U-SNAP-BAC Community Development Corporation - East Warren Avenue Business Association

East Warren Avenue Business Association

Serving East Warren Avenue from Mack Ave. to Alter Road

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$15,000 Facade Improvement Grant-For commercial properties between Cadieux and Devonshire on East Warren Avenue.

For a limited time, East Warren Avenue Business Association is offering a $15,000 Matching Grant to assist East Warren Avenue business and building owners in improving the quality and design of the Façade on their building.

For Refresh Detroit grant guidelines and application contact Bill Swanson, bswanson@usnapbac.org, 313.882.8920

Applications must be approved prior to the start of work. All grants must be matched, and are on a reimbursement basis. The Refresh Detroit Façade Grant, is a program of the City of Detroit Mayor's office of Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization.

Comerica Bank Business Development Seminars

East Warren Avenue Business Association, Jefferson East Business Association and Mack Avenue Business Association are committed to increasing business investment, job creation, entrepreneurial development and commercial growth in each respective business community and the East Side of Detroit.

2008 Schedule
July 10, 6:00pm, at EWABA, Protecting Your Business:Security

September 11, 6:00pm, at JEBA, Lines of Credit/Advanced Business Backing

Locations:
EWABA
East Warren Avenue Business Association
14901 East Warren
Detroit, MI 48224

JEBA
Jefferson East Business Association
14628 East Jefferson
Detroit, MI 48215

Social Compact

For nearly 10 years Social Compact has been dedicated to changing the discourse around under served and undervalued urban communities; shifting the focus from negative perceptions and deficiency-oriented statistics that encourage continued disinvestment to raising awareness of community strengths and opportunities through its DrillDown analytic tools with the ultimate goal of stimulating investment and informing effective revitalization strategies for the benefit of current residents.

Social Compact Website

Social Compact Data for Detroit and East Warren Avenue Business District:

Detroit Drilldown Summary Findings

Morningside and East English Village Drilldown

What is a BIZ?-Business Improvement Zone (BIZ)

A BIZ is a way of bringing a "Shopping Mall" feeling to an urban commercial district. In a Shopping Mall Common Area Maintenance (CAM) charge are commonly employed to help keep the mall maintained.

A BIZ will provide the benefits of a CAM to maintain and improve our shopping district. Business Improvement Zones often called BIDs are currently in major cities around the country & Canada. They are in New York (Times Square), Chicago, DC, LA, Windsor, San Diego and over 500 other neighborhoods and cities big and small, that are being used to rejuvenate targeted commercial districts.

Components of a successful CAM PROGRAM include: Components of a Successful BIZ PROGRAM include:

Security Security

Cleaning and Maintenance Cleaning and Maintenance

Marketing Marketing

Promotions Promotions

Parking Parking

Special Events Special Events

Tenant Recruitment Tenant Recruitment

Tenant Mix Tenant Mix

Model D

Maize, Blue and Detroit, Too: U-M Grads Find Promise in City's Future

Grads from Ann Arbor's big U (aka the University of Michigan) are taking a fresh look at Detroit as a destination to start careers or launch various professional and artistic projects. See why the creative revolution might begin right in our backyard.
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Maize, Blue and Detroit, Too: U-M Grads Find Promise in City's Future

Doug Farr, Sustainable Urbanism Superstar

If Doug Farr were a superhero, his cape, tights and calling card would be green. The native Detroiter is an architect and sustainability guru who has built a career out of thinking about cities through a very green lens. He talks with Francis Grunow about what Detroit has, and how, through sustainable practices, the city can best use those assets. And he as some advice for Mayor Ken Cockrel, too. (Hint: Think green, buddy.)
more >>

Detroit's Gone to Their Heads: Boosters Push Love for City, Parade

The papier-mâché noggin capital of the world is right here in Detroit, housed in an old East Side industrial complex. A volunteer group wants you to put one on and march with them in the Thanksgiving Parade.
more >>

Detroit Wants Art Now, So Here It Is

After deciding there was too much talk and not enough action, 100 galleries bring Art to Detroit Now this week.
more >>

Why Brownfields are Sexy: Clean Water and Air, a Better Economy, a Stronger Detroit

We don't know what your idea of sexy is, but we can't think of anything sexier than promoting development that can benefit the economy, environment and public health, all the while promoting density and making the region attractive to creative new economy types. Now that's hot.
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Why Brownfields are Sexy: Clean Water and Air, a Better Economy, a Stronger Detroit

