Riverside Arts Center Expansion

Downtown Ypsilanti worked on facility improvements to the Riverside Arts Center. The project involved the reutilization of a vacant office structure for retail gallery, studio, office, theater set construction, and other Arts Center uses in Ypsilanti’s downtown historic neighborhood.

The Riverside Arts Center is a multipurpose cultural arts venue providing performance, exhibit, studio, office and reception space both for artists and for arts and cultural organizations to enrich the Ypsilanti community through the arts and cultural experiences.

Highlights:
Ypsilanti reported in 2005:

• We designed and installed streetscape banners with the state's Cool Cities logo that will celebrate our designation in the Downtown, Depot Town and West Cross business districts. This project was supported by funds from the Ypsilanti DDA, Depot Town DDA, Ypsilanti Area Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Michigan University, the Central Business Community, and an individual donor.
• The Cool Cities designation has re-energized and sparked different groups to collaborate and reorganize to maximize the potential of the designation and strengthen the downtown partnerships.
• We are noticing an interest by businesses in relocating downtown.
• There have been four new business startups or expansions in the neighborhood, and 10 to 15 jobs are projected.
• $6.36 million will be spent for the two local road reconstruction projects adjacent to the Downtown neighborhood; $995,000 issued in DDA bonds for parking lot and streetscape improvements to be constructed in 2005; and $5.62 million in revolving funds and general obligation bonds for the Water Street redevelopment project for land acquisition and site preparation activities.
• The Beal/Kresge mixed-use loft redevelopment project is transforming four downtown storefront buildings into 20 upper-floor loft apartments (ready for occupancy in February 2005) and restaurant/retail spaces on the ground floor. 
• Bombadill's opened, a great new place for coffee that's popular with the EMU College of Business students and faculty.
• While we have always had very positive relationships with state departments related to economic and community development, we've found these relationships to grow stronger under this program, which has also introduced us to new partners that will work with us in the future. 
• “This program has provided the Ypsilanti community with valuable and immeasurable affirmation for the years of goal setting and dreaming of how this City and its downtown can be reframed for the future. In a short time, we've seen the level and quality of investor inquiries increase and we've seen people in and outside of our area begin to take more serious notice of who we are and where we are headed as a community. It has set the standard for the work that remains in our future. Perhaps more important, it has caused the people that call this neighborhood and City "home" to come together more passionately, to take responsibility for being part of making a difference, and to take more pride in this place. And finally, it has blessed us with credibility for the arts community that we are determined to create at the Riverside Arts Center – this will spur a growth in support and participation for arts and cultural endeavors in the heart of our downtown neighborhood – and create in Ypsilanti a very cool place indeed.” – Award Designee

Ypsilanti reported in 2006:

• We continue to receive PR from articles in both the Ann Arbor News and the Ypsilanti Courier.
• The Local Cool City Advisory Group continues on a limited basis.
• In general, property values have increased, or at least taxable values continue to increase.
• Designation and the funds were quite important in validating what had already taken place and providing initiative to continue the effort.
• Plans to expand the Riverside Arts Center include pursuing a grant to build a joint elevator and ingress-egress tower between the Arts Center and the DTE Building donated to the Arts Center.