Connecting communities since 1993

On the heels of our 20th Anniversary and the transition to our first new Executive Director in more than 11 years, 8MBA is taking an opportunity to look under the hood at our mission, programming and partnerships to take Eight Mile revitalization to the next level.  Michigan Community Resources has been retained as the facilitator for this strategic planning process, and we want to hear from each of YOU, our Members, Sponsors, Friends and other stakeholders on Eight Mile.  Click here to tell us what you think about Eight Mile, 8MBA and how we should evolve our efforts to make this corridor the best it can be!

The annual UM-ULI Real Estate Forum is coming to Cobo Center in Detroit on November 18-19, and 8MBA is teaming up to spread the word about this insightful event. Now in its 28th year, the forum will highlight how Real Estate is helping us REenvision, REbuild, and REinvest in our region with a host of experts, movers and shakers in real estate from throughout the nation and region.

A special spotlight will also be on Eight Mile this year, with 8MBA's Executive Director Jordan Twardy and Eight Mile stakeholders and partners such as Jill Ferrari of Michigan Community Resources and Scott McCarthy of REDICO taking part in discussions and programs held during the forum. Click here to register and browse program details .

Knudsen Family Members Judith Christie & Karen Vanderkloot DiChiera Meet With 8MBA Executive Director Jordan Twardy At Knudsen Park

A transformation is well under way at a struggling yet symbolic Detroit park that is quickly becoming a revitalized playground for local children and residents. Knudsen Park, named after William S. Knudsen, is being rehabilitated thanks to a grant from Tom’s of Maine’s “50 States For Good” Program. 8MBA has brought together Tom’s of Maine and the City of Detroit Recreation Department to restore this small neighborhood park at the convergence of Eight Mile and I-75 to the neighborhood gem it once was. New playground equipment, an interactive human sundial, walking path, signage, fencing, picnic tables and a refurbished basketball court are all being installed as part of an effort to change perceptions of travelers as they enter the city limits.

Project Timing:

The project is set to occur in two phases, with new play equipment and basketball court improvements to be installed by Halloween 2014. The City of Detroit will follow suit with a $50K investment over the next several months, including a brand new fence, ADA-compliant pathway, official park sign and more.  Click here to view the site plan.

Get Involved:

Fueled by the Tom’s of Maine marketing team and 8MBA social media channels, word began to spread about the project, attracting the attention of the Knudsen family, whose relative, William S. Knudsen, is the park’s namesake, as well as hundreds of followers social media, including Detroit’s own Mike Posner. You can get involved too! Click here to learn more about the campaign and help us prioritize the amenities we’re bringing to Knudsen Park.

About William S. Knudsen:

The family of William S. Knudsen is very excited to have their namesake park returned to its original state as a wonderful urban space for local families. William Knudsen was an immigrant from Denmark who made his mark in the burgeoning auto industry in Detroit. His production genius led President Franklin Roosevelt to ask Knudsen to lead the war effort in terms of war materiel production for World War II. He was eventually commissioned as a Lieutenant General in the U.S. Army, the only civilian ever to join the Army at such a high initial rank.  Learn more about William S. Knudsen by clicking here.

Oak Park City Officials, 8MBA Staff and Trerice Employees Celebrate Trerice's Investment

The 8MBA Façade Improvement Program (FIP) is ready to finish 2014 in a flurry of activity, with one project completed and two more to go. Our three current projects, supported with just $25K in grants from 8MBA, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and MSHDA, represent well over $1M in private investment on Eight Mile. On September 24, we celebrated the completion of H.O. Trerice in Oak Park (a $100K project), and look forward to the completion of Advantage Health Center in Warren ($1M+ Project) and the start of construction for U.S. Ice in Detroit ($500K+ Project).

H.O. Trerice (Oak Park, MI): $10K FIP Grant, Over $100K of Private Investment

H.O. Trerice just recently completed a $100,000 restoration of their building that focused on restoring the building to its 1940s industrial grandeur. Renovations included: stripping and repainting all metal awnings; installing and repairing windows throughout the property to maintain a period look; a new front door and overhang; limestone restoration; and a spectacular new monument sign. Trerice also completely overhauled parking and landscaping areas with new parking surface, fencing and brand new trees and perennial plantings throughout the property. Project completion was celebrated with an official check presentation, attended by 8MBA staff and Chairperson Tracey Schultz Kobylarz, Trerice’s Jim Mackie and Dave Furgerson, Oak Park Mayor Marian McClellan, Oak Park Economic Development Director Kimberly Marrone, and Tom Woiwode of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

Advantage Health Center (Warren, MI):  $5K FIP Grant, Over $1M of Private Investment

Advantage Health Centers' first location outside of Detroit is up and running with only final touches remaining before their facade improvement project is completed.  A complete overhaul of the building, with new storefront systems, landscaping, signage and substantial interior build-out represented a major investment in this Eight Mile property that formerly belonged to the H.J. Oldenkamp Company.

