2006 Cool Cities Grants & Planning Programs Neighborhood Award Designees Michigan Cool Cities - Cool Cities Collaborative Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth and Michigan State Housing Development Authority 2006 Neighborhoods in Progress
Flint- Genesee County Land Bank Authority/ Kettering University: Advanced Technology & Alternative Energy Research Bldg – Flint River District Redevelopment: The two projects combined will provide the catalyst for both quality housing and jobs. The project involves constructing 20 loft condominiums and two commercial spaces and a 22,000 sq. ft. advanced fuel cell research center within the redevelopment area known as the River District. The fuel cell research center is the first building of several to be located on a 17- acre research park. The fuel cell laboratory will employ at least 25 knowledge workers and will strengthen and build upon growing research and development initiatives at the University. The synergy created by this project will help lay the groundwork for future jobs in Flint. Contact: Amy Hovey, 452 S. Saginaw, Land Bank Center, Flint MI 48502, (517) 668-0099, amyhovey@protogenia.com Detroit- Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation – Grandmont Rosedale Commercial Revitalization: Grandmont Rosedale Commercial Revitalization will enhance the streetscape environment of our Grand River commercial district, which will spur new business development and job creation along the corridor. The project is already underway and is leveraging millions of dollars in public and private investment. Specifically, the Catalyst Grant would be used to repair and landscape historic neighborhood entrances and make improvements to the site of our proposed Farmers' Market. Contact: Tom Goddeeris, 15888 Archdale Street, Detroit MI 48227, (313) 835-8190, tgoddeeris@grdc.org Grand Rapids- Lighthouse Communities, Inc. – Shape the Square: The Catalyst project will convert an industrial building into -the Hubb- a 60,000 sq ft commercial center offering space to internet dependant companies. It will also target facades and streetscape improvement nearby to enhance the impact of the Hubb and establish a high tech niche within the urban neighborhood context. These improvements will increase walkability and expand the impact of the 160 new full-time jobs created by the new internet-based venture Pathways Internet Services. Contact: David Allen, 1422 Madison Avenue, SE, Grand Rapids MI 49507, (616) 451-9140, dave@lighthousecommunities.org Benton Harbor- Citizens For Progressive Change – Heart of the City Artist Studios at 80 West Main: Creation of the "Heart of the City Artist Studios at 80 West Main" includes completion of the rehabilitation of the Historic McClellan Building which will include three new and separate building facades, outdoor directional signs & murals, a "Welcome to the Downtown Benton Harbor Arts District" signage, streetscapes, seven artist studios, two fine art galleries, a welcome/ library center for Students of the Arts, one additional retail shop, and an artist in resident apartment.
The project will create approximately twelve new jobs and provide a springboard for downtown growth. Contact: Richard Vance, 185 East Main Street, Suite 101 (314) 276-4580, Benton Harbor MI 49022, RLGVance@yahoo.com Muskegon- Muskegon Main Street, Muskegon Museum of Art, Western Ave Properties, Community Foundation for Muskegon Co. – Third & Western Rennaissance: The proposed catalyst project would create a gathering place at the corner of Third and Western by implementing three components; facade improvements for buildings owned by Western Avenue Properties, a public art composition commissioned by the Muskegon Museum of Art (owned and operated by Muskegon Public Schools) and a wireless Internet hot spot initiated by Muskegon Main Street. The combination of improvements created by these three project elements would be significant enough to tip the intersection to cool and would add to the significant investment being already being leveraged at this intersection to create a new downtown Muskegon. It is not to a stretch to say that