Planning Director Antoine Bryant leaving city government to accept prestigious private sector role

2024
  • Bryant has led city’s successful neighborhood planning and community benefits processes, giving residents a true voice in the future of their neighborhoods 
  • Bryant’s new role to be announced next month; Mayor praises his service 
  • Mayor expected to announce new Planning Director soon 

 

Detroit's nationally acclaimed Director of Planning & Development, Antoine Bryant will be leaving his post after three years to accept a prestigious position in the private sector, Mayor Mike Duggan announced today. Bryant’s new role is expected to be announced in early December by his new employer. His last day with the city will be December 13. 

Mayor Duggan recruited Bryant from Houston, TX, in July 2021, following a nationwide search, to lead the city’s neighborhood redevelopment planning efforts. Two months later, the Mayor featured Bryant and his work prominently at the Mackinac Policy Conference.   

Since that time, Bryant has overseen dozens of neighborhood framework planning processes and led several community benefits agreement processes for major developments including the $3 billion Future of Health project being led by Henry Ford Health System and Michigan State University, and the redevelopment of the long-vacant Fisher Body 21 building.  

To do this, Bryant, has attended hundreds of meetings with residents to solicit their input to be incorporated into final planning and development plans.  

“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.”  

A Brooklyn native, Bryant came to Detroit from Houston, where he served as business development and project manager for Moody Nolan, where his work centered around the development and social empowerment of underserved communities. Bryant is a nationally recognized thought leader in civic engagement, urban planning, and community-led design. With more nearly 30 years of experience, he has directed efforts across the country, from neighborhood plans to full-scale strategic planning activities.   

Among Bryant’s other accomplishments during his tenure with the City are: 

  • Began the 'Plan Detroit’ process, which is the 1st comprehensive update since to the City’s Master Plan since 2009, with extensive intergenerational engagement in every Council district  
  • Began framework plan for I-375 Zoning & Land Use, for 30+ acres of land resulting from reconstruction of boulevard 
  • Completion of Neighborhood Planning Study for the Joe Louis Greenway, focused on planning for residents living adjacent to the Greenway 
  • Successful passage and eventually engagement of Historic Preservation Study 
  • Completed or began a series of diverse neighborhood framework plans, including: 
    • North End
    • Greater Warren/Conner 
    • Midwest/Tireman 
    • Cody Rouge Framework Plan 
    • Grand River/7 Mile (G7) 
    • Brightmoor 
    • Grixdale Farms 
    • Fenkell Corridor Action Plan 

“In many respects, serving as Director of the Planning & Development Dept 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 visons and desires for the future or our neighborhoods,” said Bryant. “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 a played a role in its growth and look forward to continuing to collaborate with our residents, corporate and philanthropic partners.” 

Mayor Duggan said he expects to name a new Planning Director after Thanksgiving.