DETROIT, Mich., March 23, 2011 - The Villages Community Development Corporation (CDC) announced today it named Brian Hurttienne its Executive Director. Hurttienne’s hire was made possible through a grant from the Detroit Neighborhood Fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. The 2 year grant was awarded to support the development of a capacity-building strategy and to continue planning a community Greenway.  

The Villages of Detroit is a collection of neighborhoods located on Detroit’s near eastside, the boundaries of which are Mt. Elliott to Cadillac, and the Detroit River to Mack. The neighborhoods that make up the Villages are West Village, Indian Village, the Berry Subdivision, East Village, Islandview Village, and the Gold Coast.

 ”This is an exciting time for the Villages community with funders investing in the community and plans underway to build Greenways and enhance the East Jefferson Corridor,” said Kirsten Ussery, board of directors’ president, Villages Community Development Corporation. “Brian is highly-creative and has a 30 year history of working to improve Detroit. We believe he is a great asset to our organization and has the skill set to move the Villages CDC forward.”

Hurttienne’s official start date is April 1, 2011. He will work out of the Villages CDC’s new office at 8109 East Jefferson in Detroit.

“I am excited to be part of the Villages CDC.  They are the future of the city’s community development organizations,” said Hurttienne. “I bring my passion as a Detroiter and my experience as a small business owner and building coordinator extraordinaire to achieve the goals of the Villages CDC.”

Prior to the Villages CDC, Hurttienne worked as an Architect for Hamilton Anderson for four years, and at his own firm, BVH Architecture, for nine years previously. He is a registered Architect and a historic architect in the State of Michigan.

About The Villages Development Community Corporation:

The Villages Community Development Corporation (CDC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to accelerating economic development in the Villages of Detroit, a collection of neighborhoods located on Detroit’s near eastside, the boundaries of which are Mt. Elliott to Cadillac, and the Detroit River to Mack. The neighborhoods that make up the Villages are West Village, Indian Village, the Berry Subdivision, East Village, Islandview Village, and the Gold Coast. Through business attraction, community advocacy and organizing, and urban design and planning, the Villages CDC seeks to strengthen and preserve the social and economic fabric of one of the most diverse and longstanding communities in Detroit. For more information, visit http://thevillagesofdetroit.com.

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is a permanent community endowment built by gifts from thousands of individuals and organizations committed to the future of southeast Michigan.  The Foundation works to improve the region’s quality of life by connecting those who care with causes that matter.  The Foundation supports a wide variety of activities benefiting education, arts and culture, health, human services, community development and civic affairs.  Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $415 million through more than 35,500 grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, St. Clair and Livingston counties.  For more information, please visit www.cfsem.org.      

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DETROIT, Mich., January 27, 2010 – The Villages Community Development Corporation (VCDC) announced today it has been awarded a $25,000 Kresge Foundation Detroit Program Community Building Grant to fund the implementation of targeted pedestrian improvements to the Van Dyke corridor within its borders on Detroit’s near eastside. The Kresge Foundation’s Detroit Program is a comprehensive community-development framework that seeks to strengthen the long-term economic, social and cultural fabric of the city and surrounding area.
 
“The project is to enhance the sense of place along the Van Dyke connector in West Village to create a more inviting environment which attracts retail tenants and investment to the Villages’ targeted nodes,” said Kirsten Ussery, board of directors’ president, Villages Community Development Corporation. “By attracting neighborhood-oriented retail in the targeted intersections in West Village, we will improve the livability of all the Villages neighborhoods, retain residents and attract new residents to our vacant homes.”
 
The Villages of Detroit is a collection of neighborhoods located on Detroit’s near eastside, the boundaries of which are Mt. Elliott to Cadillac, and the Detroit River to Mack. The neighborhoods that make up the Villages are West Village, Indian Village, the Berry Subdivision, East Village, Islandview Village, and the Gold Coast.
Improvements will be concentrated in the Van Dyke/Agnes area; however, additional improvements and beautification projects will be implemented at the other commercial nodes at Kercheval and at Jefferson Avenue, which serve as the gateways and connectors to Agnes.   