US ICE (Detroit, MI):  $10K FIP Grant, Approximately $500K of Private Investment

After significant collaboration between the property owner and the City of Detroit, U.S. Ice has been successfully rezoned and has received necessary approvals from the City of Detroit to begin construction on a brand new building next to their existing structure on Eight Mile, which has been the U.S. Ice headquarters for more than 20 years.  U.S. Ice's tremendous business growth left the company faced with the choice of expanding the current site or leaving Detroit.  8MBA was able to partner with property owner and longtime 8MBA member Saad Abbo to support the design, rezoning and construction approval processes to allow this intense, $500k project to occur on Eight Mile and keep this Detroit icon in the Motor City.  The new building will be unified with the existing structure by a common facade, which will make the property appear as one structure.  Additional improvements will include irrigated landscaping, new signage and even improvements to the parking lot across the street, which will trade its current barbed wire fence for a brand new masonry knee wall and landscaping.

O’Hair Park, one of Detroit’s largest, recently received some much-needed attention from 50+ volunteers from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services (MBFS). This past spring, Eight Mile Boulevard Association (8MBA) reached out to the O’Hair Park Community Association (OPCA) about coordinating a cleanup project for this space. 8MBA being the regional bridge that it is, immediately put the wheels in motion of coordinating the efforts of urban and suburban groups - working together for transformational change along the Eight Mile corridor.

Along with MBFS, volunteers from Motor City Grounds Crew, Corpus Christie Church, and countless local neighbors gave of their time (and tools!) to clear the wilderness that had grown up around the vacant Pitcher School and reveal its remarkable architecture. In Pitcher Woods we removed two derelict vehicles and lay a path of woodchips to return this small urban forest into a walkable place of respite. After hours of hard work, the groups mingled and shared stories over lunch provided by MBFS before grabbing their tools and heading back to the work sites. Finally, MBFS Vice President Udo Neumann provided some eloquent thank you remarks to all the volunteers at the end of the day.

Many thanks go to DTE Energy for providing the wood chips and to the Detroit Public Works Department for hauling away the debris. A very special thanks goes to the Detroit Police Department for coordinating the removal of the abandoned vehicles. Their prompt response went a long way in making this cleanup day a great success.

8MBA and the O’Hair Park community plan on additional partnership opportunities to keep this section of Detroit vibrant and remain a place where neighbors look out for each other, all centered around their neighborhood jewel – O’Hair Park!

Michigan Nonprofit Association kicks off the Summer Park Transformation on Monday, July 14th at Knudsen Park.

8MBA is no stranger to the revitalization of parks along Eight Mile Road. From Founders Park in Farmington Hills to Farwell Field in Detroit, 8MBA has leveraged partnerships and resources to improve the corridor’s green spaces. In 2014, in support of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s aggressive Adopt-a-Parks Program, 8MBA has attracted more than $80K for three Detroit parks near Eight Mile

Knudsen Park (Total Investment: $75K+)
This highly visible park at the corner of Eight Mile and I-75 is about to get a major overhaul. On July 14, 8MBA Board Member Mike Rafferty led a team of volunteers from the Michigan Nonprofit Association  who joined 8MBA for a cleanup to remove litter and vegetative overgrowth from the park, but that is just the beginning.

8MBA secured a $25K donation from Tom’s of Maine and is partnering with Bleeding Heart Design to replace fencing, overhaul the basketball court and inject public art into this highly utilized public space this summer. Tom’s will also hold a social media campaign to raise additional funds for park amenities. The City of Detroit has been working alongside 8MBA to support the planned improvements to Knudsen Park.

O’Hair Park (Total Investment: $5K)
This unique horticultural gem near Evergreen sits just one block south of Eight Mile Road, behind a DTE Energy sub-station. A huge public park, O’Hair is the largest city park in Detroit that is surrounded completely by residential homes. The park links those neighborhoods to nearby Henry Ford High School and Corpus Christi Church, and is host to the Pitcher Woods, which contain tree and vegetation species that do not grow anywhere else in Detroit.

With the help of 8MBA Board Member Jennifer Korman, 8MBA secured a $5K commitment from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services to enhance O’Hair Park’s amazing array of amenities. Currently in the planning stages, this project is set to kick off in September.

Farwell Field (Total Applied Funding: $5K)
Farwell Field is the largest park in Detroit with Eight Mile frontage. A vast green space used by model plane enthusiasts and nature-lovers alike, the field is also connected to the city’s Farwell Recreation Center, a major center of all-weather fun for Detroit youth.

