Central Woodward-Boston Edison : Detroit Development News

The options for traveling up and down Woodward Avenue are about to grow significantly.

The Michigan State Senate recently passed a series of bills that would establish a regional transit authority that would oversee the construction and operation of a light rail line on Woodward between Jefferson Avenue and Grand Boulevard. It would also oversee the construction and operation of a bus rapid transit systems along the rest of Woodward and across the region. The State House of Representatives is reportedly expected to take up the bills within the coming days.

Working in parallel in those efforts are series of community meetings envisioning what rapid transit along Woodward Avenue could look like and what local residents want to see happen. The meetings are being hosted by the Michigan Suburbs Alliance, Woodward Avenue Action Association and SEMCOG, which is creating a Woodward rapid transit alternatives analysis that will work in parallel with the proposed regional transit authority.

"This is an attempt to create a rapid transit system on Woodward Avenue," says Richard Murphy, programs director of the Michigan Suburbs Alliance. "We're looking at the entire length from Jefferson Avenue to Pontiac."

Among the issues that will be discussed are which mode of transit works best for the Woodward corridor (light rail or bus rapid transit), how such a system should be funded and whether it should have dedicated lanes or mixed in with traffic.

The meetings will be be held along the Woodward corridor. The Detroit meetings will be held today (Tuesday, Dec. 4) at SEMCOG offices in downtown Detroit (535 Griswold St, Suite 300) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at the Detroit Police Dept's Central District (7310 Woodward) from 4-6 p.m. Another one will be held on Dec. 11 at the Detroit Police Dept's Palmer Park Station (12th Precinct, 1441 W. 7 Mile Road).

Source: Richard Murphy, programs director of the Michigan Suburbs Alliance
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

The push to renovate a baker's dozen of mansions in Boston-Edison is heading toward its home stretch now that two of the homes have been renovated and the remaining 11 are set to be done by January.

The city is partnering with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and the Detroit Land Bank to turn 13 mansions in the Boston-Edison into a high-end, sustainable homes that will remain viable places for middle-class families to live for decades. The project is leveraging millions of dollars in federally-funded Neighborhood Stabilization Funds on the project with an average investment of a little more than $200,000 per house.

Each house is for sale and goes for its appraised value. Most of the list prices are about $100,000. These homes are also available to the city's Project 14 program, which focuses on moving more city employees, such as police officers, into the city. Some families have already purchased the finished homes and begun to move in.

"We're excited that people are seeing this as a vibrant and vital neighborhood," says Marja Winters, deputy director of Planning & Development Dept. at the City of Detroit.

Each home has high-end features in both its aesthetics and sustainable core systems. Each house has Energy Star appliances, granite countertops, comprehensive insulation and a number of other sustainable features.

"Some of these even have geothermal (heating and cooling systems) that make it much more sustainable and viable in the longterm," Winters says.

Source: Marja Winters, deputy director of Planning & Development Dept at the city of Detroit
Writer: Jon Zemke

 Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Detroit Public Schools wants you to redevelop one of its historic schools into neighborhood mainstays that will serve as community assets for the next century.

The school district recently held a redevelopment conference at the Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Boston Edison promoting the redevelopment of the dozens of closed schools across the Motor City it wants to see redeveloped. The underlying theme of the conference centered around words like flexibility, solutions and thinking outside the box.

"We hope the next class of buyers are in this room today," Roy Roberts, emergency manager of Detroit Public Schools, said at the event.

The school district has already sold 25 of its buildings, creating almost $11 million in new revenue. Some of those success stories include the Burton School on Cass Avenue in Midtown which became creative space for entrepreneurs among other uses. Old Redford High School is also in the process of being redeveloped into a new Meijer superstore.

Detroit Public Schools currently has 85 properties (both old schools and vacant land) that are available for redevelopment. Those properties represent 863 acres of land and 45 million square feet of space. There are four large parcels that are each larger than five acres. The Archdiocese of Detroit also took the opportunity to promote the redevelopment of the closed schools and churches it is trying to sell in Detroit.

City of Detroit officials are working closely with both the school district and archdiocese to find viable futures for these buildings. The city is open to a number of uses as long as they compliment the surrounding community (no industrial parks in the middle of a neighborhood) and is ready to be flexible to find a solution.

"We are so flexible and open at this time." Karla Henderson, planning and facilities group executive for the city of Detroit, said at the event. "We want to think outside the box."

