Detroit’s superheroes don’t wear capes. They don’t bend steel with their bare hands or leap tall buildings in a single bound.
They’re mild-mannered and unassuming, like the legendary comic book reporter, Clark Kent.
Or like real-life Southwest Detroit community advocate Kathy Wendler.
But, make no mistake about it, Wendler has her own set of special powers. Among them has been leading a fearless team of neighborhood transformers during 36 years as head of the Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA). But Wendler, who retires this year, certainly didn’t begin her brave journey on a parade route, greeted by waving flags and throngs of admirers.
Every superhero faces battles.
“One of the board members said he didn’t vote for me because he feared he’d wind up in bed with me,” Wendler recalls. “It was a different time.”
“I talk about economic development, but I always say human beings are what make places worth living in.” -Kathy Wendler, Executive Director, Southwest Detroit Business Association
Despite a lack of unanimous votes – and the obstruction of, at least, one sexist – she became the SDBA’s executive director and only full-time employee in 1981. Formerly the West Vernor Businessman’s Association since its establishment in 1957, the SDBA, under Wendler, would become a force to reckon with.
In her first year the organization made its first Community Development Block Grant facade improvement to Rebert Bakery on West Vernor. Not to be outdone, Cousin’s Bakery nearby made updates to its facade, and the spirit of competitive, but cooperative, progress still encouraged by the SDBA was underway.
Raised on Detroit’s east side, the southwest community felt like “another world,” Wendler says, but, like other local superheroes, she was undeterred from her mission. SDBA soon partnered with the city for a “Do it in Detroit” campaign that later became “Shop Your Block.” The SDBA went on to launch Mexicantown Community Development Corp. and co-found Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision. For anyone else, tackling pollution might have felt like too big of a task that moved too far afield from SDBA’s economic focus, but not for Wendler – the capeless marvel without the mask.
Explaining that air quality issues connected to factories in Southwest Detroit have negative implications for the community’s dozens of hard-working retailers, she simply says, “Nobody wants to go and shop where the air stinks.”
“The business owners themselves ultimately determine success or failure in Southwest Detroit, according to their levels of commitment and cooperation.” -Kathy Wendler, Executive Director, Southwest Detroit Business Association
When “taggers” began vandalizing many of those same shops and storefronts with graffiti in the early 1990’s Wendler and her team found a way to help merchants survive a gang problem that threatened business and made patrons concerned for their safety. SDBA courted the Hudson Webber Foundation, which, in turn, awarded it a three-year grant to implement the “Clean and Safe Program.” Ultimately, “Clean and Safe” laid the groundwork for one of SDBA’s crowning achievements when it became one of three organizations chosen as a Community Initiated Development National Main Street model. By 2007 SDBA’s continuous work promoting the community’s restaurants, clothing stores, markets, salons and other retailers would evolve into Michigan’s first designated Business Improvement District, earning support from merchants along Vernor and Springwells, who pay additional taxes to maintain beautification and safety.
“You always have to work for progress,” says Wendler, suggesting her role as occasional deal-broker and negotiator. Still, she says the business owners themselves ultimately determine success or failure in Southwest Detroit, according to their levels of commitment and cooperation.
SDBA renovated two historic structures, including the Odd Fellows Building, and established a partnership in 2011 with Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and United States Department of Transportation to help Detroit-based construction contractors become MDOT-prequalified and DBE-certified to participate in developing the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Another success that makes Wendler proud is the 2015 partnership with state and local agencies to complete SDBA’s largest undertaking, the 2.3-mile, $7 million Streetscape Project that replaced the lighting system along Vernor.
With retirement, Detroit loses one of its most dedicated, tireless heroines. But the city gains an opportunity for others to follow in her footsteps and build on her insight for the betterment of Southwest Detroit and every community.
Wendler says she’ll enjoy post-SDBA life by making renovations to her West Village house and spending time with family, but what she’ll most remember about her 36-year tenure is “the commitment and spirit of the people of Southwest Detroit.”
“I talk about economic development,” she adds, “but I always say human beings are what make places worth living in.”
It seems strange to see her go. After all, Superman didn’t retire. But Detroit superheroes, it seems, don’t wear capes that can be hung in closets or donated to museums after being donned for service. Instead they leave legacies of superheroic effort.
HIGH PRAISE FOR WENDLER
Kathy Wendler’s retirement brought praise for her years of devotion to Southwest Detroit, including comments given at the SDBA’s 60th anniversary celebration held at its annual Community Investment Breakfast at the MotorCity Casino Hotel June 15:
“Kathy Wendler’s dedication to the SW Detroit business environment and its community will undoubtedly have far reaching impact. Her work is inclusive, engaging and practical and has touched people in meaningful ways. We at Bank of America are proud to have supported her and the work of SWDBA.” – Tiffany Douglas, Sr. Vice President, Market Manager, Bank of America
“One of the things about leadership, it takes a number of things, and Kathy embodies all of them. Consistence: You can depend on Kathy to always come through. It takes guts, and it takes vision – someone who always brings businesses and residents to the table. So she’s earned all of our praise and accolades.” – John Van Camp, CEO, Southwest Solutions
“The Southwest Detroit Business Association and the neighborhoods it serves will feel the benefits of Kathy Wendler’s vision and commitment far into the future… We look forward to working with SDBA’s next leader, to build on Kathy’s record of accomplishments benefiting residents across four, challenge-filled decades.” – Wendy Jackson, Kresge Foundation Detroit Program
“She is nothing but a tireless advocate for her community, but what I appreciate is that she comes with solutions and is willing to jump in with both feet to try and make those solutions happen.” – Tony Kratofil, Michigan Department of Transportation
“Thank you for her leadership and dedication throughout the years, to make this a better place.” – Pastor Kevin Casillas, First Latin American Baptist Church of Detroit
“From the very beginning, Kathy has been a catalyst for this community…Kathy understands the value of partnering with a diverse work force.” – Huel Perkins, Fox 2 News
Superheroic Effort: Kathy Wendler set standards others will aspire to meet added by E.B. Allen on
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