Ohio’s Huntington Bancshares Inc. and Detroit today announced a partnership with the Warrendale/Cody Rouge neighborhood through the city’s Strategic Neighborhood Fund and Affordable Housing Leverage Fund initiative. Huntington has committed $5 million over five years to the funds to help revitalize neighborhoods in each of Detroit’s seven city council districts.
The money will help with improvements to housing, parks and open spaces, and commercial corridors, and city bond proceeds will support streetscape improvements along Warren Avenue. The Affordable Housing Leverage Fund supports the creation and maintenance of affordable housing in the city.
“At Huntington, our purpose is to make people’s lives better, help businesses thrive, and strengthen the communities we serve,” says Sandy Pierce, senior executive vice president, private bank and regional banking director and chair of Michigan at Huntington. “We are thrilled to partner with Mayor Duggan and the residents of Detroit to invest in the Warrendale/Cody Rouge neighborhood. We look forward to listening, collaborating, and continuing to build a vibrant community with economic opportunity for all.”
Detroit seeks resident input in each neighborhood regarding potential projects and works with them on developing a plan.
The city’s planning and development department began conducting a youth-centric neighborhood framework process for the west-side neighborhoods of Warren Avenue, Warrendale, Franklin Park, and Joy Community in May, focusing on the area from West Chicago to Ford/Paul and Rouge Park to Greenfield. The Warrendale/Cody Rouge Neighborhood Plan is a child-centric plan, co-crafted by residents and the city.
“Based on our ongoing work with the Warrendale and Cody Rouge neighborhoods, we are starting to see a strong framework for a family and child-friendly approach to redevelopment,” says Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “Having a great partner like Huntington Bank supporting this process will help to drive even better outcomes for the residents of this area.”
Huntington Bancshares Inc. is a regional bank holding company. It has $108 billion of assets and a network of 868 full-service branches. It was founded in 1866.
