Paradise Valley is back, and in a big way.
The Harmonie Park area originally known as Paradise Valley in the 1940s and ’50s, before being paved over to make way for I-75, is now formally stepping forward once again as Paradise Valley to reclaim the history that is also the area’s future. On Monday the Downtown Development Authority issued a request for proposals for five buildings and two surface parking lots owned by the DDA. From WDET:
“The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation … has opened up a call for proposals to turn the Paradise Valley spaces into housing, restaurants, or shopping areas. DEGC President Rodrick Miller says he’s hoping to work with Detroiters who recognize the site’s history.
“The original Paradise Valley boasted more than 300 African American businesses in an area called Black Bottom, and, at that time, there was no real options for African Americans in terms of where to live and where to work, and it provided that, and so, in terms of restoring it, what we’re trying to do is create a space that celebrates where we are today as a community that’s very very multicultural.”
-Rodrick Miller, DEGC
The area is now known as Paradise Valley Cultural and Entertainment District. According to Crain’s Detroit Business:
A pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 15 at the Detroit Economic Growth Corp.offices in the Guardian Building at 500 Griswold St., followed by a tour of the Paradise Valley area.
Proposals are due by 3 pm November 11, 2015. The winning bidder should be selected by mid-December.
