Jefferson East Business Association

The Jefferson East Business Association (JEBA) is originally a product of the Jefferson Chalmers Business Association, formed in the late 1970s as a committee of the Jefferson Chalmers Citizens’ District Council with a focus on Jefferson Avenue from Conner to Alter.
Late 70s to mid 80s

Active Business Association under Sy Wolf, President - owner/proprietor of Ace Hardware (now Powell Dentistry) – with a focus on Beautification projects including: pedestrian lighting, sidewalk brick designs, flower planters, and Chalmers Parking Lot.
An Economic slowdown resulted from migration due to racial uprisings, and Auto plant lay-offs. This resulted in major stores and shops quickly closing, leaving the mom & pop establishments struggling.
The East Jefferson commercial strip was deteriorating faster than rescue attempts.

Late 80s to early 90s

JCBA becomes inactive and defunct. With the plans for Riverbend Shopping Plaza, Michael Curis, goes before Jefferson Chalmers Citizens’ District Council. In 1992, Paulette Foster, representing the Citizens’ District Council, begins development negotiations. At this point, it becomes clear that an “active” business association is needed.
Business Rehabilitation Committee formed to facilitate issues dealing with the plaza development and found that the corporate status of the Jefferson Chalmers Business Association had dissolved.

Reorganization Process

In 1994, with help from Rochelle Lento at U-M Legal Assistance for Urban Communities, the Jefferson East Business Association (JEBA) was established as a 501 (c) 3.
Boundaries were expanded to include home-based businesses, neighborhood businesses, Chrysler Corporation, industrial area and businesses north of Jefferson to Charlevoix.
Coalitions were established with similar eastside organizations (Warren-Conner, Eastside Industrial Council, Eastbank Business Association, Creekside Development Corporation, Jefferson Chalmers CDC, 5^th Precinct Community Relations, etc.)
JEBA was driven by a desire to Promote business, Increase employment and retail opportunities, Stop further deterioration, and Rehabilitate the business community.

People who laid Foundation = Key Players

Paul Gainor (Printing Co.), Jay Juergensen, Paulette Foster, Tom Kannu (Sutton Drugs) Sonny Blackmon (Jefferson Fish Market), James Jackson (Jack Rabbit Towing), Lettie Barge (Insurance agency), Barbara Poulin, Wray Patterson (Comerica), Yvonne Gibson (First of America), Ron Wells (Detroit Community Health Connection), Alan Marmalad (Wayne Apothecary), Ann Johnson , Frank Bach, Wilma Clark-Price (Residents).Lee Black (CDC chairman), Jocelyn Fitzpatrick, (Activist), Michael Curis (Curis Development);Standard Federal Bank, WSU Center for Urban Studies, and UM Legal Assistance.

Late 1995 to 1997 (Labor of Love – Making progress)

JEBA functioned as a totally independent volunteer organization with a board of directors that worked on Building membership, Maintaining quarterly newsletter, and Raising funds for administrative costs.

JEBA Presbytery of Detroit converge

In March 1996, a dialogue began regarding use of the vacant bank (Quick Cash) building owned by Presbytery of Detroit and Presbyterian Development Corporation of Detroit (PDCD). A two-year negotiation ensued between PDCD and JEBA.
JEBA was challenged to raise $105,000 for administrative and operation expenses while the Presbytery agreed to put $30,000 into the building for structural improvements and waive three years rent.

Key player: Mr. Frank Smith, member of the PDCD was particularly helpful during this process. Our partnership with the Presbytery was a real boost to the organization as well as to the neighborhood by the elimination of a boarded up building.

JEBA Meets the Challenge – Opens Business Development Center

JEBA moves in, hires Administrator Diana Stewart
June 1998 – Open House Celebration

Creating the Future of the Jefferson East Community

JEBA continues to offer entrepreneurial training classes and business counseling as a satellite center for the Michigan Business Development Center.
JEBA continues to offer summer youth programs, clean sweep activities, flower plantings, partnership with the Detroit Police Department, and other beautification programs.
JEBA offers a façade improvement program to local property owners, is working to facilitate development of city-owned properties, and plans for the future growth of the area.