On Tuesday, February 6, the Gordie Howe International Bridge project team announced its latest funding commitments to enhance Sandwich/west Windsor and Delray/Southwest Detroit with 13 new projects, representing $2.6 million (CDN) of the Community Benefits Plan.
The six initiatives in Windsor and seven initiatives in Detroit are divided among the following community priority areas:
- $250,000 towards local history and culture
- $1.25 million toward community safety
- $540,000 toward green initiatives
- $250,000 toward food security
- $250,000 toward wellness
- $100,000 toward community partnerships.
Funding is provided through the Neighborhood Infrastructure Strategy, a $23 million (CDN) direct investment on both sides of the border, informed through extensive community feedback. Public consultation undertaken in 2023 helped identify current community priorities, and a subsequent Call for
Proposals.
Also, an initiative previously identified in the Community Benefits Plan to invest in adjacent trail connections in Southwest Detroit has moved forward through a partnership with the City of Detroit. In 2024, the community will see cycling infrastructure added to Jefferson Avenue and Clark Street, facilitating a connection between the Gordie Howe International Bridge multi-use path and the City of Detroit’s Joe Louis Greenway.
“The project team continues to listen to key stakeholders and communities on both sides of the border to ensure that meaningful investments occur. I am confident that these new projects will have a lasting impact on the communities of Sandwich and Delray and will complement many of the other initiatives underway through the Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan,” said Charl van Niekerk, CEO, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority.
Since 2019, the project team has partnered with over 80 US and Canadian organizations to deliver the two components of the Community Benefits Plan – the Workforce Development and Participation Strategy and Neighborhood Infrastructure Strategy.
Representing the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Director Bradley C. Wieferich stated “These announcements underscore the commitment from the WDBA and MDOT to ensuring that this great bridge provides quality of life enhancements for the citizens of Michigan beyond the addition of a game-changing modern border crossing. I’m especially pleased that our partners in Canada are prioritizing safety, green measures and more cycling and pedestrian connections.”
The Community Benefits Plan launched in 2019, with $20 million (CDN) in funding through the Neighborhood Infrastructure Strategy. In 2024, WDBA extended the five-year Plan with an additional year and $3 million (CDN) to be split between the two host communities. The Plan’s total investment is now $23 million (CDN), with delivery running into 2026.
- As of 2024, the Neighborhood Infrastructure Strategy is comprised of 51 unique initiatives focused toward the communities of Sandwich/west Windsor and Delray/Southwest Detroit.
Details on the new initiatives, which will be delivered over 2024-2025, are available at GordieHoweInternationalBridge.com.
2024 COMMUNITY BENEFITS PLAN NEW INITIATIVE
MOBILE WI-FI AND CHARGING STATIONS
Partner: Bridging Communities, Inc.
Categorization: Community safety
Timing: 2024
Five solar-powered cell phone charging and Wi-Fi stations will be strategically installed throughout Southwest Detroit offering residents the ability to charge cell phones and access the internet 24/7. The mobile stations will be monitored by residents, block clubs and community organizations.
HEALTHY HABITS PROGRAMMING
Partner: Community Health and Social Services (CHASS) Center
Categorization: Food security
Timing: 2024-2025
The Healthy Habits programming includes strategic components to address food security and support wellness in the community. Funding will be directed to CHASS’ Mercado, providing prescriptions for fresh produce, nutrition and healthy eating programming and wellness activities for local youth and families.
UNITY HOUSE IMPROVEMENTS AND PROGRAMMING
Partner: Graft Living Studios
Categorization: Green initiatives
Timing: 2024-2025
Funding will support renovations at Unity House community center in Southwest Detroit. Once renovations are complete, green programming including community gardening, education classes, workshops and events will be delivered in the space. The community center will also include a resource library with access to various rental items and an information kiosk to connect residents with broader services.
INTERNATIONAL HERITAGE CAMP
Partner: The Detroit River Project
Categorization: Wellness
Timing: 2024
Camp Freedom at Midnight is an international heritage camp that encourages young people from Detroit and Windsor to discover the history, culture and heritage of the Detroit River region. Funding will allow the year-round camp to offer an immersive educational experience with outdoor activities and other engaging programming to local youth.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMMING
Partner: The Greening of Detroit
Categorization: Green initiatives
Timing: 2024-2025
Southwest Detroit youth and adults will be engaged in activities designed to promote environmental awareness and increase capacity to become environmental stewards in the community. Activities will include school-based programming for elementary and middle school-aged children, Green Corps summer youth employment opportunities for high school-aged youth and community programming and reforestation activities to engage local adults.
AMERICORPS URBAN SAFETY PROGRAMMING
Partner: Wayne State University-Center for Urban Studies
Categorization: Community safety
Timing: 2024-2025
A series of community safety programs and interventions will be delivered throughout Delray and Southwest Detroit by local youth service corps members. Community safety will be promoted through events, patrols, business focused safety initiatives, beautification of vacant spaces and providing automobile and home safety interventions to local residents.
COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING SUMMITS – CANADA & US
Partner: To be determined
Timing: 2024
One-day events will be held in Sandwich and Southwest Detroit for local non-profit and charitable organizations to attend sessions that will enhance local knowledge of grant writing, reporting and organizational capacity building.
For more information about the Gordie Howe International Bridge project and Community Benefits Plan, visit www.GordieHoweInternationalBridge.com or call 1-844-322-1773.
