Downtown Detroit’s growing tech hub gained additional traction when Microsoft announced it will be joining the M@dison Block, a burgeoning tech neighborhood known for its open and collaborative work environment. Technical and business experts from Microsoft Ventures will work in the M@dison Building to engage with the neighborhood’s startup community and develop business partnerships in the region.
Microsoft Ventures is a program designed to support founders at every stage of the startup lifecycle. Through key partnerships with tech hubs, like the M@dison Block, Microsoft Ventures provides entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they need to be successful and build world-class companies.
“This partnership is an extension of Microsoft’s commitment to the Detroit community and to the state of Michigan, which aims to provide people with the technology and training skills needed for the growing economy,” said John Fikany, vice president, Microsoft Corp. “In addition, it is important for us to participate and contribute to the growing technology hub downtown where startups and established companies are collaborating on driving innovation and growth. There is a ton of energy going on in Detroit, and we are excited to continue to be a part of it.”
Microsoft draws on its unique experience and resources to provide direct support to the best of the global startup community. Grand Circus, Detroit’s tech training institute, secured the partnership with Microsoft Ventures on behalf of the M@dison Block. The partnership provides entrepreneurs with a variety of services to support growth including technology, mentors, and networking opportunities. Microsoft joins Google, Twitter, Uber, Detroit Labs, UpTo and numerous other high-tech companies in the booming technology district on the M@dison block in downtown Detroit.
“It is a great indicator for our community that Microsoft sees the value in the excitement, creativity and talent that is radiating out of the M@dison Block,” said Damien Rocchi, CEO of Grand Circus. “This partnership further cements the opportunities that exist for the tech industry in downtown Detroit and will continue to advance our tech hub. Tech companies of all shapes and sizes, from big-name brands to new start-ups, can be found writing code and doing business along Woodward Avenue.”
The M@dison Block began to take shape in September 2013 after several tech startups inside the M@dison Building grew out of their co-working space and expanded into other buildings on the same block. The neighborhood, anchored by the M@dison Building and adjacent to Grand Circus Park, is bordered by Woodward Avenue to the west, Broadway Street to the east, Witherell Street to the north, and John R. Street to the south.
Bedrock Real Estate Services recruited Microsoft to lease office space on the second floor of the M@dison Building. Since 2011, the real estate firm and its affiliates have recruited more than 100 tenants to downtown Detroit, invested more than $1.3 billion in real estate, created 6,500 jobs and now own, control or manage more than eight million square feet in more than 40 downtown Detroit properties.
The Detroit Lions and Hatch Detroit team up to invest in the Villages
Hatch Detroit and the Detroit Lions have selected West Village as the next project site in the Hatch Detroit Neighborhood Initiative, focused on serving existing storefront retail in Detroit.
Through their philanthropic initiative Living for the City, the Detroit Lions are investing $150,000 in infrastructure improvements centered around improving the sense of safety and pedestrian friendliness on the Agnes Street retail strip. Working with the Villages Community Development Corporation, Hatch Detroit and the Detroit Lions have identified several critical elements in safety improvement and retail success.
“The Lions partnership with Hatch Detroit and investment in the West Village furthers our commitment to Detroit’s resurgence and our focus on areas of critical need,” said Rob Wooley, Lions director of Community Relations. “Through this effort, the Lions will continue to make a stronger and more lasting impact on one of Detroit’s historic neighborhoods.”
The Hatch Detroit Neighborhood Initiative is an extension of the Detroit Lions’ philanthropic initiative, Living for the City, which supports organizations pursuing integrated approaches to physical fitness, healthy eating, housing, land use and environmental planning, public transportation, community infrastructure, and aligned workforce opportunities.
Project work will include a facade improvement of the corner storefront on Agnes and Van Dyke that incorporates new windows, additional lighting, and an improved entrance to the facility. The investment on the exterior corner will leverage further investment as the Villages CDC plans to move their office there and offer programs to market the neighborhood with new business opportunities. “We hope to add pop-up and small business incubation to the activity already generated to further market the neighborhood. With the influx of safety and pedestrian friendliness being offered by Hatch Detroit and the Detroit Lions, we know the neighborhood will be a destination for a resident or visitor.” said Brian Hurttienne, executive director of the Villages CDC.
New lighting will be installed in the parking lot behind the strip of businesses, and the gas lighting along the Agnes strip will be repaired improving both business security and the pedestrian experience.
In an effort to improve the sense of walkability in West Village, pedestrian-scale signage will be created and installed for Craftwork bar and restaurant, Red Hook coffee shop, Tarot & Tea, and Detroit Vegan Soul, one of the Hatch Detroit Contest Alums. Four bike racks, designed by the Nordin brothers and inspired by the Belle Isle Bridge will be installed outside the four businesses. All facets of the project will be completed by September 2014.
West Village is one of six targeted neighborhoods as the areas of focus in the Living for the City initiative. The others include the North End, Corktown, Southwest Detroit, Grandmont Rosedale and the Avenue of Fashion. Hatch Detroit and the Detroit Lions recently completed Phase I of the project on the Avenue of Fashion, including a district-wide clean-up and beautification project and the installation of pedestrian-scale signage for five businesses located around Livernois and Outer Drive.
“We see the redevelopment of these commercial strips as critical to the revitalization of the entire region,” said Vittoria Katanski, executive director of Hatch Detroit. “Our work aims to assist entrepreneurs who are already contributing to their communities and their neighborhoods’ growth.”
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