February 16, 2021

Minutes of the Hubbard Farms Neighborhood Association meeting on February 16, 2021

Members Present: Matthew Fogarty, Martha Potere, Anthony Benavides, Amy Amador, Donovan McCarty

Members Absent: Monte Martinez, Peter Landon, Robert Rodriguez, Adriana Zuniga, Hannah Miller, Deb Sumner

Residents Present: Michael Reyes, Devin Caldwell (Inkwell Partners) and Louisa Howard

Others Present: Caitlin Stadler, Office of Stephanie Chang, Greg Mangan (SDBA),

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Development updates
   1. Martha reached out to HRD re: responses to developing W. Grand Blvd. and Porter. No new updates provided.
   2. Martha asked if Emery (The Murray) and Ann (The Broderick) had updates. No updates were provided.
3. La Esquina – Michael Reyes, We Are Culture Creators

• La Esquina (“The Corner”) is a project at Scotten and Bagley on vacant land co-owned by a group of young adults from SW Detroit.
• Vision – Space for gathering, performances, night market (once a week in summer), culture programming. Focus is ages 18 to 24, young creatives.
• We Are Culture Creators is a nonprofit assisting and owns two homes adjacent, 24 hour nonprofit for young people (18-24).
• Working with the Historic District on design.
• We Are Culture Creators became a 501c3 nonprofit in 2021 and won a Patronicity grant for La Esquina, funding to come in April.

1. 1241 Hubbard – Hubbard Manor

• Developer: Inkwell Partners – Devin Caldwell (Vinewood Resident) dcaldwell@inkwelldev.com
• studio, jr 1 bedroom, and true 1 bedroom – unsubsidized 21 units
• Rents from $650 – $1,000
• Water and trash are included in lease. A/C and electric heating and they will pay for DTE.
• Essential Property Management – Sign out front and on door as well as their website. Laundry on site – coin and app operated in basement.

1255 Hubbard

• 8 large townhomes
• Received HDC approval and has a NEZ; hope to get a construction loan to begin construction in full;
• 4 br changed to 3br – Master suite and 2 bedroom and 2 ½ baths.

2055 Vinewood – 27 units under rehab ($750 for 1 br unit)

• Significant criminal activity at building previously. Crime reduced since Project Greenlight added.
• Re: Project Greenlight. Was there a community conversation? No. Devin is willing to talk with residents re: concerns.

1. La Joya Gardens – Greg Mangan

• Waiting for HUD determination on financing for the a couple months; Hoping start construction mid-April subject to HUD responding; Working with INvest Detroit to alert residents re: notifications regarding construction; bilingual flyers. 14-16 months to complete – fall/winter 2022. SDBA partial ownership of commercial, Cinnaire Solutions (will own residential portion) equity and tax credit syndicate, and Invest Detroit.
• 53 unit with apts on floors 2-4; commercial space on 1st floor – 3-4 spaces. Of 53 units, 6 2 BR, 47 1 BR; Rents based on income starting at 40% AMI on up. Rents for 1Br $495 to $1068 and $1300 for 2BR; (8 rooms are Market Rate)
• $900 / sq ft for commercial (below market rate) for SW entrepreneurs (not to compete with nearby businesses)
• Short-term leases for SW entrepreneurs; 3-4 at $300-400 per month to test concepts

1. Downzoning efforts – City Council approved the CPC recommendation to downzone M4 properties to M1 (not M2). HFNA supported the M1 designation.
2. MDOT & HAZMAT on Ambassador Bridge – HFNA sent a letter to MDOT Director and Governor and copy forwarded to Sen. Chang opposing Hazmat on the Ambassador Bridge.
3. Discussed issue of semi trucks on W. Grand Blvd. Anthony had reached out to DPD and DPW and district managers. No response from DPD or DPW. Invite DPD to attend next meeting.
4. Planning for 2021 board elections – Amy and Donovan will meet to discuss ways to conduct a board election in 2021. Keep on agenda for next meeting.