V8 Ribbon Cutting Event Celebrates Local Businesses!
The Van Dyke - 8 Mile Gateway Collaborative (V8) ribbon cutting event held on Thursday, June 25, 2009, celebrated the exterior renovations of 10 businesses along Van Dyke in Center Line, Detroit, and Warren. Over 50 guests enjoyed a progressive bus tour featuring a brief stop and ribbon cutting celebration at each newly renovated business.
Participating businesses included Stosh's Pizza in Center Line, Nortown Community Development Corporation (CDC) and Van Dyke Dental in Detroit, and Good-N-Plenty Resale, Michigan Maintenance, Nono's Pizza, Prop Shop Hobbies, Regal Tire, Sun Shade Window Tinting and Miller's Party Store in Warren.
Business owners were joined by Mayor James Fouts of Warren along with other area dignitaries and local representatives from the cities of Center Line, Detroit and Warren.
"I was very happy and enthusiastic to be a part of such an event that focuses on the revitalization of the Van Dyke corridor. I am committed to supporting the V8 Gateway Collaborative and the businesses that are making a positive difference," said Mayor James Fouts. "It's a step in the right direction, reconnecting neighborhoods, drawing new hope for the area."
Mayor Mary Ann Zielinski of Center Line, a major advocate of V8, was scheduled to attend but was unable to due to unforeseen circumstances. "The Center Line City Council and entire community has supported and will continue to support the V8 Collaborative and the accomplishments they have achieved," said Mayor Mary Ann Zielinski. "The city also wishes to thank LISC for the generous grant monies which made the Facade Improvement Program possible."
Michelle Story-Stewart, Senior Program Officer, and Anthony Batiste, Program Officer, representing Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) also took part in the celebrations. "Detroit LISC was excited to be a part of the ribbon cutting event and tour," said Michelle Story-Stewart, Senior Program Officer, Detroit LISC. "Seeing the regional collaboration of all three cities first-hand demonstrated the innovation of the V8 Gateway Collaborative. Detroit LISC is proud to have provided the matching grants which have improved the appearance of these long-standing businesses serving the V8 Corridor."
Ellen S. Conyers, Refresh Detroit! Program Manager, was present to congratulate the V8 Collaborative and business participants. The Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization (ONCR) partnered with Nortown CDC to offer free architectual assistance and financial reimbursements to business owners that upgraded their facade through the Refresh Detroit! program. "The ONCR would like to congratulate the V8 Collaborative for the success of their façade program on Van Dyke in Detroit. The large audience at the ribbon cutting ceremony is testament that even in today’s market, it is possible to transform the look of commercial storefronts,” said Ellen Conyers, ReFresh Detroit! Façade Manager for the ONCR. She continued to say, “The first impression of a business is made before the customer enters the building; savvy business owners know the appearance of their storefront cannot be underestimated.”
The Van Dyke corridor is the connective tissue that links neighborhoods, business districts, towns and cities together. V8 made the Van Dyke corridor a priority, focusing on creation and application of physical design guidelines that help unite the commercial district across city boundaries, creating a sense of continuity and “community” along the corridor. A façade improvement program is just one tool V8 plans to use in the redevelopment of the Van Dyke corridor.
V8 Gateway To Host Ribbon Cutting Event
In an ongoing effort to revitalize the community along Van Dyke from McNichols to Ten Mile, the Van Dyke - 8 Mile Gateway Collaborative (V8) with support from the Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) will host a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the exterior renovations of 10 businesses on Van Dyke in Center Line, Detroit, and Warren. This event will take place on Thursday, June 25th starting at 10 a.m. at the Owen Jax Recreation Center in Warren. Guests will participate in a bus tour featuring a progressive ribbon cutting celebration, with a brief stop at each newly renovated business.
Over $500,000 of recent investment through the V8 Façade Improvement Program, with support from Detroit LISC, is being celebrated. Investment by the business owners was matched by a grant from the V8 Gateway Collaborative. Businesses in Detroit received additional funding from Detroit’s Refresh program, and Warren businesses enjoyed a contribution from the Warren Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA). This ribbon cutting celebration will recognize economic and aesthetic accomplishments of the V8 Collaborative as they take another step toward revitalization of the neighborhood.
