Dr. Violet T. Lewis Village sits on 11 acres at 17370 Meyers Road in Detroit, right where the old Lewis College of Business once stood, and you can see right away how they meant to keep some of that history alive, because they reused two original buildings and added a new four-story building with modern touches like brick accents, fresh balconies, and big egress windows for safety, and you'll also spot updated sidewalks, new lighting, and green energy upgrades. The place has 105 apartments for seniors 55 and up, spread through those old and new buildings, with floorplans like studios, one-bedrooms, and two-bedrooms meant for folks making between 30-80% area median income, so the rents run from $427 to $983 a month if you make somewhere in the $20,160 to $69,120 range, and the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, MSHDA, City of Detroit, The Kresge Foundation, Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, and a few others all helped cover the cost to get this almost $30 million redevelopment done. Led by Wallick Communities and Presbyterian Villages of Michigan, the place focuses on being affordable and welcoming while keeping options for folks who want to live on their own or need care.
You'll find them busy honoring Dr. Violet T. Lewis, who started Michigan's first historically Black college, and her family, including her granddaughter Dr. Violet Ponders, often gets involved with events-there's even a memorial highway sign dedicated to her, and local, state, and federal officials came for Juneteenth and groundbreaking ceremonies, so the place really means something to the community. The senior apartments have things people ask for-like private bathrooms, kitchenettes, cable TV, Wi-Fi, and air conditioning-with some rooms furnished, while the grounds have walking paths, outdoor common areas, and space for gardening. There's a fitness room, a game room, movie nights, music and arts programs, a library, and a spa or wellness room for staying active and social, and you'll see both daily planned activities by staff and ones run by the residents themselves. Independent living is the main setup here, but you can also get assisted living, memory care, adult day services, skilled nursing, respite care, medication help, non-ambulatory care, a 24-hour call system, and home health services if you need them, all licensed as a Home for the Aged. Restaurant-style dining runs all day from a professional chef, with options for diabetes or food allergies, and there's transportation and parking too.
The place tries to offer as many choices as possible, so someone who wants a quiet life can find it and someone who wants to be busy can be just as happy. They've got safety and maintenance covered, and there's help for daily living if needed. Community tours are available for folks thinking about moving in, with a chance to see the spaces and meet people. The Village is part of a network of senior care places run by Presbyterian Villages of Michigan, all focused on quality care, affordable living, and honoring history, so Dr. Violet T. Lewis Village stands as a mix of remembrance and a place for Detroit's seniors to live well now.
