“Antoine and his team have created a culture that gives Detroiters a real voice in the future of their neighborhoods,” said Mayor Duggan. “That is reflected in the broad support our neighborhood development plans have received since he joined us. We know Antoine will continue to do great things and are glad that his future efforts still will have a heavy Detroit focus.”
Mayor Mike Duggan recruited Bryant after a national search, bringing the Brooklyn native to Detroit from Houston, where his work had already earned him recognition as a thought leader in urban planning and civic engagement. Bryant’s approach in Detroit has been deeply rooted in collaboration, actively engaging with residents to create development plans reflecting their aspirations for their communities. His leadership has not only strengthened trust between Detroiters and city government but has also resulted in a series of successful neighborhood planning initiatives that center residents’ voices.
Bryant’s departure comes as the city reaches a pivotal point in its redevelopment efforts. The momentum his work has created will undoubtedly shape the city’s future for years to come. Mayor Duggan praised his contributions, stating, “Antoine and his team have created a culture that gives Detroiters a real voice in the future of their neighborhoods. That is reflected in the broad support our neighborhood development plans have received since he joined us. We know Antoine will continue to do great things and are glad that his future efforts still will have a heavy Detroit focus.”
Bryant has spent the past three years attending hundreds of meetings with residents to ensure that their input shaped major developments. His work includes overseeing community benefits agreement processes for transformative projects such as the $3 billion Future of Health initiative led by Henry Ford Health System and Michigan State University, and the revitalization of the Fisher Body 21 building, a long-vacant landmark. These efforts demonstrate his commitment to aligning development with the priorities and needs of Detroiters.
Reflecting on his time in Detroit, Bryant expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as a conduit between residents and city leadership. “In many respects, serving as Director of the Planning & Development Department for the City of Detroit has been a dream come true. I’ve had the distinct honor and privilege to engage residents from every part of the city and believe we’ve collectively worked toward realizing their visions and desires for the future of our neighborhoods. I have been blessed with an incredibly talented and passionate staff that were a pleasure to work with and am encouraged by the direction we are headed as a city. The best is still to come for Detroit, and I’m excited to have played a role in its growth and look forward to continuing to collaborate with our residents, corporate and philanthropic partners.”
Bryant’s accomplishments in Detroit span an array of projects, each with a common thread of inclusive engagement and strategic vision. His leadership spearheaded the launch of “Plan Detroit,” the city’s first comprehensive update to its Master Plan since 2009. This ambitious process incorporated intergenerational input across every City Council district. While still in its early stages, the process reflects Bryant’s commitment to intergenerational collaboration, ensuring that voices from across the city are heard. The plan, once finalized, will serve as a roadmap for guiding the city through the next decade of growth, reinvestment, and revitalization.
Fifteen years ago, Detroit’s challenges seemed insurmountable to many, with neighborhoods facing disinvestment and economic uncertainty. Today, the city has made significant strides, reclaiming its narrative and reimagining its potential. The new Master Plan seeks to capture this momentum while addressing inequities and ensuring inclusive development. By beginning this critical process, Bryant has set Detroit on a path to define where it wants to be in the next decade.
His tenure also included the I-375 Zoning & Land Use framework plan, addressing over 30 acres of land resulting from the reconstruction of the boulevard. This plan has been closely watched as a key opportunity to align redevelopment with equity and sustainability. Similarly, Bryant oversaw the Neighborhood Planning Study for the Joe Louis Greenway, focusing on ensuring that residents living near the greenway remain central to its evolution.
Throughout his time in Detroit, Bryant initiated or completed numerous neighborhood framework plans, including those for North End, Greater Warren/Conner, Midwest/Tireman, Cody Rouge, Brightmoor, and others. These plans are not just blueprints for development but are grounded in the lived experiences and priorities of Detroiters, embodying the ethos of community-centered urban planning.
His contributions extend to preserving the city’s historical legacy. Under his leadership, the Historic Preservation Study was successfully passed and engaged with communities to highlight the importance of honoring the city’s past as a foundation for its future.
Before his time in Detroit, Bryant served as a business development and project manager for Moody Nolan in Houston. His work there focused on empowering underserved communities through thoughtful planning and strategic engagement. With nearly three decades of experience in urban planning, his career has consistently centered on fostering partnerships and prioritizing the voices of those often excluded from traditional development processes.
Mayor Duggan is expected to name a new Planning Director after Thanksgiving. Whoever succeeds Bryant will inherit a department that has evolved under his leadership into a model for resident-driven planning. The challenge ahead will be building on this momentum, ensuring that Detroit’s redevelopment continues to reflect the aspirations of its people.
“I have been blessed with an incredibly talented and passionate staff that were a pleasure to work with and am encouraged by the direction we are headed as a city,” Bryant said. “The best is still to come for Detroit, and I’m excited to have played a role in its growth and look forward to continuing to collaborate with our residents, corporate and philanthropic partners.”
Bryant’s departure signals the end of a significant chapter for Detroit, but his influence will persist in the projects he shepherded and the culture of collaboration he established. The city’s trajectory has been profoundly shaped by his commitment to equity and community empowerment. As Detroit moves forward, the lessons learned under Bryant’s leadership will serve as a blueprint for creating spaces where all residents have a voice and a stake in the city’s future.
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