Economic Development & Planning

Project Development & Facilitation

New Center Council and the City of Detroit’s Planning & Development Department work hand in hand with developers and financial organizations to develop feasible economic development projects intended to enhance the overall quality of life for New Center residents. From predevelopment to construction, the Planning & Development arm of the organization facilitates projects and supports investment consistent with New Center’s Economic Development Plan. New Center’s Planning & Development activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Update, and assist in enforcing, zoning and land use laws to promote desired new development and discourage nuisance properties

  • Establish specialized districts for economic development tax breaks

  • Apply for grants and loans to subsidize predevelopment, construction, and other eligible costs in property development

  • Conduct inter-departmental City and stakeholder meetings to work through project issues

  • Work with municipal agencies and lenders to develop new programs to address specific issues relating to New Center development

  • Manage information and document flow between developers, consultants, and municipal departments

  • Provide developers with technical information relating to housing reports, real estate transactions, application and approval procedures, program restrictions, land use laws, etc.

  • Seek out suitable private developers for specific desired projects

In addition to the day-to-day activities, meetings with developers and real estate brokers, and proposal reviews, the Council’s Planning & Development staff develops and manages many Economic Development initiatives.  For an up to date listing of NCC projects and activities, please download the NCC Services, President's Report, and Development Update.

New Center Council Facilities Project

Advocacy Program

New Center Council (NCC) represents New Center businesses and stakeholders on important local and regional issues, such as transportation improvements, development incentives, zoning challenges, and the allocation of public services.  The Council also strives to inform, educate, and build relationships with decision makers throughout Southeast Michigan to ensure the development of New Center as a vibrant, diverse and economically healthy district.

  • STATE LEGISLATION
    The Council works closely with State and local officials to create, and support new legislation intended to strengthen economic development initiatives in New Center, and the Greater Downtown Detroit area.  For example, NCC was instrumental in lobbing the State to pass the Business Improvement District (BID) Legislation that allows for BID’s in the City of Detroit.
     

  • REGULATED USES/PUBLIC HEARINGS
    NCC is notified of all public hearing held by the City of Detroit.  Where appropriate, New Center Council will attend a hearing in support of, or to oppose, a proposal.  In the past, the Council has organized attendance to public hearings opposing adult entertainment nightclubs to open near New Center.  NCC works closely with Vanguard CDC (see “Planning Partnerships”) to organize and coordinate local business owners and residents around critical quality of life issues.

NCC feels it is equally important to attend public hearings in support of positive initiatives.  Council staff regularly attends public hearings in support of land use changes, tax incentive programs, and development projects that will spur investment in the area, while enhancing the quality of life for residents and business alike.

Urban design issues, such as site planning, construction materials, or building elevations, are equally important to the use of a site.  If a proposed New Center project falls short of NCC’s Design Standards, staff will work with the developer and various City Officials to ensure that the end product meets the district’s design requirements and the needs of the project.  If the project falls short of the design standards, the Council may express opposition to the project at a public hearing.

Planning Partnerships

The Planning & Development staff of New Center Council continues to reach out to corporations, business owners, shopkeepers, residents, City Officials, and neighboring associations in an effort to create planning partnerships to enhance the quality of life in New Center and its surrounding communities.  These partnerships are essential to the success of New Center Council’s and the New Center Council Development Corporation’s core initiatives.  Listed below are a few of Planning & Development’s teambuilding initiatives:

SEWARD BLOCK CLUB
Over the years, NCC received several complaints regarding the condition of Seward Avenue, west of Woodward Avenue.  Individual residents and local business owners have expressed concerns over increased loitering, solicitation, and drug trafficking.  The activity on the street has overshadowed the unique qualities of this community and continues to hinder additional economic investment in the area.  NCC joined forces with the Seward Block Club in order to build the support network necessary to improve the vitality of Seward Avenue.  Through this program, NCC provides administrative staff to the Seward Block Club, attending monthly meetings to take and distribute meeting minutes, sending out meeting notices, and managing the master contact and attendance list. As a result of NCC’s involvement, this initiative has received recognition and assistance from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, the Detroit Police Department’s Central District, the City of Detroit’s Buildings & Safety Engineering Department, and the Mayor’s Office.

