• Center For New Work: Metro-Detroit

The Detroit Center for New Work will synthesize three integrated components to form the foundation of a comprehensive, sustainable urban village that will serve as a catalyst for innovation-based entrepreneurialism, community-providing base economy, and an attractive cultural life. Organized around a community center, advanced technologies are utilized to create a platform for new businesses, knowledge and resources for economic independence through community self-reliance, and awakening of what individuals authentically want to pursue to develop and express serious desires, interests, and talents. The Center for New Work offers pathways for economic, community, and individual development by employing advanced technologies in a community organization that self-provides the lion’s share of life’s needs while creating entrepreneurial businesses for economic growth and offering opportunities to develop individual talents, interests, and desires for self-affirmation and cultural enhancement.

• For a more thorough overview of the Detroit Initiative for New Work Economy click here
• For an historical overview of New Work as well as archives of early press please click here
• A pdf file of the full final Detroit Executive Summary proposal can be found here

Kronk Village 

This project in Detroit, MI includes the historic rehabilitation and “green” adaptive reuse renovation of the existing Kronk Community Building (including the Kronk Boxing Gym founded by Emanuel Steward) as a multi-use center and the redevelopment of existing vacant public blocks and adjoining sites (Atkinson Playground) as a sustainable residential neighborhood.

There are approximately 35 acres of predominantly vacant, publicly-owned land surrounding the historic Kronk facility. The proposed new neighborhood development would contain a mix of approximately 250-350 units of affordable senior and family rental and/or cooperative housing in a variety of residential  forms, including single family homes, duplexes, rowhouses and multi-family apartments. A green infrastructure of sustainable urban initiatives including a district-wide geothermal utility and food farming is integrated into a traditional, walkable, transit-oriented “New Village” plan.

The Kronk Community offers an opportunity to build a truly “green” urban development. With such a clean slate, many systems and practices can be built from the ground up with sustainability in mind. By integrating agriculture into the community we not only provide a source of nutritious food, but jobs, security, and beauty. Using other available technologies coupled with urban agriculture we can create a sustainable eco-friendly community that also makes financial sense.

• For an overview of the project, the proposal to the City of Detroit in detail, or more specifics on the Urban Farming aspect of the project please see the materials listed below.
  • Kronk Center for New Work
    
  • Final Proposal to the City of Detroit
  • Kronk Farms Proposal by Great Lakes Gardens
• Also see
  • Up Off The Canvas, L. Jon Wertheim's 12.07.09 Sports Illustrated article on Kronk Gym and its reinvention.