$2.3M artist learning center opens on 7 Mile

Yesterday, the Arab American and Chaldean Council celebrated the grand opening of its Artisana and Adult Learning Center located at 55 W. Seven Mile, between Woodward and John R. The $2.3 million building joins three others built in the last decade: the agency's Detroit headquarters, a youth center and a club house for a total of a $14 million investment into their stretch of street. Construction began a year ago on the building, which features a first floor gallery and a Middle Eastern-themed café. There is also work space for artists that will encourage interaction between different ethnicities and social and economic backgrounds. "As they do work side by side, they will learn from each other, learn about each other's backgrounds," says ACC executive director Isa Hasan. School field trips will also allow students to interact with these same artists as they work.

The second floor has a computer lab, conference room, program offices and an adult learning center that will provide programs such as English as Second Language learning as well as other life skills training.

Recent streetscape work also was completed last week along Seven Mile between Woodward Avenue and Carman Street. Funded by the Michigan Department of Transportation and Wayne County Parks and Recreation, the upgrade includes sidewalk improvements, street trees, planting beds, trash receptacles, benches and crosswalk pavers.

ACC is in discussions with MDOT about the second phase of streetscape improvements, which would take the work east all the way to John R. Hasan hopes to see that work undertaken in 2009 or 2010.

Source: Isa Hasan, ACC
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh