The Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit has approved $295,700 in SmartBuildings Detroit grants to make energy-saving improvements at five sites in greater downtown, including an historic building, an industrial facility, two parking garages and what will be a community food pantry.
The developers of Woodward Garden, a mixture of new construction and renovation in the 3900 block of Woodward are reviving the historic Garden Theatre as a performance, retail and conference center. C. Howard Crane, the architect who designed Orchestra Hall and the Fox Theatre also designed the Garden Theatre at 3919 Woodward. Woodward SA-PK, LLC Ave. will use its $100,000 grant to pay a portion of more than a million dollars of energy-saving features being completed as part of the makeover. Among the items on the list are energy-efficient lights, insulation for the roof, energy-efficient windows and doors, and a new HVAC system. The total project cost for the renovation is expected to be $10 million.
The EDC also supported another significant revitalization project with a SmartBuildings grant. Vanguard Community Development Corporation is renovating a vacant building at 2777 East Grand Blvd. as a community food pantry. Vanguard CDC expects to use its $69,000 to pay a portion of the estimated $276,000 cost of new lighting, an insulated roof, solar panels, insulation, energy efficient doors and windows, more efficient HVAC, and a low-flow water and plumbing system. The remaining 75% of the cost of the improvements will come from foundations, corporations and other donors to the nonprofit organization.
Bedrock Real Estate Services, which manages parking garages owned by affiliated companies, is upgrading lighting in two of them under the SmartBuilding Detroit program: - At 160 E. Congress, also known as Two Detroit Garage, Bedrock expects to use the $46,700 grant to pay 25% of the cost of replacing 660 light fixtures at the garage. The new-high-efficiency fixtures are expected to cost a total of $187,000. The owner of the garage, WWA Parking, LLC, will use its own funds and assistance from the DTE Your Energy Savings program to cover the remainder.
- At 730 Shelby St., also known as Financial District Garage, Bedrock expects to use a $30,000 grant to pay 25% of the $120,000 estimated cost of replacing 424 light fixtures in the facility with high-efficiency prismatic induction models. The owner of the property, 719 Griswold Associates, LLC, and DTE Your Energy Savings will pay the remainder.
New Center Stamping at 950 East Milwaukee St. is another company combining the two programs to upgrade lighting. The automotive supplier expects to use its $50,000 to pay 25% of the $200,000 estimated total cost of replacing or upgrading nearly 600 light fixtures in its manufacturing plant and associated office building. The remaining share will be paid by the company and DTE Your Energy Savings.
Under the program guidelines, the grants are capped at $100,000. This set of grants is expected to leverage $1.49 million in additional investments from the building owners or other sources. Grantees will monitor and report their actual energy cost savings from the completed work to the EDC. The EDC is continuing to accept applications for the SmartBuildings Detroit Program grants and related Green Fund loans. In general, any improvements identified in an energy assessment for the building are eligible. Energy assessments can be done at program expense. These might include: - Building Enclosure - Insulation and weatherization, glass replacement.
- Building Systems - Interior and exterior lighting and electrical, HVAC, low flow water/plumbing.
- Alternative Energy Generation - Solar panels, geothermal, wind, & water systems are eligible as long as other energy savings improvements are also made.
The program area is generally bounded by the Detroit River on the south, the Lodge Freeway (M-10) on the west, Seward on the north and the Walter Chrysler Freeway (I-75) including the Eastern Market area - on the east.
More information about the SmartBuildings Detroit Program and how to apply for a grant or Green Fund loan are posted on www.SmartBuildingsDetroit.org.
Scott Veldhuis - Senior Project Manager |