on existing zoning reforms to expand affordable and attainable housing options for everyone in the community.
Building Wealth at Home
Ken championed significant zoning reform, including making duplexes and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) a use by right. This creates more housing supply and also gives current property owners opportunities to build wealth and new income streams.
Supporting Dreams
Ken fosters an entrepreneurial ecosystem, ensuring that residents who want to make their own livelihood are embraced, supported, and included in Muskegon’s exciting economic growth story.
Open Doors at City Hall: Making Government Accessible and Collaborative
Ken believes that collaboration cultivates community and propels us forward. He is committed to good governance, ensuring City Hall is transparent and easy for every resident to engage with.
Bringing the Meetings to You
To boost accessibility and transparency, Mayor Johnson ensured City Commission and Planning Commission meetings are live-streamed on multiple channels. They even added phone-in comments so busy or homebound residents can still participate.
Connecting the Community
The City launched the “Connect Muskegon” portal and created a Community Engagement Manager position to help everyone track projects and find opportunities to get involved, making sure public communication is robust.
Meeting Residents Where They Are
Ken prioritizes intentional, intimate engagement sessions, often having city leadership go out into the community to talk to people where they are. Ken himself hosts regular office hours at local businesses.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Ken maintains a collaborative mindset, working closely with groups like the Social Justice Commission, the Urban Core Mayors group, and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Cities Initiative to achieve community goals.
Healthy Neighborhoods: Investing in Our Artery Streets and Public Safety Teams
Ken sees our neighborhoods as the “arteries to the city’s heart” and believes investment must spread across all corners of Muskegon. He maintains the view that public safety is paramount.
Safety First Investments
Ken has already made necessary investments in public safety during his first term, including increasing firefighter staffing and purchasing additional essential engines and equipment.
Continuing the Commitment
Ken plans to pursue further necessary investments in both the fire and policing departments to keep our community safe and secure.
Spreading the Growth
While downtown revitalization was crucial, Ken is committed to ensuring exciting growth and investment spread throughout the entire city, reaching all neighborhoods.
Focus on the Future
A key goal for the upcoming term is to invest in youth, neighborhoods, and public safety through stronger programs, improved infrastructure, and trusted community safety efforts.
“For the Love of Muskegon”: Celebrating Our People and Natural Treasures
As a passionate champion for the community, Ken focuses on protecting our magnificent natural resources, cultural assets, and waterways. He ensures high-quality recreational opportunities are available across the city.
Parks are Back!
Mayor Johnson revived the Parks and Recreation department after it had been dissolved for nearly 15 years and invested millions of overdue capital dollars into park systems across the city.
Protecting Our Waterways
Ken is deeply passionate about environmental stewardship, championing efforts to protect local waterways and the Great Lakes overall. Progress has been made on increasing public access to our beautiful natural resources.
Citizen-Informed Parks
To ensure planning is informed by the people, Ken established a Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee comprised of citizens and undertook comprehensive master planning for the parks system.
Magnificent Muskegon
Ken is committed to promoting environmental resilience and ensuring a continuation of high quality parks and robust recreational programming, securing the city’s reputation as a great place to live.