By: Lila Asante-Appiah, Special to Michigan Chronicle
The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) is committed to enhancing the urban core and creating a world-class destination that serves as a thriving, inclusive community. Part of Downtown’s growth and success can be attributed to the collaborations we foster with public, private, philanthropic and community partners.
In this spirit of collaboration, the DDP was proud to receive an $800,000 grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The funds will be used to improve accessibility, inclusivity, infrastructure, and design across several key parks and public spaces in Downtown Detroit, including Campus Martius Park, Capitol Park, and Grand Circus Park.
The grant will enable our organization to implement significant upgrades, expand services, and introduce innovative design elements. The goal is to ensure Downtown public spaces are inclusive, enjoyable and accessible for all, regardless of ability or background.
By enhancing public spaces, the DDP aims to attract more residents and visitors, boost local businesses, and improve Detroit’s overall urban experience.
In a recent press release announcing the grant, LaTrice McClendon, Detroit Program Director at Knight Foundation, shared the importance of this investment: “At Knight Foundation, we believe that vibrant public spaces are essential to fostering community engagement and economic vitality. This investment aims to ensure that Downtown Detroit’s parks are accessible and welcoming to all, reflecting the rich diversity of our city.”
Projects that will benefit from this funding include:
- Capitol Park – Enhancements are already underway to make this historic space more inviting.
- Grand Circus Park – Updates are scheduled to begin in April, improving accessibility and community engagement, with completion expected this fall.
- Campus Martius Park – Recent improvements, including the new CHALET 313 and The Rink at Campus Martius Park presented by Visit Detroit were also supported by the grant. Both Campus Martius Park and the Rink were voted #1 in the country in their respective categories by readers of USA Today.
DDP CEO Eric B. Larson emphasized the broader impact of these enhancements, stating, “DDP is honored to partner with Knight Foundation to realize a more inclusive, vibrant, and dynamic Downtown Detroit. This investment marks a pivotal step toward the long-term transformation of the city’s core into a destination where people can live, work, and play.”
Looking back on last year’s key collaborations that moved the needle for Downtown, the City of Detroit expanded the DDP’s responsibilities to steward 18 parks and public spaces throughout Downtown. This expansion in the DDP portfolio will allow for the reconstruction of the Gateway to Freedom monument. And with support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) funding, the DDP is renovating Beatrice Buck Park in Paradise Valley. All of these projects ensure that Downtown public spaces continue to improve through sustainable funding and thoughtful design.
In winter 2024, the DDP partnered with Gardner White to design and style CHALET 313. Generous funding partners for CHALET 313 include Michigan Economic Development Corporation RAP Program, William Davidson Foundation, Downtown Development Authority, and Grand Prixmiere.
And, thanks to support from the Kresge Foundation, in fall 2024, the DDP released its I-375 Peer Review, which outlined design recommendations that will impact Downtown Detroit and its residents for decades to come. Further working to reconnect the community to the Downtown, the DDP serves as co-lead of the I-75 Cap Project alongside the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the City of Detroit.
These efforts support the DDP’s mission to strengthen Detroit’s urban core and make the city a premier place to live, work, and visit.
If you’ve noticed recent updates Downtown, they are the result of ongoing, collaborative efforts at work. We are proud to serve Detroit, and even prouder to work in community.
For the latest updates on these exciting changes, visit DowntownDetroit.org and follow @DowntownDet on social media
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