Venus Bronze Works Restores Detroit, One Sculpture at a Time

Giorgio Gikas keeps Detroit icons looking their best. His East Side firm, Venus Bronze Works Inc., takes sculptures — like the big Calder moving to the DIA and the famous city symbol, the "Spirit of Detroit" — back to their original glory.
more >>

McMillin's Detroit: A Veteran Guide Takes Us Through Detroit Then and Now

Detroiter Stewart McMillin knows all the good dirt — try womanizing philanthropists now immortalized, or the O.J. trial of 1925. And he knows the most beautiful spots —walls of stained glass windows and spires that reach to the heavens. The history buff and Indian Village resident leads us on a city tour like no other.
more >>

8 Slam-Dunk Ways Detroit is Getting More Green

Finally, it seems like folks around here are seeing that raking in the green and living green aren't mutually exclusive. Here are 8 ways everything's going green in Detroit.
more >>

The Real (Estate) Deal

Come on in, the water's not that cold — or, the current state of the Detroit real estate market. more >>

Model D Speaker Series: Detroit Sells

Who's selling in Detroit? Who's buying? What's hot (and not) in residential retail in the city?

The speaker series sign up is closed. We'll be back in March with another hot topic.

more >>

Great Groceries

The questioning suburbanite asks the Detroiter, "But where do you shop for groceries?" Here's where.
more >>

Buy Detroit, Build Detroit

Avoid the meter maid's boot and save some loot when you shop the city this holiday season.
more >>

Growing Detroit Retail

A D.C.-based nonprofit has some shiny new numbers that could mean exciting things for Detroit's retail prospects. Read about it here, and see for yourself at our Speaker Series Nov. 14. Sign up today.
more >>

$47.1M neighborhood stabilization plan presented to Council

One month ago, Housing and Urban Development awarded the city of Detroit $47.1 million to stabilize housing in light of the current foreclosure crisis.

Before spending it, the city must develop a plan that is approved by Detroit City Council and then HUD. Last week, Planning and Development took the first step and presented the plan to Council's Economic Development Committee.

The plan focuses on three things: reversal of the decline of neighborhood housing values; significant elimination of blighted and abandoned structures; and stimulation of investment in and around targeted neighborhoods.

The plan can be downloaded at PDD's site; public comment is welcomed until November 20 at 313-224-6380 or NSP@detroitmi.gov. On Nov. 21, it will go to the full Council followed by submittal to HUD on Dec. 1.

Read more about the grant, the process and guidelines here .

Source: Sylvia Crawford, PDD
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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D-Biz: Universal Macomb Ambulance is at your service

If your heart ever gives out after a triumphant roll at the craps table, you'll be hitching a ride to the ER with Universal Macomb Ambulance.

The company's Detroit HQ for the last nine years has been on East Warren between Mack and Cadieux, but it's been around since 1957 and servicing the eastside in particular since 1988. They also have a spot for two trucks downtown when the casinos -- all three are clients -- come calling.

Scott Hayes, a critical care paramedic with the company, says its Detroit location has served the company well. "We've had very few problems, [especially] since the business association has gotten up and running in the last year," he says.

Macomb, along with its neighboring businesses in the East Warren Avenue Business Association, banded together to hire a company to clean the streets twice a week and undertake enhancement activities such as streetlight painting.

Macomb is located at 17611 East Warren. Its main dispatch number is 586-274-2900.

Source: Scott Hayes, Universal Macomb Ambulance
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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New mini stations, foot patrols aid development of neighborhood commercial districts

Four mini police stations have been opened in Detroit -- three on the East Side and one on the West Side. The stations will be staffed from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. by police officers and community volunteers.

One of the mini stations, located at 13206 E. Jefferson in Riverbend Shopping Plaza, will service the Jefferson East Business Association (JEBA) commercial corridor. "Of course we're ecstatic that we have increased police presence in the district," says Sheila Jackson, JEBA's clean and safe initiative director.

JEBA had been lobbying for a mini station for years, but finally saw results with the installation of a new police chief and two new commanders in the Eastern District. A foot patrol and the re-establishment of a citizens radio patrol is also in the works. "The businesses and residents are encouraged to start working together with the police," says Jackson.

JEBA board member Mike Curis is donating spaces at Riverbend Plaza and Mack-Alter Square Plaza to the City of Detroit for use as mini stations. The other two are located inside St. John Hospital and Northwest City Hall.

