Community Engagement

Ypsilanti Freighthouse moves $40,000 closer to renovation

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December 18, 2013

Thanks to the commitments of some local organizations, the Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse (FOYF) are closer to their goal of restoring the historic facility to full use. The volunteer-run group has secured $40,000 in commitments from the Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority, Eastern Leaders group and private donors, which will be used as matching funds for a hoped-for $60,000 grant from the State Historic Preservation Office. "This is a community building," says FOYF chair Corinne Sikorski. "It's the only and the best place in our community to have groups of people come together. It's a really fun space." The FOYF has been working for a number of years to renovate the historic Depot Town building that was once a part of the Michigan Central Railroad Complex. With the potential $100,000 in funding, should the grant be awarded, they plan to install a required fire suppression system. After completing that project, other necessary renovations to the space include handicap-accessible bathrooms and upgrades to heat and plumbing. When all of those renovations could be completed is currently tentative. "I'm hesitant to set a date," says Sikorski, who says changes in FOYF board members and volunteers has impacted the project's momentum over the years. "But we're hoping in a year to everything done." The vision for the renovated Freighthouse is expanded use as a community space, events venue and indoor farmer's market. Source: Corinne Sikorski, Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse Writer: Natalie Burg

Latest in Community Engagement

Krazy Jim’s Blimpyburger hits the crowdfunding circuit

By Newsroom

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Arts & Culture

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December 18, 2013

You'd have thought it was Ann Arbor's Pearl Harbor the way local media and greasy burger fans wailed and moaned and gnashed teeth over the closing of Blimpyburger (I mean, just how many articles did AnnArbor.com devote to ikts closing?). Well, here's a chance for all those cry-babies to put their money where their mouth is. Krazy Jim and company have set up a Indiegogo campaign to find a new home. Excerpt: "I’ve had the pleasure of dining at this proud hole-in-the-wall restaurant. It’s a very unique experience that requires some knowledge of how to order your food. If you don’t do it right you’re liable to get chastised, but it’s all part of the fun. Regardless, the burgers are amazing. It’s fast food heaven. So, you could imagine the heartbreak caused when the restaurant was forced to close its doors in July of this year. The University bought the property for a new construction project, and unfortunately Blimpyburger didn’t own the land. They were displaced tenants." Read the rest here.

Why some cities are better for entrepreneurship than others

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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December 18, 2013

How does social trust or capital foster entrepeneurship? This article makes a compelling argument for how the strength of local social networks and trust can help create an environment where business innovation and creation can grow, Excerpt: "This makes intuitive sense. Venturing out on your own is a risky proposition, and one that takes a huge amount of effort and ingenuity to build a business — even if it’s just you — from the bottom up. That’s why certain personalities are thought of as more “entrepreneurial” than others. But, as the authors note, there’s a snowballing effect as well, as more diverse and widespread social networks bring everyone, regardless of their own connectivity, into contact with far more people. These effects can spread beyond the very local level, and metros with more engaged citizens provide the right context for self-employed workers to make it. Community is clearly key to creating an atmosphere where risk-taking is, in essence, less risky. But a couple of caveats, which the authors note themselves, should give us at least slight pause." Read the rest here.

Local musicians make “Buy Local” music video

By Newsroom

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Arts & Culture

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December 11, 2013

It has a "(Ain't Gonna Play) Sun City" earnestness and just enough Ann Arbor people and places to become the "We Are The World" of locavore anthems. Or so the folks behind this Buy Local video hope! Watch it here.

IdeaLab: A Look into the Future

By Concentrate Staff

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Community Development

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December 4, 2013

Issue Media Group is excited to partner again with the Revitalization and Business Conference to present "IdeaLab," a fast-paced, two-hour session with a stellar line-up of Detroit innovators. Hosted by the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, this Dec. 6 event is free and open to the public. Sign up now!

826michigan drop-in tutoring at Beezy's Cafe

Coffeeshop Workshop: 826 Comes to Beezy’s

By Patrick Dunn

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General

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November 20, 2013

Necessity is the mother of invention... and innovation. What else would turn a breakfast and lunch cafe into a tutoring space? Well, the generosity of Beezy's Bee Roll, who offered 826Michigan her space for their evening tutoring workshops when Ypsilanti Middle School closed its doors.

