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 This
project is a result of the TechTown Blue Ribbon Task Force, an effort
spearheaded by Matt Cullen of General Motors and Fay Nelson (now John
Davis) of Wayne State Univesity to coordinate redevelopment initiatives
in the greater TechTown area of New Center, including the development of
New Amsterdam Phase I Residential, WSU's TechTown, NextEnergy, and the
newly established University Preparatory High School. The committee
includes: Howard Bell & John Davis (WSU), Marco Capicchioni & David Lee
(Henry Ford Health System), Michael Solaka (New Center Council), Doug
Ross (University Preparatory School), Jim Croce (NextEnergy), and Doug
Rothwell (General Motors).
 The Task Force asked New Center Council to outline an idea to utilize a
Federal Economic Development Administration grant to expand upon and
build off of the Council’s current TEA 21 Enhancement Project in New
Center (described earlier in this section).
NCC staff presented the expanded enhancement plan to EDA, whose
representative was extremely supportive of the potential of the project
to install the additional public improvements to connect the TechTown
District to a revitalized Woodward Gateway District. The attached map
provides a snapshot of the area to be improved under the EDA Grant
Program. The gray detail represents the current TEA-21 Enhancement
Scope and other right of way investment in the area.
When funded, the proposed EDA TechTown Streetscape Enhancement Project
will:
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Complete sidewalk and street lighting work on Baltimore, east of
Woodward and construct a retail parking lot to be owned and managed by
New Center Council for the benefit of Woodward Gateway Retail.
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Connect the Baltimore and Cass intersection west of Woodward through
the installation of additional street improvements. This work will
physically connect Woodward Gateway Retail and Tech Town in the New
Amsterdam Historic District, which scores high with our potential
funder, the EDA.
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Renovate the Second Avenue Median between 1-94 and the rail viaduct.
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