Source: Sheila Jackson, JEBA
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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City Council adopts non-motorized plan that calls for 400 miles of bike lanes in the Motor City

Detroit City Council has adopted a non-motorized transportation plan as well as a resolution urging Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. to implement it. Among other things, the plan calls for more than 400 miles of bike lanes, as well as other improvements to pedestrian and bike facilities. The Michigan Department of Transportation funded the plan's development; the city brought on Giffels-Webster Engineers as consultants to design it.

Scott Clein of Giffels-Webster says that the adoption of the plan means many things to proponents of non-motorized transportation. For starters, MDOT will now attempt to incorporate its recommendations into any future roadway projects it undertakes in the city, such as the reconstruction of Michigan Avenue.

It also does the same for city departments like the Department of Public Works. "DPW is now in charge of supporting and, hopefully, implementing portions of the master plan," says Clein.

The adoption of the plan means that community groups working to establish bike lanes know that the government, at least on paper, is on board. Clein cites Greater Corktown Development Corporation's Corktown-Mexicantown Greenlink as an example. "Now they know that the city will be supportive instead of obstructionists," he says.

DPW is in the process of writing a letter of conceptual support to MDOT, a step necessary for the project to capture funds the state committed to it a few years ago.

Besides bike lanes, the plan looks at pedestrian safety via the separation of bikes and pedestrians and the continued improvements of sidewalks.

Read more about the plan here .

Source: Scott Clein, Giffels-Webster
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
Photo by Marvin Shaouni
more >>

Hit the town by bike during upcoming Tour de Troit event and Wheelhouse tours

There are some great opportunities coming up to see Detroit from the luxury of your own, or a rented, bike. The best part of these tours is that they take you into the city's neighborhoods at a pace that affords participants the chance to admire the architecture and get a real feel for the places.

The annual Tour de Troit is Saturday, Sept. 20. Take in 40 miles of the city at a leisure pace with several hundred of your closest friends. It's a police escorted ride through Downtown, Eastern Market, Brush Park, Boston Edison, University District, Palmer Park, Old Redford and Grandmont-Rosedale.

Last year 600 people participated. Advance registration is strongly encouraged to guarantee a T-Shirt. Register by Sept. 13 to ensure you'll get one. Advance Registration is $25, $15 for students. Day-of-ride registration is $35 from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

But wait, there's more. Wheelhouse Detroit, the city's newest bike rental and repair shop, is also offering weekly tours of Detroit's neighborhoods. Each week, they feature a different portion of the city, and most rides are around 15-25 miles. Upcoming tours include Southwest Detroit (9/13), The Villages (9/27), Boston Edison (9/28), Creekside (10/04) and the Conner Creek Greenway (10/5). Wheelhouse also offers weekly tours of Downtown and the Woodward corridor, offered in conjunction with Inside Detroit. For more information and pricing, check their web site.

Sources: Wheelhouse Detroit, Tour de Troit
Writer: Clare Pfeiffer Ramsey

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Tour Detroit's urban farms and community gardens tomorrow evening

Here's your chance to tour Detroit's urban agriculture network -- the very one getting attention from the New York Times, Harper's and Oprah Magazine. The 11th Annual Detroit Agriculture Network (DAN) Tour of Urban Gardens and Farms is set for Wednesday, August 6.

There are three simultaneous tours that evening: bus tours will take participants either west or east, while a bike tour will focus on the Greater Downtown area. DAN's garden resource program has grown to include 320 backyard, 160 community and 40 school gardens -- that's an increase of 50% from last year -- and the tour aims to showcase ones that are unique, particularly productive or have an otherwise unique story to tell.

Interested? Last year's tour sold out, with 500 participants, so registration is required. Call 313-237-8736 to do so.

Registration begins at 5 p.m. at Katharine Ferguson Academy, 2750 Selden, and the tours will take off at 6 p.m. sharp. After the tour, enjoy a locally-grown feast. The tour cost, which is tax-deductible and will be used to grow DAN, is a sliding scale of $1 to $20.

Source: Lindsay Turpin, Garden Resource Program coordinator
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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Wayne County land bank to release 7,000 properties

Today, the Wayne County Land Bank will release a list of their inventory of 7,000 tax-reverted parcels. Qualifying non-profit organizations and adjacent residential landowners will be able to purchase property for a nominal fee as long as they adhere to certain criteria that includes maintaining and/or rehabilitating the property.

Properties will be disposed of on a first-come, first-served basis to qualifying entities.

