Detroit Future City’s (DFC) Working with Lots Program aims to accelerate vacant land revitalization in Detroit using the Field Guide to Working with Lots. The program has three components: a grant program, a workshop series, and a maintenance program.

The Working with Lots Program encourages community groups, faith-based institutions, non-profits, and businesses to install one of 38 lot designs to activate community spaces, address stormwater concerns, and create more attractive neighborhoods. The program awarded its first cohort of grantees in 2016, with installations taking place throughout the city of Detroit. Since then, DFC has invested over $330,000 in communities and vacant land transformation through the Working with Lots Program.

The Working with Lots Grant Program has been funded by the Erb Family Foundation, the Kresge Foundation and Bank of America.

Groups interested in using the Field Guide to activate a lot in their community can email info@detroitfuturecity.com to speak with a member of the Field Guide team.

Out of more than 30 applicants, 10 were selected to receive a share of $65,000 in mini-grants in 2017. A maximum of $5,000 of the mini-grant was utilized toward lot design implementation; the remaining $1,500 was dedicated toward the maintenance of the lot, programming, and educational material expenses.

Recipient: GenesisHOPE Community Development Corporation
Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: “Ring Around the Garden”

Recipient: Mack Avenue Community Church Community Development Corporation
Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: “Friendly Fence”

Recipient: Manistique Block Club 200-300 Block
Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: “Forest Patcher”

Recipient: Southwest Detroit Business Association
Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: “Front Parking Partner”

Recipient: Minock Park Block Association
Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: “Ring Around the Garden”

Recipient: O’Hair Park Community Association
Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: “8 Mile Rain Garden”

Recipient: Popps Packing
Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: “Ring Around the Garden” & “Organic Bowl”

Recipient: Wyoming-Kentucky-Indiana-Wisconsin-Ohio Block Club
Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: “Four Seasons”

Recipient: Motor City Grounds Crew
Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: “Urban Edge”

Recipient: Mecca Development Corporation
Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: “Dumping Preventer”