A proposed food co-op, event space, and kitchen nabbed key state funding yesterday, as the Michigan Strategic Fund approved a Michigan Community Revitalization Program grant and Brownfield tax capture for the Detroit Food Commons. The development will include a new two-story building on the corner of Woodward and Euclid, plus space for outdoor vendors.
The project received a $1.5 million Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based grant. The Michigan Strategic Fund also approved $509,634 in state tax capture for the City of Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.
When built, the first floor of the Detroit Food Commons will have a grocery co-op and cafe, while the second floor will have a kitchen, event space, and office space for the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, who is working with Develop Detroit on the development.
The Detroit People's Food Co-op has a goal of signing up 2,000 members; they're currently at over 1,300. Residents of Michigan over the age of 21 can sign up for $200, or $20 over 10 months.
“The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation and the City of Detroit are proud support this important, joint project between longtime community food activists and a Detroit headquartered development company,” said Kevin Johnson, DEGC President and CEO. “Food forms the foundation of the various cultures that call Detroit home. The creation of a community food commons will provide healthy food options, local gathering space and a commercial kitchen to support the next generation of Detroit’s food-based entrepreneurs that will continue Detroit’s rich traditions around food.”
