Preserving properties, restoring faith in Detroit

By Tiffany Cuddihy | Citizens 

Motor City Preservation was awarded $15,000 through the Citizens Minority-Owned Small Business Grant program

In 2017, Darnell Jackson and a childhood friend were busy brainstorming potential businesses they could possibly start together. They didn’t know what they wanted to do or even where to begin, but they were motivated to get moving.

By chance, Jackson’s girlfriend at the time knew someone who worked in property preservation for the city of Detroit, and she suggested they start there. That chance connection turned into their first subcontracting job, and that first job has since turned into a budding business.

“Back then, we didn’t even know what property preservation meant,” says Jackson, “but we rolled up our sleeves and got to work learning on the job.”

The two men quickly learned that “property preservation” is exactly what it sounds like: preserving vacant, blighted properties to make them safe for future occupants. The work includes everything from lawn maintenance to debris to trash removal from in and around the houses. While working on-site, they dealt with city housing codes and dumpsite regulations, plus they got a firsthand look at the amount of labor and trade knowledge it would take to do well in the business.

The work was hard, but they were hooked. The two loaded Jackson’s old Nissan with rakes, garbage bags, and a trunk full of ambition, and got Motor City Preservation up and running. Three years later, the business now has several cars, trucks, and vans to its name.

“There are so many beautiful old houses in Detroit that have become run-down, especially in underserved, minority neighborhoods,” Jackson states. “We knew we could give these properties the attention they deserve, while also providing affordable housing options in communities that need it most.”

Revitalizing the "Motor City"

Detroit is commonly referred to as the “Motor City” and for good reason. In the early to mid-20th century, the bustling city was the automotive epicenter of the nation. It was once home to Ford Motor Company, Chrysler Corporation, and General Motors (known at the time as “The Big Three). These businesses and their factories provided ample job opportunities and stable growth, helping to secure Detroit’s industrious foothold in the American economy.

However, by the 1960s, Detroit’s own economy was shifting and the civil rights movement was shining a light on the racial injustices facing African Americans all across the country, with Detroit being a central focus for national reform. As a result, the Midwestern city found itself quite literally in the middle of America’s racial divide, a divide that has left many of its neighborhoods practically deserted and in dangerous disrepair to this day.

“My grandmother has told me about Detroit in the ‘50s, when there were millions of people living here and the houses were new,” shares Jackson. “I look at old photos of some of the houses we are currently working on and I want to restore them back to their former glory.

“I want to restore Detroit,” Jackson said.

In 2018, the population of Detroit was 63.6% smaller than it was in 1950 (the year of its peak recorded population). Today, the city’s community members and its leadership, including Detroit’s Mayor Mike Duggan are working together to grow Detroit’s population and its economy with diversity and inclusion leading the way.

“Mayor Duggan is really pushing for minority-owned businesses to start up in the city and I hope to help,” Jackson said. “It’s already starting to happen, and we are proof of that.”

A new day, a new Detroit

After his friend turned business partner decided to take on a new venture, Jackson became the sole owner of Motor City Preservation. The business is gaining recognition around the city, thanks to the good word of mouth about Jackson’s dependability and work ethic. Since 2018, Detroit Land Bank Authority, the largest property owner in the city, has trusted Motor City Preservation to help get its properties ready for auction. You can buy a restored property for as little as $1,000 on the Land Bank’s website. The properties are affordable by design, with even deeper discounts for city employees. Jackson himself owns three of them.

“We clear out houses to the point where someone can put some paint on the walls, switch on the power, and move right in,” says Jackson. “Ultimately, the goal is to get residents buying their own properties, so development comes from within Detroit’s existing communities.

“I believe that if people put in the hard work to fix up their own neighborhoods,” Jackson adds, “they’ll have more pride in them and be less likely to let these properties deteriorate again.”

Jackson has worked on more than 600 properties for the Land Bank so far, and business was steadily increasing at the beginning of 2020.

