DETROIT (WXYZ) — The Penske Corp. and the city of Detroit announced a $5 million investment in Detroit's Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood on Wednesday morning.
Penske, with six other corporations, have committed the money over five years to the city's Strategic Neighborhood Fund and Affordable Leverage Fund.
According to a press release, the city has worked with residents in the neighborhood to develop an action plan with projects focused on parks and community spaces, streetscapes, commercial corridors and single-and multi-family affordable housing.
"It's an honor to partner with Mayor Duggan and his Strategic Neighborhood Fund Initiative to help the Jefferson Chalmers Neighborhood," Roger Penske said in the release. "I am thrilled to help lead the charge to restore, renovate and reopen the Lenox Center and add a gymnasium as part of the revitalization efforts.
The projects include:
- Re-purposing the former Guyton School as a community space and affordable housing
- Building a mixed-use development at Jefferson and Piper
- Supporting neighborhood-serving retail on Jefferson
- Preserving and developing affordable housing
The investment is $5mill over 5 years to the city’s Strategic Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Leverage funds.
— Brian Abel (@BrianAbelTV) May 22, 2019
City says the revitalization projects were done with consultation from residents. pic.twitter.com/UExOQ8KJer
"When we announced this effort to improve our neighborhoods, an important part of the process was community engagement," Mayor Mike Duggan said in a release. "Now, we're starting to see physical improvements in the neighborhood, and thanks to the Penske Corporation, the residents have a strong partner to support these efforts moving forward."
The planning phase was completed early last month, and the first project will focus on the Lenox Community Center and A.B. Ford Park. Improvements for the Lenox Center will begin in March with its opening scheduled for September 2020.
