A new report from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is highlighting what Detroit and four other cities around the country have learned through Reimagining the Civic Commons, a project that's transforming public spaces.
A new report from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is highlighting what Detroit and four other cities around the country have learned through Reimagining the Civic Commons, a project that's transforming public spaces.
The Knight Foundation announced last week that this work began three years ago when the foundation partnered with The Kresge Foundation and others to see, “Would it be possible to revitalize and connect disused civic spaces to foster greater civic engagement, promote economic development and enhance environmental sustainability?”
The report – Common Goals, Different Approaches – provides an overview of the progress and key takeaways from the cities participating in this work.
In Detroit, the project is focused in the Fitzgerald neighborhood where there’s 20 acres of vacant land and nearby vacant storefronts.
The Fitzgerald project is intended to infuse greenways and public space into the neighborhood.
The Civic Commons team held 100 community meetings to get input over the past couple of years which informed the plan for Ella Fitzgerald Park.
The city acquired 400 vacant properties in the neighborhood and turned them over to a developer in what the city says is one of the largest land transfers to a single developer in its history.
The space officially opened last summer after the city transformed the 26 vacant lots into a green space.
This has been a cross-sector effort. The city of Detroit has leveraged $4 million in funding for the project to become $40 million in public, private and philanthropic investment.
“Has it been done before? Everything you’re seeing here has been done before,” Maurice Cox, planning director for the city of Detroit said. “Is there a city that took 26 vacant lots and turned it into a 2 1/2-acre park across alleys and streets? Probably not.”
There are more plans in the works, to continue to fill vacant storefronts and lots with tenants and spaces based on the residents’ needs and feedback.
Civic Commons is also intentional about transforming the area without displacing residents. The team is working to revitalize 100 houses in the neighborhood.
The foundation shared in its announcement, “At Knight Foundation, we believe community change happens when we are able to work with residents and other partners to unleash and accelerate what’s already moving in community.”
Philadelphia, Memphis, Akron and Chicago are also highlighted in the report for their own Civic Commons projects, each with a different approach.
Want more?
Read the full report.
