Jenn Cornell—Leading with Dignity and Respect

“I’m running for re-election to continue the progress we made in my first term. As your Ward 5 City Councilmember, I’ve advanced and accelerated the City’s work to achieve its housing, environmental, and transportation safety goals, all while continuing to prioritize the city services and infrastructure projects that impact our community every day.”

First Term Accomplishments

I’m proud to have worked on projects during my tenure that improve the quality of life for not only for Ward 5 residents, but for our entire city.

Resurfacing Miller Ave, a major route into the City through Ward 5. I worked closely with City staff to advocate for key safety improvements for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians with new protected bike lanes and continuous sidewalks from Maple to downtown (project is expected to be completed this fall)
Improving housing accessibility in the City, with more than 1,200 affordable housing units currently in the pipeline.
Investing in quality infrastructure above and below the ground with watermain and sewer work on Pauline Blvd and Seventh Street – putting taxpayer dollars to work on two routes that connect Ann Arbor’s north and south sides to downtown.
Establishing Ann Arbor’s first Sustainable Energy Utility, a nationally-recognized initiative to deliver green, affordable electricity to residents.
Establishing a new Sustainability Commission to empower climate and energy experts in our community to support accomplishing Ann Arbor’s A2Zero goals.
Advancing a land use plan to increase housing supply and promote dynamic, affordable, and sustainable neighborhoods rooted in equity.

I’ve also worked hard to make sure our downtown is welcoming and inviting by championing the creation of a new Economic Development office within the city and establishing a working group that meets with downtown business owners to support their success. A vibrant downtown is essential to Ann Arbor’s future as a place where people want to live, work, and visit.

Thank You for the Incredible Support

If you haven’t donated yet, please consider supporting my re-election as Ward 5 City Councilmember. Together we’ll continue the progress and ensure Ann Arbor’s future as a place where people want to live, work, and visit.

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Jenn’s core values are rooted in excellent basic city services:

Progressive thinking around how to retain what makes Ann Arbor enviably charming while accommodating thoughtful growth.
Ensuring Ann Arbor remains a welcoming community whose commitment to diversity and inclusion shines.
Encouraging a variety of housing options to accommodate residents across a broad range of lifestyles and interests.
Supporting a comprehensive transportation plan that embraces not only walkability and biking, but ride sharing, public transportation, and emerging mobility innovations as well as infrastructure improvements on our city roads.
Building on Ann Arbor’s reputation as a premier destination for business, from those who want to open your next favorite small business downtown to global companies who want to create high wage jobs here.

“Jenn is honest, transparent, and incredibly hardworking. She’s committed to serving our 5th Ward residents and championing policy aimed at building a vibrant, more affordable, and sustainable future Ann Arbor.”

Erica Briggs, Ann Arbor City Council, Ward 5

“Jenn is exactly the kind of fearless, people-first leader Ward 5 deserves. Her work on the Miller bike lanes literally changed how I move through this city. She made it safe enough for me to become a nontraditional e-bike commuter. I love that she fights for safety that includes everyone, not just the usual voices. I’m proud to support her reelection.”

Katie Scott, County Commissioner, District 9

ABOUT JENN

I am a mom and non-profit arts leader who has been part of the Ann Arbor community for more than 20 years.

Previously, I was a proud small business owner in Ann Arbor, having co-owned Joust Strength + Fitness (CrossFit Joust) for eight years. My business partner and I co-founded one of the first all-female-owned CrossFit/ kettlebell/Olympic weightlifting facilities in the U.S., where we built a strong, inclusive, and supportive community of people who wanted to get healthier and stronger together. I sold Joust, now known as Fit2Live, shortly after the birth of my second daughter.

I was raised in a family of service; during my middle and high school years, I spent my weekends and summers volunteering alongside my dad at organizations that help those most in need in our community. During those years, I learned the value of treating people with respect, and listening to those whose experiences are different, and learned the power of empathy and kindness – core values I live today.

I am an active Ann Arbor community member. My current board involvement reflects some of the issues most important to me: The Ecology Center, committed to a healthy planet; the Family Learning Institute, which provides critical literacy support to the most underserved children in our community; Ann Arbor’s Main Street Area Association, whose work helps small business owners in the city thrive; and Destination Ann Arbor, which attracts visitors to our region.

I am the proud mom of two Ann Arbor Public Schools students and stepmom to two young adults who still live and work here in the City. I love living in Ward 5 with my family, our Love Train rescue pup Chewie, and two Ann Arbor Cat Clinic rescues, Valentine (as in Denzel) and Cass (aka Cheese and Sprinkles).