The following summarizes some of the major projects undertaken by Detroit Renaissance since 2000. These projects, listed alphabetically, were initiated with the purpose of carrying out our economic revitalization mission.

2000-Present

Detroit Business Attraction Program – In partnership with the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Detroit Renaissance authorized $300,000 in annual funding to help support a new business attraction program for the city. The funds helped to leverage additional foundation dollars.

Detroit Community Loan Fund – As a part of the Minority Business Initiative, the primary objective of the DCLF is to lend relatively high-risk expansion capital to growing minority-owned, small businesses. DCLF provides mezzanine capital and gap financing up to $150,000 per project. The fund’s initial capitalization of $4.1 million was provided by the Detroit Investment Fund and other local investors. The DCLF operating expenses was subsidized by up to $1 million in grants through the Detroit Renaissance Foundation.

Detroit Public School Reform – After the state assumed management control of the Detroit Public Schools in 1999, Detroit Renaissance worked very closely with the Detroit Public School Reform Board and its CEOs: Dr. David Adamany and Dr. Kenneth Burnley to achieve meaningful reform in the system. Detroit Renaissance along with the Detroit Regional Chamber was the primary force behind the failed Proposal E, a ballot campaign to maintain the reform management model while restoring an elected school board.

Detroit Public Space Maintenance Fund – Detroit Renaissance and the Kresge Foundation have been working together to design a $20 million endowment fund to address long-term public space maintenance needs in the greater downtown area.

Downtown Detroit Partnership – Detroit Renaissance, in partnership with downtown stakeholders, worked with consultants from McKinsey & Company to develop a downtown organizational strategy. Recommendations proposing the creation of a new entity that consolidates the functions of Detroit Downtown, Inc. and Greater Downtown Partnership were implemented. Detroit Renaissance provides technical support and has fiduciary responsibilities for the Downtown Detroit Partnership.

Lower Woodward Improvement Strategy – Detroit Renaissance raised approximately $25 million from member companies to provide funding support for key projects identified through the Lower Woodward Improvement Strategy. Projects supported through this effort include:

• The creation of the Lower Woodward Housing Fund to support the conversion of downtown buildings into housing,
• The completion of Campus Martius Park,
• The development of the Detroit Riverwalk, and
• I-94/downtown public space enhancements.

Michigan Statewide Minority Business Development Center – Detroit Renaissance applied for and received a U.S. Commerce Department grant to establish the MSMBDC. The Center was established to provide minority business enterprises with strategic business consulting services, access to capital, and access to markets. The Center is now known as the Michigan Minority Business Enterprise Center (MMBEC), and it is currently operated by the Michigan Minority Business Development Council.

Midtown Living Detroit Style Brochure – Detroit Renaissance, in cooperation with the University Cultural Center Association and Wayne State University, provided funding to produce a brochure in 2007 that promotes the Midtown area as a residential living destination to drive the expansion of retail, dining and entertainment establishments.

Office of Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization – Detroit Renaissance provided planning assistance and seed funding for the development of a strategy to strengthen neighborhood commercial districts. As a result, ONCR was established as a program of the Detroit Mayor’s Office.

One United Michigan – An effort to overturn Michigan’s affirmative action policies called the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative was born after the Supreme Court upheld the University of Michigan’s use of race as one factor in screening applicants to its law school in June of 2003. The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative prohibits using race, gender, ethnicity, or national origin as a consideration in state university admissions, public hiring, and awarding of contracts by public entities. Under the belief that diversity initiatives are the foundation upon which today’s corporations operate and have become synonymous with competitiveness Detroit Renaissance was a founding member of One United Michigan, a broad coalition of business, political, labor, civic and religious organizations opposed to the MCRI. Unfortunately, the ballot initiative passed in November 2006 and is currently law in the state.

Regional Cultural Funding – Recognizing the importance of vital, innovative cultural institutions to the quality of life and economic competitiveness of the region, Detroit Renaissance has led efforts to develop a vehicle to provide supplemental funding, by means of a voter approved tax for the regional cultural agencies. While nsuccessful, from these efforts arose greater synergy and efficiencies among the regions major arts and cultural institutions. The Cultural Coalition was created allowing a forum for the cultural community to share programs and ideas.

Riverfront Promenade Phase I Design Plan – The 3500-foot riverfront walkway between Joe Louis Arena and the eastern edge of Hart Plaza was financed with a $6.2 million waterfront reclamation grant from the state’s Clean Michigan Initiative. The promenade features a twelve to twenty-two foot wide walkway bordered by a serpentine wall with recessed lighting, built-in benches, and landscaping. Detroit Renaissance provided $50,000 for the development of the design plan.

Road to Renaissance – Road to Renaissance is a region-wide collaboration that is launching strategies and taking actions to transform our region's economy. Read more here.

TechTown – TechTown is a 47-acre site located in the Woodward corridor north of Wayne State University. When fully built out, the area will become an entrepreneurial village with companies developing products in the life sciences, information technology, advanced engineering, and advanced manufacturing industries. The $12 million first phase includes Tech One, the 40,000 square foot build-out of the former Chevrolet Creative Services Building. NextEnergy is also located in TechTown. Detroit Renaissance provided technical assistance to the initiative, and contributed $20,000 toward the marketing plan, leveraging a $45,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.