Municipal Golf Courses And Land Use Agreements in the 21st Century On City Budgets

By Richard C. Clement

In 2016, City of Detroit Golf Courses make $57,000 in profits combined, according to testimony by Charles Beckham of the Mayor’s Office at the full session of The Council.  Members were informed by Mr. Beckham of the financial burden municipal courses are to the City.  He cited a national trend that Golf Course use is on the national decline and, that younger people are not picking up the game like their parents did.  To support his statement, Mr. Beckham cited places like Lansing, and Oakland County that are having the same problem with the maintenance costs.

www.cushforcitycouncil.com

Municipalities are restricted by land use agreements that are part of the deed in trust on the property, preventing them from using the land for something else. Recent experiences with Rev. Charles Ellis and Rackham Golf course highlighted the costly endeavor of maintaining a course. He was awarded the property when the City of Detroit was looking to eliminate debit and, wanted to maintain a golf course at the site. When the property that he owned could not be converted to a cemetery because of land use agreements, Bishop Ellis was forced to dump the property. 

A series of one year contracts were approved by the council to maintain the grounds so that 2017 is a great year on the links.. 

To save some of these courses, a public private partnership with the City and Golf Club Contractors was signed The solution is a combination of a few events that include educational institutions and potential land developers. Golf is a great game for students to learn how to play. Therefore there has to be an concerted effort to highlight the benefit of golf while inspiring the young.  For senior citizens who want to chill out on their remaining years, Golf is a game for exercise. For youth and young adults under 40, Golf is a game for scholarships and social meetings mixed with competition.  Golf is a game that is played from the head up. 

To bring back the game, Golfers at all levels must support youth programs and, encourage schools to keep the game alive through inter-school competition.  Maintenance costs have to be contained and controlled through asset management. Like baseball and bowling, a serious awareness movement in our schools are essential to it's survival.

The Cost of Reopening Johnson Center - Starting from Ground Zero to Completion by 2018

By Richard C. Clement

     Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.

Johnson Recreation Center was built in the 1950’s on the corner of Cherrylawn and Chippewa in Detroit Michigan. The Center sits on Joe Louis Park that is maintained by the City of Detroit General Services Division. This historical structure was the only place that allowed African Americans to swim in the City of Detroit.  This was an outdoor pool that was easily accessible to citizens in Northwest Detroit and Southern Oakland County.  (Click Here for Park History). The pool was modified by building new construction around the current structure. Now citizens in the neighborhood are restless as this once great and historical structure sits empty and being used for a storage dump.

Bringing Johnson Center online in its current condition will cost $750,000 and the same amount per month to maintain. This is because of the plumbing and other code violations that are now out of compliance with today’s building code and energy saving standards.

To demolish the old center will cost $250,000 and, the proposed new center will have an 8 lane pool and diving board.  Improvements like energy efficient, tank-less water heaters, motion sensors attached to lights and, self-generating power with solar cells with lower monthly operational costs. This plan includes an 8 lane Olympic sized pool with 3 and 10 meter diving boards at a cost of $180 per square foot. Additionally a new Gym will contain rooms for boxing, arts, and community meetings.

This project will help to restore our neighborhood instead of Downtown/Midtown Detroit.

The procedure of demolishing the old and rebuilding the new will result in lower monthly maintenance costs that over time cost much less to maintain. To finance this project Councilmember Pro-Tem George Cushingberry Jr. is recommending that we approach the Department of Housing and Urban Development for up to $20 million in funding and, seek grants from philanthropic organizations.  Johnson Center may be eligible for historic status by the City and, that will give us access to more money for the project.

If you are interested in signing the petition to reopen the center please click here to sign the petition in support of revitalizing Johnson Center for the neighborhood. 

By signing this petition you are putting your elected officials on notice that we want something done and we want results now.  According to Dwight Smith, President of the 8 Mile Old Timers Association, they have over 1700+ signatures now and we are using this list to show how much support is in the surrounding neighborhood for the center.

Feel free to voice your concerns to my fellow City Council Members and Mayor Mike Duggan. We want you to contact your State Senator Ian Conyers, State Representatives LeslieLove, Laytonya Garrett, and Wendell Byrd in Lansing MI to get on board with the program. We feel that the best way to start taking back our neighborhoods is, through the re-establishment of the neighborhood rec-centers because, there is never enough money to invest in our children.

Take Back Our Neighborhood With A NEW Johnson Recreation Center - Built by Union Skilled Trades Members and Neighborhood Supporters.

by Richard C. Clement  
     The  Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.

