UCCA | University Cultural Center Association

University Cultural Center Association

UCCA Current Programs & Projects LAST UPDATED: February 21, 2010

UCCA is actively involved in 30 collaborative projects or programs. Since 1976, UCCA has been working to broaden the involvement of people and organizations to address Midtown Detroit problems. Over the years, UCCA has gained in-depth knowledge and practical experience by working in multiple fields:

+ Beautification & Maintenance
+ Flowerbed Program
+ Motor City Makeover Project
+ Wayfinding Signage Program

BEAUTIFICATION & MAINTENANCE
Area Maintenance Program UCCA maintains the Warren and Mack Avenue medians, the Hudson’s Art Park, Peck Park, and the Woodward Avenue streetscape enhancements, and hires crews to pick up trash along the expressway entrance and exit ramps year round. In addition, UCCA hires a local firm to remove graffiti from vacant buildings, light poles, utility boxes, etc. The UCCA’s maintenance activities are funded by member dues and the Public Space Fund.

Detroit Spring Clean Up As part of the Mayor’s Detroit Spring Clean Up Initiative, UCCA coordinates a major clean-up effort in Midtown each May. UCCA collaborates with Wayne State University and the City of Detroit who both contribute in-kind materials and resources to make this area-wide makeover a success. In addition, UCCA and WSU work together to recruit a force of over 300 volunteers (many of them return volunteers) to participate in area beautification and maintenance efforts in our public spaces.

Flowerbed Program The UCCA has created thirty perennial flowerbeds along the Warren, Mack, St. Antoine and Anthony Wayne medians with support from the Hudson-Webber Foundation and our members. Over $300,000 was invested. The UCCA maintains these improvements on behalf of our membership.

Wayfinding Signage Program The UCCA designed and installed a comprehensive wayfinding signage system for the arts, cultural, medical, and educational institutions within the Midtown District. Over one hundred twenty signs were installed directing the public to over thirty destinations.

DEVELOPMENT
Historic District Designations Over its tenure, UCCA has helped to create 14 local, state, and nationally certified historic districts within Midtown. Historic designations help stabilize and improve property values, foster civic beauty, preserve the city’s heritage and strengthen the local economy. The following districts currently exist within Midtown: Brush Park Historic District, Cass Farms Historic District, Cass Park Historic District, Cultural Center Historic District, East Ferry Historic District, East Kirby Historic District, Peterboro-Charlotte Historic District, Sugar Hill Historic District, Warren-Prentis Area Historic District, Wayne State University Historic District, and Woodward East Historic District. UCCA is now working on the Cass-Palmer local historic district designation and expansion of the Warren-Prentis district.

The Inn on Ferry Street The UCCA, in conjunction with the Detroit Institute of Arts, opened a 42-room boutique hotel in the Cultural Center in November of 2001. Over twenty-four sources of financing in the amount of $8.5 million were secured in order to restore this entire block of 1880’s Victorian mansions. Also noteworthy is that the Inn has won numerous local, regional, and national preservation awards, including: + Received Expedia Insider’s Select Award in 2007. + Voted “Best Historic Accommodations” by the Detroit Free Press in 2004. + Voted “Best Sleeping ‘Inn’ Detroit” by Hour Magazine in 2003. + Won a “National Preservation Award” by the National Trust in 2002. + Received an “Honor Award for Restoration” by Preservation Wayne in 2002. + Recognized by the Detroit Historic Designation Board in 2002. The Inn services visitors to Wayne State University, area museums, the Detroit Medical Center as well as corporate and leisure travelers. The UCCA is the managing member of the Inn on Ferry Street Development Company. The Inn's website is: www.theinnonferrystreet.com.

Midtown Green Alley Demonstration Project UCCA is a partner on the Green Alley Demonstration Project which will transform a 220’ section of an alley off of Second Avenue between Canfield and Prentis – one of the worst segments of alley in Midtown – into a community greenway for pedestrians and bicyclists. Leading this project is the Green Garage, a nonprofit organization focused on building world class skills for “green collar” jobs and sustainability-based service and product businesses of the future, as well as Motor City Brewing Works. Residents of the North Cass Neighborhood and other nearby property owners have also provided input and support for the project. The Green Alley Project will undergo construction in late spring 2009 and will introduce a new surface which will consist of recycled and permeable pavers, native plants, along with a sustainable storm water system for the alley. Collapsible bollards will be placed at the two ends of the alley to create a safe pedestrian and bicycle zone, restricting all vehicular traffic except for service and emergency vehicles. This project will also introduce a waste and recycling center, as well as induction lighting. The Kresge Foundation, The Americana Foundation, and DTE Energy have provided support for this project.

Midtown Lofts Mixed-Use Development UCCA will develop a new building on the corner of Woodward and Willis that will comprise of loft- and apartment-style condominiums in the heart of Midtown Detroit. This project will incorporate 11 units of rental housing on the third floor; 11,000 sq. ft. of office space on the second floor; and 4,000 sq. ft. commercial space on the ground floor. The Midtown Lofts is an $8.5 million project that will demonstrate appropriate mixed-use redevelopment for Woodward Avenue by using quality materials and urban design principles that promote sustainability and walkability.

Midtown Loop Greenway The Midtown Loop will be a 2-mile greenway trail that will follow existing street patterns, specifically following Kirby Street, John R Street, Canfield Street, and Cass Avenue. Warren Avenue will serve as the central connector. The Midtown Loop will connect the campuses of Wayne State University and the Detroit Medical Center, and will be linked to greenway initiatives in surrounding areas, providing a key component of a larger greenway network linking New Center to Downtown and the River. The Midtown Loop will help reclaim rights-of-way for pedestrians in our community by creating a widened walkway, improving pedestrian crossings, and using a variety of planting beds to safely separate pedestrians from vehicle traffic. Unique lighting will also replace the current inadequate lighting to improve visibility and spotlight the new development along its course. The Midtown Loop will also help the community reclaim much needed green space and contribute positively to the quality of life and the lifestyle of the community. By reintroducing native vegetation and incorporating public art along the greenway, we will create a special environment that will help create a strong sense of place and community. As a $10.5 million investment, UCCA believes that the Midtown Loop project is a critical piece of the overall strategy in rebuilding and reinventing Midtown Detroit, and will ultimately help breathe life back into the community. A design for Phase 1 has already been developed (see rendering above) and fundraising for Phase 1 is complete. Construction of Phase 1 is scheduled for April 2010, and has been made possible by the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Knight Foundation, the City of Detroit, Kresge Foundation, Woodward Avenue Action Assocation, Michigan State University Land Policy Institute, Metropolitan Title, and from $2 million in federal earmarking. In addition, UCCA just completed the Midtown Loop Public Art Master Plan with the aid of public art consultant, Susan Wilczak, and its public art committee consisting of representatives from arts organizations in the greater downtown area. The Committee identified 12 different sites located directly along the Midtown Loop that provided the best opportunities for placement of public art, and then identified themes that defined the spirit and potential of these sites, taking into consideration the missions, values, histories, and programming of the many institutions located at these areas, along with their connections to the community. These motifs will help provide the framework for how public art will be chosen for these sites. Ultimately, it is the public art component that will elevate this greenway to the level of becoming a tourist attraction.

North Cass Community Garden UCCA developed a new community garden at the southwest corner of Second Avenue and Willis Street in the North Cass neighborhood. The garden was built on 3 adjoining blighted parcels of property and its total size is 0.35 acres. The North Cass Community Garden created 75 4'x8' individual raised garden beds, 10 8'x12' restaurant/commercial raised beds, and 6 4'x4' ADA raised garden beds which were rented out to neighborhood residents and restaurants for the 2009 growing season. JJR of Ann Arbor designed the site free of cost through their new Employee Volunteer Program (EVP), and many residents participated in the planning process and actual construction of the garden. The Kresge Foundation, Metropolitan Title Company, MGM Grand Casino Detroit, Landscape Forms, and the Colin Hubbell Memorial Fund provided funds and/or in-kind materials for this project.

Peck Park Redevelopment Once a lively and popular park, Peck Park had fallen into decay and abandonment by 2000, further adding to the negative urban image of Midtown. In 2003, UCCA, the City of Detroit, and the Art Center Citizen’s District Council collaborated to create a construction plan that included a new playscape, performance stage, volleyball court, walkways, decorative lighting, landscaping, benches, picnic tables and trash receptacles. Construction was completed in the summer of 2004 at a cost of $650,000. UCCA raised all funding for the park construction, and is responsible for maintaining the park. Today, Peck Park is not only enjoyed as a fun outdoor space, but is used as an outdoor classroom by the Detroit Science Center for their “Science of the Great Outdoors” and “Nature’s Neighborhood” learning programs, designed to inspire children and their families to discover, explore and appreciate the natural environment.

Public Infrastructure Over the years, UCCA has been involved with a variety of public infrastructure projects and site plans for the neighborhood. UCCA and the Woodward Planning Group developed the original concept plan for the site where Studio One Apartments and the new Wayne State parking deck are now located. Funding for the plan was provided by the Hudson-Webber Foundation. Since that project, UCCA is now working on plans to install new, decorative street lights along Cass Avenue between I-94 and Canfield.

Residential & Commercial Development Forest Arms The Forest Arms Apartment Building is an iconic 4-story, U-shaped building that was constructed in 1905, located at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Forest Street. In 2008, a tragic fire damaged the structure. UCCA is currently partnering with local developer, Scott Lowell, and urban finance consultant, Corey Leon, to restore this structure back to its former glory which will feature 74 apartments and 2 commercial businesses in the lower level. Construction will begin in fall 2009. The Sherbrooke The Sherbrooke was a former WSU-owned building located at the corner of Second Avenue and Hancock Street that fell into disrepair. UCCA was encouraged to locate a qualified buyer which has now been done. UCCA is partnering with this developer on the rehabilitation of these 19 rental apartment units. Brownfield and state and federal historic tax credits will be accessed. *Cass/Canfield Mixed-Use Development* A new mixed-use development is planned for the corner of Cass and Canfield. This is an important intersection in an area that has already experience significant commercial and residential redevelopment including the Kresge, Stuberstone, Venn, Edmund and Canfield Lofts buildings, among many others. This new project will create 54 units of rental loft housing and 10 (900 sp. ft) commercial spaces creating more density in this important part of the neighborhood just south of the campus. The project will help support the further development of small, independent retailers to add to the growing mix of commercial to complement our existing businesses such as Avalon Bakery, Goodwells Market and others in that immediate area. The project is being spearheaded by the Detroit Investment Fund (DIF) and the Roxbury Group. Construction will begin in early summer, 2010.

Sugar Hill Arts District Project UCCA, a number of its members and the State of Michigan have been working to create a plan for a three-block arts district located south of the Cultural Center and adjacent to the Detroit Medical Center. Named for the former neighborhood, the Sugar Hill Arts District will include the creation of mixed-income housing, commercial and arts-related uses scattered along vacant property throughout the area. Objectives for Sugar Hill include fostering synergies and collaborations between adjacent art providers; retain young Michigan artists; bring in arts-driven retail and tap into the built-in 24/7 market of Wayne State University and the Detroit Medical Center. In 2002, this district was designated as a national historic district which allowed the development of an overall plan to take place. In 2007, UCCA commissioned Albert Kahn & Associates to produce a plan that identifies opportunities that create shared outdoor performance spaces, gardens, walkways, pedestrian corridors, art walls, and landscaping treatments to promote and create a cohesive, walkable art district. To implement the plan, the cost will be approximately $2.5 million. Each stakeholder has pledged to work together to build out the plan as developed and to share resources and facilities in order to strengthen the district as a unit. Funding projects for a variety of projects within the plan include the City of Detroit, HUD, Detroit Renaissance, Detroit Investment Fund, private lenders and area foundations. $2.5 million in gap financing was approved for this project in December 2008 from the New Economy Initiative. Projects planned for the Arts District include: + The Garfield Manor Apartments + The Sugar Hill Arts Building + 76 East Forest + 52 East Forest + Sculpture Park (developed by MOCAD) + Newberry Building Rehabilitation + Construction of the Midtown Loop Greenway

