Join the Cities of Detroit and Ferndale as we host a virtual meeting to continue the community discussion on the Woodward and 8 Mile underpass/intersection project.
This meeting will provide a brief update on human services, followed by a presentation by The People of Detroit of their rendering for the intersection.
ZOOM Meeting | Wednesday, June 16 at 6:00 PM
Join online: bit.ly/2Rm3f9V
Meeting ID: 976 8170 6634
Passcode: 496244
Join by phone: 301-715-8592
Passcode: 496244
Please submit your responses to the 8 Mile & Woodward Intersection Artwork- Community Questionnaire no later than 9 AM, Monday, April 19.
After we have collected this information, the Selection Committee will come together to review the data in order to provide direction and input to the design team. We will hold a community meeting later this spring where residents will be able to provide additional feedback on the design.
Please contact operations@eightmile.org with any additional questions or concerns.
Residents near the 8 Mile/Woodward area have, for some time now, expressed concern and frustration about the conditions of the intersection. Teams from both cities have attempted to address these conditions, as well as the challenges faced by the individuals who rely on the intersection for shelter and/or a source of income via panhandling. These efforts have been unable to achieve more than short-term cleanups, nor have they succeeded in addressing the issues of persistent homelessness and panhandling.
A comprehensive improvement plan for a project like 8 Mile and Woodward takes extensive planning and research; while it may have seemed static, the Cities of Ferndale and Detroit have been working with partner agencies to address the intersection's challenges since 2018.
Beginning in February of 2018, the Cities of Detroit and Ferndale, along with MDOT and several nonprofit organizations (8MBA, Southwest Housing Solutions, Community Housing Network, and South Oakland Shelter), engaged in a pilot program to address concerns regarding homelessness and blight at 8 Mile and Woodward. The group engaged in concentrated efforts around cleanliness and safety, human services, and outreach and engagement. Of note:
Using what the teams have learned during our involvements since 2018, the Cities of Detroit and Ferndale are moving forward with a plan to install physical improvements at the 8 Mile and Woodward intersection, and improve health and human services outcomes for the people who reside there. The proposed activities provide an opportunity to build on past work and formally establish an artistic, lighted “front door” welcome to the Cities of Detroit and Ferndale, creating a safe and welcoming environment for pedestrians and vehicles.
GOALS
This Request for Proposals (RFP) is an opportunity for any interested respondent, paired with a licensed architect, to compete for the opportunity to install improvements to the 8 Mile and Woodward intersection. Proposals are due on October 23, 2020 and submission instructions are within the document.
The preliminary budget for the project is $100,000 - this is a placeholder figure to give respondents an idea of the amount of potential resources that will be allocated to the project, helping make sure that what is designed can actually be implemented. Neither the City of Detroit nor the City of Ferndale has formally allocated funds to this project. Potential funding sources are currently being identified.
The RFP can be found here.
The City of Ferndale shares the City of Detroit's desire to improve conditions at this intersection for the benefit of all. The City of Ferndale will not allocate funds to this project unless a satisfactory project scope and RFP are issued for a complementary effort to engage and support the persons at this intersection facing chronic homelessness and other challenges. The City of Detroit is actively working with us and other partners on that complementary effort. Please email operations@eightmile.org with questions and continue to check this page for updates.
HANDUP CAMPAIGN
Help partners from Detroit and Ferndale assist those experiencing homeless and panhandling at 8/Woodward get housing and other supports they need. Donations will help meet the immediate needs of those HandUp serves so that they can move toward self-sufficiency. Find ways to donate here.
For more information, please contact Ferndale Director of Community and Economic Development Jordan Twardy.
Work Order & Memo of Understanding
Dec. 3 Community Meeting (Recording)
Dec. 3 Meeting Presentation: We Are All Collage
Dec. 3 Meeting Presentation: The People of Detroit
Feb. 18 Community Meeting (Recording)
Feb. 18 Feedback From for Human Services Presentation
Draft 8 Mile and Woodward Contractor Agreement
Draft Professional Services Agreement
Draft 8 Mile and Woodward Interlocal Cost-Share Agreement
8 Mile and Woodward Improvement Project Update- June 2021
Summary of the 8 Mile & Woodward Intersection Artwork- Community Questionnaire Results
Recording of 6/16 Community Meeting
June 16 Meeting Presentation (Ferndale)
June 16 Meeting Presentation (The People of Detroit)
Community and Economic Development Department
ced@ferndalemi.gov
248-546-2525