within 18 months the makeover that will occur at this intersection will be more than extreme, it will be cool! Contact: Dan Rinsema-Sybenga, 900 Third St, Ste 200, Muskegon MI 49440, (231) 724-3180, drinsema-sybenga@muskegon.org Mount Clemens- City of Mount Clemens, Mt. Clemens DDA, Macomb Co., The Art Center – Bath City ART-Park: The Bath City ART-Park will create a programmable sculpture garden adjacent to the City's thriving Art Center. Connections through signage, web, and print with other Downtown public art installations will make the BCAP a key amenity and capstone to The Art Center expansion. Contact: Denise Pike, One Crocker Blvd., Mount Clemens MI 48043-2503, (586) 469-6817, dpike@cityofmountclemens.com Ionia- City of Ionia, Ionia Theatre Assoc., Ionia Industrial Fund, Ionia DDA – Ionia Theatre Renovation Project: Upgrades of $300,000 to Ionia's Theatre will diversify its entertainment capabilities allowing live theatre; enhanced musical productions; and sophisticated live performances, all necessary in today's competitive entertainment market. Appealing to larger numbers of diverse audiences will strengthen the theatre's financial base allowing the Theatre and Downtown to have a more stable future by bringing more people into the downtown area, which also enhances other area businesses. Increased Theatre venues and activities expand revitalization efforts for the Downtown. Contact: Julianne Burns, 114 North Kidd Street, City Hall, Ionia MI 48846, (616) 527-4170 x121, julianne@city.ionia.mi.us Detroit- Focus: HOPE, A Michigan Non Profit Corporation, Also affects a portion of Highland Park – The Cool Corner: The Catalyst project will change the face of a very important corner in our community, making it a focal point of activity, and a place with the potential for activity during both the day and the evening. The Catalyst Project will provide new housing, new retail, and a new outdoor interactive environment, as well as serving as the springboard for future redevelopment of this portion of Detroit and Highland Park.
Contact: Debbie Fisher, 1355 Oakman Boulevard, Detroit MI 48238-2849, (313) 494-4306, fisherd@focushope.edu Howell- City of Howell, Livingston Arts Council – Howell Opera House First Floor Renovation: The Howell Opera House First Floor Renovation project will rehabilitate the lower floor of the historic, 125 year-old Opera House so that the space can be used as a center for community arts, community meetings, and as a home for the Livingston Arts Council. Contact: Amy Connolly, 611 E. Grand River Avenue, City Hall, 3rd Floor, Howell MI 48843, (517) 546-3861, aconnolly@ci.howell.mi.us Detroit- Arab American and Chaldean Council – ACC Artisana & Adult Learning Center: The ACC has identified several Arab-American, Chaldean, and African-American artists who have expressed a need for studio and gallery space. The ACC has already demolished an existing building to provide space for the Artisana adjacent to the planned pocket park and Youth Center. There are no other arts facilities in the 7-mile area. Contact: Isa Hasan, West Seven Mile Rd 111, Detroit MI 48203, (313) 893-5269, isah@myacc.org Lansing- Economic Development Corporation of Lansing, Gillespie Development – Stadium District: The Catalyst project is privately developed Pat Gillespie building called the Stadium District building. This is a five story, mixed use, fun and residential building to be built on former city owned property to the immediate south of Oldsmobile Stadium. The Cool City Catalyst grant will be used to connect the District area's entertainment features, re-shaping its neighborhood image, helping to make the actual Stadium District building a development (job creation and private investment) success - inspiring the entire District area neighborhood to begin revitalizing into a thriving Cool City Neighborhood. The grant will be used for: Innovative, connective streetscape, wireless hot spots, wayfinding signs identifying the Stadium District area with branding and directions, a mural replacement on Riverwalk Theater, and other marketing types of public infrastructure. The Catalyst project and the Cool