You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
FEATURE<br />
Progress Report<br />
The Chaldean Community Center takes shape<br />
BY CAL ABBO<br />
Last year, the Chaldean Community Foundation<br />
(CCF) and the Chaldean American Chamber of<br />
Commerce (CACC) announced plans to renovate<br />
The Corners, a former school building at Walnut<br />
Lake and Inkster Roads. The newly acquired property<br />
in West Bloomfield will serve as the headquarters for<br />
the CACC and will also house other affiliated organizations.<br />
Including the acquisition of the property and<br />
the planned renovations, the project boasts a total<br />
price tag of around $15 million. The new center will<br />
be funded by a combination of state grants and as a<br />
charitable campaign.<br />
This isn’t the CCF’s first rodeo with building. Right<br />
now, after years of planning, a massive affordable<br />
housing development is being constructed in Sterling<br />
Heights, and the CCF plans to renovate parts of<br />
its Sterling Heights headquarters. Even more affordable<br />
housing projects are being discussed internally.<br />
Saroki Architecture, led by renowned architect<br />
Victor Saroki, was chosen to design and architect<br />
the renovations for the new headquarters. The firm<br />
has designed dozens of commercial and residential<br />
constructions in the metro Detroit area and is wellknown<br />
in the Chaldean community for their work on<br />
projects like Shenandoah Country Club, several Plum<br />
Markets, and many restaurants.<br />
The CCF awarded the work to Jonna Construction,<br />
which began interior demolition in late 2023.<br />
Like Saroki Architecture, Jonna Construction is<br />
well-known in the Chaldean community for their<br />
diligent planning and quality work. The firm has<br />
constructed and renovated many corporate largescale<br />
developments as well as community cornerstones<br />
like Shenandoah Country Club and the grotto<br />
at St. Thomas Chaldean Church.<br />
The CACC plans to move its headquarters into a<br />
portion of the building by the end of this year. The<br />
full-scale grand opening of the new Chaldean Community<br />
Center is planned for next year. With more<br />
than 40,000 square feet to accommodate, the facility<br />
will include many different features for the Chaldean<br />
community to enjoy and explore.<br />
While the CCF has a large and well-developed<br />
presence in Macomb County through its Sterling<br />
Heights location, it will attempt to match that effort<br />
in Oakland County through its project in West Bloomfield.<br />
The communities, however, have different demographics<br />
and different needs, which will inform<br />
the new location’s specific offerings.<br />
On average, Chaldean residents in Macomb County<br />
are newer to the United States, and their needs<br />
tend to focus on acculturation to American society<br />
through things like legal services, job placement, and<br />
classroom instruction. On the other hand, Chaldean<br />
families in Oakland County have likely been in the<br />
U.S. for a generation or two, and their needs center<br />
on business services and cultural preservation.<br />
TV Studio, Radio Station,<br />
and Demonstration Kitchen<br />
After acquiring the Chaldean News several years ago,<br />
the CCF expanded the publication to include plenty<br />
of digital offerings including podcasting and video<br />
reporting. While these initiatives have shown promise,<br />
it’s difficult to launch digital deliverables without<br />
a studio or equipment. A new studio, set up with<br />
26 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>FEBRUARY</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
Change language