Several organizations have banded together to form the Michigan Avenue Collaborative in order to develop a cohesive image for and otherwise improve the artery. The groups -- Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Greater Corktown Development Corporation, Bridging Communities, Michigan Avenue Business Association and the East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority -- represent Michigan Avenue's interests from its terminus at Campus Martius westwards to Schaefer in East Dearborn. The overall goal is to bring Michigan Avenue back to prominence as a regional destination corridor.
The collaborative is currently seeking funds with which they will hire a professional planner. Work will include research of the corridor's history, an evaluation of its present conditions and the development of potential branding, special events and economic development initiatives to help the collaborative reach its goal.
Tim McKay, executive director of GCDC, says the collaborative approach will help move each individual organization forward. "Collaborations are important because they help you coalesce your own issues and strengthen your approach related to your own part of the whole."
Source: Tim McKay, GCDC
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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