Woodward Avenue Streetscape Enhancements This four-phased streetscape plan has incorporated a number of physical improvements, including the addition of new sidewalks, flowering trees, historic style street lighting, trash receptacles, and other features. Completed in 2000 at an investment of $1.8 million, Phase 1 has had a dramatic impact on Orchestra Place, transforming what used to be a highly depressed section of Midtown Detroit into a successful urban area with a strong sense of place achieved through a harmony of architecture and streetscape. Since Phase 1 of the Woodward Streetscape Enhancement Project occurred in tandem with the creation of the Max M. Fisher Music Center (which included restoring and modernizing Orchestra Hall), other major developments took shape as well, including the Ellington luxury lofts, built across from Orchestra Hall. Phase 2 has clearly cleaned up the area around the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Detroit Public Library, while Phase 3 was underway in time for Super Bowl XL, helping to produce a more desirable and safe walking environment for the thousands of visitors new to Downtown Detroit. Total investment of Phases 2 and 3: $5.2 million. In addition, all fundraising has been attained for Phase 4, and construction is projected to begin later this year. The total streetscape enhancement plan will be an $11.6 million investment, with all funds raised by UCCA. UCCA will also be responsible for all post-streetscape maintenance and beautification efforts along Woodward Avenue once the construction is completed.

MARKETING
City Living Program The UCCA runs the Discover City Living Program, an internet service that links persons looking to locate within Midtown to a wide variety of housing options, including rental housing. The primary beneficiaries of this program are the 1,000+ students (annually) who use the website to locate off-campus housing. This program is funded annually by the Hudson-Webber Foundation. Click here to explore residential offerings in Midtown.

Midtown Brand Campaign Recently, UCCA and partners created a new logo identity that captures the richness of the Midtown neighborhood and its distinctive position within Detroit. Midtown is now poised to take the next logical step, building a sustained and strategic marketing/communications program designed to promote the neighborhood, as well as accomplishing the following key objectives: + Increase traffic in Midtown through paid advertising, collateral materials (brochures, posters, etc.) and Website, and broad-reaching media relations. + Increase revenue flow into the Midtown district, boosting Detroit’s overall positive economic impact on the area. + Promote the variety of neighborhood assets, tying them together for consumers, developers, and other stakeholders in a meaningful way. + Increase development and investment in the area through an elevated, attractive regional profile. + Advance the brand of the neighborhood through cohesive, strategic messaging and the new logo identity. + Leverage foundation gift dollars by working with local media outlets to expand campaign reach. + Serve as an example for neighborhood, “district” marketing, while remaining in the broader framework of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan. This campaign has been conceived and drafted with the assistance of the University Cultural Center Association, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Charles Wright Museum of African American History, Wayne State University, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Detroit Historical Museum. However, UCCA will clearly be the networking epicenter for Midtown, and will help promulgate this branding message and communicate it on a consistent basis, and will continue to urge member organizations and institutions to incorporate the Midtown message and logo into their communications as well. This initiative is being funded by the MASCO Foundation and the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan.

Midtown Cultural Events Calendar UCCA promotes Midtown cultural events in a calendar published on the UCCA website. This calendar is updated on a weekly basis and promotes 60 different venues, including all the museums, galleries, and even Midtown nonprofit organizations that host arts and cultural events. The Midtown online events calendar on average receives over 17,000 hits per month. Click here for the Midtown Cultural Events Calendar.

Midtown Development Package This popular marketing package highlights all the assets and development occurring in the Midtown district. It also includes pertinent information for those individuals interested in developing, investing, or starting up a business within the neighborhood. All of these materials are also available on our website, in addition to hard copy. Member dues provide funding.

Midtown Neighborhood Guide UCCA developed a new Neighborhood Guide that will help connect people to Midtown museums, theatres, galleries, restaurants, and businesses, as well as schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations. Now in its 2008-09 edition, the Neighborhood Guide has been expanded and updated to reflect new commercial growth in Midtown, providing brief descriptions for almost every listing and a detailed map to help residents and visitors navigate through the streets. In addition, the new Neighborhood Guide presents a fresh color palette, a hip graphic design scheme, while representing Midtown as a culturally diverse district where people can seek out an active urban lifestyle. The Guides can be found at all major institutions within Midtown, as well as neighborhood businesses, area hotels, and other regional attractions. This information is available in both hard copy and on our website.

