The 8 Mile Boulevard Association has started giving out the first of its façade grants for its newly launched façade-improvement program and is looking for a few more businesses.
Among the first to receive the grants is Lewis Tire Service at 317 E. 8 Mile Road in Hazel Park. The grant is helping provide new planters, awnings, benches and signage for the store. A few more of the grants are in the works for businesses along 8 Mile between John R Street and Ryan Road. The association is also looking for a few businesses take part in the program on the Detroit side of 8 Mile in that same area.
The program is giving out $95,000 in grants to restore business facades along both sides of 8 Mile. Tami Salisbury, executive director of the 8 Mile Boulevard Association, says the grants will hopefully help erase the perceptions of 8 Mile as a dividing line. The association chose that particular section of 8 Mile because it’s where Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties meet. The grant program is also accompanied by improvements to the intersection at 8 Mile and Dequindre.
Businesses participating in the program will receive free architectural consulting from Detroit-based Hamilton Anderson Associates. The businesses will oversee the improvements and the 8 Mile Boulevard Association will review the project after it’s finished and reimburse 50 percent of the expenses up to $10,000.
The Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan donated $50,000 to the program while the city of Detroit gave $35,000 and the 8 Mile Boulevard Association contributed $10,000.
For information, call (313) 366-3388.
Source: Tami Salisbury, executive director of the 8 Mile Boulevard Association
Writer: Jon Zemke
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