Ty Hinton, Economic and Community Development Director of Harper Woods, was our presenter on Wednesday 1/22/19.
 
Since last talking to our Club four years ago, Mr. Hinton’s department formed a community task force that meets at the Neighborhood Economic Development Center on Kelly Rd.  This group has put together a Neighborhood Improvement Plan that prioritized
 
areas of concern and offered recommendations to both the City’s administration and its citizens to help better the City.
 
Their biggest area of concern is Eastland Mall.  It needs new ownership that is willing invest in the property.  The location is 67 acres with the potential to be a health care campus or a tech park. 
 
Mr. Hinton is optimistic about many areas of the City.  Crime on Kelly Rd has been drastically reduced so the neighborhood is turning around.  The old Circuit City building is now a state-of-the-art facility being used by the Harper Woods School District to teach printing, culinary arts, and the performing arts.   The Poupard School location offers a great development opportunity for assisted living or single-family homes.
 
The vitality of Harper Woods, especially Eastland, is integral to the entire area.  Mr. Hinton is looking for more GP involvement, both personally and financially.