Salvation Army plans to buy 28 acres on East Side for community center

Excerpts from the article:

“Now we can negotiate with the Detroit Housing Commission as well as the city administration on the price,” said Russ Russell, director of development at the Salvation Army.

The community center will have an events hall, library, computer center, pool, gymnasium, dance studio, fitness equipment, a track, a classroom, child-care and senior citizen lounge areas.

The Salvation Army plans to begin construction on the site in 2007, provided it can raise $43 million by then, he said.

That, coupled with $50 million from the estate of the late Joan Kroc, should cover construction costs and fund an endowment to generate annual operating revenue, Russell said.

“This will transform a community, in terms of jobs, business growth and development, new housing — just as it did in San Diego,” Russell said. In 2002, Joan Kroc funded and oversaw the development and construction of a large community center in that city.

The parcel is at Conner and Frankfort.

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