Public input wanted on Ann Arbor transit routes

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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November 20, 2013

Transportation planners are interested in hearing from Ann Arborites about several proposed high capacity public transit connectors. Read and listen about here. There's a presentation about the six potential routes here. You can weigh by attending their public information meetings. The schedule is here.

Pie it Forward sets down local roots in Dexter

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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November 6, 2013

Last year, Sarah Fertig and Chris Kovac started giving away pies. The just wanted be kind and inspire others to think about kindness. They kept giving away pies in Liberty Plaza, and 18 weeks later, they knew they were on to something, even if it wasn't clear what that something was yet. "I realized this wasn't going to be a little side project," says Fertig. "I had accidently stumbled across something really great. I just didn't know if I was going to be a travelling pie evangelist, or would be in one location." So they took their show on the road. After giving away 251 free pies from San Francisco to Washington D.C., Pie it Forward has returned to Ann Arbor, set down roots in Dexter, and is preparing to get official as a non-profit. Pie it Forward makes pies and trades them for any amount between 10 cents and 10 dollars. In addition to apple pies, shepherd's pies have been added to the menu, and pasties may soon join the mix. The newly incorporated non-profit's mission isn't to feed the hungry or raise money, but simply to demonstrate kindness, and that no one does anything without a community. "I may have made a pie, but I didn't plant the wheat field. I didn't plant the orchard," says Fertig. "The hope is when people hear about our mission, they think about what they can do. What can I do to improve my own neighborhood? What skills do I have to offer?" After traveling all over the nation with their concept Fertig and Kovac have decided to keep the Ann Arbor area as the home of Pie it Forward. They are currently seeking out commercial kitchen space and can now accept tax-exempt donations. Fertig says she hopes to grow the organization into a fleet of food trucks to expand Pie it Forward to Flint and Detroit, as well as have a disaster relief truck that can go anywhere in the nation with pies when a tragedy occurs. Source: Sarah Fertig, Pie it Forward Writer: Natalie Burg

All Things Scaly and Slithery

By Natalie Burg

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Community Development

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October 23, 2013

If you had any doubt that Ann Arbor was a unique place to live then riddle us this: Name another Metro Detroit community that has its own reptile zoo. Nestled along Jackson Road you'll find the Great Lakes Zoological Society, a place that's home to over 100 scaly critters - including a 19-foot-long python.

Merit brings fashion with a higher purpose to S. University

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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October 23, 2013

There's no shame in looking good. Since former University of Michigan basketball player David Merritt launched his Merit clothing line, that sentiment has never been truer. After all, the stylish clothes and accessories he sells help high school students stay in school and reach for their collegiate dreams. Now, the caused-based retailer is brining its goods and goodness to a physical location on S. University. "I've been so blessed," says Merritt. "Now, it's important to me to create positive ways for young people to promote themselves. Knowing how many kids aren't given the same opportunities, we're trying to expose these kids to the resources that are out there." Merit opened on Oct. 10 and Merritt and his partner Kuhu Saha are looking forward to a grand opening Nov. 13. The 400 square foot storefront underwent four to five weeks of renovations, including considerable work on the walls and flooring. Now, Merit is looking as good as the clothes and accessories they sell. Merritt hopes the clothes will be a good fit for the university market, as well as their personable service. "With our cause, and who we are as people, our goal is to be a personal brand," Merritt says. "We want to be able to get out in front of people. We think the campus community is going to be able to help us build a strong presence." A percentage of everything sold at Merit will fund scholarships for high school students who participate in Merritt's four mentorship and training program, FATE, at Detroit's Jalen Rose Leadership Academy. Merit carries customized shirts, hats and accessories, and will soon being to introduce their cut-and-sew styles of their own design, such as pants, hoodies, shirts and more. The store currently employs a staff of two. Merritt plans to open a second location in Detroit in the next 16 to 18 months. Source: David Merritt, Merit Writer: Natalie Burg