Multiple placemaking and revitalization projects will benefit from a recent grant awarded to the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP). The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) awarded the DDP $13,740,000 from its Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) Program this week.
Since office space is still at about 40% of pre-pandemic levels, the group applied for the funding to create more spaces for the public to go downtown, transitioning from work to live and play. Many of the projects that will receive funds are part of mixed-use developments in progress.
The projects will help connect Greektown, Campus Martius, Capitol Park, and the Woodward Corridor.
Downtown Detroit projects benefiting from funding are:
- Transforming Randolph Plaza into a permanent outdoor space as the gateway to Greektown.
- Placemaking enhancements to Cadillac Square, increasing walkability and vitality between Campus Martius and Greektown, and to Grand Circus Park.
- Two placemaking investments in Paradise Valley, including an activated alley off of Gratiot that will lead into the district.
- Social District infrastructure in Capitol Park, placing it more as a visitor destination.
- The redevelopment of the vacant Harvard Square Center building, owned by Bedrock, on Broadway by the Paradise Valley district.
- The redevelopment of a 7-story building on Griswold Street near Capitol Park. Karp and Associates will rehab the vacant building into a mixed-used development.
The RAP fund is part of $100 million from the American Rescue Plan. More than $83 million in project funding across the state was announced on Tuesday; the rest will be announced at a later date.
