Vanguard Community Development, located in Detroit’s North End, recently completed construction of its East Grand Boulevard Streetscape Transformation Project. The beautification initiative, sponsored by the Knight Foundation, runs along East Grand Boulevard between Woodward Avenue and I-75. The project’s goal is to help foster equitable and sustainable growth in the North End community.
Among the transformational improvements to the Boulevard include sidewalk repairs, light pole banners, 83 new trees, expanded median flower beds and new irrigation systems, planters, artistic benches, two solar-powered benches with charging capabilities, bike racks, and artistic median murals and crosswalks. Wayfinding signage and storytelling elements are the final additions to the transformational project.
“One of the first things you’ll notice when you enter our neighborhood is the new community identification sign, designed by artist Carlos Neilbock,” Pamela Martin Turner, President and CEO of Vanguard, said about the 1,400-pound North End-Milwaukee Junction sign, located on the eastern medium at the corner of East Grand Boulevard and Woodward Avenue. “The community identification sign/public art is part of the Knight Foundation’s investment in the North End to provide beautification and a welcoming, pedestrian-friendly commercial corridor.”
The plans to transform East Grand Boulevard were first unveiled in 2010 but didn’t get much traction. Vanguard revisited the decade-old plans and solicited new input from North End stakeholders, including residents, businesses, churches, and community organizations, to ascertain what they wanted East Grand Boulevard to look like. In May 2023, with the Knight Foundation’s $1.5 million grant, the transformational project took off and was completed in September.
“We wanted to see a project that both residents and businesses would be able to enjoy and be proud of,” said Monica Edmonds, COO of Vanguard Community Development. “By making the corridor friendly to pedestrians and by improving the aesthetics of the corridor through streetscape and sidewalk improvements, this stretch of East Grand Boulevard is a completely transformed gateway entrance into the North End neighborhood. The hope is that this revitalization leads to the Main Street corridor encouraging an increased level of pride for the residents and spurs further economic investment.”
To showcase and promote the completed East Grand Boulevard Streetscape Transformation Project, located in the North End Main Street District, Vanguard will host “a free” public Community Celebration for all ages on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The central location of the outdoor celebration will be held at Vanguard Community Development’s Community Campus, 2795 E. Grand Boulevard between Hastings and Cameron. The eastbound side of the Boulevard, in front of Vanguard’s headquarters, will be closed to traffic.
The event, according to Turner, will feature artistry, music, food, and fun activities. Businesses along East Grand Boulevard (between I-75 and Woodward) will celebrate the event with the public in various engaging ways. Storytelling stations will also be spaced along the Boulevard, where people can learn about the history and culture of the Historic North End community as they walk along East Grand Boulevard or take “pedal modes” of transportation.
To attend the free celebration, individuals must RSVP through Eventbrite.
In addition to Vanguard and the Knight Foundation, other event sponsors or project developers include the Detroit Pistons, Burley’s Property Maintenance, Major Contracting, Farrow Group, Phillips Sign and Lighting Company, and You Services, LLC.
“We are really excited about the completion of the East Grand Boulevard Streetscape Transformation Project and the upcoming Community Celebration,” said restaurateur Sandy Levine, owner of Dragonfly and Freya’s restaurants located on the Boulevard. “We are thrilled and honored to be present in the North End-Milwaukee Junction neighborhood. And it’s nice to have all this attention to beautify East Grand Boulevard because it has such a great history and beautiful people. It’s really cool!”
As Vanguard, founded in 1994, continues to fulfill its purpose as a community development corporation dedicated to partnering with Detroit’s North End residents, businesses, community leaders, local governments, and national economic development entities, the non-profit organization remains laser-focused on implementing projects and programs to creatively shape the present and future of the North End while preserving the storied community’s rich legacy.
“We have always felt that East Grand Boulevard needed and deserved more attention,” said Turner. “And we are glad, with the support of the Knight Foundation, to have completed this Streetscape Transformation project. We are hoping there will be a Phase II, and we are seeking funding for that phase.”
To learn more about Vanguard Community Development, the East Grand Boulevard Streetscape Transformation Project, and the organization’s other past, present, and future initiatives in the North End/Milwaukee Junction Community, log on to https://www.vanguarddetroit.org/.
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