The Land Bank is a collaborative effort between County Executive Robert Ficano and Treasurer Raymond Wojtowicz. The process begins today at 3 p.m. with an informational session for qualified non-profits. Further information is available at the Land Bank website.

Source: Jill Ferrarri, Executive Project Manager, Wayne County
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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Recycle Here! expands reach throughout city, adds drop-off locations

Recycle Here! is expanding its reach, making it easier for residents from various neighborhoods to drop-off their goods. New drop-off sites are located in Southwest Detroit, East English Village and Palmer Park.

In its first 18 months of operation, the program has reached more than 20,000 participants and has collected more that 1.3 million pounds of recyclables.

Its main facility, at 1331 Holden, is open every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The full schedule of rotating drops sites is as follows:

1st Saturday of every month:
Eastern Market, Wilkins and Russell, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

2nd Saturday of every month:
Corktown, Roosevelt Park, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
East English Village, E. Warren Ave. and Farmbrook, 8 a.m. to noon

3rd Saturday of every month:
Palmer Park, swimming pool lot, from 8 a.m. to noon
Rosedale Park, Christ The King Church, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

4th Saturday of every month:
Southwest Detroit, Clark Park, 8 a.m. to noon
Creekside, Jefferson and Chalmers, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Source: Matt Naimi, Recycle Here!
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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East Side's Kroc Center engages leadership team to move forward with $98M plan

The Detroit Kroc Center, one of 40 planned for across the country, is moving forward with its plans to put a $98 million, 100,000-square-foot community center in Chandler Park.

The center has taken a big step in its fund-raising by creating a four-person Campaign Management Volunteer Team. The group includes community leaders Errol Service, Kurt Tech, David Thoms and Carolyn Patrick-Wanzo.

Joan Kroc selected The Salvation Army as her steward of "trust" to construct Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Centers. The Detroit facility will include a recreation center, an aquatic center, athletic fields, classrooms, computer labs, performing arts training and rehearsal classrooms, a chapel, a community events hall, a food service area and administrative space.

Patrick-Wanzo is the director of planning for the state of Michigan's Department of Human Services. She is also the co-founder of the Carolyn & Mel Wanzo Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit created with her late husband, jazz musician Mel Wanzo, which provides scholarships in music and social work at Wayne State University, so she is keyed into many aspects of the Kroc Center.

Although the Campaign Management Volunteer Team is tasked with raising the daunting figure of $48 million, she is confident. "Who knows who we might be able to approach?" she says. "And if there are challenges to completion, then we at least we can do some brainstorming and make it a win-win for [the Salvation Army] and the Kroc Center. "We are going to make this happen."

Source: Carolyn Patrick-Wanzo, Detroit Kroc Center Campaign Management Volunteer Team
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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Creekside's summer includes plantings, home repair and kayaks

Creekside Community Development Corporation has already had a busy summer and there is much more ahead.

At the end of May, the organization partnered with the Greening of Detroit in two different tree plantings. One focused on beautifying A.B. Ford Park by planting 24 trees, clearing brush, and building park benches. Another planted 100 trees on Dickerson to replace the trees lost to the Emerald Ash Borer.

The work done at A.B. Ford will be celebrated with Pizazz in the Park on Saturday, August 23. There will be music, activities for children and back to school resources.

Creekside West -- 10 affordable, green homes -- is on the docket for the group. "We are very close to closing," says Creekside executive director Karen Brown. "We hope to begin construction in the fall." In the meantime, she says that identifying home repair resources for existing residents remains a top priority for the organization.

A couple of kayaking events are coming up as a way to highlight the superb water access enjoyed by the neighborhood. On July 24, there will be a kayaking demonstration that is free and open to the public. On August 12, a guided kayak tour of the east riverfront will be provided by Riverside Kayak for $15.

Source: Karen Brown, Creekside
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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New farmers market kicks off on E. Warren

The East Warren Farmers Market kicked off in East English Village last Saturday, and will continue weekly until the end of October. The market is run by Growing & Retailing Opportunities in Wayne County and will feature produce exclusively grown in the state of Michigan, sold by both urban and rural growers.

GROW is an initiative of the Wayne County Food Systems Project and is designed to support community farming and the development of food related businesses on Detroit’s East Side and in Highland Park. It provides participants with assistance in growing food and trains participants to develop and run food-related businesses.

"Rising fuel costs are beginning to impact the price of food and food access," Ryan Hertz of GROW said in a statement. "Communities are becoming increasingly aware of the value in buying locally grown produce at retail establishments closer to home. Neighborhood farmers' markets meet this economic need, while allowing consumers to build direct personal relationships with the people who grow their food."

