Crowdfunding campaign launched to support Alger Theater’s comeback in Detroit

$25,000 goal to secure matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

Lansing, Mich. – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Friends of the Alger Theater today announced a new crowdfunding campaign through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. The campaign will support the continued efforts to restore the historic theater on the corner of East Warren and Outer Drive in Detroit.

If the community hits its crowdfunding goal of $25,000 by Sep. 30, the project will win a $25,000 matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: www.Patronicity.com/AlgerTheater.

“Bringing the Alger Theater back to life would have a tremendous impact on the community, and we are proud to partner in this effort,” said MEDC Community Development Director Katharine Czarnecki. “Public Spaces Community Places is a great resource for communities to help turn vision into reality.”

The Alger Theater is a central point for Detroit’s East English Village, Morningside, Osborn, and Cornerstone Village neighborhoods. The project aims to provide a space for enhanced community arts, education and cultural programming, and help stimulate capital improvements and drive commercial and residential investment along East Warren and in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Money raised through the crowdfunding campaign will go toward an audio-visual system, providing the auditorium with equipment to show movies, present live music and support community meetings. It will also support the creation of a rooftop deck with a public patio. The patio would be the first public space of its kind in the community and help anchor the neighborhood by making it more welcoming for residents and visitors.

“We are thrilled that MEDC has chosen to support the Alger Theater,” said Friends of the Alger Theater Vice President Mike Gentile. “This campaign will greatly accelerate our efforts and help us engage even more of the community in the transformation.”

To date, renovation efforts have included repairing the roof, removing asbestos, installing security doors, and beginning to restore the theater’s commercial space. Earlier this summer, the theater began showing movies for the first time in 30 years.

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity where local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, non-profits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.

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Mike Gentile, Friends of the Alger Theater Contact
313.409.7773
mikedgentile@gmail.com

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.