Jamahl Makled owns the Boost Mobile store on Vernor Highway in southwest Detroit. He and other business owners have done a lot to make the shopping district there more inviting. The owners shell out additional money to make sure the trash is picked up, graffiti is wiped out and employ off-duty police officers. However, the broken streetlights make growing a business tough.
"People just don't feel safe, especially with hard economic times and crime being up as it is," said Makled.
"There's sometimes a mile or more of lighting out on one side of the street or both sides of the street," said Theresa Zajac with the Southwest Detroit Business Association.
So the association decided to raise the money on its own. MDOT provided $3.3 million, and the City of Detroit and SEMCOG kicked in a $1 million a piece. After two years of active fundraising, thanks to public dollars and foundations, the association has raised $6.4 million to fund the 2.3 mile project.
"New light poles, LED lights, we're going to replace the underground wiring," Zajac said.
The association is still $400,000 short, but their goal is to get a stretch of Vernor Highway lit by November of 2014.
"I think it's just a matter of everybody in the neighborhood, business owners and leaders in the community, pulling together to try and make something happen instead of waiting around for somebody else to do something," Makled said.
The association has until June to raise that money. They're asking private foundations and some of the business owners along Vernor Highway to see if they will help them reach that goal.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:08:56 GMT
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:04 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:04:18 GMT
13 people were shot in Detroit in just 24 hours, five from one block, including a woman who was just hours away from a kidney transplant. She did not survive.
13 people were shot in Detroit in just 24 hours, five from one block, including a woman who was just hours away from a kidney transplant. She did not survive.
Thursday, May 16 2013 8:23 PM EDT2013-05-17 00:23:43 GMT
54-year-old Almeter Walls was set to have a transplant surgery on Thursday, but instead she is dead. We're told she was shot when a neighborhood argument ended in gunfire. The shooting also left four others wounded.
54-year-old Almeter Walls was set to have a transplant surgery on Thursday, but instead she is dead. We're told she was shot when a neighborhood argument ended in gunfire. The shooting also left four others wounded.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:30 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:30:05 GMT
There are new developments in the murder of a young woman in Grosse Pointe Park. Police have a person in custody in connection with the death of Sabrina Gianino, who was found strangled last week.
There are new developments in the murder of a young woman in Grosse Pointe Park. Police have a person in custody in connection with the death of Sabrina Gianino, who was found strangled last week.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:08:56 GMT
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:03:59 GMT
Some residents in Clinton Township say they are upset over a horrible smell that seems to be at its peak when temperatures soar. They claim it has been going on for years.
Some residents in Clinton Township say they are upset over a horrible smell that seems to be at its peak when temperatures soar. They claim it has been going on for years.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:54 PM EDT2013-05-21 01:54:16 GMT
Wayne County Circuit Judge Wade McCree is fighting to save his job and his career. Monday, the woman who was once his mistress testified about their numerous sexual encounters.
He once said there was no shame in his game, but now Wayne County Circuit Judge Wade McCree is fighting to save his job and his career. Monday, the woman who was once his mistress testified about their numerous sexual encounters.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:28 PM EDT2013-05-21 00:28:46 GMT
As Bobby Ferguson faces a retrial on bid-rigging charges, he may have to represent himself. He refuses to fill out an application needed to determine if he qualifies for a court appointed lawyer.
As Bobby Ferguson faces a retrial on bid-rigging charges, he may have to represent himself. He refuses to fill out an application needed to determine if he qualifies for a court appointed lawyer.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:51:26 GMT
A church community in Canton is reeling over the death of a young man. He was just married on Saturday and less than 24 hours later killed in a car crash on the way to the couple's honeymoon. His bride survived.
A church community in Canton is reeling over the death of a young man. He was just married on Saturday and less than 24 hours later killed in a car crash on the way to the couple's honeymoon. His bride survived.
Monday, May 20 2013 3:26 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:26:50 GMT
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:42 AM EDT2013-05-20 15:42:57 GMT
Perfect weather for a wonderful cause on Saturday in downtown Detroit and some Fox 2 viewers shared a few photos with us to help capture the day. Take a look and add your photos.
Perfect weather for a wonderful cause on Saturday in downtown Detroit and some Fox 2 viewers shared a few photos with us to help capture the day. Take a look and add your photos.
Streetlight (Credit: Fox 2 News)