For information on the properties available at Detroit Public Schools, click here, and for information on properties available at the Archdiocese of Detroit, click here.

Source: Roy Roberts, emergency manager of Detroit Public Schools and arla Henderson, planning and facilities group executive for the city of Detroit
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

In August, US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood came to Detroit to announce that funding was secured for Woodward Light Rail stretching from the Detroit River to Eight Mile -- and the forward progress continues with the completion of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). "It really is the most amazing thing, how quickly this has moved, five months (to get) this entire pretty massive analysis completed," says Megan Owens, executive director of transit advocacy organization Transportation Riders United. "For a project of this magnitude, it's quite fast."

The document is available for review online at WoodwardLightRail.com, and a technical presentation is scheduled for February 12 at 11:30 a.m. and again at 4:30 p.m. at the main branch of the Detroit Public Library, 5201 Woodward Ave.

The release of a DEIS is the first of several hurdles the project must leap before construction can begin, with the final EIS, expected to be ready in May, next on the list. The EIS process is required for the release of Federal funds to the project. If all goes well, construction is slated to begin later this year on Phase 1, which would run 3.4 miles from Downtown Detroit to West Grand Boulevard.

EIS is somewhat of a misnomer, as the process looks at potential impacts of all kinds, not just to the environment. "It looks at (whether) noise or vibrations from the train will have any impact on historic buildings, it looks at archeological sites, minority and low-income and transit-dependent communities," explains Owens. So far, the results are promising. "The impacts are largely positive or mostly neutral."

One of the major debates regarding the rail line is its alignment, both down Woodward and within downtown. Owens speculates that decision will be made over the next few months. "Moving into what's called the engineering and design phase, (they're) really getting into the nitty gritty: exactly where each station will be, how traffic flow may shift," she says. "That's what will be worked on over the spring and summer, the detailed engineering work."

TRU is involved with hosting six community engagement meetings this month that are of a less technical nature than the one to be held on Feb. 12. "What is light rail, how does it work, what does it look like, where will it go?" are the kinds of questions to be addressed, says Owens. The forums are set for locations that roughly correspond to planned transit stations.

Palmer Woods: Feb. 16, 7-9 p.m. at Detroit Unity Temple, 17505 Second Ave.
Boston Edison: Feb. 21, Details TBA
Highland Park: Feb. 22, at the Highland Park Recreation Center
Midtown: Feb. 23, 6- 8 p.m. at the Detroit Main Public Library
Grand Boulevard: Feb. 24, Details TBA
Downtown: Feb. 28, Details TBA

On March 2, an event will be held downtown to summarize and conclude the public forums. For more information, contact Owens at MOwens@DetroitTransit.org.

Public comments on the DEIS are accepted through March 14 via email to woodwardlightrail@detroitmi.gov or by post to: Ms. Tricia M. Harr, AICP; U.S. Department of Transportation; Federal Transit Administration Headquarters; 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE; East Building – E43-105; Washington, D.C., 20590.

Source: Megan Owens, TRU
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Buildings and the streetscape of Metro Detroit's "main street" are being targeted by two grant programs administered by Woodward Avenue Action Association.

As a Detroit ONCR (Office of Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization) district, WA3 is able to provide matching facade improvement grants to Woodward-fronting businesses located between McNichols and Eight Mile. Two of the first to take advantage are La Dolce Vita, which is receiving $15,000 and chipping in that same amount towards exterior improvements, and Prime Medical, for which plans are being finalized.

Nicole Brown, WA3's outreach and promotions director, says that ONCR work has also led to an unprecedented collaboration of area stakeholders. "What you're seeing now hasn't really been seen in the last 30 years, the gathering of all these entities together," she says. "To the west, there is a tremendous amount of investment, while on the other side is a high level of disinvestment, so it's wonderful for us to be able to work with the business owners that are left."

Another grant program focuses on municipalities and nonprofits and is available along the entire stretch of Woodward from the Detroit River north to Pontiac. Grants will be awarded in the amounts of $5,000 to $15,000 for projects ranging from crosswalk and pedestrian accessibility improvements, district or community signage or wayfinding, historical identity elements, benches, bike racks and trash receptacles.

Brown says that a great example of a small but meaningful streetscape improvement is the trash cans that line Woodward in the New Center area. "There is significantly less trash along that part of the corridor."

