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 New
Center Council and the City of Detroit’s Planning & Development
Department work hand in hand with developers and financial
organizations to develop feasible economic development projects intended
to enhance the overall quality of life for New Center residents. From
predevelopment to construction, the Planning & Development arm of the
organization facilitates projects and supports investment consistent
with New Center’s Economic Development Plan. New Center’s Planning &
Development activities include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Update, and assist in
enforcing, zoning and land use laws to promote desired new development
and discourage nuisance properties
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Establish specialized
districts for economic development tax breaks
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Apply for grants and loans
to subsidize predevelopment, construction, and other eligible costs in
property development
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Conduct inter-departmental
City and stakeholder meetings to work through project issues
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Work with municipal
agencies and lenders to develop new programs to address specific
issues relating to New Center development
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Manage information and
document flow between developers, consultants, and municipal
departments
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Provide developers with
technical information relating to housing reports, real estate
transactions, application and approval procedures, program
restrictions, land use laws, etc.
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Seek out suitable private
developers for specific desired projects
In addition to the
day-to-day activities, meetings with developers and real estate brokers,
and proposal reviews, the Council’s Planning & Development staff
develops and manages many Economic Development initiatives, including:
Woodward Gateway Revitalization Project:
The New Amsterdam
Residential Project: Graphic Arts Lofts & New Amsterdam Lofts
New Center Council Facilities Project
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 New
Center Council (NCC) represents New Center businesses and stakeholders
on important local and regional issues, such as transportation
improvements, development incentives, zoning challenges, and the
allocation of public services. The Council also strives to inform,
educate, and build relationships with decision makers throughout
Southeast Michigan to ensure the development of New Center as a vibrant,
diverse and economically healthy district.
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STATE LEGISLATION
The
Council works closely with State and local officials to create, and
support new legislation intended to strengthen economic development
initiatives in New Center, and the Greater Downtown Detroit area. For
example, NCC was instrumental in lobbing the State to pass the Business
Improvement District (BID) Legislation that allows for BID’s in the City
of Detroit.
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REGULATED USES/PUBLIC HEARINGS
NCC is
notified of all public hearing held by the City of Detroit. Where
appropriate, New Center Council will attend a hearing in support of, or
to oppose, a proposal. In the past, the Council has organized
attendance to public hearings opposing adult entertainment nightclubs to
open near New Center. NCC works closely with Vanguard CDC (see
“Planning Partnerships”) to organize and coordinate local business
owners and residents around critical quality of life issues.
NCC feels it is
equally important to attend public hearings in support of positive
initiatives. Council staff regularly attends public hearings in support
of land use changes, tax incentive programs, and development projects
that will spur investment in the area, while enhancing the quality of
life for residents and business alike.
Urban design issues,
such as site planning, construction materials, or building elevations,
are equally important to the use of a site. If a proposed New Center
project falls short of NCC’s Design Standards, staff will work with the
developer and various City Officials to ensure that the end product
meets the district’s design requirements and the needs of the project.
If the project falls short of the design standards, the Council may
express opposition to the project at a public hearing.
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 The
Planning & Development staff of New Center Council continues to reach
out to corporations, business owners, shopkeepers, residents, City
Officials, and neighboring associations in an effort to create planning
partnerships to enhance the quality of life in New Center and its
surrounding communities. These partnerships are essential to the
success of New Center Council’s and the New Center Council Development
Corporation’s core initiatives. Listed
below are a few of Planning & Development’s teambuilding initiatives:
SEWARD BLOCK CLUB
Over the years, NCC received
several complaints regarding the condition of Seward Avenue, west of
Woodward Avenue. Individual residents and local business owners have
expressed concerns over increased loitering, solicitation, and drug
trafficking. The activity on the street has overshadowed the unique
qualities of this community and continues to hinder additional economic
investment in the area. NCC joined forces with the Seward Block Club in
order to build the support network necessary to improve the vitality of
Seward Avenue. Through this program, NCC provides administrative staff
to the Seward Block Club, attending monthly meetings to take and
distribute meeting minutes, sending out meeting notices, and managing
the master contact and attendance list. As a result of NCC’s
involvement, this initiative has received recognition and assistance
from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, the Detroit Police
Department’s Central District, the City of Detroit’s Buildings & Safety
Engineering Department, and the Mayor’s Office.
