August 17, 2021

Minutes of the Hubbard Farms Neighborhood Association meeting on August 17, 2021

Members Present: Martha Potere, Amy Amador, Deb Sumner, Adriana Zuniga, Monte Martinez, Anthony Benavides

Members Absent: Peter Landon, Hannah Miller, Donovan McCarty, Matthew Fogarty

Residents Present: Ben Ratner, Nancy Kaffer, Robert Rodriguez

Others Present: Caitlin Stadler- Office of Stephanie Chang, Julie Roscini – Michigan Central Station, James Courtney – Michigan Central Station, Jeff Klein – General Services Dept, City of Detroit, Vince Keenan – City of Detroit, Myrna Segura – Mgr SDBA Mexicantown Main Street, Shari Kelly – Detroit Public Community School District

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Development Updates in Southwest
   1. Martha introduced Development Tracker to track active public, public-private partnerships (P3), and private projects; feedback provided to add to tracker
   2. Broderick brainstorming will be tabled to next meeting to get more information on the project
3. Paint the Street – https://detroitmi.gov/departments/department-public-works/paint-street
   1. Project of Dept of Public Works – City of Detroit where organizations can paint a crosswalk or mural on a residential street (not high traffic streets)
   2. HFNA could apply but would need to identify funding source to pay muralist
   3. Could engage students and community residents in the painting (e.g., Bridging Communities used Freddie Diaz to draw mural based on input from residents and then residents at the Sidewalk Detroit event helped complete mural)
   4. There was support for moving forward; Martha offered to complete application (funding source needed)

1. Vernor Viaduct – Vince, Julie, James, and Jeff presented diagram for street closures, timeline, and renderings that were shared last fall for future improvements to the viaduct and upcoming changes to Roosevelt
   1. Viaduct will be closed 9/7/21 to 10/15/21 in preparation for improvements to the viaduct area.
   2. Traffic from HF to Corktown will be routed across Bagley to Rosa Parks
   3. Traffic from Corktown to HF will be routed east on Michigan and south on the I-96 service drive.
   4. New renderings will be shared on August 28th Roosevelt Park event
   5. Community engagement to program the viaduct area
   6. Viaduct completion expected 2023
   7. August 28th Roosevelt Park event – requesting surveys online and on paper
   8. September 7, 2021 – Fall 2022 – Vernor Hwy (in Roosevelt Park) will be closed as Roosevelt is reunified
   9. Links shared to documents shared: (to be added)

1. Mexicantown Main Street creating wayfinding signage. Myrna presented:
   1. Main Street designation came in 2002; City and Mexicantown CDC led efforts in the past; Southwest Detroit Business Assoc (SDBA) currently leading the effort
   2. SDBA received SEMCOG grant $40k for wayfinding
   3. Community engagement began in November
   4. Getting information from design firms and meeting with architects
   5. Will be requesting residents to complete upcoming survey (to be sent tomorrow) regarding Main Street and Vernor Street changes

1. Shari shared that DPCSD will be holding pop-up enrollment and back-to-school expo events. She will email info to the board.
2. Board Election
   1. Status Update – 9 self-nomination
   2. Next Steps
      1. Nominees confirm acceptance and bio and photos by 8/23 to Matthew
         1. Mike Smith
         2. Amy Amador
         3. Ben Ratner
         4. Melvin Henley
         5. Amy Amador nominates Karina Odom
         6. Martha Potere
         7. Myett Risker
         8. Mary Clare Duran
         9. Anthony Benavides
         10. Robert Rodriguez
   3. Monte invited Zack Thomas to run for election; he is invited to submit information by Friday to be included
   4. Reviewed next steps 2021 Elections Sheet
      1. Amy will review how to use online voting system; Adriana will manage it since Amy is up for election
      2. Flyer will include bio info and ballot
      3. Paper applications will be dropped off at Matthew’s home address
      4. Election will occur 9/14 – 9/21/21
3. Soap Box Detroit
   1. Martha shared the Soapbox Detroit website – https://soapboxdetroit.com/
   2. Will invite presentation on how website can be used at future meeting
4. Resident Issues
   1. Ben welcomed people to come to the community garden to enjoy produce (beets, kale and more)