Michigan Business Beat | Patricia Dockery, Stafford House, Revitalizing Detroit’s North End...

Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Patricia Dockery, executive director of Stafford House, Inc., Detroit, MI. There were several things he wanted to find out from Patricia in this conversation: ● Can you share a bit about the vision for the redevelopment of the 9301 Oakland Avenue property in Detroit's North End? ● What role did the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Revialization and Placemaking grant program play in bringing this project to life? ● Creating affordable housing is a key aspect of this project. How does this redevelopment address the need for housing and why was that important? ● How do you see the plans for 5,200 square feet of commercial space supporting small business growth in the North End and Detroit as a whole? ● The press release mentions plans for workforce development and technology training within the commercial space. Can you share more about what that will look like? Additional information from the Michigan press release: Governor Whitmer Announces More Housing, Space for Small Business in Detroit and Alma The rehabilitation of vacant properties will add housing, commercial space, and increased density to Detroit’s North End and downtown Alma LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced redevelopment projects receiving support from the Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program, which will see the rehabilitation of vacant and functionally obsolete buildings in Detroit’s North End and downtown Alma. Together, the projects will create 19 residential units and generate a total capital investment of over $6.2 million in the state. The RAP program provides access to gap financing for place-based infrastructure development, real estate rehabilitation and development, and public space improvements. Hundred-year-old building in Detroit’s North End to be revitalized into new residential housing and commercial space In Detroit’s North End, a vacant and blighted hundred-year-old building located at 9301 Oakland Avenue will be redeveloped into 10 residential units and 5,200 square feet of commercial space, enhancing walkability and connectivity to the neighboring commercial corridor. The project, which is supported by $507,713 in RAP grant funding, is expected to generate a total capital investment of $3,202,007. Developer Stafford House, Inc. has served the North End community through the rehabilitation and sale of several single-family homes.