The total $40,000 allocation was provided through Federal Highway National Scenic Byway funding. Applications are available here or by contacting WA3 executive director Heather Carmona at 248-288-2004. They will be accepted until Nov. 12.

Source: Nicole Brown, WA3
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Two of Detroit's premier residential neighborhoods will open their doors to the world this month: Indian Village on June 5, and Boston Edison on June 19.

Indian Village's tour, its 37th, includes homes and gardens, an art lot, a community garden, and several food options, including:

• Jefferson Ave. Presbyterian Church: Pre-ordered box lunches for $7 must be reserved by Tuesday, June 1 by calling the church at 313-822-3456;
  
• Iroquois Ave. Christ Lutheran Church: Refreshments, snacks and luncheon items for sale outside and and an indoor sit-down luncheon of Maurice salad and dessert for $15. Make reservations with Doris Bell at 313-821-3576 or at DABell70@yahoo.com;
• Conventional Missionary Baptist Church: BBQ lunches for sale from 10 a.m. until the food runs out;
  
• And Detroit Waldorf School: Snacks and luncheon items for sale.

The tour runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 5. Advance tickets are $15 and can be purchased online. Day-of tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Iroquois Avenue Christ Lutheran, Waldorf School and Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church.

Six gardens will be featured when the Historic Boston-Edison Association hosts its Second Annual Garden Tour on Saturday, June 19. Before and after touring the gardens, guests are invited to visit Voigt Park for continental breakfast and lunch. During the tour, individuals interested in possibly calling Boston-Edison home may speak with Realtors who are hosting an open house event at the same time.

Tickets for the event are $15 in advance and $20 on the day of, available at Voigt Park, located between Longfellow and Edison and Second and Third Streets, beginning at 9 a.m.

For more details visit www.historicbostonedison.org or call 313-727-1087.

Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Large, architecturally unique homes need special attention, as Boston Edison residents well know. That's why on Saturday, April 24, the neighborhood will open its Seventh Annual Home Preservation Workshop to anyone in Detroit with their own "This Old House."

"Our whole intent was to equip residents with tools to manage and maintain their properties in Historic Boston Edison, which is a 900-home district," says Pamela Miller Malone, president of the Historic Boston Edison Association. "Over the years, we began to open it up to other neighborhoods who also need to identify contractors that work on older homes."

Besides an opportunity to meet with vetted historic home renovation specialists of all trades, there will be a Best Practices Workshop that will run hour-long seminars throughout the day. It's a chance to learn from real people who have had "to deal with city officials and government institutions," says Malone. "These residents have gone through it, have a story to tell and can tell it from the perspective of living in the city."

At noon, there will be a talk with Palmer Woods president Craig Vanderberg about street-blocking as a crime deterrent. At 1 p.m. Boston Edison residents Dave and Dawn Johnson will discuss taking on do-it-yourself projects in your home, including assessing your capacity to tackle a difficult project. At 2 p.m., Antoinette Gray from Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corp. will discuss federal home mortgage modification, a process at which the organization has become quickly adept. Following at 3 p.m.demographer Kurt Metzger of Date Driven Detroit will discuss what data about Detroit means to neighborhoods and residents, particularly in terms of right-sizing.

The Home Preservation Fair will wrap up at 5 p.m. after resident Leonard Xerri of Leonard Xerri Interiors will share affordable decorating and design tips for the exterior of your historic home including yard care, landscaping and facade design.

The free event will be held at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, 2701 Chicago Boulevard at Linwood. More information and registration instructions can be found here.

Source: Pamela Miller Malone, Historic Boston Edison Assoc.
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

The arrival of spring heralds the digging of dirt, if The Greening of Detroit's ambitious 2010 schedule has anything to say about it. From April 10 to June 5, about 1,750 trees will be planted citywide in 14 separate plantings. Greening, in partnership with the City of Detroit's General Service Department, will plant 680 trees that will reforest neighborhoods affected by the Emerald ash borer infestation; And about a thousand trees will be planted with over 16 community groups and block clubs.

The schedule is as follows: April 10, University District and Annchester street tree plantings; April 17, Warrendale and E. Outer Drive; April 24, Trumbull and Corktown tree nursery; April 20, East English Village; April 22, Grandmont Rosedale tree nursery; April 25, Creekside; May 1, Boston Edison and Virginia Park; May 8, Beresford Block Club and Osborn Neighborhood; May 15, Hartwell and West Grand Boulevard; May 22, Ecclesia and Pallister Park; June 5, Ferdinand.