That was until March, when Jackson got sick.

“Doctors thought I had the flu, but I ended up being part of the first wave of COVID-19 patients,” explains Jackson.

He spent five days in the hospital, and because of underlying health issues, his case was particularly dangerous. It took about four months until Jackson felt well enough to get back to work. He was frail, having lost about 40 pounds from the illness, but his determination was stronger than ever.

“Luckily, I had some money saved, but if it wasn’t for a $10,000 loan from my mentor, the business probably wouldn’t have made it these last few months,” Jackson confesses.

“If people put in the hard work to fix up their own neighborhoods, they’ll have more pride in them and be less likely to let these properties deteriorate again.”

Darnell Jackson, owner of Motor City Preservation

That mentor is Aaron Smith, owner of Detroit Grounds Crew LLC, another local business committed to property preservation around Detroit, specifically its parks and land. The two men met when Jackson first got his contract with the Land Bank and they’ve had each other’s back ever since. They lend equipment back and forth, and even assess properties for one another. Their relationship is built on a common goal: to serve the city they call home.

As an African American small business owner in a city where 82% of the population is Black, Jackson is committed to empowering others in his community to pave, build, and restore their own path to success.

Turning a grant into an opportunity to give back

Citizens has awarded Motor City Preservation $15,000 through the Citizens Minority-Owned Small Business Grant program. This business is one of 100 grant recipients, part of a $1.5 million commitment to minority-owned businesses.

On top of paying off bills and investing in new equipment, Jackson plans to use the grant money to host weekend property preservation workshops in open spaces around the city. He is gearing up to offer trainings to anyone who is looking to do what he does, so they too can be hired as subcontractors in their own neighborhoods. Jackson has already trained and hired five of his friends as subcontractors for Motor City Preservation, and he is eager to keep educating his community on how they too can take an active part in both the city’s future and their own future success.

While property preservation around Detroit is a huge undertaking, Jackson continues to roll up his sleeves with enthusiasm.

“Exciting things are happening here,” he concludes. “I’m ready for the future of Detroit.”

Small business advice that works

We asked Jackson to share some small business advice for growing entrepreneurs and those just getting started.

1. Be deadline driven. Focus on the weekly, monthly and quarterly deadlines that are within your control and keep your employees on track to meet each one. Running a business often means running a tight ship in order to get the job done.
2. It’s OK to say no. As a small business owner, it can be tempting to accept any job that comes your way. However, it’s important to make sure that you have enough time to complete every job to the best of your ability. Spread yourself too thin, and the quality of your work will suffer.
3. Your reputation is up to you. Do you want to be known as dependable? Efficient? Trustworthy? Of course you do! In an age where reviews and word-of-mouth referrals are so important for organic growth, you must always consider how you and your employees conduct themselves.

Looking forward to 2021

Jackson is entering the new year with some fresh thinking along with some classic words of wisdom.

1. Who you hire matters. When hiring in the new year, it’s important to make sure you sign on people who are as committed to your goals as you are. Hire people who need the work and are willing to go above and beyond to help your business succeed. Especially if you are trying to rebuild your business in 2021, make sure your new and existing employees feel empowered to make a difference and feel supported in their decisions.
2. Save money when you can. As 2020 taught us all, having money set aside for emergencies can mean all the difference to a small business. Every week, every month, or as often as possible, put money aside. Even a small amount each payday adds up.
3. Know your numbers. Stay on top of your local economy and keep track of the numbers that matter in your community — population numbers, city budgets, local interest rates, and even the prices of your supplies. The more figures you know, the better prepared you’ll be in 2021.

Citizens: Our journey for social equity

At Citizens, we live every day by a credo that calls for us to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion and to operate with understanding, empathy, and care.

The Citizens Minority-Owned Small Business Grant program is a central part of our multimillion-dollar commitment to creating a culture of inclusion within our company and throughout our greater communities. We encourage you to read more about our plans at the link below.

Learn more