Midtown Detroit, Inc. asked for $15 million for the cultural center plan, said Susan Mosey, its executive director. The first phase of the plan is expected to cost $38 million to complete, and fundraising from philanthropic sources and other donors is ongoing.
https://www.crainsdetroit.com/politi...ichigan-budget
"Just having a signal from the legislature that they think this project is important means a lot," Mosey said. "This key funding allows us to gauge the interest of other supporters."
Phase one of the proposed cultural center plan would rebuild a long-abandoned underground parking deck on Farnsworth Street that's owned by the Detroit Institute of Arts. A February presentation about the plan says its completion, at an expected cost of $33 million, would add 336 parking spaces to the area. When it opens, that parking deck would allow a surface parking lot on John R Street near the DIA to be converted to green space, part of the project's second phase. Phase one work also includes storm water enhancements and landscaping.The area has a history of severe flooding, Mosey said. Storm water improvements that include underground water storage, regrading and the planting of native gardens will help protect the area from future rain events, said Annmarie Borucki, the director of arts and culture for Midtown Detroit.
Mosey said she expects a year of pre-development work and 18 months of construction in the first phase, once the money is raised. She described the initiative as a "big, robust plan" with a lot of underground infrastructure.
The overall plan was completed about a year ago and seeks to better connect a dozen cultural institutions, from museums to universities. The February presentation details more greenspace, connective walking trails and fewer driving lanes in the area.
"The idea is to create a much more approachable, welcoming cultural campus here," Mosey said. "We want a district that's more intimate and more connected, that promotes a lot more walkability."
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