Southwest Detroit’s New 5716 Wellness Center Makes its Grand Debut
Published: July 5, 2011
By Lori Ella Miller, Detroit LISC Scribe
National, state, and local politicians, community leaders, and executives of Southwest Solutions gathered on Friday, June 17, 2011 for the grand opening of 5716 Wellness Center, an integrated healthcare center now serving families and individuals in Southwest Detroit. The festive open house offered dignitaries and the community the chance to celebrate the realization of this landmark project, which will provide primary medical, pediatric, obstetric, dental, psychiatric, pharmaceutical, and behavioral counseling services to some 10,000 people annually. The new 5716 Wellness health center also provides all of these services bilingually.
The Grand Opening
A packed house was on hand for the official dedication program, which featured remarks by a number of key supporters, including Governor Rick Snyder, Senator Debbie Stabenow, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, U.S. Representative Hansen Clarke, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, Skillman Foundation President Carol Goss, and Southwest Solutions President John Van Camp. The speakers celebrated the organizational collaboration that made 5716 Wellness Center possible, and emphasized the importance of continuing to work together to revitalize Detroit.
“This is what happens when we work together,” said Carol Goss.
“Today is a great day,” Governor Snyder said. “And for Michigan to have a great day, Detroit needs to have a great day.”
Governor Snyder concluded his remarks by presenting Southwest Solutions President John Van Camp with a Reinventing Michigan Award. “This project was a role model for change, and for what a public/private partnership can accomplish,” said Snyder. “That's reinvention.”
Throughout the grand opening, attendees were able to take guided tours of the spectacular new facility, which blends historically preserved elements (like the original wooden rafters), modern design, and green technology into a structure that is both beautiful and functional.
Its History and Its Future
Located at 5716 Michigan Avenue, 5716 Wellness Center is a collaborative partnership between six organizations dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the residents of Southwest Detroit. The partnership includes Southwest Solutions, Covenant Community Care, Children’s Outreach, Life Directions, Madonna University’s Southwest Detroit Women’s Educational Empowerment Program (SWEEP), and Moms and Babes Too.
“The 5716 Wellness Center provides a variety of much needed healthcare and human services all under the same roof,” said Cheryl Frost, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Children’s Outreach Center. “Now, community residents can access multiple services to meet the needs of the entire family.”
Frost added, “I’ve never worked with a group of executives and partners who are so willing to accommodate and support each other. We’re all working together to coordinate our intake and referrals to help clients from one program seamlessly access other programs (offered) in the building.”
Ironically, this historic piece of real estate was once a cigar factory designed by famed industrial architect Albert Kahn. Now, it has been completely transformed into a modern, state-of-the-art center for healing that stands as an important symbol of revitalization.
“5716 Wellness is an important step toward revitalizing the Michigan Avenue corridor,” said Tim Thorland, Executive Director of Southwest Housing Solutions. “We believe this new wellness center will anchor and promote further economic investment and development in the area.”
The 5716 Wellness Center is one of the first models of integrated primary and behavioral healthcare in Southeast Michigan. Southwest Housing and its Neighborhood Preservation Team also view this facility as a vital first phase in its plan to create a “Wellness Center Campus.” In fact, plans are underway to convert the empty lot adjacent to the wellness center (which served as the guest parking lot for the event) into an early education school.
Currently, the 45,000-square-foot mixed-use facility houses Southwest Counseling Solutions, Covenant Community Care, Life Directions, Madonna University/SWEEP, Children’s Outreach (which offers childhood education and childcare services), and Moms and Babes Too (which offers federally-funded programs for pregnant women and young children).
The $11.2 million renovation preserves the historic character of the building, while fitting it with the latest technology and modern design. The 5716 Wellness project was financed by several sources, including a $500,000 construction loan and $20,000 pre-development grant from Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). Other sources included Living Cities, JP Morgan Chase, the Kresge Foundation, United Way of Southeastern Michigan, Wayne County, the City of Detroit, and the Michigan Housing and Community Development Fund.
“This unique concept is an excellent example of a true Building Sustainable Communities project,” said Tahirih Ziegler, Executive Director of Detroit LISC. “By renovating this building that was once in disrepair, we’ve not only removed blight from the community, but more importantly, we are working with our partners to provide coordinated services in a spirit of cooperation that will lead to healthier and more prosperous neighborhoods.”
Southwest Detroit’s new wellness facility is the first of many such coordinated projects and services that will ultimately enhance the quality of life for area residents for generations to come.
To see more photos of the grand opening, visit our Flickr page.
Posted in Neighborhood Spotlight