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City of Detroit Receives $3.2 Million From Ford Motor Company To Fund Renovations at Northwest Activities Center

13 November 2000

City of Detroit Receives $3.2 Million From Ford Motor Company To Fund Renovations at Northwest Activities Center

'Generous donation continues Ford's commitment to Detroit's neighborhoods'

    DETROIT, Nov. 13 The Northwest Activities Center has long
been a vital part of the Detroit community.  Now, thanks to a $3.2 million
donation from the Ford Motor Company and seven of its supplier partners, this
community jewel will sparkle a little brighter.
    The donation, which is a part of Ford's Minority Supplier Development
Program, will allow the City to begin much needed improvements to the Center's
theater, ballroom, kitchen, pre-function, lobby and restroom areas.   The
seven supplier partners participating are: Olson Construction, Robert Bosch,
Waldbridge Aldinger, Lapeer Metals, Textron, Dura Automotive and the Eaton
Corporation.
    "I would like to thank Ford Motor Company and its supplier partners for
this generous donation and their continued commitment to making a difference
in Detroit's neighborhoods," said Mayor Dennis w. Archer.  "Their assistance
is helping us to provide our residents with a community center that will meet
all of their needs."
    Construction design work on the project has already begun, and actual
construction is scheduled to start in January 2001.  The project is expected
to be completed by July 2001.
    "Ford is proud to be a part of the project to renovate the Northwest
Activities Center," said Carlos Mazzorin, Ford Group Vice President, Global
Purchasing and South America.  "This commitment to the City of Detroit is even
more gratifying for Ford because we are doing it along with several of our key
supplier partners.
    The north wing of the Northwest Activities Center also recently underwent
nearly $4 million in renovations that included complete refurbishment of all
classrooms, as well as the mechanical and electrical systems.