Earlier this week, Olympia Development, Related Companies, and community partners opened a new Opportunity Center downtown. The center, located at Woodward and Montcalm next to the Fox Theatre, will have resources for residents to find work, workforce training, and housing.
The center is part of the Community Benefits Agreement for the new $1.5 billion, 10-building development planned by the Olympia and Related. The development was expected to break ground this summer, starting with the new office building in front of Comerica Park. According to the Detroit Free Press, Olympia president Keith Bradford said they currently don't have a date for the groundbreaking, and “There’s a few other things we’ve got to line up, and as soon as we get those ducks in a row, we’ll be ready to go."
The development has received significant tax breaks from the city and state.
We should expect to hear soon about the University of Michigan Center for Innovation, which has to break ground this year due to funding received by the state in the budget.
Community partners for the Opportunity Center include Detroit At Work, Detroit Housing, Grow Detroit’s Young Talent, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, Little Caesars, Michigan Secretary of State, Wayne County Community College District, and Workforce Development Institute.
“Through our partnership with The District Detroit, we are providing clear pathways for youth and adults to build careers in real estate, construction management, and/or the skilled trades,” said Dana L. Williams, Chief Strategy Officer of Detroit at Work. “With the employment and educational experiences designed, Detroiters can work onsite at construction sites with our union partners through the Fast Track program, Detroit youth can gain knowledge about working in this field, and all eligible Detroiter participants can take advantage of the barrier removal services the Detroit at Work system provides, maximizing the untapped talent we all know is here.”
The center is open Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
