Project Name: Cornerstone Village Botanical Garden
ABOUT THE APPLICANT
Are you applying as a:
Neighborhood organization or association (such as a non-profit)
What is the organization’s name?
DETROIT HIVES
What neighborhood does the organization serve?
Cornerstone Village, Detroit Michigan
First and last name?
Timothy Jackson
Twitter Handle
@Detroithives
Facebook Handle
@Detroithives
Instagram Handle
@Detroithives
Is the organization a registered 501 (c)3 non-profit?
Yes
ABOUT THE PROJECT
What is the name of the neighborhood where the project will take place? (Please include city/village name too. Example: Mexican Town, Detroit)
Cornerstone Village, Detroit
Anticipated project launch date
July 20, 2023
Describe your project idea including: a) Is it a project or event? b) What will you do? c) Where will you do it? d) Who, if any, are your project partners?
Detroit Hives; a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to transform vacant lots into urban bee farms is poised to further its on-going mission. This year we are working on a new community project whereby we will transform an existing vacant lot located in the Cornerstone Community, to serve as a botanical garden benefitting both people and pollinators. On this project, we are pleased to partner with our community residents, Michigan State University, Extension, and Wayne Metro.
How will you engage your community in this project?
We are poised to engage our community through civic engagement opportunities. We have a long term strategy to promote ongoing engagement through our community partners, and through planned events. Additionally, we also involved community residents to serve on our committees and assign roles to help continue engagement.
How will the project celebrate the neighborhood’s diversity? Diversity can include different ages, races, cultures, socio-economic statuses, abilities, and more.
Pollution, blight, and abandonment are linked to higher rates of chronic mental and physical health conditions, especially among people of color. According to Detroit Future City, Detroit has 24 square miles of vacant land that has yet to be returned to productive use. These include commercial properties that may have contaminated the air, water, soil, and nearby natural habitats when in operation and small residential lots that eventually became overgrown with grass or shrubbery, making them prime spots for illegal dumping and other unsavory activity. Much of this property is in neighborhoods predominated by Black people with low income. We believe a healthy future for pollinators reflects a healthy future for humanity. The health of those within our inner-cities are often last to be considered. The Cornerstone Village Botanical Garden will support its 48224 population of 38,824. Whereby over 90% of its population is black, and the median household income is $37,206.
How do you plan to spend the $1,000 microgrant? Please list and explain the items, services, fees, expertise, etc. that you plan to purchase.
With support from Michigan Municipal League, Detroit Hives plans to spend the $1000 micro grant on the following:
40 Perennials Flowers (Seedlings) – $280 (For beautification and to attract pollinators for conservation)
4 Cubic Yards of Top Soil – $200 (To support botanical garden)
4 Cubic yards of Cedar Mulch – $250 (To help suppress weeds from garden beds and to retain moisture)
1 used 275 Gallon IBC Water Tote – $85 (A watering plan to hydrate flowering perennials)
Light refreshments – $150 (Light refreshments for community volunteers on planting days)
Monarch Watch Certificate Way-station $35 (Certification to make botanical garden a certified way-station through MonarchWatch.org)
Will your project require special permits?
No
Are you the owner of the property where the project/event will occur?
Rachel’s Notes
Reviewed on 4.11.34. Confirmed member status. Confirmed non-profit status. Former applicant 2021. https://detroithives.org/ They own the property so no letter of support needed.
ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD’S NEEDS
Why does your neighborhood need this project?
The Cornerstone Village community is considered an underserved neighborhood. Many of its residents lack access to green infrastructure, food security and opportunities for families to be exposed to pollinator conservation program.
What do you hope to achieve through this project? Be as specific as possible!
The Cornerstone Village Botanical Garden will create a social, environmental, and financial impact for its community of people and pollinators. Our goals are to improve the quality of life for residents, while also working to eliminate inner city blight. Additionally, we aim to use this project as a model across other communities experiencing similar challenges.
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.
This is Detroit Hives SEVENTH YEAR! Through partnerships and hyper-local outreach efforts, Detroit Hives increases experiences that encourage continued engagement in the city. On this project we are excited to have secured additional funding support from the following:
Wayne Metro Agency -$5,000
Whole Kids Foundation – $500
Junior League of Detroit – $2,500
IMAGE UPLOADS
Image Caption 1 (if any): Future Botanical Garden Site located at 4554 Woodhall Detroit, MI
Image Upload 1 (if any):
Image Caption 2 (if any): Draft concept plan for Botanical Garden by site designer, Rick Meader
Image Upload 2 (if any):
Image Caption 3 (if any): Example of past work (Brightmoor Pollinator Habitat
Image Upload 3 (if any):
Image Caption 4 (if any): Past work of project beautification from planting flowers to also support pollinator conservation
Image Upload 4 (if any):
Image Caption 5 (if any): Planting volunteer workshops
Image Upload 5 (if any):