“It’s exciting to see the results of Detroit LISC dollars being leveraged across the region to revitalize our commercial corridors,” said Deborah L. Younger, Executive Director, Detroit LISC. “Linkages and partnerships such as those created through the V8 Gateway Collaborative allow for community development outcomes to be enhanced.”
Mayor Mary Ann Zielinski of Center Line, Mayor James Fouts of Warren and Mayor Dave Bing of Detroit were invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremonies. Other state and city government officials, local business in and around the V8 District, schools and community organizations have been invited as well. This event is also open to the public.
PLEASE JOIN US ON THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2009
FROM 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
(bus will leave promptly at 10:00 a.m.)
OWEN JAX RECREATION CENTER
8207 East Nine Mile Road in Warren
AS WE CELEBRATE THE FACADE IMPROVEMENTS
THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES:
STOSH’S PIZZA
REGAL TIRE
SUN SHADE WINDOW TINTING
PROP SHOP HOBBIES
GOOD-N-PLENTY RESALE
MICHIGAN MAINTENANCE
NONO’S PIZZA
NORTOWN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (CDC)
VAN DYKE DENTAL
MILLER’S PARTY STORE will also be recognized for a substantial
investment made before the Facade Improvement Program was initiated.
R.S.V.P. Not Required But is Appreciated at
.
About the V8 Façade Improvement Program:
The purpose of the V8 Façade Improvement Program is to inspire investment and set a standard for businesses on Van Dyke from McNichols to 10 Mile. The Façade Improvement Program establishes design standards and offers financial assistance to business owners who make exterior improvements. Businesses can apply for matching grants for architectural assistance, façade improvements or new signage.
This program focuses on the creation and application of physical design guidelines that help unite the commercial district across municipal boundaries, creating a sense of continuity and “community” along the corridor. A façade improvement program is just one tool V8 plans to use in the redevelopment of the Van Dyke corridor. From revitalizing the commercial corridor to attracting new services and industries, the area will become a great destination for people to live, work, shop, and play.
V8 Gateway Presents the 4th Annual Spring Clean-Up Event
Please join us as we show cross community pride while sprucing up the Van Dyke corridor from McNichols to 10 Mile Road in the cities of Warren, Detroit and Center Line.
On this day, we invite and encourage all business owners and residents to get involved in this clean-up effort that will rejuvenate pride in our communities and help make our environment a cleaner and safer place. Last year hundreds of volunteers worked together removing trash from streets, residential areas and empty lots.
Community service organizations, schools, clubs and individual volunteers are invited to participate. This project, along with the Facade Improvement Program, is part of an ongoing effort to revitalize the V8 corridor.
Date: SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2009 – 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. After the clean-up, volunteers are invited to cool off with hot dogs & swimming at the Warren Community Center.
Time: 9:30 a.m. - KICK-OFF / COMMUNITY SUPPORT RALLY Join us for refreshments before we disperse to pick up trash & debris. Volunteers will receive gloves and trash bags.
Location: Meet at Van Dyke & 8 Mile Intersection
Our goal is to promote and maintain a clean, safe and environmentally sound business district. Keeping the community clean requires a commitment from business owners and residents alike.
For more information on how you can participate to clean up our community, email Gary Gray, Facade Improvement Coordinator, at
V8 Publishes First Ever Business Directory
On Jan. 21, 2009 the V8 Gateway Collaborative unveiled its first-ever comprehensive business directory of all businesses located in the V8 District, bounded by Mound, Hoover, McNichols and Ten Mile roads.
"The slogan for the directory is Think Regionally - Shop Locally," said Pat Bosch, executive director for Nortown Community Development Corporation, a V8 Gateway Collaborative partner. "Neighbor to neighbor and business to business, V8 hopes this directory will assist businesses and residents alike in shopping, patronizing and even discovering local shops and services within the V8 district."
The V8 Gateway partners embarked on the initiative to create a business directory in order to have an effective tool to generate new appreciation of the many unique businesses that are located in the V8 Gateway as well as a way to promote local shops and services and even attract new entrepreneurs.