Johnson Recreation Center has to be rebuilt from the ground up because it will cost more per month to operate.  Jonson Center looks new on the outside but when you go inside, the pool and other construction issues become more apparent. The pool was a former outdoor pool that served the neighborhood before, during, and after normal working hours of 12-7:45pm. 

Currently the pool at Johnson Center is not code compliant to today’s Building Safety Engineering Department standards(BSEE) and, cost ineffective because the Johnson Center pool was built around the existing outdoor pool. During the project the contractors built the new face around the old structure and kept the old plumbing in place.

At this moment Johnson Rec Center is being used as a storage facility for unused and paid for things like signs, games, etc. You do not go inside with a suit on, more like blue jeans and a t-shirt because of the dust.

Solution?   A number of solutions were being floated around the neighborhood. One involved a special assessment on all residential property within a 2 mile range of Johnson Center.  This self-imposed fee on your property tax of an additional $50 per are restricted funds that cannot be touched or diverted to anything else by law.    Another solution is to seek out a grant as a non-profit to receive funds to build a new center that is economically feasible to manage.  Features like tank-less water heating and lights connected to sensors will greatly reduce the electric and light bills to the taxpayers.

Once the new center is built, then the residents will have membership privileges and will be able to use the center along with other citizens.  The neighborhood association in charge of managing the funds use on recreation will have a great say in the direction of their investments.

If you are interested in supporting this cause please contact our office so that we can set up a meeting to make an action plan.  We also plan to be at the annual 8 mile gathering behind old Beaubien Jr. High School a.k.a. Bates Academy.

We feel that Johnson Center is a vital asset to the neighborhood and if we can reopen this facility, this will lead to a rebirth of our community in District 2, especially for the children.

Solutions to Water Operating Expenses and Rates - Public Meeting July 7 & 8 2015 - City Hall

by Richard Clement

DWSD Master Plan for Detroit

Meetings regarding Detroit's water rates will be held on July 8^th and 9^th at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center on the 13^th floor.   Time will be 2pm Wednesday and TBA on Thursday. While addressing the budget shortfall regarding the water rates, other alternatives and construction projects needed that will improve the public good will be discussed. Suggestions like turning liquid waste water into drinking water and creating fertilizer from solid waste products are some ideas that will offset the expenses of providing clean water. Cities in Michigan like Lansing Michigan has a sewer/rain water separation project that has cleaned up the environment. (Lansing Michigan CSO sewage separation project)

Examples are Cities like Milwaukee Wisconsin that create a  fertilizer project by the name of Milogranite (Wiki Definition)  that they sell at the local Home Depot,  and other hardware stores.

Cash from Sewer Waste: Milwaukee's Best! www.milogranite.com 

If we can have water filtration systems in the Space Station for Astronauts, we can use this same technology in Detroit.  There is a company in Israel that has a process of converting water from air (click here to see water from air).  Otherwise, they convert their liquid waste into water because they live in a desert that is not near a fresh water source like the Great Lakes. (click here to see water created from waste) The Great Lakes has 40% of the worlds fresh water and people in Texas and California would love to build a pipeline to Michigan to use it.

Water is an issue so much that the old Johnson Recreation Center in Detroit MI has to be rebuilt because of the 1950’s plumbing inside of it that cost the City of Detroit one million dollars a month to operate.

Therefore, If you want your voice to be heard, stay tuned to Council member Pro Tem Cushingberry, and the Detroit City Council for more information or watch City Council live stream on Demand (Click Here to watch City of Detroit TV)

Taking Steps to Make Detroit a Better City: The Riverfront Park 2015 Status Report

Riverside Park is being redeveloped with a plan to reopen

One of Councilman Cushingberry’s goals when he got hired by the people was to reopen Riverside Park for sustainable public use.  The announcement of the plans by Mayor Duggan is a culmination of effort with Alicia Bradford Director of the Department of Recreation and the Mayor’s office.

The agreement between the City of Detroit and the Ambassador Bridge Company is summarized as follows:

The Ambassador Bridge Company will give the City of Detroit 4.8 acers of prime water front property and $3 million dollars. Pending MDEQ and Detroit City Council approval, the $3 million will be immediately invested back into the park in our Phase 1 development plan starting fall 2015.

Starting fall 2015 the City will perform the following:

1. Convert an adjacent 3.4 acre parcel into park land.
2. Build a New Baseball Diamond, Soccer field and multi-use play areas.
3. Build a New Riverfront Playscape
4. Install new benches, picnic tables and shelter
5. Improve Waterfront Promenade and Landscaping

Future Plans for Riverside Park

Subject to approval of State and Federal regulators, the City of Detroit will give the bridge company title to 3 acres of undeveloped park land. Upon receiving title to the property the Bridge Company will give the City an additional $2 million dollars for the expansion of the park that includes a 100ft river-walk on the waterfront.  In addition to that, The Bridge Company will demolish the warehouse that is on 5 acre property adjacent to the park and grant development rights to the City of Detroit before the end of 2018.

