Detroit’s thriving Mexicantown community lauded by Main Street America
Mexicantown-Hubbard Communities (MHC) has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America™ program.
The Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA) is pleased to announce that the Mexicantown-Hubbard Communities (MHC) has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America™ program.
The accreditation was awarded by Main Street America in recognition of the district’s exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. The announcement was made by SDBA Interim President and CEO Laura Chavez-Wazeerud-Din.
The announcement comes five years after MHC received a Main Street designation from the State of Michigan and its Michigan Main Street Program and signifies the district has met
performance standards set by the National Main Street Center.
“Receiving Main Street accreditation speaks to our community’s hard work and dedication to building a thriving business district,” said Chavez-Wazeerud-Din. “Thanks to opportunities
made possible by Main Street America, in collaboration with the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan, the Mexicantown-Hubbard Communities business district has seen some of its
largest scale projects in decades.
Raising profile of Southwest Detroit
“These projects have succeeded in raising the profile of Southwest Detroit while honoring its cultural and historical integrity, thanks in part to Main Street’s preservation-based economic development model.”
The Main Street-MHC partnership has generated more than $566,000 in private investments, facilitated eight façade and building improvements, helped open seven new businesses, and
leveraged 2,238 volunteer hours.
Key projects include La Joya Gardens, a $24-million mixed- use and mixed-income residential and commercial building, as well as the $7.5 million revamping of Bagley St. and West Vernor Highway streetscapes.
Since 2018, the Michigan Main Street Program has worked with MHC providing consulting, training, and technical assistance to drive revitalization.
Large-scale community development
As a result, the MHC Main Street Program has provided community development tools including facade improvement programs, real estate advocacy services, bilingual food business workshops and certifications, mentorship and referral services, and assistance with city permitting, licensing, plan review, zoning variances, and inspections.
“We are very proud to acknowledge this year’s 862 Accredited Main Street America programs, and their steadfast dedication to nurture economically and culturally vibrant downtown
districts,” said Hannah White, Interim President & CEO of Main Street America. “The increase in the size and impact of our network speaks volumes to the power of the Main Street
movement to respond to the needs of local communities and drive innovative solutions.”
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