MARCH 2019

ISSUE A NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSLETTER NO.1 FROM FORD

The iconic Michigan Central Station served as one of America’s busiest transit hubs from 1913 until 1988.

The ambitious project, which includes Michigan Ford has built this way since the beginning. From Central Station and several surrounding properties, Henry Ford’s Piquette Plant to River Rouge and World will be developed over the next four years into a HQ, we’ve always been rooted in our community. In magnet for high-tech talent and a regional destination Corktown and Mexicantown, we have committed to A PLACE OF with modern workspaces and locally inspired retail supporting our neighbors via a Community Benefits and restaurants. Our intention is to be a good neighbor Agreement, but Ford’s goals are much more. We seek and help build a vibrant and inclusive place where the to model a new approach to community partnership community will gather and enjoy. — one of constant dialogue and cooperation with POSSIBILITY Our work is just getting started. In December, we our neighbors, where we can elevate their potential began the first phase of restoring Michigan Central through access to mobility and opportunity. Most When Ford announced its vision for Michigan Station: enclosing and winterizing the entire structure, importantly, we aim to be a part of a community with Central Station last June as the centerpiece of a new much of which has been open to the elements for a rich past and exciting future. innovation hub that will shape the future of mobility, decades. This will help preserve the remaining we promised to “create tomorrow together.” This historic features while protecting our workers and the means we want the community actively involved in structure. The second phase of construction begins making our Corktown campus the next great anchor this spring with the replacement of mechanical and of Detroit’s comeback. The goal of this newsletter is to electrical systems and restoring exterior masonry. ¿HABLA ESPAñOL? keep you updated on our progress along the way. We have also been working with our designers at The new campus will bring together Ford employees Gensler and other urban planning experts to advance Ford está lanzando “Creating Tomorrow To- and other entrepreneurs to ensure that Detroit is our development plan for the station and surrounding gether” como una manera de mantener a la the mobility capital of the world. In Corktown, new Ford-owned properties. The plan will define the usage comunidad al día con información sobre la mobility solutions will be created and tested that and programming of each of these parcels, as well restauración de la Estación Central de Mich- will address the way people will live and get around as identify infrastructure and facility needs for the igan y el proyecto de desarrollo general. Las tomorrow, ensuring that we don’t cede this future to mobility work of Ford and its partners. Central to this copias impresas estarán disponibles en inglés y anyone. Ultimately, we will work with others to create plan is not only creating a launchpad for our work, but en español en el “Ford Resource and Engage- a southeast Michigan Avenue mobility corridor that also a vibrant, inviting place for local entrepreneurs ment Center” en 2826 Bagley Street. spans from Detroit to Ann Arbor. and the community.

ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR CONCERNS? We want to hear from you about our development… EMAIL [email protected] OR CALL 313.845.FORD (3673) MARCH 2019

PAGE Creating Tomorrow 02 together OUR STORIES PLUMB GIG FORD HIRES HISTORY-MAKING DETROIT PLUMBER TO PRESERVE STATION

As Ford works to rebuild the historic Michigan Cen- Bennett said. “It’s an honor to be involved in its resto- tral Station, it is only fitting that one of its contractors ration and play a part in bringing it back to life.” has herself made history. Bennett is one of the first of many contractors and Four decades ago, when Adrienne Bennett earned construction workers in Detroit that Ford has com- her plumber’s license, she became the first woman mitted to hiring at the site — part of a goal, set out in Michigan to complete a plumbing apprenticeship in the Community Benefits Agreement, to make half program in the state. A few years later, she was the the station’s workforce Detroit residents. Ford has also Adrienne Bennett and her son, A.K. Bennett, run Benkari LLC. first woman in the U.S. or Canada to become- ali earmarked $5 million for workforce training and de- censed master plumber and plumbing contractor in velopment to build a pipeline of talent to meet the Along the way, Bennett has had a front seat to the 340,000-member United Association of plumbers, different needs on site, including stone masonry, me- Detroit’s rebirth, helping build the Millender Center fitters, welders and service techs. chanical and electrical work. apartments downtown, a major expansion at Henry Bennett has since turned her expertise with copper It was just such a program that brought Bennett Ford Hospital and the restoration of the Theodore pipes and HVAC systems into a growing construction into the industry. At a 1976 presidential campaign ral- Levin Federal Courthouse. She was plumbing inspec- and maintenance business, Benkari LLC. The firm, ly, Bennett was approached by a recruiter looking to tor for the restoration of the Fox Theatre in the 1980s. and its roughly dozen workers, has worked on some of promote minority women in the construction trades. And not long after founding Benkari, the Bennetts the biggest projects in the city. Now, it can add Mich- Other female recruits in the program dropped out, landed a job on Little Caesars Arena. igan Central Station to the list. but Bennett persevered, overcoming many challenges: Now, the renovation of Michigan Central has In the fall, Ford hired Benkari as a plumbing working in extreme weather, being a young woman brought Bennett, and Detroit, full circle. contractor to help winterize and dry out the iconic in a male-dominated industry and even traveling two When she was a child, her family moved here from station, which has sat empty for more than 30 years. hours each way for her first job. Her determination Chicago. Like so many, her first experience of Detroit Benkari has installed a temporary system to get water helped Bennett not only earn her historic licenses, was through the marble grandeur of the station. “It out of the building and protect it from any further but also become a plumbing inspector and a code en- used to serve millions of people and was then thrown deterioration. forcement officer for the city, all before founding Ben- away,” Bennett said. “And now it’s being restored. It’s “I’ve always been awestruck by the train station,” kari a decade ago with her son, A.K. Bennett. a blessing for the city.” BRASS FACTORY SITE DEMOLITION As part of our development, Ford will begin demoli- regulations, as outlined in Ford’s Environmental Pro- site reviews with community leaders, preservationists tion work at the old Lincoln Brass Works property at tection Plan. The work will be done in phases, starting and contractors, it was determined that the John L. 2051 Rosa Parks Boulevard to make way for a new with the installation of safety systems and monitors. Warren home, which was built into the factory com- mixed-use building. The sprawling 87,000-square-foot Then the interiors will be cleaned and removed, fol- plex decades ago, could not be salvaged because of its complex will be demolished in accordance with all lowed by external demolition. Finally, foundation and numerous past structural alterations. city, state and federal environmental standards and site remediation work will take place. After several

