St. John Hospital beautifies Moross

Does the boundary between Detroit and Grosse Pointe Farms feel a bit friendlier these days? It should, since St. John Hospital has invested nearly $500,000 into a complete makeover of the Moross median between Mack and Linville. Construction, which got underway in June, will wrap up this week.

The inspiration for the work was the construction of the Van Elslander Pavilion, says Jim Wild of the hospital's engineering department. "We were refreshing the north end of our campus, and noticed that the islands were kind of old and tired," he says. "We decided that we needed to spend some time refreshing them."

The improvements consist of the removal of dead and diseased trees and the planting of 20,000 plants, ranging from tulip bulbs to large trees. "We're making it look more park-like," says Wild. Flagpoles and ground cover have been added to the Moross frontage of the hospital, and signage options are being explored.

Feedback has been positive to the point that partnerships are being explored between neighboring municipalities and businesses to continue the median improvements westward to I-94. "(The Moross exit) is the gateway to Detroit, Grosse Pointe Farms and Grosse Pointe Woods," Wild says.

Wayne County has approved the improvements and has turned over the maintenance of the median to the hospital. The work was funded with monies from St. John's general capital fund.

Source: Jim Wild, St. John Hospital
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh