A Neighborhood in Full Bloom

Detroit’s civic commons 2021 in pictures

Celebrating the opening of the McNichols streetscape in Detroit. Image credit: Shawn Lee.

The past year has served to reconfirm the importance of a robust, nature-rich public realm that is welcoming to all. From health and wellbeing to environmental and economic resiliency, our parks, trails, libraries and community centers are critical civic infrastructure that provide multi-faceted benefits for communities. Today, the last in our series of photo essays reflecting on public space efforts in cities across the country, features the civic commons work in Detroit.

In Detroit, investment in the Fitzgerald neighborhood is turning vacancy into an asset as a new model for neighborhoods across the city. Vacant lots have been turned into a park and a greenway, along with a series of neighborhood hubs for community gardens and smaller recreation spaces. The commercial corridors are being reactivated with retail uses, and a storefront community center is home to Live6 Alliance and the Detroit Collaborative Design Center, with shared space for the City of Detroit Planning & Development Department, local block clubs, non-profit community organizations and other local partners.

In 2021, the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) maintained approximately 100 vacant lots, with 7 of those lots transformed into community meadows. The meadows bloomed beautifully for the first time last summer, bringing butterflies to the Fitzgerald neighborhood. Image credit: Alexa Bush.

Beautiful Blossoms Take (and Create) Work

In 2021 the meadows were in bloom across the Fitzgerald neighborhood, bringing forth the vision for the Fitzgerald neighborhood’s revitalization through the transformation of vacant land to achieve greater environmental sustainability and social impact. Creating a model for implementing and sustaining native landscapes in parks, open spaces, and publicly held lots, the work demonstrates both enhanced aesthetic and ecological function and decreased maintenance costs, while utilizing a workforce development program that helps to economically stabilize residents and achieve greater scale.

It’s a party to be proud of! The fall 2021 ribbon cutting ceremony for the McNichols streetscape was a celebration to remember. Photos include Mayor of Detroit, Mike Duggan, President of the University of Detroit Mercy, Dr. Antoine Garibaldi, Executive Director of the Live6 Alliance, Dr. Geneva Williams, Neighborhood Leader, Stephanie Harbin, Project Coordinators and Challenge Detroit fellows, Effie Alofoje-Carr and Kaj Althaus, Leah Hubbard, Micahel Tyson, Peg Tallet, Chanale Greer, and Chyna Greer. IImage credit: Montez Miller.

Celebrating Safely Together

While gathering in person was limited and uncertain throughout the year, spending time outside together to celebrate the the grand opening of the McNichols Streetscape proved to be an amazing experience for many. The Streetscape completion was a 16 month effort spearheaded by the City of Detroit to enhance the roadway and commercial strip making it more accessible to pedestrian users and giving more curb appeal to local businesses. The celebration took place in September 2021 and the $7 million investment was celebrated with a commemorative ribbon cutting featuring the Mayor of Detroit, Mike Duggan, Deputy Director of Complete Streets with the Department of Public Works, Caitlin Marcon, Councilman Roy McCalister, Live6 Alliance’s Executive Director Dr. Geneva Williams, and Dr. Antoine Ghiribaldi’s President of the University of Detroit Mercy and the Live6 Alliance’s board chairman.

Taking the opportunity to recognize the people who have put in diligent work to create enhanced spaces and to connect with existing, new and future businesses in the area, the McNichols streetscape opening celebration created both momentum for the community and waves of excitement for residents and attendees. Stakeholders came out in full force, joining residents from all across the city of Detroit and metro area to celebrate with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The beautiful thriving streetscape not only enhances place-based revitalization efforts but also provides continued opportunities for economic growth and small business advancement in the neighborhood.

Traversing the neighborhood on foot or bike created exploratory experiences that also generated physical fitness opportunities for residents. The community also kept active with hula hooping led by Bernadette King (participant pictured). Image credit: Shawn Lee.

Outdoor Exploration

Thanks to updated bike infrastructure and beautified spaces, opportunities for transportation and fitness are being utilized by residents in the area. Many have spent a significant amount of time indoors over the past year, but are thrilled to be back outside as activities are being hosted again in the park and through the neighborhood. There have been increased opportunities to stay safe but active, such as hula hooping brought by Detroit’s hula hoop queen Bernadette King and walking group tours, featuring the rich history and context of the origins of Detroit, curated by Jeanette Pierce and team of The City Institute.

Reimagining the Civic Commons is a collaboration of The JPB Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, William Penn Foundation, and local partners.