Crowdfunding campaign launched for Dexter-Linwood Cordon Community Gardens

$50,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – The Dexter-Linwood Cordon area that sits within the Focus: HOPE neighborhood in Detroit will soon gain a public park and community garden space through a newcrowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and nonprofit Demographic Inspirations- Detroit announced today. The campaign is being offered through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by May 31, 2019, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/dlc.

“This space will aid in neighborhood revitalization efforts and give residents and visitors a place to visit, exercise and celebrate in this community,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Katharine Czarnecki. “We are pleased to provide resources for this effort through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

The campaign will help Demographic Inspirations- Detroit, a local nonprofit, transform several vacant lots into a unified space to be enjoyed by all ages. This step is part of a larger transformation within the eight-block neighborhood that will be connected by a walk/bike path. Each block will be ADA accessible for residents and visitors to have easy access to enjoy the space. The nonprofit will engage the community with an array of community programming including concerts, holiday events, family events, tours and interactive exhibits.

“We are so excited about this project, which will make the Dexter-Linwood Cordon Community Gardens accessible for all. We look forward to opening up this beautiful city landmark to serve our community through historical tours, fun family programs and festive holiday events,” said Ronald Matten, CEO of the Demographic Inspirations- Detroit nonprofit. “Thanks to the MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program, no longer will anyone be excluded from making new memories in and around the Dexter-Linwood Cordon.”

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity, in which residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

“Transforming underutilized spaces into engaging public amenities is key to great placemaking,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of Michigan Municipal League. “Turning these vacant lots into a place where people can relax, enjoy the walking path and grow some of their own produce will benefit the entire neighborhood.”

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of March 25, 2019, MEDC has provided more than $6 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 199 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $7.3 million raised from 38,368 individual donors.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.