Starting in 2018, the Phase II step includes the construction of waterfront property into Fisherman’s Overlook that will contain additional sea wall improvements, sidewalks, benches and extended promenade.

Once the Ambassador Bridge Company get additional approvals, the company intends to use the 3 acres to help them build a second span of the Ambassador Bridge next to the old bridge creating jobs, and spurring additional commerce and development in Detroit. Plans include restoring foot and bike traffic on the old bridge and, adding light rail transportation on the new one. The old bridge will be available for special events like parties and gatherings. Special rules will apply so that people will not dance in rhythm while they are standing on the span.

In addition to funding the expansion of Riverside Park, The Bridge Company has agreed to install 1000 windows in the vacant Michigan Central Train Station with an investment of more than $2 million dollars. While there will always be a few who are against the project because of a personal dislike for Mr. Maroun, the new publicly owned bridge should take care of the "Hate Maroun" crowd and, improve the Riverfront Park area at the same time. Given the resounding rejection of Proposal 1 to raise the State Sales Tax to fix the roads in May of 2015, alternative funding methods and business practices have to be considered in the Plan B, C, and D options for paying for a publicly owned bridge.

Contact your elected leaders that includes, President Obama, Senator Stabenow, Senator Peters, Gov. Snyder, Detroit City Council Members and the Mayor’s Offices to voice your support to beautify our City of Detroit.

Art on the Walls of the Lodge Freeway? Detroit based artist Sintex has a plan to bring life onto the drab white wall.

by Friends of Cushingberry

Between Wyoming to 8 mile and the City Limits, the M10 Lodge Freeway wall is stark and boring to look at while you are driving north or southbound. The Office of Council Pro Tem Cushingberry’s people driven task force is researching on using portions of the freeway wall to be covered with artwork from local area artists and advertising from local businesses like JP Morgan Chase, etc. With the cooperation of the State of Michigan, selling advertising space at a fixed rate can generate revenue and improve the view while you drive home.

This proposal would bring additional revenue to the city of Detroit and the State of Michigan in road maintenance and advertising sales.  Local and extremely talented artist like Sintex would enhance the beauty of the City with their elite talent.  Mr. Sintex is the PERFECT candidate to be awarded the job to Paint the Lodge Beautiful and this is an example of his work. www.sintexart.com.

The talent in the City of Detroit needs to be put on display proudly instead of being forced to hide in the closet. To make this happen we need the people to come and express their thoughts about the project to City, County, and State leadership. Many artists and businesses in the Detroit Metropolitan Area would benefit from the sale of space to display their wares.

If you support this proposal, please call or email our office with your concerns and suggestions.

Click Here to contact Mr.Sintex 

Light up Lyndon by 2015! From the Dark into the Light - Adams/Butzel Skating is alright

by The Friends of Cushingberry

Young skaters lace them up.

Jack Adams Ice Complex at Adams/Butzel Operating Hours:

Open Skating from 1p-9pm Tuesdays through Friday, Saturdays open 10a-6pm 

Friday Night Party on Skates 7pm-9pm

Skating Lessons given on Tuesday from 6p-8p and Saturday 11a-1p

For more information on recreation activities (click here)

In 2015 our goal is to light up the entire street of Lyndon from Livernois and points west.  Please call the Public Lighting Department at (313) 267-8140 or email them at lightsout@detroitmi.gov.

People who would like to use the Adams/Butzel complex shall not be in the dark driving to and from the facility.



We are working for you in District 2

Open Ice Skating 7 days a Week and Learn the game of Hockey in Detroit

By Richard C. Clement

Coach Cynthia Wardlaw (far right)

Instead of waiting in line at Campus Martius to Ice Skate, you can do the same thing on a much larger rink at the Jack Adams Butzel Ice Complex located at 10500 Lyndon Detroit MI 48238.  There is open skating from 1 to 9pm Tuesday through Friday and, 11am to 6pm on Saturday. The rink is a regulation National Hockey League size surface.  Every Tuesday from 6p-9pm and Saturdays from 11a-3pm, come and learn how to skate and, play the game of Ice Hockey. Boys and Girls ages 4 to 17, will get the opportunity to learn the game of Hockey from Jason Mc Crimmon and Cynthia Wardlaw. 