Since 2012, 8MBA has worked with the Binder Street Block Club, an 8MBA member organization that has taken ownership of this renowned field in partnership with the city. The block club’s community garden has – literally – grown into a major success and source of pride (and excellent produce) for the neighborhood. 8MBA has supported this garden through our annual Clean the D event. In 2014, 8MBA Board Member Devin Corn helped bring CITGO’s nationwide Fueling Good Road Trip to the park, helping to put a national spotlight on efforts of the community.

Now, the community is ready to take their efforts to the next level. We’ve partnered with Binder Street Block Club on a $5K application to Michigan Community Resources’ SAFE Grant Program, in an effort to establish a CB Patrol and other community safety measures in and around Farwell Field.

The 8MBA is once again looking for commercial and industrial properties to participate in our Façade Improvement Program (FIP). The program was developed to help Eight Mile property owners improve the appearance of their properties on the Eight Mile corridor. Over the years, the FIP program has assisted dozens of Eight Mile properties, including Fresh Fish House, 3M, Economy Appliance, Burger King and Tender Care Daycare. To see a complete program portfolio, click here.

All commercial and industrial properties physically located on Eight Mile Road between I-275 and I-94 are eligible to apply. Applicants can receive dollar-for-dollar matching funds for 50% of the cost of improvements, up to a maximum award of $10,000.

An attractive storefront is your customer's first impression. Make it a great one with the 8MBA Façade Improvement Program! 

If interested, please contact 8MBA’s Steve Horstman at 248-398-3388 or by email at steve@eightmile.org for further information.

2013 Beautification Award winner Glen Eden Memorial Park

It is that time of the year again for the Annual 8MBA Beautification Awards. Each year, businesses on Eight Mile are recognized for exemplifying the high standards of property design, maintenance, and pride of ownership that 8MBA advocates for along the Eight Mile corridor and this year we have seen amazing transformation and improvements!

The Beautification Award Judging Committee will be leaving the 8MBA office at 9:00 am on July 30th to identify and vote for the Top 10 Eight Mile properties who they believe should receive this coveted award. 

In order to help the Judges identify the best properties, we are asking for nominations for people who know Eight Mile the best… like YOU! You can nominate yourself, or your neighbor, as long as the properties is on Eight Mile between I-94 and I-275.

To nominate a business, send the Business name, address and the reason why you are nominating them to Corissa@eightmile.org. Nominations must be received by Friday, July 25th at 4 pm in order to be considered for judging.

After the judging, the winners will be notified by mail and receive the following recognition:

• a 2014 Beautification Award, formally presented at the November Board of Directors Meeting
  
• 1-year highlight on the 8MBA website
  
• visibility on 8MBA social media accounts
  
• highlights in the Fall Newsletter
  

Check out the 2013 Beautification Award Winners. 

On June 7th, Farwell Recreation Center, located near Ryan and east Eight Mile Road, will host their 18th annual “We Care Day” event. 

A fun-filled day of community building will include activities, free food, entertainment and games at the Recreation Center.  The program seeks to bring safety, education and physical well-being activities to children in the neighborhood. 

Organizers are still looking for additional sponsors, vendors and donations. 

To get involved or learn more about this great community event sponsored by the Farwell Recreation Advisory council please

Contact:
Ms. Lisa Bryant
Recreation Center Supervisor at Farwell Recreation Center 
(313) 628-2028
bryantl@detroitmi.gov.

Brother Rice High School volunteers and project leaders banding together to help clean up Eight Mile Road

Once again, Detroit and the suburbs were brought together on May 3 by 8MBA for a great day of cleaning, planting, painting, and fellowship.

This year on Saturday, May 3rd:

• More than 200 volunteers helped us plant gardens and remove approximately ten tons of litter and debris from the corridor.
• We also had support from our local, county and state agencies, with litter pick-up, mowing and landscaping work in public rights-of-way, removal of graffiti on underpasses.
• Even extra police patrols were on hand near cleanup sites to lend their support.

There were a total of 8 projects, with Farwell Field being the largest.
Farwell Field on Detroit’s eastside received a lot of attention from volunteers, including Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, Redford Township Supervisor Tracey Schultz Kobylarz, staff from Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson’s office, Chrysler employees, students from Birmingham Brother Rice and a host of volunteers from local block clubs.

The gazebo received some roof repairs, the gardens were planted with flowers and vegetables, welcome signs were painted and trash was picked up, leaving Farwell Field looking refreshed and gleaming.

Other areas of Eight Mile receiving a little Clean The D love were repainted fire hydrants near Mound, trash removal near the railroad crossings, and brush and debris removal at a number of locations.

Many thanks to our sponsors this year: 
Youth Service America, Chrysler, Nono’s Pizza, CITGO, ITC Holdings, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Belmont Shopping Center, Community United For Progress, the Miss Michigan organization and Imperial Market.

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