{"id":21604,"date":"2017-07-31T12:52:48","date_gmt":"2017-07-31T12:52:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/?post_type=blogpost&p=21604"},"modified":"2017-07-31T12:52:48","modified_gmt":"2017-07-31T12:52:48","slug":"fellow-spotlight-andrea-stegeman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/challengedetroit.builtrare.com\/blog\/fellow-spotlight-andrea-stegeman\/","title":{"rendered":"Fellow Spotlight: Andrea Stegeman"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tell us about what neighborhood you live in and what makes it unique. \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"I live in Elmwood Park, which borders are Mt. Elliott, St. Aubin, Vernor Highway, and East Jefferson. Elmwood is a more neighborhood feel near the downtown as a majority of the homes are under 3 stories tall and the streets are lined with trees. The gem of the neighborhood is the Elmwood Cemetery. \u00a0The cemetery was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of Belle Isle and Central Park. The cemetery\u2019s design was to be a rural landscape within the city, with meandering paths, full trees, and vine covered fences. You can tour the cemetery to learn more about the ground\u2019s design, the people buried there (including Civil War generals, famous Detroiters, and various governors), or even birdwatch. While it may seem\u00a0strange to stroll cemetery grounds, it is quite peaceful.<\/span><\/p>\n

What have you learned from Challenge Detroit during your fellowship year? <\/b><\/p>\n

This past year I have really enjoyed learning about the many neighborhoods in Detroit. Each has its own unique story, people, and places to explore. I enjoy learning about the quirky bits of history and understanding the connections of people and places. For example this year, after attending a Pistons\u2019 game, I wondered why the team was located in Auburn Hills. Come to find out it was due to the owner of the Red Wings not wanting to share an arena with the Pistons. I have spent time reading books, watching documentaries, and going on tours to learn more and more Detroit\u2019s history. <\/span><\/p>\n

Tell us about your host company and your role in the organization. <\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"I work at Mosher Dolan as a project manager for Goldfish Swimming Schools. Mosher Dolan is a unique company which has many facets, from the construction of high-end home to developing new applications for your phone. My work with Goldfish Swimming Schools involves coordinating owners and general contractors, answering questions about the construction process, reviewing submittals, and traveling to the sites for final punch lists. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What kind of impact do you hope to have with your host company and within the city? <\/b><\/p>\n

Mosher Dolan is located in Royal Oak, sitting outside the city limits. When I hear about something happening in Detroit, I encourage my co-workers to come with me. I also talk about what we are working on in Challenge, to show my company that there is much more to Detroit than the downtown. I hope that by sharing my experience, it will encourage my co-workers to explore the Detroit I have come to know. <\/span><\/p>\n

What are you most looking forward to for the rest of the summer in Detroit? <\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"Detroit becomes a different city in the summertime. Music echoes off of the river front as the summer concert series start at Chene Park and West RiverFront Park. Campus Martius and Cadillac Square become a hub of activity in the center of the city, as the beach reopens and a part of the street is shut down to become basketball courts. Plus this summer they are testing a plaza near the Spirit of Detroit and opening Beacon Park. I\u2019m really looking forward to spending time outside in the many parks Detroit has to offer. <\/span><\/p>\n

What do you envision for Detroit 10 years from now? <\/b><\/p>\n

There is a lot of discussion about transportation in Detroit; the city is taking steps to create a network, for example, the Q-Line or the MoGo bikes. I think the ability to travel around the entirety of Detroit without a car would be amazing, but there is still a lot of work to do. The conversation about transportation in Detroit could shift the focus to the needs of the surrounding neighborhoods from the downtown. \u00a0There are some pocket of Detroit in which the focus is the neighborhood’s needs, such as Live6 and Jefferson Chalmers, but I think in 10 years there will be more added to this list.<\/span><\/p>\n

To learn more about Andrea’s time in Detroit this year check out her spotlight video.
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