Rosa Parks and Clairmount

  

The Rosa Parks and Clairmount Neighborhood Framework Plan is in the implementation phase and includes a ½ square mile of the neighborhood within a 1 mile stretch of historic 12th street. It includes the Walker Williams Recreation Center and Virginia Park Community Plaza, Herman Kiefer Development, and the surrounding neighborhood.

Near-Term Neighborhood Transformation Strategies

The following five projects are in an ongoing community engagement process identified in the Rosa Parks/ Clairmount Neighborhood and Revitalization Framework. We encourage residents near these locations to participate in the design development stage of these projects. Stay tuned for updates!

12th Street/ Rosa Parks Boulevard (North of Grand Boulevard to Clairmount)

This streetscape improvement project will extend from Clairmount to Grand Boulevard. These improvements include branding "12th Street" signs and landscape designs in the medians, protected bike lanes, and safe crosswalks, which lends to a connected, walkable neighborhood. Join us in the design development of 12th Street where we plan to strengthen this neighborhood's legacy:

  • Design & Construction 2020
  • For further information on this project, please contact:
  • Gustavo Serratos, Project Manager of Complete Streets at (313) 628-0135
  • Department of Public Works: www.detroitmi.gov/streetscapes
12th Street Banner

 

Rosa Parks Boulevard Two-Way Conversion (South of Grand Boulevard to Michigan Ave.)

Rosa Parks Boulevard Two-Way Conversion (South of Grand Boulevard to Michigan Ave.) The proposed two-way street conversion of Rosa Parks Boulevard begins with an intersection improvement at Grand Boulevard. The extent of the two-way conversion runs to Michigan Ave where the City plans to allow bus routes to also be rerouted for two-way routes along this stretch. The goal of this street upgrade is to provide neighborhoods greater access and connection to the Detroit River.

  • Design Development and Construction – 2020
  • For further information on this project, please contact:
  • Gustavo Serratos, Project Manager of Complete Streets at (313) 628-0135
  • Department of Public Works: www.detroitmi.gov/streetscapes
City of Detroit Logo

 

Virginia Park Plaza Promenade

The City of Detroit also seeks your feedback on the design development of the Virginia Park Plaza Promenade located at Pingree Street and 12th Street. As an extension of the crosswalk designs identified in the 12th Street streetscape described above, this Promenade extends the Joseph Walker Williams Recreation Center and the Plaza's "front door" to the street with an alee of planted trees and pedestrian walkway to provide a safe, shaded passage to the neighborhood’s core retail center. Join us in the design development of the Virginia Park Plaza Promenade.

  • Concept design complete
Virginia Park Promenade

 

Neighborhood Revitalization Framework

The Rosa Parks-Clairmount Framework addresses a community with a rich legacy and a promising future. Residents value their neighbors and the history of their neighborhood but feel challenged by the prevalence of vacant land in the area and its effect on safety, walkability, and cohesion. This framework, in alignment with corresponding efforts being pursued by the City of Detroit, seeks to: showcase community identity in the physical environment through historically-informed urban design; build continuity through innovative low-cost land stewardship; stabilize neighborhoods through targeted housing improvements and redevelopment; and increase walkability and connectivity through enhanced pedestrian and cycling networks. It does so through three strategies: Landscape, Mobility, and Housing + Economic Development.

The planning strategy highlights and targets the following:

  • innovative and sustainable uses for vacant lots and structures
  • renovation and future development of homes and businesses
  • streetscape improvements such as crosswalks and signage
  • neighborhood identity and branding based on cultural and historic assets
  • safe passage for bicycle and pedestrian mobility
Download the Neighborhood Framework Plan

Community Meetings 

Please join us for a presentation and opportunity to provide feedback to the City on options for the Rosa Park Streetscape Project. The Department of Public Works will present upcoming improvements to the boulevard including: safety improvements, landscaping, and community branding.   Come participate and bring your ideas!  The presentation will be held on Thursday, March 5th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Joseph Walker Williams Recreation Center.   Please see attached flyer, which you may like to share with your 12th Street neighbors.   The focus of this meeting will describe the streetscape improvements on Rosa Parks Blvd between Clairmount and Grand Blvd. 

For more information, please contact: Gustavo Serratos, Project Manager of Complete Streets at (313) 628-0135 or at www.detroitmi.gov/streetscapes

Download Meeting Flyer

Past Meetings

January 9, 2020

  • Department of Public Works topic: “Rosa Parks Streetscape”
  • For more information, please see the DPW Streetscape Program.
  • Department of Public Works: www.detroitmi.gov/streetscapes

August 16, 2018

  • Community Design Workshop
  • 12th Street Design (Clairmount to Grand Blvd)
  • Presentation (see Resources below)

May 11, 2017

  • Presentation (see Resources below)
  • Community Polling Results
  • Discussion topic: “Where do we start?”
  • Herman Kiefer Development

April 5, 2017

  • Neighborhood Advisory Council
  • Herman Kiefer Development

March 9, 2017

  • Discussion topic: “How things are now”