Federal or State Designations

::  Special designations by federal and state agencies bring recognition, economic development opportunities, and overall enhancement to Wayne County communities. Following is a listing of several such designations accompanied by the potential impact created by each designation.

I-94 Trade Corridor
::  Interstate 94, an east-west freeway that transverses the entire width of Wayne County, was designated an international trade corridor by Congress in 1998. The International Trade Alliance is a partnership of public/private sector interest groups actively involved in promoting improvements to the transportation along the corridor by advocating for I-94. The designation also makes I-94 eligible for special federal funding for highway improvements related to international trade.

Detroit River - American Heritage River
::  In 1998, a coalition of business, government and community leaders succeeded in their efforts to have the Detroit River designated as an American Heritage River. This designation brings federal funding and support to enhance the environmental, economic development and recreational opportunities on the Detroit River. In total, $528,000 has been appropriated for 7 different projects along the Detroit River, which include creating a greenway master plan, undertaking a master plan for Belle Isle, and investigating shoreline and sea wall conditions along the river.

MotorCities-Automobile National Heritage Area
::  Congress recently passed legislation creating the Automobile National Heritage Area, thereby creating 6 corridors that will become the primary focus for creating auto related activities, events, and places that celebrate the impact of the automobile on our society. The program aims to bring about a recognition of the importance of Michigan’s industrial, cultural, and natural heritage to the nation. The organization’s goals are as follows: expand educational and interpretive opportunities about automobiles and auto history, encourage revitalization activities surrounding the regions’ rich auto and labor heritage, and increase tourism. Four of the 6 corridors are at least partially located in Wayne County including Woodward Avenue, the Rouge River, Michigan Avenue, and the Detroit River.

Woodward Avenue - Heritage Route
::  The designation of Woodward Avenue in 1999 as the first urban route in the Michigan Heritage Route Program provides several benefits including:

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Empowerment Zone
::  In 1994, Detroit was one of ten cities that the federal government designated as an Empowerment Zone. The $100 million Empowerment Zone, defined as a new approach to urban revitalization, was developed to improve the quality of life for Detroit residents. It provides tax breaks and other incentives to entice businesses to relocate or expand within a specified 18.35 geographic area. Detroit's approved plan for the Zone focusing on neighborhoods, job training and economic development has 80 development projects. The $100 million federal dollars for the Empowerment Zone will be given to Detroit over a 10-year period. Nearly $2 billion has also been pledged to the Detroit Empowerment Zone by area financial institutions and businesses for financing and investment opportunities. The Detroit Empowerment Zone has impacted the area on economic and social levels providing an array of programs ranging from senior citizen programs to recreations programs to early childhood centers to construction training to name a few.

Renaissance Zones
::  In 1997, Michigan passed legislation to establish Renaissance Zones, a state designation designed to spur new jobs and investment in 11 economically distressed Michigan communities. These zones are virtually tax-free for 12 years for any business or resident presently in or moving into a renaissance zone. The taxes that will be waived include Personal Income Tax, Single Business Tax, State Education Tax, Local Income Tax, Real Property Tax on operating mills, Personal Property Tax on operating mills, and Utility Users Tax [only Detroit has this last tax].

::   One of the 11 zones in the state is located in Detroit. The Detroit Renaissance Zone is made up of 8 sub-zones totaling 1,379 acres. The subzones are predominantly industrial with some commercial uses. The Detroit zones are located throughout the city in areas that have been identified as potential redevelopment areas. The eight subzones are Livernois/Intervale, Southwest Delray, Central City, Old Packard, 1-94 Industrial Park, Lynch Road, Historic Tiger Stadium, and Harridon Terminal. Since the program inception substantial economic impact has occurred including:

::   Wayne County also has a Renaissance Zone comprised of four sub-zones: two in River Rouge; one in Taylor; and one in Wyandotte. The Wyandotte sub-zone has resulted in approximately $300 million in development. The communities of Taylor and River Rouge are continuing to market their sub-zones.

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Greater Detroit Foreign Trade Zone
::  Companies that handle cargo destined for or from foreign countries can save on federal taxes when located within Foreign Trade Zones. In Wayne County, the international market is easily facilitated due to linkages to Canada and the world through the waterways and international airports. As a result, 6 Foreign Trade Zones have been created under the umbrella organization, the Greater Detroit Foreign Trade Zone, Inc., attracting businesses that create employment and economic activity in Wayne County. Greater Detroit Foreign Trade Zone, Inc. is one of the largest zone programs in the United States in terms of the value of products leaving the zones and the number of zone sites. In recent years, local firms have annually shipped more than $34 billion in goods from GDFTZ facilities. These goods have typically included automobiles, trucks and auto parts. At the same time, more than $2 billion in goods have been exported annually from the zone.

Historic Districts
::  The presence of numerous historic districts in the County signifies the value of historic resources and represents unique opportunities within an economic development framework. The historic status of a building can come into play with economic development projects because of special incentives available for the parties who rehabilitate historically designated buildings. The Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit is a powerful economic development tool when rehabilitating historic buildings. This program, under the Secretary of the Interior, makes available tax credits equaling twenty percent of the rehabilitation costs for the historically certified rehabilitation of historically designated buildings. Additional Michigan state tax benefits for rehabilitating historic buildings that are located within local historic districts will add an additional five percent tax credit.

::   The Section 106 review process of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 requires that consideration of historic properties be taken when a federally-funded action may have an impact on a historic resource. Of importance to note is that this process is part of the environmental review process - and must be followed whether a property is officially designated as a National Register property or not. It is the federal action, such as federal funding that triggers the review process, and it is the responsibility of the agency administering the federal funds to follow the process. If a property is not considered to be "eligible" to the National Register, the review process only requires that certification of non-eligibility be completed. If a property is, however, eligible, then a careful consideration must be made on what impact the federal action will have on the property, and what appropriate measure could be taken to avoid an adverse effect on that property. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is contacted to initiate this review process.

::   At present time, there are 49 historic districts and over 375 historic sites in Wayne County. They are scattered throughout the county although a great majority of districts are located with the city of Detroit. Detroit is not only the oldest city in the county, but also holds the largest inventory of historic buildings due to an expansive period of growth during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Within the city government is a Historic District Advisory Board and a Historic District Commission that assists with the designation process and the monitoring of historic properties.

::  There are 43 historic districts in the city of Detroit. Many of these are residential neighborhoods representing a mixture of housing types throughout the city. There are also over a dozen commercial historic districts located in the greater downtown area comprising of the Central Business District, East Jefferson, University Cultural Area and New Center Area. More than 350 buildings in Wayne County are individually listed in the National Register, the majority of which are located in the city of Detroit. Following is the current listing of all Wayne County historic districts listed in the National Register for Historic Places [nr] and City of Detroit Designated Historic Districts [l].

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