June 15, 2016
The DFC Implementation Office continues to catalyze Detroit’s transformation using the recommendations in the DFC Strategic Framework to influence systemic changes from a citywide scale, to a neighborhood-by-neighborhood, lot-by-lot or resident-by-resident basis. By taking this approach, the DFC Implementation Office has the ability to drive equitable transformation so that all city stakeholders, residents, community groups, partner organizations and government are equipped with information and resources to address quality of life for Detroit today, while setting a platform for realizing the Framework’s 50-year vision.
This summer, several DFC Implementation Office initiatives demonstrate how technical assistance, community engagement, and capacity building are the keys to creating inclusive vacant land transformation and adaptive reuse opportunities in Detroit.
The DFC Implementation Office’s Vacant Building Reuse Initiatives
Brick + Beam Detroit
Brick + Beam Detroit is a partnership between Preservation Detroit, Michigan Historic Preservation Network and the DFC Implementation Office, and a winner of the 2015 Knight Cities Challenge. This initiative works toward creating a community for building rehabbers of all levels, facilitating opportunities for engagement and supporting local talent by providing an integrated support network. A recent crop of new residents are planting roots in Detroit, buying vacant or neglected structures and investing sweat equity into rehabbing them. Brick + Beam Detroit offers residents opportunities for community sharing through classes, how-to demonstrations, online forums, rehab storytelling events, social networking, physical support kits called “Launch Boxes”, and more. Brick + Beam Detroit partnered with 8 Mile Blvd Association to present the first Detroit Home Expo, which featured do-it-yourself classes, vendors, informational workshops and a skilled trades job fair at the State Fair Grounds on May 21.