REALLY AUTHENTIC!  
Taqueria La Tapatia  4314 W Vernor Hwy  Detroit, MI 48209  313-841-504
Taqueria Mexico  5827  W Vernor Hwy  Detroit, MI  48209  313-841-2100
Taqueria Lupita 3443  Bagley Ave, Detroit, MI 48216  313-843-1105  
Taqueria Arandas  1807 Livernois  Detroit, MI  48209  313-297-7533  
Taqueria Jalisco  5436 W Vernor Hwy  Detroit, MI  48209  841-2213  
Taqueria Mi Pueblo  7278 Dix  Detroit, MI  48209  313-841-3315  
Taqueria Nuestra Familia  7620  W Vernor Hwy  Detroit, MI  48209  313-842-5668

NIGHTCLUBS
El Parabox  1927 Michigan Ave.  Detroit, MI  48216
313 877-3071
Club International 6060 W Fort St. Detroit, MI 48209
313-843-1996

Mexicantown Community Development Corporation
The mission of MCDC is to foster economic development in the Hispanic community of Southwest Detroit, known as Mexicantown, as a means of eliminating blight, creating skilled positions for residents of the neighborhood, and providing opportunities for small business development by local entrepreneurs. The Board of Directors consists of residents, business owners and community and business development experts.

Mexicantown Community Development Corporation (MCDC), a not-for-profit, 501 (c) 3 was formed in 1989.  Its goals and programs include: 1) Mexicantown International Welcome Center and Mercado; 2) Business development programs including entrepreneurial and customer service training and a retail "incubator" for training graduates; 3) Streetscape improvements along Bagley Avenue and other locations; 4) Improved security, lighting, parking and traffic circulation, with a provision of a transportation link on Bagley between the east and west sides of the freeway; 5) Professionally marketed events programming based on a rich Latino cultural heritage, designed to increase the customer base.  As a community based development corporation, MCDC has successfully promoted the Mexicantown district and acted as a catalyst for its redevelopment since 1989.  MCDC's accomplishments include:

• District marketing efforts that have more than tripled sales and attracted 1 million annual visitors to the major restaurants in Mexicantown.

• Assisting more than 95 residents of the neighborhood to develop business plans through the entrepreneurial training program - 24 of whom are currently operating their own businesses.

• Assisting two micro-businesses to receive loans through the Bank One Mercado loan program

• Attracting more than 12,000 annual visitors to the area through its cultural celebrations and Mexicantown Mercado.

• Generating $60,000 in sales during the sixteen days of cultural celebrations and Mexicantown Mercado in 1998.

The Mexicantown International Welcome Center and Mercado
The Mexicantown International Welcome Center and Mercado gives the City of Detroit and Mexicantown community the opportunity to greet international visitors as they enter the city, state, and nation.  Its construction will result in increased tourism expenditures, jobs, and business development in Detroit and Southeastern Michigan.  The project is also anticipated to be the future "heart" of the Latino community in southeastern Michigan.  It's Welcome Center, Mercado, Plaza and Cultural Center will honor the rich history of Latinos in the city and the state while creating a more prosperous future for this historical neighborhood.

The project will be built in the heart of Mexicantown, near the base of the Ambassador Bridge to Windsor, Canada and will optimize Mexicantown's identity as a major tourist and entertainment destination within the city of Detroit.  Along Bagley Avenue, the traditional heart of the Mexican-American community in Detroit, the Welcome Center and Mercado will symbolize both the rich past and the promising future for the Mexicantown community.

The Mexicantown International Welcome Center is a new concept for the State of Michigan.  The recent creation of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation has resulted in an even stronger resolve on the part of the State to create the first privatized Welcome Center within the city of Detroit.

It will be completed in two phases.  Predevelopment activities for Phase I are currently being undertaken and construction is scheduled for the summer of 2000.  The development will include a location for a State of Michigan Welcome Center, a permanent home for the Mexicantown Mercado; MCDC's retail "incubator" and a Latino oriented open-air market, other tourist-based retail and office space.  Predevelopment work on Phase II will begin in the fall of 1999 and will be completed by the fall of 2001.  Phase II will include 50,000 - 120,000 sq.ft. of additional retail space as well as a Mexicantown Cultural Center.

