As this edition of the Michigan Chronicle was going to press, we were less than a week away from the first day of summer. While the arrival of summer is usually reason enough to celebrate in Michigan, we also are delighted to report that Comerica Bank is the presenting sponsor of New Center Park, a sparkling half-acre green space at Second and Grand Boulevard.
At a news conference announcing the park’s redevelopment, New Center Council President Michael Solaka proudly discussed his organization’s commitment to “creating a place where people want to be.” It is our belief that New Center Park will deliver on this promise, with a planned schedule of events that will include movie nights; happy hour jazz concerts; rock ’n’ roll shows; weekend block parties; and a host of children and family-oriented programs.
Comerica has a long association with the New Center Council, including the 11-year sponsorship of Comerica Cityfest, so we were pleased to have the opportunity to become involved in such a meaningful way with New Center Park. The sponsorship reaffirms our strong community focus and commitment to Detroit, and transitions our involvement from a weekend holiday event to programming throughout the summer for residents and visitors of Detroit’s historic New Center area. New Center Park will add to the quality of life in the community, and Comerica shares the New Center Council’s vision that the park will support retail development in the area and ultimately attract more families.
This project also reminds us that our region has a knack for coming together when a winning opportunity is presented to us. Comerica salutes the civic-minded organizations that stepped to the plate to help make the purchase of the land and park upgrades possible including United Way for Southeast Michigan’s Non-Profit Facilities Fund; Kresge Foundation; Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corp.; the State of Michigan through the Cool Cities Initiative; and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through its Economic Development Initiative.
And while we are expressing our gratitude, we must give thanks for the primary reason this project was launched—our people. Special people deserve a first-class special events venue. New Center Park is projected to be “a community gathering place that serves as a quaint public park, but is also ready to rock at a turn of a switch.” It sounds awesome to us, and we look forward to enjoying it with you this summer!
David Marvin is Comerica Bank executive vice president of Corporate Banking Administration. Linda Forte is Comerica Bank senior vice president of Business Affairs. For additional information on Comerica’s community outreach efforts, please visit www.comerica.com. For more information on New Center Park and New Center Council, visit www.newcenter.com.
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