VANGUARD CDC
Founded in 1994 by Reverend Edgar L. Vann, Jr., Vanguard Community
Development Corporation is the non-profit outreach arm of Second
Ebenezer Church. The mission of this faith-based organization is to
facilitate the revitalization of the physical, social, and economic
fabric of the Northend Neighborhood (located just east of New Center
bounded by Caniff, I-94, I-75, and Woodward). NCC works closely with the
Executive Director of Vanguard, Donna Williams, on various planning
initiatives to organize and promote commercial revitalization,
beautification, strategic planning and the general welfare of the
businesses in the New Center East area. As a member of New Center East
Business Association, NCC works to facilitate and coordinate
redevelopment activities along the East Grand Boulevard Corridor.
UNIVERSITY
CULTURAL CENTER ASSOCIATION (UCCA)
UCCA serves the area in Detroit known as Midtown, bounded by the Ford,
Chrysler, Fisher, and Lodge Freeways. The area is approximately two
miles north of Detroit’s Central Business District and just south of New
Center. Realizing the importance of a cohesive, fluid transition from
New Center to Midtown, NCC has established a strong planning
relationship with UCCA to coordinate improvement activities, especially
those related to pedestrian/vehicular circulation which includes
existing or proposed signage. For example, NCC was able to coordinate
with UCCA on the street treatments to be installed in the Woodward
Gateway and New Amsterdam Streetscape Improvement Projects and expects
to partner with the organization to plan the Greenways link from WSU to
New Center.
WOODWARD AVENUE
ACTION ASSOCIATION (WA3)
WA3 is a joint endeavor of Oakland and Wayne Counties to promote the
Woodward Corridor as a premier arts, cultural, historic, and
entertainment destination in collaboration with local governments,
including Detroit, Royal Oak, Huntington Woods, Berkley, Birmingham and
Pontiac. Moreover, WA3 plays a vital role in a complex, politically
sensitive, regional planning of the 26-mile Historic Woodward Heritage
Route designated by the National Scenic Byways Association (Woodward
Avenue is the only Urban Scenic Byway established under this National
Program). As a WA3 Board Member, NCC provides historic, cultural and
recreational resources for future preservation and enhancement in and
near the Woodward Corridor, coordinates preservation and enhancement
efforts along the Corridor (such as the TEA 21 Gateway and Woodward
Gateway Revitalization Projects), and represents the interests of WA3 in
State and Federal planning efforts, such as the Automobile National
Heritage Area.
Also, please take a peek
to review the revised
Woodward Corridor Management Plan.
WA3 is soliciting input for this document that must be filed
with the Federal Highway Administration to retain the National
Scenic Byway designation.
CITY AND STATE
AGENCIES
Any initiative taken on by NCC requires government support and
assistance. NCC reaches out to City and State agencies for assistance
with all of our planning partnership activities, knowing the success of
the initiative is dependant upon their support. Because of our close
relationship, NCC is often contacted by the City of Detroit and the
State of Michigan to represent the New Center community at various
hearings and reviews. The City of Detroit frequently calls upon NCC
to review new planning initiatives, such as proposed Master Plan
Changes. MDOT also works closely with NCC to provide roadway,
pedestrian, transit and signage improvements for better access to and
circulation within New Center, including the planned Detroit Intermodal
Transit Station and the proposed I-94 Freeway expansion.
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COMPLETED / UNDER WAY
 DETROIT
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM – Part of the Detroit Public Schools, this museum
offers specialized programs, exhibits, and lending services to enhance
the education of children from preschool to high school. The museum is
open to the public and offers a wonderful assortment of art, natural
history, and cultural programs, as well as maintaining over 200,000
artifacts, specimens, models and pictures. The museum was housed in the
Cultural Center for 84 years and, in 2000, moved into a renovated turn
of the century Edison Sub-Station in the New Amsterdam Historic District
in TechTown.