Phase I

1. State of Michigan Welcome Center - (7,500 sq.ft.) To provide information to visitors travelling over the Ambassador Bridge.  The Michigan Department of Transportation estimates that 600,000 visitors will stop at the State of Michigan Welcome Center each year. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation will work with MCDC to manage the Welcome Center.  The Welcome Center will act as a major anchor for the development project.

2. Mercado Building (s) (44,000 Sq. ft.) - Will house the Mexicantown Mercado, additional retail space for established retailers, second floor office space, MCDC's offices and a catering kitchen. 

3. Plaza  - Each of the buildings in the Mexicantown International Welcome and Retail Center will be oriented around a traditional plaza.  Elements of the Plaza will be constructed in each phase.  The Plaza will be used for cultural activities, performances, and special events.  It will be available for public rental for wedding receptions, convention receptions, parties and quinceañeras.

Phase II

1. Retail - Additional retail will include 50,000 - 120,000 sq. ft.

2. Mexicantown Cultural Center - Will be approximately 16,000 sq. ft. and provide space for exhibits, performances and rental space for community and cultural activities.

Public Site Improvements
Integral to the project but not included in the project budget is the construction of a number of publicly funded site improvements:

Fiesta and Gazebo Gardens - Approximately 10,000 square feet of gardens were built in the project area during the 1990's.  MCDC currently hosts the Mercado and other events at these locations.

ISTEA Streetscape Improvements - Streetscape improvements along Bagley are currently underway.  Improvements include decorative paving and brickwork, landscaping and historical street lighting (see attachments).  MDOT granted $899,000 for streetscape improvements in the project area.  These funds have been matched with approximately $500,000 from the City of Detroit.

Journey to Mexico (Documentary)
The project is a documentary special and a special evening at the Fox Theatre on May 5, 2000.  The film will celebrate the food and culture of Mexico while documenting the economic, social and cultural impact made by recent immigrants from Jalisco, Mexico to Detroit, Michigan.  It is a multi-media campaign combining the best of live events, broadcast and print.

There has been a boom  in Mexicantown and Southwest Detroit.  The majority of residents are from Jesus Maria and San Ignacio, Jalisco, the subject of the documentary. It’s about their journey home and their ties to Detroit. Every Holiday, almost 2/3 of the population (originally from these two towns) now living in Detroit return home.  It’s a moving story and the highlight of the documentary will be the final day of a week-long celebration. On this day, a parade is held to honor the “hijos ausentes” (absent sons and daughters) working in the United States and not able to return for the festivities.

What is most compelling is that participants wear Detroit Tigers, Red Wings, Detroit Lions, jackets and caps with great pride. They exude an appreciation for the opportunity to achieve the universal dream of providing a better life for their families.

The impact of this documentary will be tremendous.  The Mexican community, especially the people from this region, will join in the festivities.  The general audience will have a better understanding of our rich culture.  This project will serve to affirm, celebrate, and better preserve our rich cultural heritage.  Through this event, we can unify the mosaic of communities that make up the city of Detroit.  This will be accomplished by building bridges of cultural understanding, exchange, and dialog using the documentary as part of the special evening.

On May 5th our guests will journey on a gastronomical tour never experienced in Detroit. They will also enjoy a special tasting preview of exquisite sipping tequilas.  Mexican food, a national favorite for years will be prepared and served in an authentic manner. “A Journey to Mexico” will also take the viewer to the Los Altos region in Mexico. 

MCDC will be the primary beneficiary of this event, however we a working with a number of other area non-profits so that they can also use the event as a fundraiser.  We are confident that our goals will be achieved, in part because of our experience with Keith Famie.  We've been very impressed with his work on a recent Vietnamese documentary and reception. A Journey to Mexico will be a fun event, bringing the mainstream audience and the Latino community together for an unforgettable evening.

District Marketing
MCDC hosts cultural events throughout the year.

• Cinco de Mayo in early May

• Summer Mercado on Sundays in the summertime

• Dia De Muertos in early November

Call us at 313.967.9898 for information on dates and locations for 2000.  You can also be placed on our mailing list to receive information about other events in the district.