The market is located at the northeast corner of Bishop and Warren across from the Reemployment Transition Center. It will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday until Oct. 25.

For more information about the East Warren Avenue Farmers Market -- including information on vending or volunteering -- contact Ryan Hertz, GROW Project Coordinator, at 313-571-2800 ext. 1136.

Source: Ryan Hertz, GROW
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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$5.3M green project to become new home for Northeast Guidance Center

The Northeast Guidance Center will begin construction this month on a two-building $5.3 million development to be called the Conner Campus. The project will replace the current 15,000-square-foot facility located at 2670 Chalmers with a new 5,600-square-foot green clubhouse and 15,000-square-foot administrative facility.

The green components of the project included consultation from United Way’s Community Capital Growth Fund and participation in design charrettes. Project architect is Hamilton Anderson and Associates.

Green features include a reuse of a brownfield site (which netted tax credits), a limitation on paving, use of native plants, water efficient fixtures, the use of locally produced materials as well as those with recycled contents, light-colored roofing, high efficiency light, heating and cooling systems and the promotion of alternative modes of transportation such as bus, bicycle and ride-share for clients and employees.

The clubhouse, or Wellness Academy, will have a state-of-the-art conference center that will accommodate up to 100 and the administrative building will have training facilities for another 100.

NEGC was founded in 1963 to provide community-based services that promote total wellness with an emphasis on mental health. Occupancy for the new campus is slated for March 2009.

Source: Mary Grace Wilbert, Detroit Economic Growth Corp.
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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Tour, interactive 'toolkit' to introduce potential buyers to 6 neighborhoods; Villages event June 8

Prospective homeowners will get an opportunity to explore the Villages this weekend, including homes in the Islandview Village neighborhood.

The first of a six-part series aimed at showing potential buyers what Detroit has to offer launches June 8 and runs through October. Each month, the MI CITY HOME - Homeowners Toolkit will offer a tour of three homes in a different Detroit neighborhood.

Participants will:

• Meet homeowners and hear firsthand what it's like to own or rehab a historic Detroit home.

• Talk one-on-one with Realtors, contractors and mortgage brokers to learn more about making smart purchasing and renovation decisions.

• Learn how to take advantage of home buying incentives like NEZ property tax discounts, historic tax credits and more.

Each event is free, but space is limited so please RSVP. The tours all start at 3 p.m. on the following dates:

• The Villages – Sunday June 8, 2008
• Grandmont Rosedale – July 27, 2008
• East English Village – August 17, 2008
• Woodbridge – September 21, 2008
• Corktown – October 12, 2008
• 7 Mile/Livernois – October 26, 2008

The event is co-sponsored by United Way Leadership Next, Detroit Young Professionals, City Living Detroit and Preservation Detroit.

For more information, go to www.micityhome.com.

Source: Matt Clayson, United Way Leadership Next
Writer: Clare Pfeiffer Ramsey, editor, Model D
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Detroit preservation group releases list of 10 endangered buildings, announces name change

In an effort to instigate a citywide dialogue about historic buildings that are in danger of demolition, Preservation Wayne — now called Preservation Detroit — has released a list entitled Endangered Buildings List 2008. It includes iconic structures like the Michigan Central Station, Lee Plaza Apartments, Forest Arms and the Vanity Ballroom.

The list also draws attention to several broader categories such as religious buildings no longer in use, retired schools and foreclosed single family houses.

"These are widespread issues that will require widespread solutions," says the organization's executive director Francis Grunow. "A wholesale approach is a better approach."

Conversation about endangered buildings was a focal point of the group's annual membership meeting that was held on Thursday, May 22 at the Detroit Boat Club on Belle Isle -- another structure on the list.

At the event, which was attended by 150, Grunow also made the announcement that the organization was changing its name to Preservation Detroit. "It's exciting and very long overdue," he says.

Preservation Detroit host an awards ceremony on September 25 at the Colony Club on Park Avenue and are inviting nominations, which are due on June 13 and can be downloaded here: http://www.preservationwayne.org/docs/Awards_Nomination_2008.pdf.

Source: Francis Grunow, Preservation Detroit
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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New Detroit greenways coordinator will boost efforts to create city trails

Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance has created a new position dedicated to furthering a network of trails in Detroit.

The new Detroit greenways coordinator, Todd Scott, will coordinate maintenance, fundraising, security, programming, promotions and development for the eight greenways under various stages of planning and development within the city.

