Red River Artist Center opens doors in River Rouge

Thursday, December 17, 2009 | Source: metromode

--This article originally appeared on September 3, 2009

Which comes first, a mature community's rebirth or the artists? Rick Manore believes it's the artists, and he thinks they will serve a big part in breathing new life into downtown River Rouge.

It's why he is opening the Red River Artist Center in the downriver suburb this month. The center is based on the same idea as the Russell Industrial Center, which is to provide space with maximum freedom at a minimum price. Manore thinks it will also serve as the spark that will turn downtown River Rouge into Metro Detroit's newest Bohemia.

"It's not just an arts incubator," Manore says. "It's the first step in revitalizing the community."

Manore should know. He started the C Pop art gallery in Detroit's Midtown neighborhood in the 1990s and watched the area blossom into a haven for the creatively inclined. Midtown is now Detroit's premier neighborhood for investment and attracting young creatives.

Manore says River Rouge reminds him of an early Midtown, and also when downtown Royal Oak started to come into its own in the 1970s. He thinks River Rouge's central location, historic area, and cheap, established housing stock makes it ripe to follow in those footsteps.

The Red River Artist Center is in the former home of U.S. Steel Information Systems. The 1960s building was vacant for a decade before the city offered to work with Manore and cut him a deal that would make the center work.

"They understand the proposal," Manore says. "When it comes to urban transformation you need artists."

Some have already taken up residence in the 2-story building's 25,000 square feet, including two photographers. The office section of the building includes more than a dozen 15-by-15-feet spaces that Manore plans to rent out at $155 a pop, including free utilities and Wi-Fi.

"This is a great place for two guys who have a business to go to and not have to take a customer to their rec room," Manore says.

The Red River Artist Center plans to hold an open house next weekend. The center is located at 10750 W Jefferson Ave.

Source: Rick Manore, coordinator and founder of Red River Artist Center
Writer: Jon Zemke