News Release

Gordie Howe International Bridge Team Launches Home Improvement Program

Windsor, Ontario – A new home improvement program is now available to property owners in the Delray community located within Southwest Detroit. As part of the Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan, the Delray Home Improvement Program offers eligible property owners up to $20,000 (USD) in select home repairs.

Applications are now being accepted for the $4 million (CDN) program, with repairs anticipated to begin this spring. Offered free of charge to property owners, the program targets residential properties adjacent to the US Port of Entry for the new international crossing. The need for such a program was identified through several years of consultation with Delray and Southwest Detroit residents, service organizations and local elected officials. Local Initiatives Support Corporation Detroit (LISC Detroit) has been engaged by the project team to administer the program, which will run until 2024 or until funds are exhausted.

Depending on specific property needs, the program offers the following repairs:

• roof repair and/or roof replacement
• window and/or door replacement
• roof insulation installation and/or wall insulation installation
• repair or replacement of heating, ventilation, and/or air-conditioning (HVAC) unit.

Property owners can learn more about the program, application process and eligibility criteria by visiting GordieHoweInternationalBridge.com or attending an upcoming online information session.

Two virtual information sessions are scheduled for community members. These sessions will provide additional information about the program, eligibility and how to apply, as well as answer questions residents may have. The sessions will occur on:

• Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 6:00 p.m
• Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.

Quotes

“The residents of Delray advocated for a home improvement program to be included in the Community Benefits Plan, and the Gordie Howe International Bridge team is pleased to meet that request. This funding will help residents and is tailored to the specific needs of this community – a key goal of the Community Benefits Plan.”

- Bryce Phillips, CEO, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA)

"We are proud to deliver this critical community benefits initiative to the neighborhood of Delray and stand by our commitment to giving back to those who are most impacted by the project. We are grateful for the opportunity to be involved in Delray and look forward to the ongoing partnership with the residents and other key stakeholders."

- Aaron Epstein, CEO, Bridging North America

“This investment that benefits the community by preserving the existing housing stock is key in stabilizing neighborhoods. LISC is proud to partner with the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and Bridging North America to 1implement their vision and commitment to ensure that residents in Delray have access to this funding. We are grateful for the opportunity for Delray residents to reinvest in their homes and maintain the character of this long- standing neighborhood in Southwest Detroit.”

- Tahirih Ziegler, Executive Director, Local Initiatives Support Corporation Detroit (LISC Detroit)

Quick Facts

• The Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan is being delivered by Bridging North America with collaboration and oversight from Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and the State of Michigan.
• The Community Benefits Plan is comprised of two components: the Workforce Development and Participation Strategy and the Neighbourhood Infrastructure Strategy. In partnership with WDBA and BNA, more than 30 agencies and organizations will support the implementation.
• The Delray Home Improvement Program is being delivered in the community by Local Initiatives Support Corporation Detroit (LISC Detroit), with oversight by BNA and WDBA in partnership with the State of Michigan.
• The program serves residents in the area surrounding the Gordie Howe International Bridge in Delray, Detroit. The program boundaries for the initial catchment area are:
  • Interstate-75 (I-75) to the north,
  • Clark Avenue/South Clark Street to the east,
  • West End Street to the west, and
  • West Jefferson Avenue to the south.

Related Products

• Backgrounder: Delray Home Improvement Program
• Backgrounder: Supportive Statements
• Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan
• 9 Things to Know about the Neighbourhood Infrastructure Strategy

About Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority

Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) is a not-for-profit Canadian Crown corporation created to deliver the Gordie Howe International Bridge project between Windsor, ON and Detroit, MI through a public-private partnership (P3). WDBA is responsible for overseeing and managing the construction and operation of the new crossing. For more information visit www.GordieHoweInternationalBridge.com and follow the project on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GordieHoweBrg.

About Bridging North America

Bridging North America (BNA) became the private-sector partner to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Gordie Howe International Bridge project in September 2018. BNA is comprised of some of the most recognized leaders in the construction and infrastructure industry which includes North American and international companies. BNA partners have significant experience carrying out major infrastructure projects such as the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway in Windsor, Ontario; New Champlain Bridge Corridor in Montreal, Quebec; Autoroute 30 in Montreal, Quebec; Eglinton Crosstown LRT in Toronto, Ontario; Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) in Montreal, Quebec; Automated People Mover at LAX Airport, California; Harbor Bridge, Corpus Christi, Texas; Tappan Zee Bridge in New York and San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, California.

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Gordie Howe International Bridge
Media Relations Team
226-757-1716