DETROIT, June 13, 2013 — Things will be looking brighter on West Vernor. $6.4 million in funding is secured for lighting and other improvements in the Greenways Development and West Vernor Streetscape Project, Kathy Wendler, president of the Southwest Detroit Business Association, announced June 13 in Detroit.
Phase III involves construction on 2.3 miles of West Vernor, from Clark Park to Patton Park in Southwest Detroit. Improvements include new light poles, LED lights, underground wiring, new sidewalks and new landscaping. Above ground construction is expected to begin in November 2013, with below ground work slated for spring 2014 through November 2014.
Wendler made the announcement during the SDBA’s Community Investment Breakfast at IBEW Local 58 in Detroit. Keynote speaker was Roy Norton, Counsel General of Canada, who gave an update on the New International Trade Crossing.
Sources of the funding included the Michigan Department of Transportation Enhancement Program, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and the city of Detroit. Providing the private match, major funders included the Kresge Foundation, Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, JPMorgan Chase Bank and Comerica Bank.
