Detroit activist J.J. Modell

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jonjthe
or positive reinforcement
for his efforts.
The ultimate compliment, as
he sees it, would be getting a
group of like-minded young
adults to join him in his attempt
at rebuilding Detroit block by
block.
Since returning to the area last
year, Mr. Model, 24, of Franklin,
has become a leading member of
the Friends of Woodward. The
group, a nonprofit organization,
strives to revive Woodward Av-
enue and turn it into a vibrant
business district. The four-year-
old organization designated sev-
eral blocks of Woodward, between
Orchestra Hall and the border of
the Wayne State campus, as
Woodward Village, and focuses its
efforts there.
'We've given a place with no

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aipnagt

J.J. Modell didn't grow up in the city
and he doesn't live there now,
but he has a vested interest in the future of Detroit.

JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER

identity an identity," said Mr.
Modell, a financial consultant for
Smith Barney in Southfield.
Included among the group's ac-
tivities is the initiation of the
Woodward Village Business As-
sociation, an alliance of business

owners in the area. Annual
Woody Awards are given to hon-
or those who are dedicated to ur-
ban revitalization. Past honorees
have included Chuck Forbes,
Mike Ilitch, Wayne State Uni-
versity and Orchestra Hall. The

business association also partic-
ipates in city-wide cleanup efforts
and takes an active role in pre-
Thanksgiving Day Parade prepa-
rations.
The organization is also work-
ing on creating a park, called

Peace Park, in the area. Mr. Mod-
ell secured the grant money for
the project.
The more Mr. Modell talks
about the future of the city, the
faster he begins to vocalize what
he thinks is possible, and it's hard
for him to contain his enthusi-
asm. He talks of how exciting it
would be if Nike opened a Nike-
town, or if Hard Rock Cafe
branched into Detroit.
Driving down a long stretch of
Woodward, Mr. Modell stops to
point out various landmarks. He
is encouraged by the recent de-
velopment, particularly the ren-
ovations at Orchestra Hall which
will bring a performing arts
school and office complex to the
area.
Mr. Modell admits he is an op-
timist, but he wholeheartedly be-

SUCKER page 48

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