In a city lacking quality retail offerings that are comparable to suburban shopping centers, and small urban districts such as Royal Oak and Ferndale, New Center stands alone as holding the largest retail center in the city.  The combined shops of New Center One and the Fisher Building provide a variety of quality goods and services, entertainment and eating/drinking establishments for the large employee and nighttime visitor base in the district.  One short block to the south of Grand Boulevard on Woodward, however, the clustering of storefronts dating back to the 1920s has not been as successful at maintaining a strong commercial presence.

Working with both the owners and tenants, as well as outside consultants, New Center Council has identified a viable strategy for the redevelopment of the Woodward Gateway District that would achieve a recognizable image as a shopping district known for its unique stores and entertainment in a well located, growing neighborhood.

In August 2000, New Center Council secured a TEA-21 (Transportation Enhancement Act for the 21st Century) grant for the Woodward Gateway District to remove the sidewalk canopy and install land-scaping, historic lighting, new pavers, benches and trash receptacles.  This work will create an open, pedestrian friendly streetscape, while allowing the architectural features of the many buildings to be highlighted.  The streetscape project started with the removal of the sidewalk canopies February 2005, with streetscape improvements to commence Summer 2005, ending in the Fall.

With the sidewalk canopies removed, building owners will be 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 has awarded New Center Council a $50,000 matching grant to be used for this facade improvement program.  Grants, available to building owners, will be 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, recently announced 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.

PROGRAM BOUNDARIES

• The Woodward Gateway includes properties located on both the east and west sides of Wood-ward Avenue, from Grand Boulevard on the north, to Baltimore on the south.  This “Main Street” district extends back to the alley right-of-way behind each commercial block.  Although four blocks of commercial frontage (two on each side of Woodward) are located within the district, only buildings occupy three of the four.

DISTRICT SPECIFICS

• 28 storefronts, privately held

• Several major holdings under single ownerships

DISTRICT WEAKNESSES

• Current physical appearance (especially the canopy) and unsightly roll-down security screens

• Inconsistent quality of merchants and merchandising

• Lack of dedicated parking with no City initiatives planned