SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
With seven city council members now representing seven city districts and two members serving the city at-large, the Michigan Chronicle started a seven-part series in its last edition (July 2), that began with a closer look at District 1, its many neighborhoods, and various other points of interest. This week’s focus is on District 2, which is represented by Detroit City Council President Pro-Tempore George Cushingberry, Jr.
Mayor Mike Duggan, under his administration’s newly created Department of Neighborhoods, has appointed Kim Tandy as District 2 manager and Sean Davis as District 2 deputy manager. The mayor tapped Charlie Beckham to render executive leadership to the department that plugs directly into the mayor’s office.
District 2 is located in the northwest sector of the city and measures 17.04 square miles. A huge section of the district is bordered by West Eight Mile Road to the north, John R to the east; south on John R to McNichols, westward to the Southfield Freeway, and north to West Eight Mile Road. The district also includes areas south of West McNichols, where at Log Cabin St., the district’s eastern border dips sharply in a southeasterly direction over to Davidson.
The district’s southernmost boundaries are a bit more jagged. Besides Davidson, other south border streets include Ford, Buena Vista, Pasadena, Grand, Fenkell and Lyndon, before going north on Ardmore to West McNichols. According to information provided by Data Driven Detroit, a city-based clearinghouse of historic demographic information, the district’s population is 105,931, of which 94% is African American, 3% White and 3% other.
Like many other districts across Detroit, District 2’s residents want safer communities and neighborhoods. Cushingberry has told local media outlets in the past that “the No. 1 issue facing District 2 is that they (the residents) want me to concentrate on making people feel safe and improve on police response time.”
With such a large area constituting District 2, Tandy and Davis are constantly on the move, although they have a district office at the Northwest Activities Center (Meyers Road and Curtis).
“A typical day in District 2 for us is that we are out talking to residents about blighted conditions in various neighborhoods,” said Tandy. “We work with residents on how to resolve these issues and/or listen to ideas of how to create a better quality of life in the district through the wonderful neighborhood associations and organizations.”
Davis, who went to elementary and middle schools in District 2 before graduating from District 2’s Mumford High School, agreed, saying, “We are here for the people of District 2 While we talk to residents a lot about blight in the district, we get to hear from them because they like the positive things that Mayor Duggan and his administration are doing to improve the neighborhoods. They are really very excited.”
Davis described District 2 as a historic district with strong communities, active organizations and a large number of stable homes. The district has several high-end neighborhoods, highlighted by beautiful tree-lined streets, such as Palmer Park, Palmer Woods, Sherwood Forest, University District and others.
Many of the homes are built in varying brick colonial styles, as well as English Tudor brick styles. In 2002, Sherwood Forrest was given historic status by the Detroit Historic District Commission and has subsequently been honored for maintaining and preserving the area.
“Right now we have about 19 neighborhood associations that have been incredibly effective in keeping neighborhoods and communities in District 2 stable for a long, long time,” said Davis. “And beyond these 19 associations, there are probably about 30 active and strong block clubs.”
Communities in District 2 with active and strong associations/organizations include Green Acres, State Fair, Penrose, Palmer Woods, the Detroit Golf Club, Palmer Park Apartments, Sherwood Forest, the University District, Martin Park, Pilgrim Village, Focus: HOPE, Bagley, Bethune-Fitzgerald, Marygrove College, Greenwich, Blackstone, Schaffer 7/8 Lodge, Winship, Oakman Blvd. and more.
Tandy also cites the work and spirit of cooperation of the Arab Community Council and other organizations concerned about revitalizing neighborhoods, both economically and residentially, along Seven Mile Road from John R west to Woodward Avenue.
While there are areas that are historically strong, Tandy admits some communities and neighborhoods in District 2 are in need of help.
“There are some areas of District 2 where issues need to be resolved,” said Tandy, who has lived in the district most of her life. “The positive thing, however, is that we have strong neighborhoods, even in the areas that need help. The neighborhoods in need want to be an active part of the solution to problems and issues that will build stronger communities. There are programs that we now have that are helping the distressed areas of District 2 become strong again.”
There are two major universities in District 2 — University of Detroit-Mercy and Marygrove College. There are outstanding grade schools such as Bagley Elementary (k-6) and Gesu Catholic School (k-8). Additionally, the district boasts two high schools that are nationally known for their academic prowess: Renaissance High School and the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy.
District 2 has more than 170 churches, which include Fellowship Chapel, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, Greater Emmanuel Institutional COGIC, New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church, All Nations Congregation, Northwest Unity Missionary Baptist Church and more.
District 2 is also home to Sinai Grace Hospital, which is perhaps the district’s largest employer. Additionally, Focus: HOPE, located on Oakman Boulevard, is the city’s most heralded non-profit organizations of its kind, offering education, training and job placement to underserved minorities and others.
District 2 has also experienced a resurgence on Livernois between Seven and Eight Mile Roads. Once called the Avenue of Fashion, this part of Livernois now has art galleries, clothing outlets and other small businesses. There are also such eateries such as 1917 American Bistros and Noni’s Sherwood Grille. Anchoring Livernois at Eight Mile Road is Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, often identified as the world’s oldest jazz club. Over the 81 years of its existence, the designated historic site has featured hundreds of the greatest jazz musicians.
Just east of Baker’s, on Woodward Avenue and Eight Mile Road, is the relatively new Gateway Marketplace where Meijer anchors the massive shopping complex that features national outlets, including K&G Fashion Superstore, Marshalls, Petco, Five Below, Wingstop, Subway and more.
While Meijer has created an exciting synergy that is attracting thousands of daily shoppers to Gateway Marketplace, Tandy does not want people to forget Mike’s Fresh Market on West Seven Mile Road and Livernois.
“When other grocery chain stores like Farmer Jack and Kroger left the city for whatever reason, Mike’s Fresh Market came in to serve the needs of this community,” said Tandy. “Mike’s Fresh Market continues to be actively involved in this community.”
District 2 also has many recreational amenities, such as Palmer Park, Palmer Park Golf Course and Detroit Golf Club. Other recreational outlets include Adams Butzel Park, Adam Butzel Recreation Center and Jack Adams Arena (on Lyndon), the latter of which is home to the Detroit Dragons, an inner-city youth hockey team comprised of mostly African- American players.
Additionally, since its inception in 1975, the Northwest Activities Center has offered hundreds of thousands of the city’s men, women, children an array of programs and fun activities.
“I love District 2 because of its people, its neighborhoods and the amenities that help build the overall positive quality of life,” said Tandy. “I live in Sherwood Forest and as an architect by trade, I know that we will never again build the quality of homes like the ones in this district.”
Davis added, “I love the community involvement that’s found in District 2. The area is walkable and sustainable and the people in this area, I feel, really care about their communities. Many of people don’t want to leave this district because of the quality of life.”
Cushingberry also loves District 2.
“I have lived in the 2nd District for my entire life,” Cushingberry told local media outlets after winning his council seat by garnering more than 50 percent of the votes. Cushingberry, who now chairs the council’s budget, finance and audit committee, said, “I’m here to serve the public.”
Tandy and Davis were asked about the level of cooperation between their office and Council President Pro-Tempore Cushingberry.
“We support all of his initiatives that will improve and empower the people of District 2,” said Tandy. “And he has been supportive of what we are doing to make District 2 stronger. While we aren’t working on any one particular project together, Sean and I, as well as President Pro-Tempore Cushingberry, share the same love for seeing District 2 and its people empowered.”
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