DETROIT, MI (13 January 2011) – Midtown’s three largest employers, the Detroit Medical Center (DMC), Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) and Wayne State University (WSU), are announcing an aggressive “Live Midtown” incentive program for their employees. The program is designed to entice people to move to the area and retain those who are already living there. Organizers hope that the program will not only increase the quality of life for those who take advantage of it, but also provide a significant jolt to one of the city’s premiere urban neighborhoods – Midtown Detroit.
“There is a growing understanding that the health of each individual institution is directly related to the overall health of the area and vice versa,” said Susan Mosey,
President of the University Cultural Center Association, who will be administering the program. “These anchor institutions are a very critical piece of that puzzle and have
stepped up to take the lead in improving the quality of life for their employees and Midtown as a whole.”
Between the three institutions, there are nearly 30,000 employees and thousands of new hires annually. This demonstrates a great potential for growth and overall economic impact for the area.
DMC, HFHS and WSU will each invest funding during the pilot year of the program. That investment has been matched by the Hudson-Webber Foundation and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The Kresge Foundation also intends to provide additional support for the pilot program. Total funding for the first year will be $1.2 million. The anchor institutions plan to continue funding of the program in subsequent years, adjusting as needed from lessons learned during the first year.
Incentives include:
- $2,500 allowance for new renters toward the cost of their apartment in the first year followed by an additional funding of $1,000 for the second year
- $1,000 allowance for existing renters who are renewing a lease in 2011
- $20,000 forgivable loan toward the purchase of a primary residence (if taken at one time), or $25,000 at the rate of $5,000 per year (if taken over five years)
- $5,000 exterior home improvement matching funds; for projects of $10,000 or more for existing homeowners
The incentives are only available to employees of the three anchor institutions, DMC, HFHS and WSU. To qualify for the incentives, housing units must be located within the below boundaries, which includes New Center, Midtown, Virginia Park and Woodbridge neighborhoods.
To the North: Alley directly North of Philadelphia Street
To the East: Interstate 75
To the South: Mack Avenue/Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
To the Southwest: Grand River Avenue
To the West: Rosa Parks Boulevard
For more information, visit www.livemidtown.org or if you work at one of the anchor institutions, see your Human Resources Department.
About UCCA
The University Cultural Center Association (UCCA) is a nonprofit planning and development organization that supports the physical maintenance and revitalization of Midtown Detroit, while working to enhance public awareness, appreciation and use of the district. Founded in 1976, the organization has been working to encourage new housing development, increased visitorship to area attractions, and new commercial activity within the neighborhood. Since 2005, UCCA has raised over $30 million for a variety of initiatives such as the streetscaping of Woodward Avenue, the Midtown Loop Greenway, and commercial façade improvements. In addition, UCCA has facilitated funding for over 40 residential developments, resulting in over 1,000 new units of housing. Other projects undertaken include the installation of a comprehensive wayfinding signage system for the district, the development of the Inn on Ferry Street, public park and median improvements, and the creation of 2 community gardens in the Midtown district.