Jason McCrimmon

Jason is a retired professional hockey player that played nine seasons of professional hockey and just loves to teach the game. He is a native Detroiter and one of many African Americans that played the game. (Click Here for Jason’s stats). Born and raised in Detroit, McCrimmon played youth hockey for the Detroit Rockies out of the Jack Adams Ice Arena. He then played Junior A hockey for Belle Tire Lightning of the Continental Elite Hockey League before going on to play NCAA Division III hockey at the University of Massachusetts-Boston. While there, McCrimmon was awarded ECAC East player of the week honors on one occasion, while majoring in business administration and minoring in sports marketing.  After college, McCrimmon played two years of professional hockey inEurope and was named captain of Hela-Kiekko in Finland. He also skated in the Central Hockey League and International Hockey League, ending his career last season after a stint with the Danbury Whalers of the Federal Hockey League.

Richard Clement and Jason McCrimmon

Stay tuned for the "Hockey in the Hood” tournament coming in February 2015 to be held at the complex. Teams of Boys and Girls from Washington DC, Buffalo NY, and Harlem NY will come to play in a tournament that will be a lot of fun to watch and support. This is a partnership between the Detroit Recreation Department, Ice Dreams Hockey Association and, USA Hockey 

For more information, contact, Butzel Complex at (313) 628-0990, Cynthia Wardlaw at (313) 727-7330 or Jason Mc Crimmon at (313) 506-0132.

What it Takes to Make a Great City: Boating at Erma Henderson & Riverside Marinas

By The Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.

Lake St. Clair on a nice day

The City of Detroit is budgeting up to 3 million dollars and, pursuing grants to upgrade the boating facilities at Erma Henderson and Riverside parks to accommodate the needs of boaters.  Line item repairs on docking facilities and fueling stations at Erma Henderson will make it better for boaters who use the park.  At the weekly Thursday meeting of the Committee of Neighborhoods and Community Services, overwhelming community support of the work being done by ABC Construction was expressed by the large number of boaters and patrons who came to speak during public comment. A big shout out goes to the leadership of Detroit Recreation Department by Director Alicia Minter who has spearheaded the charge for change. Some of Ms. Minters work includes the restoration and repair of the Hart Plaza fountain in time for the heat of the Jazz Fest and, progress on re-opening the neighborhood recreation centers like Tindal and Johnson in District 2.

The status of Riverside park is precarious because the Riverside Marina is closed and in dire need of repair and upgrade, along with the entire park. An audit of the Recreation Department at the request of Councilman Pro-Tem George Cushingberry Jr. will be produced showing the strengths and weaknesses of the park assets. These actions are in line with the uplift and upgrade of Detroit assets and citizen morale. Citizens love the water access that we have because it makes it much easier for boaters to get in and out of the water. If you need more information on the progress and status of the Marinas, please contact the Detroit Recreation Department or Councilmember Mary Sheffield(click here) who is the Chairperson of the committee of Neighborhoods and Community Services.

Light up District 2 by 2015 - A Three year plan for City of Detroit residents by the Public Lighting Authority

View the Plan by (Clicking on this City of Detroit Link) to see when your lights will be changed out by the PLA in Zip Code order.

Sights and Sounds of District 2

Changes in District 2 coming right at you..  

From the PLA:

The Public Lighting Authority of Detroit (PLA) has launched its aggressive three-year plan to relight the city of Detroit. 
Following the completion of two pilot areas, one on the east side and one on the west side of the City, the PLA has initiated its zip-code-by-zip code construction schedule to be completed by the end of 2016.

The PLA is replacing all old High Pressure Sodium lights with Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights with brightness the equivalent 
of 150 watts, more than twice as bright as the sodium lights.

Lighting Plan
• Blocks 300ft and below in length, will have a light on every street corner.

• Blocks  between 301ft and 700ft in length will have a light on every street corner and one light in the middle of every block.

• Blocks between 701ft and above in length will have a light on every street corner and two or more lights in the middle of every block.

As the PLA completes installation of the new lights in a ZIP Code, it will take over responsibility for maintaining those lights, with a commitment to repair a broken light within five days of being notified of the outage.

For more information, to see the updated schedule by zip code, details on alley light replacements or to report an outage of a new LED light, residents can log onto www.pladetroit.org or email us at info@pladetroit.org or call the Public Lighting Authority at 313-324-8290.

Detroit Senior Olympics

Senior citizens ages 50 and older are invited to participate in the 2014 Detroit Senior Olympics. The City of Detroit Recreation Department has scheduled the event to take place June 17th and 18th. This year's Olympis will feature arts & crafts, baking, billiards, horseshoes, bowling, swimming, basketball, tennis, track, table tennis, Frisbee toss and softball hit & throw.

For more information, please call (313) 224-1129