Another look at Greektown
What makes a neighborhood shine? Sometimes, it’s a freak event – consider Greektown in a blizzard.
“You’ve got everything right there,” commented Andy Dahl, coordinator of neighborhood programs for the Southeast Community Development Corp. “You can walk to a restaurant, a bar, the grocery store – there’s a hospital right there, and you don’t even have to dig out your car.”
Whatever the weather, the neighborhood is a hidden gem characterized by its older Greek stability, newer Latino energy, and livability.
“I did a lot of house-hunting in neighborhoods I couldn’t afford, and here I am,” joked 9-year resident Kim Brooks, speaking to Greektown’s affordability. “It’s a great place for first-time home buyers, and it’s very convenient for me, being so close to (Interstate) 895.”
She added that the people who live there are one of the best perks.
“Everybody’s laid back and looks out for each other,” she said.
With that community spirit as the catalyst, major improvement efforts are underway.
Most recently, Brooks, the president of the Greater Greektown
Neighborhood Alliance, helped spearhead a community greening project in a vacant lot at Portugal and Lehigh streets, near her home. Seven years ago, she and neighbors cleaned out the overgrown weeds and rusted fencing around the spot. Last fall, she joined forces with Dahl and Susie Creamer, director of urban education and conservation for the Patterson Park Audubon Center, to spruce up the plot.
With $5,000 in funding through a Healthy Neighborhoods grant, 
they designed and created a native-plant garden, made to attract tasty insects and hence birds, and added a stepping-stone path and trilingual sign – “Welcome to the Lehigh Street Community Bird Garden” in Greek, Spanish and English.”
The community was involved throughout the process – choosing the plants, making other decisions, and rolling up their sleeves.
“It brought a lot of the neighbors together,” Brooks said. “I went to every single door on the block with a translator to get feedback.”
All that’s left is a little more mulching and landscaping and scheduling a grand-opening party.
Dahl said he is hoping to coordinate another Healthy Neighborhoods grant for Greektown in the near future.
Upgrade to anchor school
In the meantime, big improvements are in store for the neighborhood’s elementary/middle school.
“We’re in what’s called ‘Year 1’ of planning to become a community school,” said Margie Hatch, a social worker with the Southeast CDC who is coordinating the transition of John Ruhrah Elementary/Middle School into a community school.
“With community schools, there is an increase in community-based partnerships,” Hatch explained.
For example, Highlandtown Elementary/Middle School #237, a community school since 2014, has a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) program through Johns Hopkins.
Another possible partnership for John Ruhrah could be Soccer without Borders, an international organization that uses soccer as a vehicle for social change, Hatch said. The nearby Creative Alliance could also collaborate with the school.
“It’s all about providing links and connections with community organizations that are already doing good work,” Hatch said.
In the case of John Ruhrah, good work is half the equation.
The other half is a major renovation and expansion of the school, to be completed in 2019, as part of the city’s 21st Century Schools Building Plan.
According to Hatch, a feasibility study has been completed and potential layout ideas have been presented to the school and community.
“The renovated school is going to be an incredible asset to the Greektown community in serving students as well as providing a meaningful base for school and family engagement,” Hatch said.
She added that the renovation would likely include 3,000 square feet to become a Judy Center, an early-childhood services location that includes playgroups, literacy tutoring and family work.
Stating the obvious
“It’s a good time to check out Greektown,” Dahl noted.
In addition to facilitating Healthy Neighborhoods community block projects, he also coordinates their purchase/renovation loan program. The Target Blocks north of Eastern Ave have been a part of the program for a while, but for the first time this year several new areas surrounding John Ruhrah aim at home buyers and current owners seeking renovations. “The Healthy Neighborhoods matching funds for home improvement projects are a great incentive,” Dahl adds. The attractive Home Improvement Loan is open to all areas of Greektown, not just Target Blocks, and with matching grants of up to $20,000 with no mortgage insurance for Healthy Neighborhoods loans, it’s certainly an exciting time to think about living in Greektown.
Have more questions? Contact Andy Dahl at 410-342-3234 x32, or at andy@southeastcdc.org.