Scott comes to the position with a great deal of experience in cycling advocacy. He is the former director of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association and has been involved with numerous other initiatives, including the citizen’s committee for Michigan State Parks, MDOT Metro Region Nonmotorized Advisory Committee, City of Ferndale Bicycle Committee and the League of Michigan Bicyclists.

"Todd’s skilled advocacy, wealth of knowledge about nonmotorized transportation and recreation, and understanding of and enthusiasm for the revitalization of Detroit are key ingredients that he brings to this project," stated Nancy Krupiarz, Executive Director of MTGA.

Scott is currently acclimating himself to the various greenways projects on the table, including the Midtown Loop, Corktown-Mexicantown Greenlink and Connor Creek Greenway. "The greenways in Detroit have so much variety in terms of where groups are at," says Scott. "I'm finding that there are similar challenges and different challenges."

Finding affordable liability insurance for the nonprofits sponsoring the various greenways was Scott's first task. He also hopes to work on integrating Detroit's burgeoning trails network with the larger regional one and has some ideas about encouraging on-road cycling. "One thing that I really bring to the table because I ride so much is that I know how to get around," he says. "We can make connections between these trail networks."

Source: Todd Scott, MTGA
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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American Table goes on a food tour, comes to Detroit

Detroit is a music town, a sports town, a car town, and, don't forget, a food town, too. American Table is coming here on a food tour to show why. They'll be here June 26-28, visiting eateries from Hamtramck to the River, from Eastern Market to Ann Arbor. So, please wear you fat pants. more >>

Corktown, East Side sites receive brownfield tax credits

Corktown and the East Side will soon say goodbye to one of their Brownfields thanks to an approval by the Detroit Brownfield Authority. Both sites will include green/energy-conservation features for which they will receive Michigan Business Tax credits. more >>

Film development Web site says, 'Send them to Detroit'

CHUD.com (Cinematic Happenings Under Development) says Detroit's on it's way to more and more filming projects with it's 40 percent tax incentive for film makers. more >>

St. John Health ranked in top 100 hospitals nationally

St. John Hospital and Medical Center has been ranked in the top 100 hospitals across the country in a study conducted by Thomson Healthcare.
more >>

Grad student debates options for Detroit's redevelopment

A University of Michigan graduate student in urban planning, Joseph Ciadella, crafts a cogent op-ed piece about Detroit corporate development strategy as opposed to smaller, organic strategies.
more >>

Opportunities to learn about Detroit transit study abound March 12-14

There are five opportunities to learn about the Detroit Transit Opportunities for Growth Study this week. more >>

MSHDA funds to target blight in Hamtramck, Detroit and Highland Park

The cities of Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck may be receiving funds from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority targeted at specific blighted properties. more >>

Arts & Scraps looking for just $10...from 2,000 people

Arts & Scraps is seeking $10 donations from 2,000 individuals so to afford the purchase of a new van.
more >>

Design*Sponge offers savvy, comprehensive guide to Detroit design

Design*Sponge invited local blogger Sweet Juniper to write an entry on Detroit for its city design guide series. The result is super-thorough and manages to be egalitarian while separating the wheat from the chaff.
more >>

Mayor to unveil economic stimulus plan

In a speech to the Detroit Economic Club, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick announced that he will unveil an economic stimulus plan that will include investments in new police and fire facilities, public works and neighborhood preservation among others.
more >>

Detroit residential sales continue uptick

Detroit residential home sales in November showed a four percent increase in comparison with 2006's numbers. This is significant considering the decrease in sales everywhere else in Metro Detroit. more >>

Detroit ranks 64 on list of world's most livable cities

Using data from 39 quality-of-life issues from 215 cities around the world, an international consulting company has ranked Detroit 64 on its list of the 100 most livable cities.
more >>

Cadieux Cafe rallies behind The Muggs' reality show run

Friends and supporters of The Muggs gather to root for them at the Cadieux Cafe as the band competes on Fox's "The Next Great American Band."
more >>

Wayne County's TURBO program spurs $40M in development

Wayne County's TURBO (Transforming Underdeveloped Residential and Business Opportunities) is being used to catalyze challenging developments -- $40 million in just its first year of operation.
more >>

Progress Report: NEXT Detroit Neighborhoods get 5-month check-up

Even though the NEXT Detroit Neighborhood Initiative is just shy of 5 months old, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is looking to expand its purview.
more >>

Parade Company goes from floats to fledgling businesses

Detroit's The Parade Company is about more than the annual, historic Thanksgiving Day Parade down Woodward Avenue in downtown each year.

