Brush Park: A Tale of Decay, Renewal, and Rebirth
The neighborhood of Brush Park in Detroit has long been a symbol of contrasting views about the city itself. With its mix of crumbling mansions and modern skyscrapers, it serves as a testament to the city’s past glory, its subsequent decline, and its ongoing revitalization efforts. Brush Park was once the epitome of opulence and elegance, attracting affluent residents such as David Whitney, Dexter Ferry, and Albert Kahn. However, over the years, the neighborhood experienced a series of transformations that would shape its identity.
Named after the Brush family, who owned a farm on the land, Brush Park began its development in the mid-19th century as Detroit started to expand. Unlike other neighborhoods, the Brushes strategically waited until the surrounding areas were already being developed, ensuring higher prices and attracting an exclusive clientele. The result was a collection of grand mansions that became synonymous with luxury and prestige. By 1900, however, the city’s elite began migrating to neighborhoods further from downtown, seeking larger homes with more space. This shift led to the subdivision of many of Brush Park’s mansions into apartments, marking a transition from homeownership to rental properties and resulting in a more transient population.
Brush Park faced further challenges with urban renewal initiatives and large-scale clearance projects in the mid-20th century. These efforts displaced tens of thousands of predominantly Black Detroiters, leaving them with limited options for housing. The construction of the Brewster housing projects on the neighborhood’s eastern border cleared dilapidated homes but failed to alleviate overcrowding. By 1945, Alfred Street was described as a desolate area in need of repair, plagued by poverty and neglect.
Throughout the years, Brush Park experienced neglect and decline. Many houses fell into disrepair and were seized by the city for non-payment of taxes. In 1984, the city put six mansions up for sale, starting at astonishingly low prices. Despite public interest, the city struggled to complete any sales, exemplified by a disorganized open house where a city representative arrived hours late and resorted to chopping down doors with an axe to showcase the properties.
The lack of a clear vision for Brush Park plagued the neighborhood for years. The city rolled out multiple plans between 1983 and 1990, ranging from restoration to complete demolition. With the city owning 75% of the properties, community-based efforts to purchase homes failed. Restoration projects that gained momentum in the late 1990s were marred by suspicious fires that destroyed designated mansions. One house was even relocated at a considerable cost to make way for a parking lot, only to collapse years later due to neglect.
Despite the challenges, signs of hope emerged in the early 2000s. New developments, such as condominiums along Woodward Avenue and a senior complex, injected new life into the neighborhood. Privately-owned mansions were renovated and repurposed as restaurants, hotels, and a bed and breakfast. The demolition of the Brewster Douglass housing projects in 2014 removed a significant eyesore and sparked renewed interest in Brush Park.
The turning point for Brush Park came in the mid-2010s, as plans for a new hockey arena and the introduction of the QLine streetcar line generated excitement and investment. Bedrock, a company owned by Dan Gilbert, embarked on a redevelopment project encompassing over 8 acres of the neighborhood. This ambitious endeavor aimed to create a mixed-use community featuring modern housing units and restored mansions. Subsequent building projects followed suit, with 1,200 residential units announced within a single week in 2018.
Today, Brush Park stands as a testament to the resilience of a neighborhood and its ability to rebound from years of neglect. While remnants of its past remain in the form of historic mansions, the community is experiencing a renewed sense of vibrancy. The combination of modern housing and restored architectural gems represents a harmonious blend of old and new, symbolizing the ongoing revitalization of Detroit itself. Brush Park serves as a reminder that even in the face of decay, rebirth is always possible.
