Williams Street Church of God in Christ

Williams Street C.O.G.I.C. Community Development Update

Nov 08, 2000

Vol. 1, Issue #6 Liz M. Chaney, Project Manager
Saturday, November 11, 2000 Supt. Richard D. Chaney, Pastor

This information is to update all interested parties on our progress.

CITY OF DETROIT
Core City Neighborhod Organization has approve our plans for renovating the block. We must be rezoned for the parking lot, church expansion, and the multipurpose center.

Once the Building and Safety Dept has approved rezoning, then the Planning and Development Department (PDD) will determine if they accept our Offer to Purchase for the land that is owned by the City of Detroit. At this time they quoted a price for 5 lots. Once the Planning and Development agree to our offer they will submit it to he City council for approval. It may be several months, less than a year that they will need the money from us for the land. Pastor Chaney has gotten agreements from our banking agent to loan us funds for this venture

CLOSE OFF ALLEY
It was discussed that by closing off the alley behind the church we would have the right-of-way to use it. To close off the alley will need to have a petition signed by all the residents and landowners to request that the North-South alley between ML King Blvd and Magnolia be converted to an easement. It will take at least 66% approval of the owners to close an alley off. The city must get approval from several departments within city government, plus Electric company, gas company and water & sewer company.

DESIGN AND FLOOR PLANS
Cary Junior prepared our initial site plan for submission. It shows the three phases of development with the Multipurpose Community Center and parking lot as phase I, church expansion as phase II and the Foster Care home as phase III.

FUNDING
Neighborhood Opportunity Fund applications were available October 7th. The Director is John Lowe of the City of Detroit Grants Management Unit, 313-224-4209. Jerome and Doreen attended the required workshop, which last for 3-4 hours training on preparation of the proposal and review of all requirements. This year Jerome, Doreen and Liz are working to complete the NOF grant on time. It is due November 8th at 5p.m,
Innovation Fund from Empowerment Zone Program applications were distributed at a Oct. 28th workshop, Doreen and Liz attended. The completed grant proposal is due November 28th.
Information has been gathered by Travenia Taylor to complete grant letters to: Mott Foundation, Kellogg Foundation and Ford Foundation.

NON-PROFIT STATUS with the IRS
Our 501c3 Application was submitted Sept. 21st for review the results should be available by mid. November.

Williams Street church is now a member of the Michigan Non-profit Association. ?“The association?’s mission is to promote the awareness and effectiveness of Michigan?’s nonprofit sector, and to promote the cause of volunteerism and philanthropy in the state.?” Membership will provide us with nonprofit resources and referral information. Up-to-date information on nonprofit public policy issues. Training will also be provided for legal, accounting, and management topics. Once we receive our 501 ( c) 3 status we will be able to obtain BC/BS health and dental care coverage for our employees working on programs offered at the multi-purpose facility.


LAND PURCHASES
The Building and Engineering Dept is waiting for us to submit the ?“Offer to Purchase?” documents from the private landowners before a presentation can be done for the City council. So far, here is an update on our progress for ?“Possessing the Land?”:
The church entered into a land contract agreement with Mrs. White?’s family. This contract grants us rights to build immediately on the lot.

The Rogers family is interested in selling the property. There are three owners to deal with.

Mr. Sherman Wright was offered up to glory before we could complete the purchase of his land. Condolences were sent to the family in the church?’s name. His four children are handling the sell of his estate, which includes the Tillman/Magnolia lot. They agree to the sale, but we are waiting for the proper documents to be recorded in the Real Estate office in Detroit.

We have established contact with the Miller family. James Miller will be handling the sale for his father.

.Next Meeting: TBD