City Catalyst $100,000, together, can develop a new urban neighborhood that is deeply entrenched in arts and culture. Contact: Robert Trezise, Jr., 309 N. Washington Square Suite 016, Lansing MI 48933, (517) 4834151, btrezise@ci.lansing.mi.us Pontiac – City of Pontiac, Pontiac Growth Group, Blair McGowan – Crofoot Project: This project will house performances and music workshops sponsored by members of Clear Channel Communication, Live Nation and the Arts Beats and Eats Foundation. Each group has committed to providing workshops and clinics for youth in music: performance, sound, lighting, staging and technical assistance to the industry. Contact: Khalfani Stephens, 8 N. Saginaw, Pontiac MI 48342, (248) 758-3903, kstephens@pontiac.mi.us
The following projects are Cool City Neighborhoods in Progress, which will not receive the catalyst funding but will be given the same priority access to state resources and technical assistance:
Adrian- City of Adrian Downtown Development Authority – Downtown Site Assistance Program:
The DDA has developed a three-part site assistance program. That program provides up to 50% matching grants for hard costs related to historic building facade improvements. In exchange for the grant funds, the City has received a preservation easement on the structure's facade. Currently DDA staff is working with at least three property owners considering significant (in excess of $50,000 per facade) rehabilitation projects. Contact: Kyle Hoffman, 100 E. Church Street Adrian City Hall, Adrian MI 49221, (517) 263-2679, khoffman@ci.adrian.mi.us Cadillac- City of Cadillac – Cobbs & Mitchell Building Redevelopment Project: In partnership with the State of Michigan and local stakeholders, the City of Cadillac plans to acquire the historic Cobbs & Mitchell building to facilitate its reuse by the private sector. Creative reuses for the facility are currently under study, with office and/or residential options topping the feasibility list. Contact: Precia Garland, 200 North Lake Street, Municipal Complex, Cadillac MI 49601, (231) 775-0181, acm@cadillac-mi.net Dearborn- City of Dearborn, Chamber of Commerce, West Downtown Development Authority, West Business Association – Dearborn Visitor & Welcome Center: The City is creating a new Visitor and Welcome Center in the historic, centrally located Bryant Library is the next step in our redevelopment strategy. Combined City, Chamber and tourism resources will inform and assist visitors and investors. Contact: Cynthia Grimwade, 13615 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn City Hall, Suite 9, Dearborn MI 48126-3586, (313) 943-2180, cgrimwad@ci.dearborn.mi.us Saginaw- Saginaw Depot Preservation Corporation – Saginaw Depot Restoration: The Depot’s first floor will open with a gallery, dance studio and Historic Materials Exchange: and the Power House will be restored with sustainable energy business and a small biodiesel plant. Contact: Lee Austin, Bay Rd, Suite 5, Saginaw MI 48603, (989) 799-1365, architect01@sbcglobal.net
2006 Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns Charlevoix – Mr. Michael Wiesner, City Manager, 210 State St., Charlevoix MI 49720, (231) 547-3270, mwiesner@cityofcharlevoix.org Muskegon Heights – Mr. David Glover, Chairman of the Board, Downtown Development Authority, 2724 Teck Street, Muskegon Heights MI 49444, (231) 733-8840, david.glover@nationalcity.com Oscoda Township – Mr. Robert Huebel, Supervisor, Charter Township of Oscoda, 110 S. State St., Oscoda MI 48750, (989) 739-3211, admin@oscodatwp.com Petoskey – Ms. Amy Tweeten, City Planner, City of Petoskey, 101 E. Lake Street, Petoskey MI 497770, (231) 347-2500 x118, atweeten@ci.petoskey.mi.us Tecumseh – Ms. Paula Holtz, Director, City of Tecumseh, 112 South Ottawa Street, Tecumseh MI 49286, (517) 424-6003, pholtz@tecumseh.mi.us
2006 Cool Cities Michigan Main Streets Iron Mountain – Mr. John Marquart, City Manager, 501 S. Stevenson Ave, Iron MI 49801, (906) 774-8530, citymanager@cityofironmountain.com Lansing – Mr. Robert Trezise, Jr., Manager, 309 N. Washington Square, Suite 016, Lansing, MI 48933, (517) 483-4151, trezisebob@sbcglobal.net