  Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 246 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 35.8.218.33 |
By Robert Ankeny • December 05, 2005 Eastern Market could get more than $4 million in grants and serve as a pattern for privatizing other city agencies if the Detroit City Council next week approves a nonprofit’s plan to run the historic commercial district. The proposal on the council’s Dec. 14 agenda would put the city functions of the market under operating control of the Eastern Market Corp., a reorganization of the Eastern Market Advancement Coalition, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Council President Pro Tem Kenneth Cockrel, who takes over as president in January, said he supports the plan as “a good idea that has been a long time coming. … It’s something I’d like to see the city do.” The corporation is expected to receive a $900,000 Cool Cities grant from the state if the plan is approved. It also has been offered a $2 million challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation and $1.5 million from the Kellogg Foundation if the corporation develops two programs to make fresh food more accessible, said Kate Beebe, vice president of Downtown Detroit Partnership. “There are 113,000 people living within two miles of the market who are woefully underserved by supermarkets,” Beebe said. The programs proposed are one for feeding the elderly and the other for recipients of food stamps to use the market for their fresh food needs. With all these grants in sight, the market corporation plans to seek money from companies and other private foundations for an $11 million drive, she said. Even with the optimism, job security is still a concern. Council members JoAnn Watson and Sheila Cockrel have said the plan may not fully address requirements of the city law designed to protect city jobs. Six employees of the city’s recreation department work at Eastern Market. Sylvia Crawford, senior publicist for the Detroit Planning and Development Department, said if the City Council approves the management agreement, the workers would be laid off by the city and offered positions with the nonprofit corporation. “I believe the proposal is going to be approved by the council based on the merits of the plan,” Watson said. Sheila Cockrel said she also supports it but wants to ensure the city is properly dealing with workers and unions affected by the change. The city’s 2005-2006 budget shows an appropriation of $723,800 for Eastern Market operations, plus $400,000 for capital improvements. Revenue of almost $997,000 from shed rentals and other sources nearly covers those costs, Crawford said. Joseph Kuspa, co-owner of Metro Produce Inc. and chairman of the Eastern Market Advancement Coalition, said his group endorsed the plan. Under the plan, the city retains ownership of the public areas, but the new corporation is responsible for running everything, including coordinating promotions, special events and other activities, as well as maintenance, repairs and inspections of buildings and roads. Ed Deeb, president of the Eastern Market Merchants Association, said Detroit needs to move now to avoid further decline of the market area. “We need to get into high gear with renovations, and finally revitalize and polish this jewel,” he said. With areas such as Birmingham, Royal Oak, the Grosse Pointes and Mt. Clemens establishing and expanding competing markets, Detroit could lose its chance, Deeb said. “People don’t know that our stores and shops are open six days a week,” he said. Beebe said the corporation would be run by a 21-member board of directors. “One-third of them are to be city department heads from departments concerned with the market,” she said. Another seven are farmers who use the market or owners of businesses located there. The other seven spots include representatives of Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Detroit Downtown, DTE Energy Co. and the Kresge Foundation. http://www.crainsdetroit.com/c gi-bin/article.pl?articleId=28 410 | ||
Merchantgander Member Username: Merchantgander Post Number: 1387 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 150.198.150.245 |
There was a study done on EM and one of the suggestions was for it to break away from the city and be run by a non-profit. This is the best thing for EM. | ||
Detroitduo Member Username: Detroitduo Post Number: 377 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 194.138.39.55 |
I agree. With them being separated, I believe EM could truely become the premier shoping destination of the City. (although, I really love it the way it is....) | ||
Skipp Member Username: Skipp Post Number: 57 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 24.192.6.193 |
Eastern Market is truly an amazing place, Wouldn't it be nice if the guy that owns the E&B brewery actually developed that building. | ||
Northend Member Username: Northend Post Number: 437 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 69.212.227.66 |
i think it is being developed already skipp | ||
Blondy Member Username: Blondy Post Number: 887 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.42.176.44 |
They are worried about SIX employees from the rec dept. being laid off? Gimme an F'ing break! What about ALL THE POLICE that were laid off? what about all the rec centers that were closed/are closing, and the people who work there? This city is a fucking freakshow sometimes. (Message edited by blondy on December 13, 2005) | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 5287 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 70.236.198.22 |
Sometimes...heh, thanks Blondy for the poignant observation...I'll up your sometimes to constantly. |
