Four more 8 Mile Road businesses are getting a facelift as part of this year's façade- improvement grant program courtesy of the 8 Mile Boulevard Association.
The association has handed out five grants so far this year to businesses along the 8 Mile corridor between John R Street and Ryan Road. Each has been worth thousands of dollars.
Improvements will begin later this fall on Golden Greek Lounge, 1800 E 8 Mile in Detroit, the Fish King, 20351 Conant Street in Detroit, and Babes Barber – Salon, 20359 Conant in Detroit.
Work has already started on Lewis Tire Service, 317 E. 8 Mile Road in Hazel Park, and the association is working on plans with a yet-to-be-announced Warren business.
The grants provide funding for new planters, awnings, benches and signage for the stores. The program is giving up to $95,000 in grants to restore business facades along both sides of 8 Mile. The grants are supposed to help turn 8 Mile into a place that unites Metro Detroit's communities and not as the area's stereotypical dividing line, according to Tami Salisbury, executive director of the 8 Mile Boulevard Association. The association choose the intersection of 8 Mile and Dequindre as the center for the first round of grants because that is where Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties meet.
Participating businesses 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.
For information, call (313) 366-3388.
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.
Source: Tami Salisbury, executive director of the 8 Mile Boulevard Association
Writer: Jon Zemke
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