New Center Council Facilities Project (NCCFP)

The primary goal is to develop a new cultural amenity and community meeting place in New Center as it develops its residential core. The facility will support the Council's efforts in developing a 24-hour district, while offering a variety of cultural programming to the district's current and future employees and residents. The Council will become a ground-floor tenant in the rehabilitated building. New Center Park improvements will include construction of a three-season concession building, restrooms, perimeter fencing, and a permanent stage canopy that adjusts to a movie screen, as well as a security system, a kitchen, and a sound system. The project is located across from the Fisher Building – West Grand and Second Avenue.

Highlights:

New Center Council, Inc. (NCC) received a Cool Cities Grant for the renovation of an office building, parking lot, and park located on West Grand Boulevard at Second Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. The office building, parking lot, and park were owned by General Motors Corporation (GM). GM awarded a land donation to New Center Council, but the donation was complicated and delayed due to GM’s recent request for federal loans.

In May 2009, GM was able to transfer the property to New Center Council. With the
ownership of the properties secured, NCC will begin Phase I construction within two weeks, with Phase I completed by June 2010.

New Center Park held its Kick-Off Weekend July 2-5, 2010.  Additional 2010 summer programing includes: Wednesday night Movie Night, Thursday night Happy Hour Jazz & Blues, Friday night Rock and Electronic, Saturday Children's activities with Saturday evening Camp Hi-Fi, and Sunday Harvest Markets and Music.   See http://www.newcenterpark.com/ for additional New Center Park programming information.