Quiet. Quaint. Quirky.
Located three miles east of downtown, along the Detroit River, the Villages of Detroit are a unique collection of waterfront communities each with authentic personality and charm. This includes historic neighborhoods, high-rise condos, edgy lofts and apartments, and affordable rental properties and new construction homes.
It’s no surprise that with this diverse housing comes diverse people. Artists, students, doctors and lawyers all call the Villages home. And they work together to make it a great place to live. From monthly cocktail parties and progressive dinners to neighborhood clean-ups and community gardens, people here are close-knit and involved, ready to make a difference in their neighborhood, the city and the world.
TWO GREAT VILLAGES EVENTS THIS WEEKEND!
Details on both here
Detroit’s Waterfront Neighborhood:
The Villages Real Estate Tour
Sunday, May 20, 2012 – 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Detroit, May 10, 2012 – The Villages of Detroit, a non-profit community development corporation on Detroit’s lower eastside, will hold a Real Estate Tour of select residential properties on Sunday, May 20 between the hours of 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Guests will be greeted with a list of houses, condominiums, co-operatives and apartments for sale and rent throughout the Villages neighborhood, including Indian Village, West Village, Islandview Village, East Village, Joseph Berry Subdivision, and the Gold Coast.
The Event will be hosted at historic Detroit Waldorf School, 2555 Burns St. in Indian Village. Hour-long realtor-guided bus tours with stops at select properties will be available at $5.00 per person and will depart from the school at 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Registration will start at 2 p.m. that day at the event site or r.s.v.p. by calling the Villages office by Friday, May 18 at 313-486-2900. Bus tours will be seated “first come, first served.”
Tashmoo Biergarten (on Van Dyke north of Agnes St. in West Village) will also kick off its 2012 season that weekend on Saturday, May 19th and continue on Sunday, May 20th, from noon to 9 p.m. both days.
Spending time at The Tashmoo, currently a “pop-up” biergarten, is a great way to enjoy a Spring afternoon or evening chatting with neighbors and making new friends.
Reminder: LEAP + EPA Community Workshop — FRIDAY, MAY 18 9:30p-12:30p
On Friday, May 18, 2012, LEAP will be hosting a workshop in partnership with the Center for Neighborhood Technology from 9:30a-12:30p at the Northeast Guidance Center (2900 Conner Street, Detroit, Michigan 48215).
Click on Events for more details
Support our local High School!
KING OF THE COURTS
BASKETBALL GAME FUNDRAISER
WHAT: On Friday, May 18, 2012 Chief Ralph L. Godbee, Jr., and members of the Eastern District will play against judges, magistrates, and employees of 36 District Court in a basketball game fundraiser.
Proceeds will go towards several youth’s one year membership to the Boys and Girls Club (Holden Club) and the Martin Luther King High School’s Marching Band’s trip to London in August for the 2012 Olympics.
WHEN: Friday, May 18, 2012, Doors open at 7:00 p.m., Tip off
is at 7:15 p.m.
WHERE: Brenda Scott Academy, located at 18400 Hoover St.
WHO: Chief Ralph L Godbee, Jr., members from the Detroit
Police Department and 36 District Court members. The public is also welcome to attend. There will be a $5.00 donation at the door.
PLEASE COME TO THE THIRD OF THE MEETINGS DETAILED BELOW THIS SATURDAY MAY 19, 2012
EASTSIDE DETROITS FIRST TIMEBANK ARRIVES!
The Villages Neighbor to Neighbor program, eastside Detroit’s first TimeBank, will be hosting a TasteFest on Saturday, June 2, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Church of the Messiah Empowerment Center
Location is: 1501 Canton (between Agnes and E. Lafayette) in IslandView Village. Local food and beverage entrepreneurs and home cooks will be showcasing their creations. For more information contact Myra Lee at 313-267-1010.
GREEN TASK FORCE REPORT
GREEN Task Force – Vision of Greenways for Detroit’s Lower East Side
The GREEN Task Force, a coalition of Detroit-based non-profit groups, presents to you a vision and a realistic plan for creating a network of greenways on Detroit’s greater riverfront east. Just as greenways serve many functions – from recreational venues to economic linkages between neighborhoods – this report also aims at many goals. This plan serves as a catalyst for:
- Economic development
- A tool for bringing communities together
- A way of defining a new future for Detroit’s greater riverfront east
Based on more than a year of fact-finding and visioning, this outline for future greenways emerged from a well-founded process that listened to multiple stakeholders across a broad spectrum of Detroit; that is rooted in a systematic analysis of data, particularly the unique characteristics of the area; that has been benchmarked to successful national precedents for walkable urban communities; and that was developed with the assistance of a respected national design firm based in southeast Michigan.
We believe this report paints a picture of greenways that will belong not to the privileged few but to everyone in this great diverse city. To that end, our effort has provided not only a framework for understanding and moving forward with physical improvements, but a vision of hope. This hope lies in a framework to support sustainable neighborhoods: urban places that bring people together, that encourage healthy lifestyles, that are catalysts for community and economic development, and that foster environmental stewardship.
This is our vision. This is our hope. This is our act of faith in us and our city.
