$65,000 Community Foundation grant to fund Eight Mile code enforcement

Eight Mile is about to have an extra set of eyes looking out for code violations. The Eight Mile Boulevard Association (8MBA) was awarded $65,000 from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (CFSEM) to implement an Eight Mile Corridor Keeper program that will address public safety, urban blight and code violations along the corridor.

The underlying principle of the Keeper program is that a property’s appearance impacts the success of a business and thus, a
well-maintained business is more likely to be successful. Tami Salisbury, executive director of 8MBA, says the the three counties and 13 communities, including Detroit, that comprise the membership of the organization came up with the concept a couple of years ago, but it took time to find funding for the novel program.

The Keeper will traverse the corridor looking for peeling paint, trash and litter, weeds and un-shoveled walks. He or she will first be acclimated to the job by spending time with code enforcement officers from each of the communities.

The CFSEM money will fund the position for two years. Salisbury hopes to have someone hired and in place by May 18.

Source: Tami Salisbury, 8MBA
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh