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IMPLEMENTATION TOOLKIT: PROJECTS & PROGRAMS
The implementation toolkit for the Mack Avenue Strong Neighborhoods plan includes two focus areas: Advocacy and Projects & Programs.
Advocacy involves MACC Development advocating for change and representing residents’ interests for projects & programs administered by others, such as helping the residents purchase land from the City of Detroit’s side lot program or representing the community’s interests as private developers rehabilitate vacant school properties.
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Projects & Programs focuses on the projects that MACC Development will lead or partner with others to implement. The projects and programs were developed out of the Mack Avenue Strong Neighborhoods community engagement process. They fall under five categories: Affordable Housing, Economic Empowerment, Public Safety, Green Space, Parks & Public Spaces, and Neighborhood Identity. They are described in the pages that follow.
Each project & program will require significant investment in time, talent, and resources to be successful. Therefore it will be important to be strategic about which projects & programs MACC Development will lead and which can be implemented by others, such as block clubs, churches, or other non-profits, with support from MACC Development. The key to success will be creating a network of engaged and empowered stakeholders who are constantly in communication with neighborhood residents to ensure that the projects and programs are supported by the community.
Affordable Housing
Affordable Rent-To-Own Program MACC Development will acquire homes in the neighborhood to renovate. Houses in the program will be offered at affordable rental rates ($600-$800/month). If a renter lives in the house and pays rent for 10 years, the title to the house will be transferred to the renter as a tool to help build wealth for low-income families.
Mack Retail Corridor Redevelopment Building on the Mack Avenue Corridor Strategy, MACC Development will work with property owners to rehabilitate buildings along the corridor and assist with new retail attraction and recruitment to identify retailers that will support community interests.
Neighborhood Home Improvement Grant Program A portion of the homes that MACC Development acquires will be renovated and sold at market rates. Profits from the sale of the houses will be used to fund a home improvement grant program. Small-scale home improvement grants, between $5,000-$10,000 will be available to long-time residents for a variety of home improvements, including siding, roof repair, electrical/plumbing repair, and landscaping.
Neighbors-Helping-Neighbors Program MACC Development will create, maintain, and disseminate a list of licensed and insured contractors who live within the community to undertake projects as part of Affordable Rent-To-Own and Neighborhood Home Improvement Grant Program.Additionally MACC Development will provide information to residents who are interested in skilled trades programs to expand list of contractors who live within the neighborhood.
Green Space Public Safety
Stormwater Gardens/Street Flooding Mitigation MACC Development will identify streets that experience frequent street flooding and work with the City of Detroit to build stormwater gardens. The gardens collect excess rain water and move it out of the street to planted gardens that naturally filtrate the water into the soil.
Neighborhood Watch Program MACC Development will work with the community to develop a neighborhood watch program. Possible strategies include: crime deterring signage, community-based patrols, and collaboration with the police department with an emphasis on restorative justice rather than more policing.
Neighborhood Commons Community Gardens Partner with interested block clubs to create multi-purpose community gardens within the neighborhood. The community garden can incorporate art pieces reflecting neighborhood culture, gathering spaces, children’s play areas, improved lighting, in addition to flower and vegetable gardens. The design of the garden to be undertaken in a community-led process.
Traffic Calming Speed Humps MACC Development will work with the City of Detroit to install speed humps to slow traffic on residential streets. Possible streets include: Burns, Iroquois, Seminole, and Canfield.
Sylvester-Seyburn Park Walking Path & Playground MACC
Development will work with the City of Detroit parks department, to install a new walking path, playground, and recreation fields at Sylvester-Seyburn Park, working with neighboring block clubs to ensure that residents’ voices are heard as part of the design process.
Neighborhood Signage Working with residents, MACC
Development will create attractive neighborhood signage to identify neighborhoods along Mack Avenue and build a stronger sense of place along the corridor.
Pingree Park Roller/Ice Skating Rink MACC Development will work with City of Detroit parks department to install an all-seasons roller and ice skating rink.
Mack Avenue Green Neighborhood Plan Building on the Green
New Deal, MACC Development will undertake future planning to meet sustainability goals of the neighborhood: explore power production on vacant land with solar panels to lower electricity bills for residents; expand food availability through community gardens; capture rainwater before it enters the City sewer system and pollutes the Detroit River.