 UNIVERSITY
PREPARATORY ACADEMY &
MOSAIC YOUTH –
Located in TechTown,
this technology focused high school opened its doors to incoming students in 2000. The five-building campus offers internship
programs, encouraging students to work with surrounding businesses in
the technology park. Each building holds approximately 125 students,
who are supervised by the building principle (one principle per
building). The students learn in small classes of about 16 students per
class. The fifth building houses a theater (now being used by Mosaic
Youth Theater), a gym, and facilities for choral, dance and fitness
classes. ($15 Million Investment)
 TECHONE
– In
2004, TechOne celebrated the grand opening of the first phase of the WSU
Research and Development Park. Housed
in the former Chevy Creative Services Building at 440 Burroughs, the
building now offers office space for research and development companies,
as well as TechTown staff. This business incubation center was made
possible in part by the donation of the building by General Motors
Company and funds made available through historic tax credit financing
earned through the New Amsterdam Historic District Designation. ($6.8
Million Investment)
NEXTENERGY
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Celebrating its grand opening in 2005, NextEnergy offers 40,000
square-foot research facility on Second Avenue, between York and
Burroughs. This development was able to take advantage of the State
designated Smart Zone, a tax free zone to spur investment in technology
and research fields. The NextEnergy Center offers educational programs
in power electronics and design and is focused on developing alternative
energy enabling technologies including fuel cell technology and other
related disciplines, as well as, provide laboratory space and business
incubator space for alternative energy companies. ($32 Million
Investment)
 DETROIT
YOUTH FOUNDATION, "YOUTHVILLE" –YouthVille is located on the southwest
corner of Woodward and Lothrop, just north of Grand Boulevard in the
former Allied Film and Video building. The Detroit Youth Foundation
renovated the 71,000 sq ft facility into the most comprehensive
neighborhood youth development center in Detroit. YouthVille programs
target young people ages 11-19, offering computer programming, fitness,
choral, karate classes and more. YouthVille is also a multi-tenant
center, housing 11 youth and family service organizations under one roof
to serve the needs of Detroit’s youth. ($12 Million Investment)
 TEA-21 STREETSCAPE
IMRPOVEMENTS
– The TEA-21
Streetscape Enhancements for both the Woodward Gateway and New
Amsterdam Districts were completed in 2006. Both projects saw the
installation of decorative sidewalk pavement, pedestrian lighting,
street trees, and street furnishings such as trash receptacles and
benches along Woodward Ave, south of Grand Blvd, and Cass Ave, north of
the Freeway I-94. A major accomplishment of this project was the
demolition and removal of the permanent brown Plexiglas sidewalk canopy
along Woodward Avenue, between Grand Boulevard and Baltimore. ($3.7
Million Investment)
 WOODWARD
GATEWAY FAÇADE IMPROVEMENTS –
The permanent
sidewalk canopies (installed in the late 1970’s) were removed in the spring
of 2005 as part of the TEA 21 Streetscape Enhancement Project (described
above). With the canopy removed, building owners are now able to take
advantage of programs, coordinated by New Center Council, to improve the
appearance of their storefronts and building facades. The Community
Foundation of Southeastern Michigan and Charter One Bank has awarded New
Center Council a $100,000 matching grant to be used for this facade
improvement program. Grant fund were used for both architectural design
(by NCC approved architects) and actual physical improvements. National
City Bank, in cooperation with the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood
Commercial Revitalization, is also offering a low interest loan program
to further the renovation of these buildings. These programs, combined
with NCC’s involvement with brokers and building owners to attract
tenants, will help transform the Woodward Gateway District into the
inviting and unique shopping destination that it should be.
 LABOR
BUILDING
– Sky Group Grand, Inc. – a wholly owned subsidiary of Lakeshore
Engineering Services, Inc – has purchased the Labor Building from the
State of Michigan. The group has renovated the structure and, in 2006,
relocated over 100 employees from Michigan and out of state offices to
the building. The firm will lease some additional space to the
City of
Detroit, with the intention of eventually securing additional tenants
from the business community. ($4.1 Million Investment)
 GRAND
CITY GRILLE
– The Southern Hospitality Restaurant Group partners Frank Taylor,
Robert Porcher III and Chef Jerry Nottage have taken the expertise and
success behind their renowned restaurants – the internationally
acclaimed Seldom Blues jazz and supper club; Detroit’s Breakfast House &
Grill @ Merchants Row, and Sweet Georgia Brown in Detroit’s Greektown -
to create a dining experience at the Grand City Grille that blends
modern tastes with traditional grandeur in both its cuisine and
surroundings. Located in the opulent Fisher Building, one of
Detroit’s finest architectural gems, the restaurant’s ambiance can best
be described as one of understated elegance. Opened early 2006.
($500,000 Investment)
Commercial Investments Committed (Within 1 Year)
 NEW
CENTER PAVILLION/FACILITES PROJECT –
Today, New Center
Park is a developed green space located on the southwest corner of
Second Avenue and West Grand Boulevard across from the Fisher Building.
In conjunction with the State of Michigan’s Cool Cities Initiate, New
Center Council plans to renovate the existing New Center Park into a
small-scale outdoor concert and concession venue. The renovated park
venue will feature a pub-style bar and outdoor grill, lawn and patio
seating, wireless internet access, an outdoor fire pit, a newly
installed sound system, and dedicated park restrooms. Concerts, movie
nights, and other events will be held during lunch hours, after work,
and on weekends.