UCCA/Wayne State Residential Marketing Program UCCA, Wayne State University (WSU) and Midtown developers have partnered together to promote living in Midtown Detroit. As a result of this partnership, a housing booklet targeted towards WSU employees has been produced that highlights the various residential developments in Midtown. This booklet has been updated and is now available on this website. Over twenty residential developments are featured and include: sample floorplans, property descriptions, amenity lists, as well as purchasing incentives for WSU employees. 15,000 booklets have been printed and distributed.
Download PDF Now (21.81MB) - Midtown Living Booklet - 2nd Edition

PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
North Cass Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy UCCA created a redevelopment strategy for the North Cass Neighborhood with area stakeholders, including Wayne State University, the University of Michigan Detroit Center, the Cass Corridor Neighborhood Development Corporation, the West Canfield Historic Neighborhood Association, Midtown Alliance, the Detroit Investment Fund and other local business owners, developers, funders and residents. The Reinvestment Strategy for the North Cass Neighborhood is a five-year program that will accomplish the following: + Expand the Woodward Façade Matching Grant Program into the North Cass Neighborhood. + Create a Neighborhood Improvement Matching Grant Program to encourage other property owners to upgrade their exteriors. + Develop a mixed-use, mixed-income development on five UCCA-owned parcels of land along Second and Third Avenues. + Improve the streetscape along Second Avenue, the commercial core of the North Cass neighborhood. + Establish a community garden or park within the neighborhood. + Work with community stakeholders and local social agencies to develop a crime abatement program focused on reducing car vandalism, drug sales and trafficking, and other nuisance crimes. + Develop a business incubator program to target underutilized commercial space in the neighborhood. UCCA and partners will create low rent spaces (up to 500 sq. ft.) for start-up business opportunities appropriate for a campus neighborhood. North Cass Revitalization Strategy - Full Report

Pedestrian Overlay District UCCA worked with the City of Detroit Planning & Development Department (P&DD) and City Planning Commission (CPC) staff on this initiative which provides development and design standards and guidelines for Woodward. On April 21, 2005, the CPC voted to recommend adoption of this newly approved Detroit Zoning Ordinance. Download a copy of the Overlay District standards here:
Download PDF Now (7.71MB) - Pedestrian Overlay District Design Standards

Security Services In 2008, UCCA assembled a stakeholder group including professional security officers, residents and area businesses and institutions to develop strategies to reduce criminal activity in the area. A system of information sharing; contractual private security services; “club” programs for students and employees; and lighting improvements are all being implemented for the Midtown district.

Technical Assistance The UCCA provides assistance in the area of marketing, financing, grant writing, site location, and project facilitation for individuals or businesses looking to invest in the area. We also support and provide assistance to many city agencies, developers, property owners, nonprofit agencies, realtors, and businesses involved in projects within the neighborhood. In 2007, UCCA provided support to over 300 developers, businesses, organizations, among others within the Midtown neighborhood.

Woodward Corridor Development Fund The UCCA designed and developed this fund that provides predevelopment dollars for housing projects within the Woodward Corridor. To date, over $1.7 million in funding has been raised by the UCCA and Detroit Renaissance, our partner, in support of this program. Over 700 units of new housing have been funded in Midtown.

Woodward Facade Improvement Matching Grant Program This Program is for commercial property owners and businesses to encourage the upgrading of storefronts along Woodward Avenue. This program has been seeded with $525,000 in grant funds from the Hudson-Webber Foundation and $50,000 from the Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan and is administered by the UCCA.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Midsummer Nights in Midtown Midsummer Nights in Midtown is a new arts and cultural event that took place in the month of June, every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night in 2009. Over 25 different performances were offered, admission free, at 15 different Midtown Detroit venues. This month-long series of special presentation featured local, national and international musicians, dancers, street painters, and award-winning poets and authors. Website: www.midsummernightsinmidtown.com.

Noel Night Each year, Midtown ushers in the holidays with the ever popular community event, Noel Night. Now in its 37th year, Noel Night attracts on average over 25,000 visitors to celebrate this Cultural Center-wide "open house." From the Ice Scraper's Challenge, an ice sculpting competition between CCS and WSU students, to glass-blowing demonstrations, art sales, over 75 holiday performances and the numerous make-and-take holiday crafts, there are activities for everyone to watch and participate in. The evening's festivities culminates with a community sing-along on Woodward Avenueled by the Salvation Army Band — a long standing Noel Night tradition.