"Strategically, geographically and collaboratively, V8 is poised to propel this area into a regional investment district," said Bosch. "All the partners including the cities of Center Line, Detroit and Warren are ready to assist entrepreneurs launch new business ideas, and we believe this directory will be an important step in fostering increased investment and promotion."
V8 has printed 15,000 directories which will be distributed via direct mail and through various community resource locations including public libraries, municipal buildings and community-based organizations. To get your copy, click
.
For more information about V8 Gateway, attend the first meeting of the newly formed V8 Business Association on Feb. 18, 8-10 a.m. at Michigan Maintenance22740 Van Dyke in Warren (east side of Van Dyke, two blocks south of 9 Mile). Association membership is free. The event is also free but please reserve your seat in advance by contacting
at 313-258-7782.
V8 Named Center for Regional Excellence
On Dec. 4, 2008 at the state Capitol, Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced the state of Michigan has named the Van Dyke-8 Mile Gateway Collaborative a "Center for Regional Excellence." CRE is a state program that encourages local governments to work collaboratively to make their communities better places to live, work and play while streamlining government and saving taxpayer dollars.
As a CRE, the V8 Gateway will receive $25,000 over two years to establish an association for businesses from Center Line, Detroit and Warren who want to work together to build customer base and attract new enterprise to the area.
"All of the stakeholders are so pleased the V8 Gateway was awarded these funds," said Maria Zardis, special projects coordinator for Macomb County Planning and Economic Development and member of the V8 Steering Committee. "Being named a CRE is proof that working collaboratively is the right thing to do to build stronger, viable communities throughout our entire region. All our community partners are working together to support a singular effort to improve our entire business corridor. Together, we can make this corridor flourish for businesses and residents alike."
The V8 Gateway was chosen, in part, due to the great variety and number of governmental and non-profit organizations involved with the collaborative, the level of support from community stakeholders and the likelihood of success for V8 programs including:
A facade improvement program that offers matching grants for improvements to the exteriors of buildings.
Business development programs including a quarterly "business over breakfast" series and entrepreneurial training.
A diversity awareness program that facilitates community conversations regarding perceptions and realities of race relations in the region.
Educational and recreational activities for youth of all ages that offer special focus on leadership development and community service.
Programs for adults that include job readiness training, homeownership, financial literacy and a workshop series for homeowners who want to enhance "curb appeal" by making their homes safer and more attractive.
Gateway to Opportunity and Improved Communities
Our Mission... The Van Dyke-8 Mile Gateway Collaborative (V8) consists of 13 active partners united in working towards revitalizing the Van Dyke corridor between Mc Nichols and 10 Mile Road and the residential area between Hoover and Mound.
Funded by a three-year commitment of the Local Initiative Support Corporation's (LISC) "Metro Detroit Regional Investment Initiative" and other sources, V8 has outlined several objectives to improve the quality of life for our residents. Through combining resources, neighborhood cooperation, business involvement and increased access to resources, we can successfully meet the challenges and promote the strengths of our community. Our targets include:
Physical Revitalization Good design is vital to the growth and sustainability of every community. It not only enhances the aesthetic qualities of buildings and streetscape, but it has the potential to attract customers, new businesses and residents. In addition, good design has been proven to deter crime and promote safety.
Strengthen Businesses Businesses are at the core of our community's strength. They provide an economic foundation that supplies us with goods and services, as well as employment opportunities and critical investment. Through combining the interest of businesses and residents, the V8 collaborative seeks to promote better community networks.
Enhance Quality of Life In an effort to provide opportunity for all residents, several of our objectives aim to improve the existing social framework by reverse disparities that divide our community. These programs provide access to education, economic, and social resources. In addition, we aim to promote community awareness and address resident concerns.
Increase Recreational Opportunities Plans are underway to link Conner Creek Trail (currently under construction) with one that will travel through Warren and Center Line. Eventually, this greenway will link with others in St. Clair, Oakland and Wayne counties.
Current Projects Our projects are aimed at endorsing the greatness of the Van Dyke/8 Mile corridor. The collaborative consists of members from local municipalities, community groups and organizations who have exemplified great service and dedication to our residents. Please join us in promoting the best for our community. Together, we are V8! Download Summary