DEMOLITION TIMELINE Mid-March: The site’s Environmental Protection Mid-April: Work on tearing down the structure Plan will be released online (https://corporate. will begin. ford.com/campuses/corktown-campus.html) and End of June: Tear down and disposal work at the FREC Southwest (2826 Bagley Street). should be complete. Late March: An eight-foot fence will be con- July: Foundation removal and soil remediation structed around the site. process begins. Early April: Ford will install air-quality moni- End of September: All demolition and remedi- toring system at the site; cleanup and abatement ation work is expected to be finished on the site. work begins inside.

The former Lincoln Brass Works will become a future Ford development.

IN THE NEW DEVELOPMENT, SEND US YOUR RESPONSES I AM CONCERNED ABOUT... 313.845.3673 | [email protected] | #FORDETROIT

Please do not submit confidential information. see page 4 for full details. MARCH 2019

Creating PAGE Tomorrow OUR WORK together 03

COMMUNITY + CULTURE UPCOMING REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS EVENTS As part of our commitment to the area, Ford is invest- cise impact area (https://detroitmi.gov/departments/ ing $2 million over the next four years through the planning-and-development-department). MARCH 1 – April 17 9am –4Pm Community Benefits Agreement to support a variety A maximum of ten finalists will be selected and Every Tuesday through Saturday until Tax of nonprofit projects in workforce training, - educa they will then present their ideas to the community, Day, the Accounting Aid Society will offerfree tion and community development. For our inaugural who will help pick the winners. The maximum grant tax preparation and translation services. grants, we are now requesting proposals that celebrate available for any one proposal is $100,000, with a to- and build upon the unique legacy and culture of the tal of $250,000 awarded this round. Winners will be @FREC Southwest, 2826 Bagley Street surrounding neighborhoods. announced in June 2019 and projects are to be com- Ford understands that culture and legacy are at the pleted before June 2020. MARCH 10 11am – 2pm heart of this community and we are looking for pro- Ford hosts “Factory Fun Zone” as part of grams that share this vision. Projects should clearly Corktown’s St. Patricks Parade, with face identify an innovative idea that leverages local culture HOW TO SUBMIT painting and table activities run by the Michi- to build community in a sustainable fashion. We en- gan Science Center. courage solutions that reflect and support the culture Please visit http://community.ford.com to submit your and diversity of the neighborhood. Proposals should proposals. Entrants should click on “Apply for Fund- @The Factory, 1907 Michigan Avenue also promote the empowerment of the residents while ing,” and login or create a profile. Please title applica- effecting positive change in the community. - Anex tions “Celebrating Community & Culture RFP” and March 26 8am – 4pm ample might be an arts program that celebrates one, select Shawn Thompson as the Ford Fund Manager. or many, of the diverse communities in the area. Fu- Please direct any questions to [email protected]. Black Family Development, Inc. will provide ture grant requests will cover: Streetscapes + Neigh- basic first aid and CPR training. borhood Beautification; Entrepreneurship + Job Cre- @FREC Southwest, 2826 Bagley Street ation; Mobility + Innovation. GRANT SCHEDULE Proposals must be from nonprofit 501(c)3 organi- 4:30pm – 7pm zations and be implemented within the Community April 1 – Grant submissions open The GO BAT workshop invites local youth to Benefits Agreement impact area. The impact area is April 30 – Submission process closes play softball after school. generally bounded by Martin Luther King Jr. Boule- May 15 – Finalists announced vard to the north; Grand River/M-10 Freeway to the May 30 – Finalists pitch the community @FREC Southwest, 2826 Bagley Street east; West Lafayette Boulevard to the south; and I-75 June 15 – Grant winners announced Freeway to the west. Visit the Detroit Planning June 2020 – Projects completed April 5 10am – 3pm Department website for information about the pre- Southwest Solutions Property Tax Workshop shares strategies to help pay taxes and avoid foreclosure. What’s The frec? @FREC Southwest, 2826 Bagley Street

