Grand River - Northwest

Neighborhood planning framework pairs a focus on commercial corridors with landscape design and green stormwater infrastructure in Northwest Detroit

The City of Detroit has completed a comprehensive neighborhood framework plan for northwest Detroit along the Grand River corridor, including near and long-term strategies for Housing & Retail Development, Streetscape, Parks & Green Stormwater Infrastructure.  Near term implementation strategies were presented to the community April 26th, 2018 and will be carried out as a part of the City's Strategic Neighborhood Fund initiative.   

 

Grand River Northwest Book Cover

See Neighborhood Framework Document. Printed copies are available to be placed at community resource locations upon request.

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Framework Plan Implementation Updates

Framework Plan Implementation Updates

Housing & Development

  • The Holcomb Elementary site was identified by the community as a priority for rehabilitation and opportunity to provide multi-family housing typology within the single family neighborhood. The 7.5 acre site offers potential for additional open space amenities for residents and neighbors. For more information from The Housing and Revitalization Department, visit:  www.detroitmi.gov/holcomb
     

  • Design Center In A Box funded by a 2017 Knight Cities Challenge grant selected a design team for the activation of a vacant storefront as a community design center, hosting exhibitions and meetings related to neighborhood planning, City staff office hours and pop-up retail.  The project was installed in the Artist Village storefront in Summer 2019 More information on the competition, past programming and future virtual exhibits visit  www.designcenterinabox.org
     

  • The Obama Building at the corner of Grand River and Lahser is the result of a public-private partnership that includes The Platform, The City of Detroit, Invest Detroit, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Horizon Bank and the Fisher Foundation. Under construction now, the building offers 8,800 SF of retail and four residential units with affordable and market-rates. For more information on the project visit: https://www.theplatform.city/obama-building/
     

  • The vacant Burt Road Site, just south of Grand River is owned by the Detroit Land Bank Authority, and identified in the framework plan as an opportunity site for multifamily housing.  The Housing and Revitalization Department prioritized the site for construction of quality affordable housing, releasing a Request for Proposals in early 2020.  

Rogell Park

Parks & Open Space

  • The former golf course site between Grand River and 7-Mile will be redeveloped as Rogell Park.  The opportunity to restore a regionally significant natural landscape and build stormwater management wetlands was identified during the framework study.  Master-planning for uses on the site was completed with community stakeholders during the spring of 2018 and acquisition completed by the City of Detroit in summer 2018.  The City of Detroit General Services Department will begin planning & design of the open space amenities on the site with the community beginning in summer 2020. 
     
  • In summer 2019 the City began the design process for landscape and pedestrian infrastructure improvements in the Old Redford neighborhood with the goal of addressing city-owned vacant land and increasing connections between neighborhood places and spaces. The identified neighborhood improvements of the Old Redford Link will begin construction summer 2020.  The vision for the neighborhood greenway includes community driven activation of neighborhood spaces.  To further explore opportunities for public arts & cultural programming, the City is working with Sidewalk Detroit to develop a Public Art Framework for Old Redford.  Visit the ongoing virtual exhibit and check out the Old Redford Link Facebook page to get involved.
     
Grand River Streetscape

Streetscape

  • MDOT, working with the City of Detroit, began design in December 2018 for streetscape improvements on Grand River Avenue to transform the roadway into a walkable environment, adding amenities, increasing safety, and supporting local businesses. The project seeks to address the community's desire for safer pedestrian crossings with the addition of bicycle lanes, reduced crossing distances and improved sidewalk infrastructure. The road design covers Grand River from Southfield Freeway to Berg Road, with additional improvements in two "Streetscape nodes" located in Old Redford and Grandmont Rosedale. Design was completed in May 2019 and construction began late Summer 2019.  For information about ongoing construction, visit: the project website.  
     

  • The City’s road bond will fund additional improvements on City roads adjacent to the Grand River, including the creation of GRANDparklet at the intersection of Puritan, Plainview and Grand River.  The project converts a dangerous vehicle cut-through into a flexible community plaza.  Design was completed in early 2020 and construction will begin over the summer to see the final design visit the project website.

Community Engagement GRNW

Community Meetings

Old Redford Link Meetings:

Upcoming:

Old Redford Arts and Culture
Old Redford Arts Culture

This summer we are seeking community input in the development of a Public Art & Culture Framework for the Old Redford Link.   Due to COVID-19 we have moved to a virtual format.  Please stay tuned for announcements of meeting dates & times by following the project on Facebook and Instagram and check-out our virtual exhibit.



 

Previous Meetings:

The City worked with a team of design professionals, local engagement partners and a steering committee representing stakeholder organizations to develop recommendations and gather resident feedback on a suite of neighborhood improvements.  Presentations and a summary of community feedback can be accessed below.

Dates, Times & Locations:

 

Grand River Streetscape Meetings:

 The City of Detroit, in collaboration with Councilmember Tate and Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will held a series of design meetings from December 2018 through April 2019.  See below for a list of meetings and links to view past presentations.

Dates, Times & Locations:

Grand River Northwest Neighborhood Framework Plan Meetings:

 

Thanks to all who attended the April 26, 2018 Implementation Launch and Councilmember Tate's D1 Meeting on April 28. The presentation slides and additional resources are posted below. If you did not have the opportunity to sign up for focus groups for particular projects and initiatives, please contact Michele Flournoy at [email protected].