For more information and a complete download of this important report check out our Greenways page:
GREENWAYS PAGE AND REPORT (CLICK HERE)
The Kresge Foundation awards the Villages of Detroit a grant for Commercial Revitalization
Grant of $75,000 will create better business opportunities in the Villages
Detroit – February 21, 2012 – The Villages of Detroit, a non-profit community development corporation on Detroit’s lower eastside, has received an award of $75,000 for commercial revitalization efforts. The mission of the Villages CDC is to facilitate the development of new businesses and the revitalization of existing businesses that results in the establishment of a “Villages Main Street District” that promotes culturally diverse business ownership and employment opportunities.
“Planning for new businesses to come into the neighborhood has been a struggle over the past few years,” said Bill Swanson, Vice-president and Chair of the Villages Economic Development Committee. “This grant will go a long way in determining what businesses will be best for the Villages, and how we can help entrepreneurs to open businesses in the Villages”.
Planning for business and economic growth in an urban center such as the Villages requires obtaining information on existing buildings and their condition, district planning for zoning and parking variances, working with entrepreneurs on their business plans, and finding funding to augment and assist the process in order to get multiple businesses to open all at once. The Villages is an area of Detroit which is primed for small business growth. They are welcoming of entrepreneurs and investors to spur the local economy and provide jobs to the residents.
“We have had several inquiries and formal requests for assistance in the past few months — So many that I’ve suggested they take the D:hive class on business planning,” said Brian Hurttienne, Executive Director of the Villages CDC, about entrepreneurs wanting to open businesses. “We are ready and excited to establish a business friendly community here in the Villages.”
More information will be provided about this venture and many more at the first annual Villages Community Gathering, to take place on Tuesday, February 28th from 5 – 8pm, at St. Charles Catholic Church. The presentation to the community will feature past efforts and future endeavors of the Villages for Greenways, the Neighborhood Stabilization Plan, the Better Buildings for Michigan program, safety initiatives, events and our education outreach.
The Villages CDC thanks the Kresge Foundation for the award and their show of confidence in the Villages and the City of Detroit. “We are pleased to be accepting this award on behalf of our residents and the businesses in our community,” says Brian Hurttienne.
The Villages CDC’s mission is to create a vibrant urban village for our residents and facilitate the development of new businesses and the revitalization of existing businesses that results in the establishment of a “Villages Main Street District” that promotes culturally diverse business ownership and employment opportunities. Our envisioned future is to be a solid organization, respected as a collaborator and a trusted community voice; and known as the organization that transformed the Villages area of Detroit. Our work will be evidenced by the vibrant collection of hip, historic, bohemian-chic neighborhoods; where industrial spaces have been transformed into businesses that employ our residents; our parks and greenways form beautiful links to and from the Detroit River; and our green spaces and water sustain our community. Families of all incomes, ages and races will be attracted to the eclectic mix of people, homes and amenities. Our main streets will be alive with activity day and night from students, artists, families, entrepreneurs and visitors. Everyone will experience the quaint, quirky coolness of our parks, shops, galleries, restaurants and riverfront. The Villages’ neighborhoods will be the most sought after community in Detroit.
D:hive – Detroit’s future, as with all cities, will be determined by the talent that it is able to retain and attract. The D:hive is a physical storefront and nexus of energy to welcome new recruits to the city and to assist existing innovators with the goal of not just retaining, but increasing the number of young, talented individuals in Greater Downtown Detroit. D:hive is a non-profit partnership that will help individuals connect with information and resources relevant to living, working and engaging in Detroit through the direct assistance of a D:hive team member. D:hive team members will act as “air traffic controllers” for many institutions, programs and projects that wish to serve, assist and partner with Detroit residents.
Great article on the Villages own Rev. Barry Randolph of the Church of the Messiah in Crain’s. Worth checking out…
Click on link below:
http://www.detroitmakeithere.com/article/20120228/DM01/303019999/1069
Great Community Turnout!
The Annual Villages Community Gathering St. Charles Corner Baldwin and St. Paul
Many thanks to all of those who turned out for The Villages First Annual Community Gathering at St. Charles Tuesday night. Lots of folks from all the Villages and lots of information shared. Please track with ongoing community developments on Facebook and The Villages of Detroit website. Lots of photos from this event on The Villages Facebook page. www.facebook.com/thevillagesofdetroit
A special thanks from the Villages Community Development Corporation to Eastern Market Corporation for their support
Become a Friend of the Villages and receive a membership to Friends of Eastern Market!
Shop Local this year!
Check out neighborhood opportunities here: http://thevillagesofdetroit.com/shop-local/
Community Update from Detroit Police Department
Detroit Chief of Police answers questions about new policing policies, (link)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0tUspK_EYU
Strong Turnout at Wednesday’s WDET Community Listening Session at The Villages own Waldorf School
Residents all all the Villages turned out last night to talk about the community. Great dialogue and a great time.
Everyone agreed that when it comes to The Villages: “You come for the houses and you stay for the people”.
Check out today’s recap on the Craig Fahle Show:
http://www.wdet.org/shows/craig-fahle-show/episode/recap-wdet-community-event-villages/
Thanks to all the volunteers who helped make this years 2011 “Living in the V!” Real Estate Open House & Community Festival a big success on Sunday. Great crowds, music, food, crafts and glorious fall weather!
Detroit’s Fox 2 Coverage here:
The Villages featured in Sunday’s Detroit Free Press! See the article here.
Visit a village…
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Planning for Greenways:
A web-survey for the Greater Riverfront East Environment Network (GREEN) was conducted over three weeks in August and September , 2010. the purpose of the survey was to collect information about current walking and bicycling patterns and comfort levels using different non-motorized facilities. A total of 449 people took our survey. Please visit our Greenways page for more details.