• In September 1925, Dr. Sweet, an African American physician, and his family were targeted by an angry mob after they moved into an all-White neighborhood.

• Four homes on Garland Street have undergone extensive renovations to preserve the historical integrity of the block.

• Two homes are now listed for sale, allowing new families to be part of this historic community. Two other homes are undergoing renovations and are expected to be completed next year.

The City of Detroit today announced the completion of renovations to two homes on Garland Street, directly across from the newly opened Dr. Ossian Sweet Memorial Park. This effort is part of a broader initiative to preserve the history of Garland Street while also bringing high-quality housing back to Detroit neighborhoods.

In August, Mayor Mike Duggan joined family members of Dr. Ossian Sweet, community leaders, and residents, to cut the ribbon on the Dr. Ossian Sweet Memorial Park, which honors the courageous stand Dr. Sweet and his family took against housing discrimination in 1925. Now, the Housing and Revitalization Department’s Bridging Neighborhoods team (HRD) has completed rehabilitation of two vacant homes, with renovations of another two homes on the street expected to be completed in 2026, further restoring the historic character of the area.

“Nearly a century after Dr. Ossian Sweet and his family stood up for the rights of Black families, Detroit is continuing that legacy by bringing new life to Garland Street,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “These beautifully restored homes are more than just buildings—they are symbols of courage, perseverance, and progress. We’re making sure that the history made here continues to inspire future generations

“By investing in these homes and honoring Dr. Sweet’s legacy, we’re connecting Detroit’s past to its future—creating a neighborhood where families can live, learn, and thrive for generations to come,” said Rico Razo, Chief of Home Repair and Neighborhood Services at Detroit’s Housing and Revitalization Department.

Restoring the Homes for New Families

The four homes—2912, 2918, 2924, and 2931 Garland Street—were converted from duplexes into spacious four-bedroom, three-bathroom single-family homes. The homes on 2912 and 2918 Garland were specifically designed to reflect the style and character of the neighborhood during the 1920s.

• 2912 Garland: Full interior and exterior rehabilitation, including all new electrical, plumbing, HVAC, drywall, bathrooms, kitchen, sewer and water lines, cedar siding, windows, roof, fencing, and porch restoration. This home will be listed for $249,000.

• 2918 Garland: Major structural and systems overhaul, including replacement of all four basement walls, full mechanical and plumbing systems, cedar siding, new roof, fencing, windows, and porch restoration. This home will be listed for $269,000.

• 2924 Garland: Full conversion and rehabilitation with new roof, siding, windows, mechanical systems, drywall, bathrooms, kitchen, sewer and water lines.

• 2931 Garland: Rehabilitation including foundation repairs, new roof, siding, windows, electrical and plumbing systems, HVAC, drywall, bathrooms, kitchen, sewer and water lines.

These homes are being listed for sale by the Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA) in coordination with the City of Detroit and will soon welcome new families, ensuring Garland Street once again thrives as a vibrant, lived-in neighborhood.

“The restoration of the Garland Street homes is one of the most meaningful projects the Detroit Land Bank Authority has ever been part of,” said DBLA CEO Tammy Daniels. “These homes stand as a testament to the strength and courage of Dr. Ossian Sweet and his family, and to the generations of Detroiters who continue to fight for fairness and opportunity. We’re honored to help bring new families back to this historic block, where Detroit’s past and future come together.”

The listings for the properties can be found here.

About the Dr. Ossian Sweet Memorial Park

The $1 million memorial park project, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), transformed vacant lots into a public space honoring Dr. Sweet, his family, and their landmark defense of their home against a mob in 1925. That trial, led by attorney Clarence Darrow, helped shine a national spotlight on racially discriminatory housing policies.

Together, the park and the restored homes ensure that Garland Street stands not only as a place of remembrance but also as a place of renewal—where Detroit families can live, learn, and thrive.

“These four homes complement the new Dr. Sweet Memorial Park in telling the story of what happened in this neighborhood in September 1925,” said City of Detroit General Services Director Crystal Perkins. “As we built the memorial park we worked closely with HRD, as well as Daniel Baxter and the Ossian H. Sweet Foundation to further the mission of keeping this story alive and empowering this eastside neighborhood while doing so.”

Pictured below: before and after the homes on 2918 and 2912 were renovated.