About Us
The Brodhead Association has been working diligently for several years to return the BRODHEAD ARMORY, to its ICONIC, and Historical place, as a “A Beacon of the creativity, the Heart/Soul of Detroit, as well as a visible and active part of the community.”
The Brodhead Association, has reached out to thousands of active duty soldiers, reservists, veterans, and other supporters, whom all want, and support this Military Facility to be restored, so that it can properly honor, and stand as a visible reminder of the tremendous sacrifice made by all whom have served our nation.
The Brodhead Association, led by Commander James Semerand (Semerad), has brought together a formidable team of developers, award winning architects, restoration experts, and business development professionals to create an innovative plan, to completely rehabilitate this Nationally Recognized GEM, totally restore the irreplaceable artwork, murals, and woodworks that led to the Brodhead Armory’s inclusion in the City, State and Federal Government Registries of Historical Sites (Importantly, Brodhead has a separate interior designation covering all the art and woodworking); and, serve as a business and training incubator, providing various WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT opportunities for the residents of Detroit.
Our Mission
The Brodhead Association's Plan, has Six Central Themes:
- To completely rehabilitate the physical structure of the Armory to its former glory
- To professionally, and perfectly restore ALL of the priceless/irreplaceable artwork, murals, woodwork, and historical artifacts that adorned the Armory
- To establish a Veterans Resource Center for Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, and Retired Military Personnel and their Family members (Add Sea Codets?)
- To create a WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Hub, providing training and job placement in several industries for Transitioning Veterans, Returning Citizens, and other members of the City of Detroit
- To provide after-school programming for the youth and young adults of the city of Detroit with an emphasis on education/tutoring, mentoring, and sports related activities
- To generate a tremendous source of new taxable revenue for the city
The Brodhead Association’s plans for the space, also include additional (total 280) parking, a Veterans Memorial Plaza for ceremonies and events, a restaurant, a gift shop, a beer and wine garden, a museum, library, banquet center, office space for veteran/military/corporate organizations, and a Multi Story Residential Tower with a mix of market rate units for rent and for sale, with a portion of the units offered to veterans utilizing the HUD-VASH program, and/or other related Veterans Housing Initiatives.
The Brodhead Association is especially driven to establish STEM programs for K-12 students, host Detroit area JROTC Training/Events, and a skilled trades initiative, specializing in high-tech training for careers in space technology, renewable energy, cyber, government contracting, and commercial drone operations. (An incubator reminiscent of TechTown, for future careers in a myriad of highly sought after fields ) Do you want to tie into the Space Center up north?
The Brodhead Association has the written support of well over 100 organizations, including The Montford Point Marines, Tuskegee Airmen, Air Force Association, Reserve Association of America, VFW, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America? and many others.
Board of Directors
Arthur "Chip" Rohde
President
Robert B. Middleton, II
Vice President
Joan Ford
Secretary
Larry Kunnert
Treasurer
Steve Brodhead
Director