Detroit Evening Report: Detroit using $5 million fund to improve Gratiot-7 Mile neighborhoods

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Overview of the Gratior-7 Mile neighborhood improvement plan.

The Gratiot and 7 Mile Strategic Neighborhood Fund (SNF) is receiving millions of dollars in investments to support east side neighborhoods.


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The city of Detroit’s planning and development department released its final resident-approved plan after a year of meetings and community conversations. The private-public investment around Gratiot Ave. and 7 Mile Rd. is focused on four areas:

  • New parks and greenways
  • Mixed-use and multi-family developments
  • Bringing more businesses to its commercial corridor
  • Neighborhood stabilization

The Gratiot-7 Mile plan will see at least $5 million invested into the community, but the final number will likely be higher.

“For years, Detroiters in the Gratiot-7 Mile area have worked hard to improve their neighborhood,” Mayor Mike Duggan said in a statement. “Bit by bit, we’ve been lending a hand to eliminate blight and now, we are bringing even more assistance through the Strategic Neighborhood Fund, and residents will really start to see the improvements they want and shared with us through the planning process. I’d like to thank the community for helping to create and guide this plan.”

The improvements are being rolled out over a five-year implementation window. Work will start next spring on a $1.8 million makeover for the Heilmann Memorial Playfield on Crusade Street, which adjoins a recreation center and two schools.

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Author

  • Tia Graham is a reporter and Weekend Edition Host for 101.9 WDET. She graduated from Michigan State University where she had the unique privilege of covering former President Barack Obama and his trip to Lansing in 2014.