Connecting communities since 1993

 8MBA is proud to bring to light one of our most active neighborhood community groups, as this month's featured 8MBA member, the Binder Street Block Club (BSBC). 

BSBC has become a force for good in the community, driving a significant amount of improvements at Farwell Field and its surrounding area in Detroit. The Farwell Field initiatives started about 3 years ago, and in that time BSBC has transformed the park to become an expansive community garden that serves as a gathering place and healthy food source for the neighborhood.

With the support for Farwell growing immensely, contributions from major organizations like University  of Michigan and Michigan Community Resources lead to over $5,000 in grants funding CB radio patrols and health focused programming and amenities. 

Strong neighborhood's make a strong 8 Mile and we're proud to partner with Binder Street Block Club and other organizations that take to heart the revitalization of their neighborhoods. 

8MBA is proud to recognize Police Week! 

In recognition of National Police Week on Friday, 5/15, 8MBA, and our members helped the Detroit Police Department celebrate at Dad Butler Playfield.Communities United for Progress (CUP), hosted several officers at Dad Butler Park behind the Belmont Shopping Center, where the local marching band FIRE, provided rousing entertainment.  

8MBA staff was also on hand for the 8th Precinct's "Feed The Officers" event, to which Kroger donated $500 to help DPD provide meals for its officers on every shift for one special day of recognition for those putting their lives on the line in service to their communities andfor us. 

8MBA would like to the the Detroit Police Department, and all of the local, county, and state law enforcement officers for all they do to support us and our partners, Community United for Progress, Belmont Shopping Center, and Imperial Market, and Kroger, for helping us thank our brave officers!

  

Freshwater Transit Co-Founder and Vice President, Stephen Maiseloff.

Highlighting a member that you should get to know.  As part of our ongoing "Featured Member" service, we are proud to recognize 8MBA's newest member, Freshwater Transit Solutions and their Co-Founding Vice President, Stephen Maiseloff. Freshwater Transit is a local and innovative start-up company focused on providing a reformation to the way that transit works, and how communities view using public transit in Michigan. Freshwater provides services across every aspect of transit including, Service Planning, Branding and Identity, Operations, and Community Engagement. They entered onto the scene in 2011, as the brains behind the proposed Freshwater Railway System, a conceptual ideation for transit and bus lines connecting 5 zones across Michigan, stretching as far as Port Huron, Flint, Jackson, and even Toledo, Ohio.  Freshwater has hosted expeditions to other nearby cities from Detroit where transit innovations were taking place. Freshwater lead a trip to Grand Rapids to let metro Detroiters see and experience the Silver Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). These trips helped showcase the utility and viability that public transit innovation like the BRT could have in our area. they were also retained by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy for work on a water taxi service. Currently they are focused on their project, 15 Minutes or Better, a media campaign created to educate Metro Detroiters on how people in other cities across the country use public transit in their everyday lives. You can learn more about Stephen and FreshWater Transit Solutions by checking their website here.  "Featured Member" is an ongoing 8MBA Member service. Contact us, and we just might feature you in an edition of Corridor Connector.

On November 6, 2014, stakeholders gathered to celebrate the substantial completion of the Northland Transit Terminal, which received nearly $750K in new concrete surface for bus traffic, shelters, trash cans, landscaping and benches. The ceremony – which coincided with the re-opening of Greenfield Road – marked a major milestone in the completion of a project conceived back in 1999 to renovate bus stops and transit terminals along Eight Mile Road.

The project, a $3.4M federal grant, was the product of collaboration between 8MBA, DDOT, SMART, the City of Detroit and the City of Southfield. This collaboration arose out of the need to improve the conditions of transit on the corridor with new signage, shelters, trash cans and more. Through a host of challenges, leadership changes and other complications, the project coalition pushed forward to get the job done.

As a result, by the end of 2014 the Northland Transit Terminal and all 172 bus stops along Eight Mile Road will be serviced with new route signage and site-specific amenities such as trash cans. The work will also spawn future collaboration to improve all bus shelters along the corridor.

Michigan weather reminded us of the limited construction season, but that didn’t stop us from making tremendous progress at Knudsen Park. Thanks to the collaboration of dozens of individuals from Tom’s of Maine, the City of Detroit and a host of contractors working together, this Eight Mile gateway park into the City of Detroit will shine brighter than ever in Spring 2015. At time of publication, the list of installed improvements includes new swing sets, tire swing, play car, and recycled park benches. Coming soon will be a walking path, rehabilitated basketball court, grills and picnic tables, trees, signage, fencing and a human-scale sun dial. Stay tuned for additional updates and community events where YOU can get involved in the effort!

8MBA is looking for a talented, passionate individual to join our dynamic team as Communications Director. After 21 years of impact, 8MBA is increasing its position as a leader in regional collaborative action. The Communication Director's primary responsibility will be to ensure that 8MBA reaches a regional audience with a professional, energetic tone. 

The position is part-time but offers flexible hours, competitive wages and opportunities for professional growth. The Communications Director will employ and develop tangible skills in a wide variety of projects with measurable deliverables that can be carried with you throughout your career. 

To apply, first review the Job Description and submit all requested materials along with a completed Job Application to jordan@eightmile.org no later than 12:00p.m. ET on Monday, October 20, 2014. Contact Jordan Twardy, 8MBA Executive Director, with any questions by calling 248-398-3388.