Project Name: Nine Mile Corridor for Connectivity, Placemaking & Recreation
What is your first and last name?
Al Aceves
What are your preferred pronouns?
He/him/his
What city or village do you live in?
[534]Does your neighborhood have a name? If so what is it?
[535]Are you connected with anyone in your local government?
[536]Are you applying as a business owner, artist, non-profit, DDA, or Commercial Improvement District?
[280]Where will your project take place?
Nine Mile Road bewteen Greenfield & Southfield roads, Southfield
Briefly describe your project idea:
This is the Southfield portion of a multi jurisdictional (Hazel Park, Ferndale, Oak Park, Farmington & Farmington Hills) initiative to enhance the 9 Mile corridor for health & wellness and for economic revival. The corridor in Southfield has lost its luster. Our partners … continued elsewhere
How will you be involved in this project? Who will you worth with?
We have already lined up community partners. They include 9 Mile business owners, Lawrence Technological University, Friends of Southfield Public Arts, Southfield Public Arts Commission, City of Southfield Planning Department, Southfield Parks & Recreation, SEMCOG, Oakland County Economic Development, Community Foundation of SE Michigan, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (Southfield Chapter) and the Torch of Wisdom Foundation
Describe the artist’s or artists’ work. This is not about credentials—what do they do as an artist?
Sebastian creates sculptures based in geometrics. His pieces are made of steel and use very bright colors. His works come in a variety of sizes and shapes.
Please upload a letter of support for your project from your local governing body:
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Additional Attachments (if any)
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Why does your community need this project?
9 Mile has lost its vibrancy in part due to the demolition of three high rise buildings, aging apartment complexes, & closure of Northland Mall, Additionally, Southfield is a post-WWII was city designed around the automobile. We are working to make the city more pedestrian friendly and encourage non-motorized transportation. We are adding pathways to 9 Mile where none exist & adding streetscape elements and art to make the corridor more attractive for redevelopment. Art is an economic driver.
What do you hope to achieve through this project?
We see it as a link between I-75 and I-275 on the west to connect to north/south trails. We also see this as a tool to spur revitalization and reinvestment in this corridor. With the coming redevelopment of the former Northland Mall (just to the south) we see our efforts as most opportune.
How do you plan to spend the $5,000 microgrant?
We will use these funds for commissioning a signature piece of art.
What resources do you already have to make this project successful? Resources could include things like time, partners, expertise, donated goods/materials/space, matching funds, and more. Please approximate the in-kind value if possible.
The City of Southfield has agreed to provide the foundations on which public art will be placed. The Friends of Southfield Public Arts will provide additional funding as will some of the 9 Mile business owners, Lawrence Tech is providing at its cost a “Welcome to Southfield” sign.
Will your project require special permits from the community you are in? For example, anything that requires a street closure or installing a permanent art piece will likely require a special permit from your local governing body or zoning board. If your project is funded, the MML Foundation is happy to help you navigate that process. Please note that all applicants must obtain any necessary permits for their projects, if selected for funding. *
No
Anticipated project launch date:
July 15, 2023
Will you serve as the primary point of contact for this application?
[291]Lead Artist First and Last Name:
Sebastian
Lead Artist Website (If Applicable):
https://www.sebastiansculptor.com.mx
Business 1: Business Name:
Contour Companies
Business 1: Business Type:
Developer/Landlord
Business 1: Business Owner First and Last Name:
David Dedvukaj
Business 1: Physical Location Address
16200 Nine Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075
Business 1: Twitter Handle (If Applicable)
Business 1: Facebook Page Link (If Applicable)
Business 1: Instagram Handle (If Applicable)
Business 2: Business Name:
Epicenter
Business 2: Business Type:
Office Building owner of Epicenter and Nine Mile Crossing
Business 2: Business Owner First and Last Name:
Tarik Denha
Business 2: Business Physical Location Address:
18000 W. Nine Mile Rd., Southfield, MI 48075
Business 2: Twitter Handle (If Applicable)
Business 2: Facebook Page Link (If Applicable)
Business 2: Instagram Handle (If Applicable)
Business 3: Business Name:
[325]Business 3: Business Type:
[507]Business 3: Business Owner First and Last Name:
[326]Business 3: Physical Location Address
[327]Business 3: Twitter Handle (If Applicable)
[374]Business 3: Facebook Page Link (If Applicable)
[373]Business 3: Instagram Handle (If Applicable)
[383]Please list the names of any additional partners:
[336]Image Caption 1 (if any): The 9 Mile Corridor
Image 1 (if any):
Image Caption 2 (if any): This is the current Welcome to Southfield when crossing over Greenfield … not much
Image 2 (if any):
Image Caption 3 (if any): This is an existing welcome sign sponsored by LTU on Telegraph Rd.. LTU will pay to have this sign fabricated for 9 Mile & Greenfield
Image 3 (if any):
Image Caption 4 (if any): Pathway under construction. Another mile & a half is in planning stages for 9 Mile where no sidewalks exist
Image 4 (if any):
Image Caption 5 (if any): Corner of 9 Mile & Southfield Rd. The signature sculpture is planed for the lawn area in front of the Nine Mile Crossing/KenMar Building
Image 5 (if any):
