Partnerships Bring New Opportunities in 2024

U- SNAP BAC will look to renovate a previously owned DLBA home similar to this one in Morningside. Image courtesy of Zillow

As we welcome a New Year of possibilities, three upcoming joint efforts with partners offer potential improvements for our Morningside community.

Local nonprofit organization and longtime partner U-SNAP-BAC Nonprofit Housing Corporation recently purchased two vacant houses on Three Mile Drive from the Detroit Land Bank. Thanks to assistance from the City of Detroit, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and other funders, U-SNAP-BAC will hire contractors to completely rehab both houses over the next few months. These houses will then be sold to moderate income first-time homebuyers at a price far below the rehab costs.

Thanks to another U-SNAP-BAC connection, Morningside will be partnering with Urban Planning students from Michigan State University during the January-May semester. Students will work to create a housing improvement plan for our neighborhood that aims to define priorities for home repair needs and funding. Such a plan may help put us first in line for City home repair funds focused on Morningside that can be funneled through nonprofit partners like Habitat for Humanity Detroit, U-SNAP-BAC, or others. The MSU students will be asking for community input at our February membership meeting on Feb. 13.

One more new partnership will help bring activity to our Three Mile-Munich Park. We have joined the nonprofit Detroit Parks Coalition, who will be assisting the City’s General Services Department in re-invigorating the Adopt-a-Park program. Because Morningside has adopted the Three Mile-Munich park, we’ll get first priority on reserving the park for events such as our Summer Sizzler and monthly meetings. Detroit Parks Coalition also plans to create a resource bank that will be available to its member parks. In return, we pledge to do two park cleanups in addition to scheduling activities.

These are three examples of resources available to active and informed community groups such as Morningside. Though we are a large neighborhood, our influence with partners and the City is dependent on involvement by our Board and residents. It’s essential that we continue to communicate, create activities, and attend the monthly meetings. To get involved or get more information about any of these three partnerships, contact me at ericdue@umich.edu.

Flowers were planted last spring at Three Mile - Munich Park. Image courtesy of Jim West

The Summer Sizzler provided enjoyment for all ages last summer. Image courtesy of Jim West