Vacant to Vibrant: City, Partners celebrate culmination of the G/7 Site activation as a vision for future commercial redevelopment
The City of Detroit’s Planning and Development Department (PDD), in collaboration with Invest Detroit, Fifth Third Bank, Better Block, and Matrix Human Services, celebrated the successful culmination of the temporary activation along Gratiot Avenue near East McNichols. This event marks the end of the current activation phase and transitions the site into a new chapter of community-led stewardship and programming under Matrix Human Services.
The temporary activation, launched in May 2024, transformed a key commercial block in the Gratiot/7 Mile (G7) Strategic Neighborhood Fund area. Residents identified a strong need for more retail and improved commercial corridors during the G7 neighborhood planning process. However, persistent market challenges, limited development capital have hampered traditional redevelopment approaches. Gratiot Avenue historically had a high-injury traffic profile, but in September 2024 the City of Detroit was awarded a $12.5M Safe Streets for All grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The entire corridor of Gratiot within Detroit city limits, from 8 Mile Road to downtown, will be the focus of projects to make meaningful and lasting improvements to increase safety and reduce crashes.
This tactical activation was designed to overcome those barriers by illustrating the corridor’s untapped potential through semi-permanent design features and vibrant, community-focused programming.
Khalil Ligon, East Region Director at the City of Detroit Planning and Development Department, shared, "This project is a testament to the resilience and tenacity of the G7 community. For the past year, residents have been using the space for respite and community events, just as we hoped when it was activated last year. It demonstrates a need for more of these types of projects to draw attention to the tremendous development potential along Gratiot Avenue. This culminating event is a chance to celebrate the community's commitment to bringing the G7 plan to life and improving their neighborhoods.”
"The Gratiot/7 Mile activation is a clear example of how strategic, community-centered planning can unlock new possibilities for Detroit’s commercial corridors," said Alexa Bush, Director of the City of Detroit’s Planning and Development Department. "By working in true partnership with residents, local organizations like Matrix Human Services, and national partners like Better Block, we’ve transformed a once-vacant space into a vibrant hub that reflects the vision and aspirations of the G7 neighborhood."
The site features a combination of outdoor gathering areas, art installations, vendor spaces, and safety-focused design elements that aim to reimagine Gratiot as a vibrant, walkable corridor. Visitors can enjoy both event-specific activities and flexible infrastructure that supports future community programming.
The event included food, entertainment, local vendors, and opportunities for community feedback to assess the impact of the activation and inform long-term plans for the site. It also celebrates the partnership between the City, private funders, nonprofit leaders, and G7 residents who helped steward and shape the site throughout the past year.
Over the last 12 months, Matrix hosted and coordinated multiple events at the site, including:
- 4820Live Pop-Up Market
- Schools to Tools Mobile Career Unit
- Ageless Adventures Winter Camp
- Three additional Matrix-led community events
Following this celebration, Matrix Human Services will continue to steward and activate the space through June 2026, with support from PDD as both entities evaluate options for a more permanent commercial or public use.
“For over a century, Matrix has been rooted in the neighborhoods of Detroit, walking hand-in-hand with families, children, and seniors to build a better future,” said Starr Allen Pettway, CEO of Matrix Human Services. “This celebration is about honoring the strength of our communities, especially in the G7 neighborhood, and continuing to show up for the people who inspire us every day.”
“This event represents Matrix’s commitment to the advancement of the G7 community”, said Nicole Pilgrim, COO of Matrix. “We are proud to share this beautiful space that was thoughtfully designed with residents in mind. Not only can residents enjoy this space for recreation, but know that, if needed, Matrix is there to provide them with essential services and supports to enhance their quality of life. This really is a one-stop shop.”
The Gratiot/7 Mile activation is part of the broader Strategic Neighborhood Fund -a citywide strategy to catalyze reinvestment in Detroit’s commercial corridors through design, partnerships, and community engagement. The fund is managed by Invest Detroit and includes a $5 million investment from Fifth Third Bank into the G7 area. Other investments in the G7 SNF area include:
- $1,825,000 for Heilmann Park Investment
- $791,000 for Multifamily Housing Investment
- $2.4 million for Single Family Housing
- $1,244,252 for Commercial investments
“The G7 Pavilion represents our commitment to sustainability, community, and the power of shared public spaces,” said Jermaine Ruffin, Invest Detroit, Senior Vice President of Neighborhoods. “From the very beginning, this project has been shaped by significant input from the community, ensuring it reflects the values, needs, and spirit of those who will use it most. We are honored to support the vision of the G7 community and collaborate with the City of Detroit’s Planning and Development Department and Better Block to create this meaningful space where people can connect and engage with the environment around them.”
Fifth Third Bank, Assistant Vice President and Community Development Manager, Tawnya Rose, stated, "We are committed to strengthening our communities. Fifth Third Bank has invested $5 million in the Gratiot/7 Mile neighborhood through the Detroit Strategic Neighborhood Fund and Affordable Housing Leverage Fund. We believe this collaboration with the city and community partners on projects like this help improve these areas and the lives of residents and business owners within them."
The city has worked together with the Better Block Foundation to show off the site’s potential as a future center for neighborhood development and business. The Better Block Foundation is a nonprofit that helps communities reshape areas to promote growth in a variety of neighborhoods.
“At the Better Block, we collaborate with the community to create temporary demonstrations that showcase the potential for lasting change,” says Krista Nightengale, Executive Director of Better Block. “It's been inspiring to see neighbors activate the space throughout the past year—and even more exciting to know that this momentum will continue, along with ongoing investment in making Gratiot Avenue a safer, more walkable area.”