VANGUARD CDC
Founded in 1994 by Reverend Edgar L. Vann, Jr., Vanguard Community Development Corporation is the non-profit outreach arm of Second Ebenezer Church. The mission of this faith-based organization is to facilitate the revitalization of the physical, social, and economic fabric of the Northend Neighborhood (located just east of New Center bounded by Caniff, I-94, I-75, and Woodward). NCC works closely with the Executive Director of Vanguard, Donna Williams, on various planning initiatives to organize and promote commercial revitalization, beautification, strategic planning and the general welfare of the businesses in the New Center East area.  As a member of New Center East Business Association, NCC works to facilitate and coordinate redevelopment activities along the East Grand Boulevard Corridor.

UNIVERSITY CULTURAL CENTER ASSOCIATION (UCCA)
UCCA serves the area in Detroit known as Midtown, bounded by the Ford, Chrysler, Fisher, and Lodge Freeways. The area is approximately two miles north of Detroit’s Central Business District and just south of New Center.  Realizing the importance of a cohesive, fluid transition from New Center to Midtown, NCC has established a strong planning relationship with UCCA to coordinate improvement activities, especially those related to pedestrian/vehicular circulation which includes existing or proposed signage.  For example, NCC was able to coordinate with UCCA on the street treatments to be installed in the Woodward Gateway and New Amsterdam Streetscape Improvement Projects and expects to partner with the organization to plan the Greenways link from WSU to New Center.

WOODWARD AVENUE ACTION ASSOCIATION (WA3)
WA3 is a joint endeavor of Oakland and Wayne Counties to promote the Woodward Corridor as a premier arts, cultural, historic, and entertainment destination in collaboration with local governments, including Detroit, Royal Oak, Huntington Woods, Berkley, Birmingham and Pontiac.  Moreover, WA3 plays a vital role in a complex, politically sensitive, regional planning of the 26-mile Historic Woodward Heritage Route designated by the National Scenic Byways Association (Woodward Avenue is the only Urban Scenic Byway established under this National Program). As a WA3 Board Member, NCC provides historic, cultural and recreational resources for future preservation and enhancement in and near the Woodward Corridor, coordinates preservation and enhancement efforts along the Corridor (such as the TEA 21 Gateway and Woodward Gateway Revitalization Projects), and represents the interests of WA3 in State and Federal planning efforts, such as the Automobile National Heritage Area.

CENTRAL WOODWARD / NORTHEND COLLABORATIVE (CW/NE)
CW/NE is made up of Central Detroit Christian CDC, Child Care Coordinating Council (4Cs), Focus: HOPE, New Center Council and Vanguard CDC.  The Central Woodward Investment Area is bounded by I-75 on the east, Linwood Avenue on the west, Oakman Avenue / Webb Avenue on the north, and I-94 on the south.  This collaborative is the coordinating body accountable for facilitation and implementation of the Central Woodward comprehensive strategy.  This strategy is an asset-based, target approach to neighborhood revitalization that integrates high-priority physical development investments with other quality of life improvements to create healthy neighborhoods.  Working with limited resources, the Collaborative leverages each organization’s skills and expertise, achieving broader outcomes together than each could individually achieve.

CITY AND STATE AGENCIES
Any initiative taken on by NCC requires government support and assistance.  NCC reaches out to City and State agencies for assistance with all of our planning partnership activities, knowing the success of the initiative is dependant upon their support.  Because of our close relationship, NCC is often contacted by the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan to represent the New Center community at various hearings and reviews.    The City of Detroit frequently calls upon NCC to review new planning initiatives, such as proposed Master Plan Changes.  MDOT also works closely with NCC to provide roadway, pedestrian, transit and signage improvements for better access to and circulation within New Center, including the planned Detroit Intermodal Transit Station and the proposed I-94 Freeway expansion.