Did you know Ford has been a part of the South- April 10 9am – 6pm west Detroit community for years, well before our As the city rolls out simplified bus fares, the purchase of the station? One of our biggest projects Transit Fare Info Session will explain the has been the Ford Resource and Engagement Cen- new options. ter, or FREC, at 2826 Bagley Street. The FREC is @FREC Southwest, 2826 Bagley Street a major initiative of the Ford Motor Company Fund — Ford’s philanthropic arm — which invests $20 April 27 9am – 2pm million each year to strengthen the metro Detroit The Dia Del Niño celebration will offer lots community. For the past five years, FREC South- of free activities for children and their families west has been offering community and social ser- throughout the FREC. vices including workforce development, free legal @FREC Southwest, 2826 Bagley Street assistance, arts programs, English-language classes and even yoga at 2826 Bagley Street. It has prov- en so popular, we opened FREC Eastside at 15491 Find more at Maddelein Street. You can find some upcoming pro- freccity.org/events grams at the FREC Southwest in the events listings at right, or just drop by any time to say, “Hi.” The FREC has been serving Southwest Detroit since 2013.

IN THE NEW DEVELOPMENT, SEND US YOUR RESPONSES I WOULD LIKE TO SEE... 313.845.3673 | [email protected] | #FORDETROIT

Please do not submit confidential information. see page 4 for full details. MARCH 2019

PAGE Creating Tomorrow 04 together OUR COMMUNITY

PARADING INFO CENTER INTO HISTORY OPENING

Ford is a proud sponsor of local Detroit traditions, such as the Ford Fireworks, America’s Thanksgiving Parade and the upcoming St. Patrick’s Parade on March 10. While this year marks the United Irish Societies’ 61st marching of the parade in Detroit, cel- ebrations of the holiday in the city date back to 1808. That is almost three decades before Michigan became a state, and 105 years before Ireland would play host to its first parade for its patron saint. Model-T’s and shamrocks at last year’s parade. “In addition to the celebration of our Irish heri- tage, we want this to be a celebration of all that Amer- quarter century. ica has given the Irish, all the opportunities, the ed- Wanting a more neighborly setting — most busi- ucation, a middle-class life,” said James M. Cassidy, nesses closed on weekends, leaving downtown empty — A storefront at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Rosa Parks a member of the parade organizing committee. “In a local Corktown heritage groups helped organize the Boulevard will soon be home to a Ford information center. lot of ways, it’s a parade for the American Dream, a parade’s move to its current home. This year, as many parade for everyone, not just the Irish.” as 100,000 spectators are expected to attend the largest In the coming months, Ford will be opening an And while there may be no more fitting neighbor- ethnic parade in the city, according to organizers. And information center inside The Factory at 1907 hood to celebrate the American Dream than in De- rather than the dozen or so marchers who celebrated Michigan Avenue. As part of our commitment troit’s oldest, and most Irish, Corktown has not always 61 years ago, more than 100 marching corps now pass to keeping the community informed about been home to the festivities. Following Prohibition, by alongside dozens of floats. Ford’s work here, the center will display the parade ceased for nearly 40 years, before being As part of the March 10 festivities around Cork- highlights of our development plan, provide revived in Northwest Detroit in 1958 with the help of town, Ford will be opening up the garage at The Fac- updates on other Ford-related activities in Father Patrick O’Sullivan and a dozen parishioners tory (1907 Michigan Avenue) from 11 am to 2 pm. the area, as well as showcase a vision for the — among them James Cassidy’s father. The following The “Factory Fun Zone” will have face painting for project. We invite you to come learn about our year, the parade moved to Dearborn, drawing 3,000 the kids, family-friendly activity stations run by the work and share your ideas. revelers, before returning to Detroit in 1960, where Michigan Science Center and Irish-themed giveaways. it would traverse Woodward Avenue for the next We hope to see you there. SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT

We want the community actively involved in making WINTER FESTIVAL, JANuary 2019 HALLOWEEN, OCtober 2018 our project a cornerstone in Detroit’s comeback. It may be a few years before Michigan Central Station is open to the public again, but we’re going to look for as many ways as we can to bring it to life in the meantime. Here are some photos from recent events and activities. We hope to include yours in the future. Next time you post a shot of the train station or the neighborhood in action on social media, tag it #ForDetroit and #CreatingTomorrowTogether, and you might find it here (with your permission, of course). REBEL NELL’S MCS GRAFFITI JEWELRY OPEN HOUSE, JUNe 2018

SEND US YOUR RESPONSES I THINK CORKTOWN NEEDS... 313.845.3673 | [email protected] | #FORDETROIT

Please do not submit confidential information. Ford will not keep your idea confidential, as your idea will be copied and distributed to many people at Ford for evaluation. We do not wish to make your idea public, but there are a large number of Ford specialists that may review the idea, and it may be discussed with individuals outside of the company. If you would like to keep your materials confidential, do NOT send them to us. WE WILL NOT REVIEW CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.