Improvements will include:
·         Rain Garden Landscaping Demonstration Project in a highly visible corner property
·         Installation of locally created Public Art
·         Instillation of custom bike parking to encourage a healthy lifestyle
·         Installation of signage to reinforce a sense of place
·         Pedestrian Lighting Repair and Cleaning for beautify safe streets
·         Landscaping and Beautification of vacant property
 
About The Villages Development Community Corporation:
The Villages Community Development Corporation (CDC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to accelerating economic development in the Villages of Detroit, a collection of neighborhoods located on Detroit’s near eastside, the boundaries of which are Mt. Elliott to Cadillac, and the Detroit River to Mack. The neighborhoods that make up the Villages are West Village, Indian Village, the Berry Subdivision, East Village, Islandview Village, and the Gold Coast. Through business attraction, community advocacy and organizing, and urban design and planning, the Villages CDC seeks to strengthen and preserve the social and economic fabric of one of the most diverse and longstanding communities in Detroit. For more information, visit http://thevillagesofdetroit.com.
 
About the Kresge Foundation:
The Kresge Foundation is a national, private foundation that seeks to influence the quality of life for future generations by creating access and opportunity in underserved communities, improving the health of low-income people, supporting artistic expression, assisting in the revitalization of Detroit, and advancing methods for dealing with global climate change. The foundation has six programs. For more information on the programs, their strategic objectives and focus areas, click on the respective link to learn more about your program of interest.
Arts and Culture Program
Community Development / Detroit Program
Education Program
Environment Program
Health Program
Human Services Program
Kresge’s nine values serve as the centerpiece of its grantmaking, focusing its decision-making and reflecting its strategic priorities.
 
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The Villages have been named a best place to buy an old house by “This Old House” Magazine!

The issue will be on newstands on Friday, February 19, 2010, but the article is on their website today.

From the article:

“Best Old House Neighborhoods 2010: Editors’ Picks

For our third annual Best Places to Buy an Old House contest, what we looked for was simple: oft-overlooked neighborhoods populated by people who share an appreciation of finely crafted homes that have plenty of past and lots of future. And what we found—with the aid of our friends at PreservationDirectory.com, who helped us contact thousands of neighborhood groups, real estate agents, residents, and preservationists for nominations—was mighty impressive…”

Read the whole article here: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20343206,00.html

LONELY HOMES TOUR FINDS BUYERS FOR BANK-OWNED PROPERTIES AS PART OF THE 2nd ANNUAL REAL ESTATE TOUR IN NEAR EASTSIDE DETROIT NEIGHBORHOODS

DETROIT, Mich., September 18, 2008 – The Villages Community Development Corporation (CDC), a non-profit comprised of nine of Detroit’s leading near eastside neighborhoods, announced today a plan to help find buyers for its vacant, bank-owned homes. A licensed Realtor will lead a Lonely Homes Tour of 8-10 bank owned properties in Indian Village and West Village communities on Saturday, September 27 from 1 to 5 pm.

The tours are part of a larger event to attract potential home buyers to the communities. The CDC’s second annual “Living in the V” Real Estate Open House event drew 400 potential buyers to the neighborhoods in 2007. This year’s event will not only feature the Lonely Homes Tour, but will also showcase dozens of homes for sale in the Villages area for potential buyers to tour. Home prices range from $10,000 for a bank-owned property to $1.1 Million for a privately-owned property.

“There are tremendous deals out there for the best of Detroit’s Housing Jewels, said Joy Santiago, realtor, and Living in the V committee member. “It’s time to buy now.”

“The Villages is a thriving community featuring the best classic urban elements: walkability, recreation, history, culture and diversity, all cast alongside a major international waterway,” said Steve Wasko, president, Villages CDC. “Neighbors here are true neighbors, who look out for each other’s needs and also come together to make our community solid and dynamic. This real estate tour is another example of residents not idly waiting for external assistance, but rather rolling up our sleeves, working together and forming alliances to get the job done.”

On the day of the event, potential homebuyers are invited to the Welcome Center at Parkstone Apartments, 1415 Parker. At the Welcome Center, attendees will have an opportunity to pick a master list of open houses and properties for sale and a variety of information regarding neighborhood schools and area businesses from event sponsors. There will also be a few street vendors near the welcome center selling hot dogs, coffee and crepes. A bike tour sponsored by Wheelhouse Detroit will be held during the Open House as well and will allow bikers to experience the neighborhood on bike and on foot.

The Welcome Center is also where participants can join the Lonely Homes Tour. Two tours are scheduled at 1:30pm and 3:30pm. Corporate Cars, sponsors of the Lonely Homes Tour, will have a limo available at the Welcome Center to transport participants of the tour around the neighborhoods, or participants can tour in their own vehicle. Information on FHA 203k Rehab loan programs and other means of financing for homeowners who plan to live in the bank owned properties while fixing them up will be available from two additional event sponsors, National City and Comerica. Rehab contractors will also be on hand to provide additional information about renovations.

About the Villages CDC:

The Villages are a unique collection of historic neighborhoods, high-rise condos, edgy lofts, and new construction homes on Detroit’s east riverfront. Housing prices range from less than $100,000 to more than a million, making living here an ideal option for nearly everyone. A 501(c)(3) organization that was formed in 2006, the Villages CDC includes representation from Indian Village, West Village, Islandview Village, East Village, Berry Subdivision, and the Gold Coast (riverfront) communities. For more information, visit www.thevillagesofdetroit.com.

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Samantha, 8, Springer Spaniel

Hi there, this is Todd Ridley. I’m part of the team responsible for putting up this new site, and I wanted to say hello!

I’m also a resident of The Villages for just over 5 years now. I live on Seminole in Indian Village and love it. I had a thought to write this post as a greeting to you, the visitor, and as a description of my day here in this wonderful place.

So I work out of my home office several days a month when not travelling, and love to walk our dogs in sunny day’s like today. Look how pretty our neighborhood is! Who wouldn’t want to walk dogs here? Plus, today it’s particularly cool since the Red Bull Air Races are this weekend and they are practicing just out on the water, probably 1/2 mile from my office window. If you haven’t heard of these races check them out.

Anyway the noise of the prop-planes dive bombing reminded me of how close we are to GREAT stuff. Where else could you walk dogs in such a scenic and serene setting, and be so close to a major international waterway that’s hosting a major, international event. So close you can hear every bit of it!?

And that’s not the only event we’re so close for. Take Movement, the Hoedown, the Jazz Festival, the Fireworks, the Gold Cup Boat Races…and all right here while we enjoy living in such a beautiful, serene neighborhood.

Anyway, that’s one reason I love living here.

Thanks for visiting the site, and I hope you visit us in person soon!

-Todd

The Historic Indian Village Home and Garden Tour is celebrating the 114th anniversary of our elegant, historic neighborhood. This is the tour’s 36th year. It is the second oldest tour of its kind in Michigan, preceded only by the Marshall Michigan Historic Home Tour.

In the mid 1950s, the Women’s Garden Club held many events in Indian Village. Their Garden Fair was a precursor to the current tour, which began its run in the 1960s and became an annual event in 1973. It is now sponsored by the Historic Indian Village Association (HIVA), the Indian Village Women’s Garden Club and the Indian Village Men’s Garden Club.

Today, the Indian Village community consists of 352 households, plus six churches, four elementary schools and 1 nursery school. This historic district includes Burns, Iroquois and Seminole Avenues from East Jefferson running one mile north to Mack Avenue.

Although there are features on many homes that fall into a distinct architectural style, Indian Village can best be described as eclectic. As is so typical of American independence, owners chose elements from different architectural styles when building their homes. Detroit’s most distinguished architects designed Indian Village homes. Among them are Marcus Burrowes, Chittenden & Kotting, Albert Kahn, Louis Kamper, Rogers & MacFarlane, Smith Hinchman & Grylls, William B. Stratton, Leonard B. Willeke, George D. Mason, Robert O. Derrick and C. Howard Crane.

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets online!