More than 1,000 volunteers will be needed; contact Greening at 313-237-8733 to sign up for a planting.

Greening's annual Tree and Shrub Sale will take place on Saturday April 24, from 9 a.m. to noon at Eastern Market's Shed #6. Trees are $30 and shrubs are $20, with special rates offered to Greening members. Pre-orders are being taken now; order forms can be found at www.greeningofdetroit.com.

The Greening's urban agriculture initiative, the Garden Resource Program Collaborative provides training and resources to individuals, community groups and families that grow vegetable gardens. Interested individuals should contact Lindsay Turpin at 313-237-8733.

Source: Monica Tabares, Greening of Detroit
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD) is comprised of community development organizations from across the city. They built houses before lofts were all the rage, paving the way for for-profit market-rate ventures and, now that the housing market is kaput, they've turned their sights on talking about what's next for Detroit. About a year ago, they formed a Futures Task Force, and the first deliverable is a document entitled "Neighborhood Revitalization Strategic Framework." It looks at the concept of right-sizing, down-sizing or reinventing Detroit -- whatever you want to call it -- and makes a set of recommendations that, hopefully, will guide policy-makers, elected officials and the funding community when they start tackling the heated issue.

"(The strategic framework) is about reinventing Detroit so that it is a better place for people to live in," says Tom Goddeeris, executive director of Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation and a Futures Task Force participant. "It's how to think about how to improve it in a way that recognizes that there is lots of vacant land, (there are lots of) vacant buildings and we don't have the population that we once had...We wanted to put forward an idea about the city that says that it can be a better place, a greener place, a more economically viable place."

The community development community has always operated on the notion that rebuilding a city means building more houses. The strategic framework they've released abandons that principle, instead looking at numerous different ways -- be that open space, greenways, urban farms or even traditional neighborhoods -- that Detroit might evolve. "These are concepts to get people thinking a different way as opposed to going back to some previous time where (success meant) more people and more businesses," says Goddeeris. Along with drawing other stakeholders into the conversation, he says a goal of the collaborative is to show that "there can be a vision for reinventing the city in a way that is looking to make it a better place, not as an exit strategy or a sign of defeat."

While the concept of right-sizing holds allure in some camps and -- shades of Poletown -- horror in others, Goddeeris stresses the point that much work can be done before relocation is even close to a reality. "There are parts of the city that we can immediately start strengthening and some that we can immediately start greening without having to displace a bunch of people," he says.

Source: Tom Goddeeris, Grandmont Rosedale Development Corp. and CDAD
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

The Data Collaborative, a joint effort by the Detroit Office of Foreclosure Prevention and Response, Community Legal Resources and Data Driven Detroit, has completed a landmark survey of residential properties in Detroit, and the results indicate that 86% of the city's single-family homes appear to be in good condition and another 9% generally only need minor repairs -- meaning that more than 218,000, or 95%, of the city's single-family homes appear to be suitable for occupancy.

While this number sounds heartening, Heidi Mucherie, executive director of Community Legal Resources, urges some restraint in interpreting the numbers. "We have some good-condition housing stock, an asset that we don't fully realize as an asset, and I'm glad that the study substantiates that," she says. However, she points out that large areas of the city have nowhere near these statistics. "This is a citywide aggregate number, and while we might be tempted to say things aren't as bad as we thought they are, (conditions have) changed over the last 10 years, even in traditionally stronger neighborhoods, and I worry about the aggregate figures painting too rosy of a picture."

A statistic that bears out Mucherie's temperance is that 26% of the city's residential parcels -- or 91,000 lots -- are now vacant. But she believes that knowing the good and the bad of where the city currently stands is empowering. "The way I've been thinking about it is that it paints a picture of a moment in time. ... It's only the start, not the ultimate answer," she says. "(These communities are) changing daily, especially neighborhoods hit by foreclosures."

Mucherie says the data collected is only as good as its upkeep and the community's buy-in, as in getting the "community engaged to collect updated information and track how it changes over period of time," she says. "One snapshot in time is not going to provide the answer for very long, but I'm excited about it changing the conversation."

Interested in checking out information about your house, block and neighborhood? Information is easily accessed by visiting www.detroitparcelsurvey.org and typing in a residential property address.

Source: Heidi Mucherie, Community Legal Resources
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh