Zoning and Land-Use Draft is HERE!

Here is the Draft Plan for Zoning and Land-Use for the I-375 Neighborhood Framework. It is important that we receive community feedback in a step towards a future vision for the I-375 corridor defined by adjacent neighborhoods. If you have not seen it or need a refresher from the community meeting, see Public Meeting #3 Digital Zine for your consideration of future zoning and land-use. If you have seen the draft plan and would like to go straight to the survey see Public Meeting #3 Survey Flyer and use the QR code to fill out the survey.

Our vision - new boulevard corridor that creates equitable opportunities, enhances mobility, celebrates our centers of culture, and honors our history.

The I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project by the Michigan Department of Transportation is a transformational project to convert the downtown interstate spur and the Gratiot Connector to a surface boulevard.  The conversion will address the inherent safety concerns with maintenance of the highway and bridges, the current interchange, and accessibility into surrounding communities and the Riverfront. 

This project requires a greater understanding of the impacts to surrounding communities: historic harm of past urban renewal efforts that removed a great center of black culture, commerce, and people; impacts of construction on surrounding communities and businesses and how to mitigate them; and the need to maintain safe connections and access for Detroiters and our visitors.

I-375 cut off the adjacent neighborhood from downtown and led to the demolition of Hastings Street, the last part of the Black Bottom neighborhood. Removing the expressway and replacing it with a boulevard will reconnect city streets in the area. While it won't bring back Hastings Street, it offers opportunities to honor the area's history, promote equitable development, enhance cultural spaces, and improve mobility.

Neighborhood Framework

The City of Detroit, through extensive community engagement, will develop a NEIGHBORHOOD FRAMEWORK, to understand the opportunities and challenges that come with the I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project.  The framework is to be developed with elements of study that include: zoning & land-use; urban design and neighborhoods; mobility; open space; and history, arts and culture.

Since this major infrastructure project will have a substantial impact on nearby neighborhoods and will create 30+ acres of developable land, a framework is needed.  

The framework will work with the community to answer a series of questions; for example:

• How should the new developable land be zoned?

• What types of development should be in the new parcels?  How large or small should the (potential) developments be? 

• What should the right-of-way look like on the newly created roads?

• Should there be green space on the new parcels?  Is so, how much?

• What should it be like to travel through the area?

• How should this area connect to the existing neighborhoods? 

• What are the stormwater management opportunities for the area?

• What are the potential infrastructure upgrades for the area? 

• What are the opportunities to support arts & culture in the area?  

• How should the Hastings Street history be recognized? 

• How should the boulevard connect to the Riverfront?

The newly created developable land will be owned by the State of Michigan and subject to Federal Department of Transportation regulations. Creating a plan with clear recommendations for the area is critical to help guide the disposition of the land and to direct financial resources for potential projects and enhancements.

Framework Scope

Framework Timeline

Community Meeting #3 - Zoning and Land-Use Draft Plan: Emerging Ideas

The City of Detroit hosted a community meeting to get feedback on a zoning and land-use plan draft for the re-imagined I-375 corridor and boulevard. Attendees were given a presentation of the project’s context: Project Givens, Framework Overview, how the framework impacts the boulevard design, and what makes a Framework, and an overview of zoning and land-use. We recapped community meeting #2 and analysis – the scenario exercise where we asked attendees about their preferred land-use in the corridor, by parcel block. There was also an analysis of the underlaying land-use from the Master Plan of Policies to determine the general preferred land uses. The consultant team of Interboro Partners presented the draft plan. Additionally, the MDOT consultant team of Quinn Evans prepared an exhibit on the history of the project area centered bout the themes of Immigration + Integration, Black-Owned Businesses, Culture/ Arts/ Music, Impact of Urban Renewal, and Diversity of Religion. Attendees were asked to give feedback on businesses on Hastings Street in Historic Black Bottom and add comments or information we needed to know. 

• Meeting Presentation

Past Meetings 

'April 22,2025 Community Meeting - Challenges and Opportunities : Early Land-Use Scenarios

The City of Detroit hosted a community meeting to get feedback with a simple proposition – What can the creation of 30 acres of new land in the heart of our city do to improve the community? Attendees had a short thought exercise on scenarios developed from the perspective of the resident and from the visitor to Detroit to gather feedback on what given land uses could be used to improve the resident (residential) scenario and the visitor (Entertainment) scenario.  Participants were then asked to create their own scenario through a longer, table exercise that did not have any preconditions using the given land-uses, other than existing landmarks.  If participants wanted to add uses for consideration, they were given the opportunity to do so. We received a wide range of feedback, all of it important and all of it to be considered as we move forward in developing a zoning and land-use policy that is informed by Detroit residents. 

Additionally, we introduced our new director of planning, Alexa Bush, who presented an overview of the framework and when the excess property comes online for future development; how the framework process can inform the future vision; an update on existing conditions; and a recap on Community Meeting #1.

• Meeting Presentation
• Activity Maps
• Land-Use Activity

December 3, 2024 Community Meeting – I-375 Neighborhood Framework Introduction

The City of Detroit hosted a community meeting to introduce the I-375 Neighborhood Framework process and elements of study at The Eastern on December 3, 2024 at 5:30.  There was a wonderful turnout where we got to listen to residents on their thoughts on the framework process and elements (such as zoning and land-use, urban design, and the role history art and culture should have in this project). Currently we are documenting the information from that meeting to make available for the public as well as the livestream from MDOT.  Click here to view the PowerPoint presentation given during the community meeting.

• Meeting Recording
• Meeting presentation
• Community Meeting Notice COD
• Community Meeting Notice MDOT

October 17, 2024 – I-375 LAC Meeting – I-375 Neighborhood Framework Kickoff and PDB Overview

• I-375 Local Advisory Committee Meeting
• Committee members received a presentation and update on the consultant kick-off of the I-375 Neighborhood Framework and the elements that will comprise the framework: Zoning and Land-Use; Urban Design; and History, Art and Culture. Members also received an overview of the progressive design-build method of delivery for the new boulevard and how the framework can influence the design. Click above to view the LAC presentation.

May 2, 2024 - Zoning and Land-Use Study COO Meeting

• Meeting Recording
• Meeting Presentation

May 8, 2024 - Zoning and Land Use Study COO Meeting

• Meeting Recording