The District Detroit, a massive $1.5 billion development project, has unveiled the Opportunity Center, a resource center dedicated to linking residents with employment and housing opportunities in the area. The center was inaugurated at Wednesday’s press conference, marking a crucial step in the comprehensive development initiative.
Why it matters: Though the city of Detroit has several job placement programs available for Detroiters, this opportunity will highlight positions needed near and within the district. The project, encompassing 10 new and renovated buildings, will generate an estimated 12,000 construction jobs, 6,000 permanent jobs, and nearly 700 units of new housing in Detroit and 140 of those units will be low income, according to Mayor Mike Duggan. The Opportunity Center will act as a nexus, helping residents access these opportunities.
Neighborhood Advisory Council Chair Chris Jackson delivers remarks at press conference.
“One of the things that we reminded people about is that District Detroit is in fact apart of Detroit – it is a neighborhood,” said Neighborhood Advisory Council Chair Chris Jackson. “It’s a series of neighborhoods. Neighborhoods like Brush Park, Cass Coridor, and downtown. There’s always this merit of a downtown vs. the neighborhoods but District Detroit is a part of that neighborhood. There are Detroit residents who live here and work here who are very passionate about this community.”
Specific Functions of the Opportunity Center:
- Marketing Affordable Housing: The center will market affordable residential units to current low-income Detroit residents, along with market-rate apartments.
- Connecting Job Seekers: Detroit residents and Wayne County Community College District students will be assisted in connecting with available jobs, internships, construction, and cultural opportunities created by the development.
- Transit Accessibility: Located at 2277 Woodward Ave, the Opportunity Center is accessible via the Q-Line, Bus, and validated parking is available for visitors.
The District Detroit Opportunity Center is open Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm, and also by appointment. The center comes equipped with WiFi, tablets, support staff to answer queries, and space for community meetings.
“There is still a little disconnect in this city between what we see growing up around us and the inclusiveness that I think most of us want to see, and this Opportunity Center will do a lot to take that and bring it where it ought to be,” Wayne County Executive Warren Evans said at Wednesday’s conference.
Inevitably, bringing thousands of jobs to Detroit carries the potential for transformative impacts on the city’s socioeconomic fabric. If done strategically, it can invigorate the local economy, lower unemployment rates, and stimulate industries, creating a ripple effect of economic benefits. Additionally, the city could witness a revitalization of neglected neighborhoods, leading to better infrastructure and improved public services. Regarding the housing development, this offers an opportunity for Black Detroiters, especially those who had previously moved to outlying areas, to reintegrate into the heart of the city. Such developments, if appropriately planned with an emphasis on inclusivity, can provide affordable housing and reconnect historical communities. However, it’s essential that these initiatives prioritize the needs of long-standing residents and ensure that they don’t inadvertently lead to gentrification, which could displace the very community they aim to serve.
“We have learned that it is not enough to bring jobs back into the city,” said Duggan at the conference. “We got to make sure Detroiters get the first shot at those jobs.”
The initial construction of the $1.5 billion District Detroit development is behind schedule, although the Ilitch organization remains confident that a groundbreaking can happen soon.
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