New Northeast Guidance Center’s “Green” Campus - A Product of Public-Private Partnership in Action

Monday, May 24, 2010

By Lori Ella Miller, Detroit LISC Scribe

Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is constantly looking for new and innovative ways to promote and advance its vision of building healthy and sustainable communities throughout Detroit.  By bringing non-traditional partners together and leveraging resources, Detroit LISC is spearheading a movement of neighborhood change and revitalization.

 The new green conner campus is home to NEGC's administrative offices and state-of-the-art training facility

Detroit LISC’s involvement in the development of a new “green” campus for the Northeast Guidance Center (NEGC) is a shining example of how community development and private enterprise can work together to address the ever-changing needs of Detroit residents. 

NEGC first opened its doors some 46 years ago.  Serving the behavioral health needs of residents of Detroit’s eastside, NEGC annually provides mental health services, counseling and recovery services to more than 6,000 underserved adults and children with mental illnesses and special needs.

Detroit LISC provided the Northeast Guidance Center with a grant to conduct a feasibility study that evaluated the conditions of its existing buildings.  The study resulted in a conceptual design to improve its overall building space and served as the foundation for a long-term development plan for a new “green” campus. 

“Our relationship with NEGC and our financial support of the comprehensive services they offer to the community demonstrate our unwavering commitment to building sustainable communities,” said Julie McBride, Program Officer, Detroit LISC. “This collaborative venture also symbolizes the important role public and private partnerships play in delivering much-needed community services during these challenging times.”

 

NEGC Director of Administration Tracy Body demonstrates the interactive high tech capabilities of the audio-visual room at the Conner campus

Detroit LISC assembled a “dream” team of public and private partners to provide the needed funding for the project.  The players included KeyBank, which provided $3.6 million in low-cost real estate construction financing; Wayne County Economic Development (working with KeyBank), provided new markets tax credits and Detroit LISC secured a $490,000 loan.  Detroit LISC also provided valuable grant support and technical assistance.

“Credit may have tightened recently, but KeyBank remains committed to financing beneficial development in the communities we serve,” said Presley Gillespie, Vice President, Community Development Lending at KeyBank.

Today, the new 20,000-square-foot, LEED-certified NEGC Conner campus houses two new commercial buildings that feature environmentally safe materials, “Energy Star” appliances and HVAC systems.  The “green” campus is home to the NEGC Administrative offices, the Wellness Academy and the Motor City Clubhouse and Employability Training Center.  

In collaboration with the Detroit Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency, the Wellness Academy provides onsite, as well as virtual, best-practice training, professional development services and testing.  The Academy features a 100-seat, state-of-the-art conference center, equipped with high-tech audio-visual and Internet capabilities.

The Motor City Club House program, which was selected as one of Michigan’s best adult mental health recovery and education programs, offers adult recovery and employment training. The new 5,600-square-foot Clubhouse is also home to a restorative psychosocial rehabilitation program.  Here, clients learn real-life workforce training in food service, clerical, janitorial and other areas.  The Clubhouse is also an environment of recovery, self-reliance and empowerment.

“We are delighted to have two new efficient and environmentally friendly buildings that meet LEED guidelines.  On behalf of the 6,000 clients we serve, I want to thank Detroit LISC and KeyBank for helping to make this exciting vision a reality,” said Cheryl Coleman, President and CEO of the Northeast Guidance Center.

The new Northeast Guidance Center’s green Conner campus serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration.  The success of this development project will undoubtedly inspire other non-profit agencies to transform their neighborhoods into strong, healthy and sustainable communities where people are not surviving — they are thriving!