The Near East Side nonprofit has gone from handling the parade 32 years ago to an accidental spinner offer of businesses. Its budget still relies on donations and sponsorships to pay its 13-member staff, but now uses the expertise of its employees to generate more revenue.

It has sprouted a handful of organic mini businesses, such as float building and event management. The extra cash from these businesses has allowed the firm to expand its staff (it just added another person) and its budget.

"Overall, The Parade Company is a very stable organization and our finances have been stable in the last three years," says Joan LeMahieu, president of The Parade Company. "We've been doing a little better each year."

Those small steps are just how the company plans to grow. LeMahieu sees her firm's mini businesses slowly but steadily growing from referrals for the foreseeable future.

Source: Joan LeMahieu, president of The Parade Company
Writer: Jon Zemke
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Racing talks green at Belle Isle conference

Racing cars might not seem like the most environmentally friendly thing to do, but a couple of auto-racing institutions were calling for more fuel-efficient technology last week at the Belle Isle Yacht Club.

Excerpt:

Both the American LeMans Series and the Indy Racing League want to encourage the development of fuel-efficient technology through racing and find ways to transfer more of that technology to the general automotive industry.

Chris Aylett, CEO of the Motorsport Industry Association, urged the industry to push even faster with racing rules that foster the development of fuel-efficient technology so the racing industry can become more relevant to the automotive industry and the public. He spoke at a conference at the Belle Isle Yacht Club on Thursday.

Read the rest of the Detroit Free Press story here .
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Chrysler invests $1.8 billion in Detroit plant

Chrysler is far from down and out as it invests $1.8 billion in Detroit.

Excerpt:

Chrysler LLC will invest $1.8 billion to retool and expand its Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit and develop a new line of vehicles for the factory, including a car-based sport utility vehicle to be sold under the Jeep nameplate.

Chrysler Vice Chairman and President Tom LaSorda announced the plan Wednesday at the annual Management Briefing Seminars organized by the Center for Automotive Research. He said the plant will build at least 120,000 vehicles annually beginning in the spring of 2010.

The plan saves about 400 jobs and could eventually create new positions. It calls for developing at least two new models, the car-based SUV and the next-generation of the Jeep Grand Cherokee now built at Jefferson North.

Read the rest of The Detroit News story here . more >>

Windsor-based Douglas Marketing Group sets up Motown office

Windsor-based Douglas Marketing Group is setting up an office on the city's East Side.

The marketing firm has operated out of Windsor for 18 years; however, its owner Kay Douglas has reached across the river and formed close bonds with Metro Detroit's leaders. Now she would like a bigger piece of the action when it comes to business in southeast Michigan, especially Detroit.

"I love it," Douglas says. "I love it over here. I love Michigan and I love the international region we have here. I have a lot of clients over here and I want to be a part of it."

The company has nine employees but only one so far is in the company's new Detroit office on 10900 Harper, taking up a desk of office space at PVC Chemicals' home. Douglas expects to add a few more to the Detroit office within the next year or two, after expanding its already well established client list that includes St. John Brighton Hospital and the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan.

Source: Kay Douglas, Douglas Marketing Group
Writer: Jon Zemke more >>

About $1 million invested in East Warren corridor, 31 jobs created

Money and jobs are coming into a corridor of the city that is much in need of both.

The East Warren Avenue Business Association says that more than $1 million has been invested into businesses along its corridor, along with $300,000 in infrastructure improvements. Business occupancy rose from 65 to 71 percent.

All of that money has led to the further stabilization of the thoroughfare and the creation of 31 jobs.

For more on the district's celebration of its achievements and investments, click here .

Source: Bill Swanson, director of East Warren Avenue Business Association
Writer: Jon Zemke

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Detroit first city to get access to new AT&T VOIP service

After a limited test run, AT&T has announced it will launch U-verse Voice, a brand-new digital voice service, citywide.

Excerpt:

"The launch of AT&T U-verse Voice is the next step in our vision to bring customers a complete set of IP services that work together seamlessly for them," said Jennifer Jones, AT&T vice president and general manager for Michigan. "U-verse Voice uses the power of IP to enhance the calling experience. Customers will be able to do more with their phone service than ever before and connect in more ways through all of their AT&T digital services."

Read the entire Great Lakes IT Report here.

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Future City competition underway for 30 Detroit Public Schools

A record number of Detroit schools -- 30 -- are competing the Engineering Society of Detroit's annual Michigan Regional Future City Competition. The seventh and eighth graders are challenged to design a city of the future, which encourages interest in math, science and engineering.

Excerpt:

This brings the number of Future City schools to 65 with a total of almost 2,000 students vying for the number one spot and the opportunity to participate in the national competition.

"This is by far going to be our best Future City competition yet," said Ron Smith, director of education for ESD. "We are very excited and encouraged by the record turnout from the Detroit schools and hope that this competition will open new possibilities for students. We are also grateful to all our donors for allowing us the opportunity to involve more schools in Michigan."

Read the entire Great Lakes IT Report article here.

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Atlas Wholesale wins business makeover competition

Walsh College selected Atlas Wholesale Foods as one of three businesses it would be "making over."

Excerpt:

Ten businesses submitted makeover applications after the contest was announced last May at the first Walsh Small Business Conference. A sponsor advisory panel reviewed the extensive applications, visited the finalists, and interviewed the principals. The three businesses were selected based on their enthusiasm for the project and a true eagerness to change, among other criteria. Sponsors will assess the winning businesses on their strengths and weaknesses make recommendations for growth and improvements. The sponsors will then assist with the implementation of the recommendations and coach the businesses along the way.

Read the entire Great Lakes IT Report article here.

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Lawrence Tech and Skillman team up to grow East Side microenterprises

Lawrence Technological University and the Skillman Foundation are teaming up on a two-year enterprise that will help launch micro-enterprises, meaning those with five employees or less that are frequently launched with small loans of $5,000 or less, in Detroit's Osborn neighborhood.

Excerpt:

Such enterprises have been extraordinarily successful at poverty reduction in developing countries. What is particularly heartening about the Skillman-Lawrence Tech initiative is that residents in the Osborn neighborhood asked for it. Rather than outside experts telling Detroiters what they needed, Osborn residents told Skillman that they wanted to create a sustainable entrepreneurial culture.

"Residents said they want to build small and intergenerational family businesses," says Jerry Lindman, director of Lawrence Tech's Center for Nonprofit Management. "They want a permanent cultural change to do that."

Read the entire Detroit News article here.

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Detroit to get WiMax in 2008

Sprint Nextel will make Detroit completely wireless by the end of 2008.

Excerpt:

That was the pledge from Barry West, president of Xohm, Sprint Nextel's WiMax business unit, at the WiMax World conference in Chicago."We're on the verge of a new era of communications, the start of another revolution," West said. "We're going to kick butt."

West said Xohm is the next step in the development of both wireless networks and the Internet -- which now has 211 million users in the United States, phenomenal for a technology that's basically only 10 years old.

Read the entire Great Lakes IT Report here.

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City creating registry to connect skilled tradespeople to jobs

Detroit officials are creating a way to connect contractors to licensed journeymen and skilled laborers for construction jobs in the city.

There are four registration sites: Southwest Detroit, the East Side, New Center and Downtown. For information, call 313-876-0584, ext. 215.

Read more in the Detroit Free Press here.

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Free webinar to help businesses leverage "One D" brand

The Tourism and Economic Development Council is hosting a free webinar to businesses of all stripes that are looking to leverage the "One D" branding to attract younger clientele.

The July 11 training is free; to register contact Diane Bach at 313-202-1949 or dbach@visitdetroit.com.

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United Way launches Leadership Next, seeks to attract and retain area talent

United Way of Southeast Michigan is launching Leadership Next in an attempt to attract and retain talent in Detroit and Southeast Michigan.

Excerpt:

Leadership Next is currently cultivating a roster for its leadership team and is holding a public launch on July 20 at 6 p.m. at McNarney's Public House, just east of the Renaissance Center in Detroit. Clayson says, "It's an opportunity for people who want to be involved or want to learn more." A keynote speech will be given by General Motors vice president Troy Clark, who will talk about leadership from the perspective of his generation.

Clayson is motivated to attract and retain talent in Southeast Michigan. "People ask, 'Why should I stay in Detroit, stay in Southeast Michigan?'" he observes. He answers, "You can become involved here and have your voice heard. You can make a difference without the same type of social connections that you would need in a Chicago or a New York."

Read the entire metromode article here.
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14901 East Warren Ave.
Detroit, MI 48224
313.882.8920
313.640.112 FAX

EWABA is a program of U-SNAP-BAC
http://www.usnapbac.org/

And is an ONCR Restore Detroit Designation