Commercial Investments Planned (3+ Years)
 IINTERMODAL
STATION -
This station, to be built just South of the existing Amtrak facility at
Baltimore and Woodward Avenue, has been fully designed in anticipation
of significantly increased ridership expected from reduced travel time
from Detroit to Chicago. The Michigan Department of Transportation is
currently negotiating with Amtrak to increase the number of trains
utilizing this station daily. The State has delayed construction until
Amtrak concludes its ongoing reorganization of schedules. In addition
to train service, this station will also handle buses, taxi cabs, and
could be the Northern terminus of a light-rail or speed-link bus service
from the riverfront to New Center along Woodward Avenue. ($15 Million
Investment)
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COMPLETED/UNDER WAY
 ARIEL
SQUARE –
In the late 1990’s, Painia Development completed construction on 12
condominiums, approximately 2,200 square feet, with prices starting at
$160,000. This development represented the first new construction
project to extend beyond the boundary of the GM-led New Center
revitalization efforts. (TOTAL SALES COST $1,920,000)
 GRAMONT
MANOR (120 Seward)
- 48 moderately-priced condominiums ($60K - $90K) in this historic
Albert Kahn building were renovated by the Farbman Group in 2000. All
of the units (except one basement unit which is still owned by Farbman)
have been sold by the developer and are now individually owned. Each
unit came with a 12 year NEZ zone tax break. There are currently
approximately 7 units up for resale ($66k - $90K). TOTAL SALES COST
$4,250,000
 UPTOWN
ROW – 47
townhomes have been developed by Crosswinds Communities near the New
Center CBD. Units are 1,500 square feet. All 47 of the units have been
sold at an average price of $169,000. (TOTAL SALES COST $7,500,000).
 LOFTS
AT NEW CENTER - CROSSWINDS COMMUNITIES –The first stage of the Crosswinds Communities 82 loft style condos is
complete and occupied. The units offer over 1,300 SF of living space
and sold from $159,000 to $220,000. Each unit is a two-story separate
entrance town-loft with an attached two-car garage. The second phase
(fronting Woodward Ave) is continues to sell well, with larger 2 bedroom
condos priced between $170,000 and $240,000. ESTIMATED TOTAL SALES COST
$14,280,000
NEW
AMSTERDAM PROJECT (Four square block area in southern New Center
bounded by the CN Railroad tracks on the North, Woodward Avenue on
the East, Burroughs Avenue on the South, and Second Avenue on the
West.) -
In late November
1998, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded
the City of Detroit a $1.8 million Economic Development Initiative
grant and $9.7 million in Section 108 loan guarantees to partially
finance key components in this district. Also, a TEA-21
(Transportation Enhancement Act for the 21st Century) grant was
awarded in August 2000 to the New Amsterdam District to install
landscaping, historic lighting, new pavers, benches and trash
receptacles. The following components make up the first phase of
the New Amsterdam Project:
 GRAPHIC
ARTS
LOFTS
(41-47 Burroughs)-
Jonna
Construction purchased this 50,000 square foot building and
renovated it into include 40 historic loft residential units. Units
are available for lease. For leasing information, please call Jonna
Companies at (248) 352-1550. ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COST $6,270,000
 NEW
AMSTERDAM LOFTS (6200 Second Avenue)
- This 80,000 square foot building is directly south of the CN
railroad tracks. Jonna Construction purchased the property and
renovated it into 49 historic loft residential units. Units are
available for lease. For leasing information, please call Jonna
Companies at (248) 352-1550. ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COST
$7,800,000
COMMITTED (Within 1 to
2 years)
 ARGONAUT
BUILDING -
With the exception of the Cadillac Place, this is the largest and
potentially most impactful property in New Center. Its architecture and
quality construction are widely recognized. This 750,000 square foot
landmark building with an adjacent 225,000 square foot parking structure
was recently acquired by Orton Development, Inc. who is currently in the
planning stages of a mixed-use project, which will consist of 275
loft-style residential units, creative office space, and ground-floor
retail.
 HOTEL
ST. REGIS: HOTEL RENOVATION &
CONDO CONVERSION -
St. Regis Condominiums is a conversion of a former 105-room hotel
into a 30-unit condominium project (only half of the previously
existing St. Regis Hotel will be converted into condo’s, the ‘older’
half of the hotel has been preserved and renovated into a suites
hotel). There are 6 units per residential floor consisting of 2 One
Bedroom / Two Bath and 4 Two Bedroom / Two Bath units per floor. The
units will range in size from 972 to over 1,300 square feet
appointed with modern luxury finishes. The property is conjoined
with a full-service boutique hotel that will allow residents of St.
Regis condominiums to take advantage of possible amenities not
offered in the marketplace. Aside from the standard Fitness/Business
Center, residents will have valet parking, ground floor retail
(likely full-service Day Spa), 24hr room-service from the hotel
restaurant, dry cleaning drop off/pick up service, possible Sundries
shop and eight-seat surround sound private movie theater. |
