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Economic Development
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New
Center Council is moving forward with the TEA-21 Enhancement Projects
for both the Woodward Gateway and New Amsterdam Districts.
TEA-21 Enhancement grants are awarded competitively by the Michigan
Department of Transportation using federal funds. The funds are
intended to enhance the aesthetic quality of transportation facilities,
from historic train stations to roads. Both projects have been designed
and engineered by Albert Kahn Associates, and involve the installation
of decorative sidewalk pavement, pedestrian lighting, street trees, and
street furnishings such as trash receptacles and benches. New Center
Council (NCC) initiated and oversaw the preparation and submission of
both applications. Please review the attached rendering for details
regarding the enhancements and design elements chosen for each district.
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Woodward Gateway Improvements |
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 The
Woodward Gateway project will occur along the three blocks of Woodward
directly south of Grand Boulevard.
The State of
Michigan grant of $817,425 will be matched by $769,965 from the City of
Detroit for a total project cost of $1,587,390.
The Woodward Gateway
streetscape improvements, which include the demolition of the
deteriorated sidewalk canopy along Woodward, will encourage property
owners to invest in facade restoration as outlined in the Gateway
Rehabilitation Plan. This Plan, developed by NCC with Gateway property
& business owners and funded by Hudson-Webber Foundation, outlines
recommendations for public improvements, private investment and
marketing in the Gateway District. In addition to the $50,000 matching
grant awarded by the Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan to be
used for this facade improvement program, National City Bank is working
with NCC and property owners to develop a low interest loan program to
further encourage facade and other building improvements once the public
space is improved. National City is currently interviewing property
owners to better understand their needs.
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New Amsterdam Streetscape Improvements |
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 The
New Amsterdam Improvements will occur along Cass Avenue from the Train
Viaduct to the I-94 Service Drive and along Amsterdam Avenue between
Second and Woodward, as well as Burroughs Avenue between Cass and
Woodward Avenues. The State of Michigan Grant of $707,683 will be
matched by the City of Detroit’s $1,409,593 investment. When completed,
the area will realize a $2,117,276 investment.
The New Amsterdam
improvements will transform the area from its current industrial use to
a warmer, more inviting neighborhood. The improvements will target new
mixed-used development planned for the District, such as New Amsterdam
Phase 1 (a $14 million residential loft development), Wayne State
University’s TechTown (Phase 1, TechOne opened April 2004), and the
State of Michigan’s Next Energy. These new mixed-use developments, and
the overall success of the New Amsterdam District, would not be possible
without the enhancements provided for under this grant.
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