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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Renovate the Second Avenue Median between 1-94 and the rail viaduct.