Quarterly Newsletter – Summer 2019 In the second quarter of 2019, DFC released new research on re-purposing vacant industrial property, won support for Working With Lots, built a larger team of land and water stewards in Detroit — and much, much more. DFC Releases New Research on Reusing Vacant Industrial Spaces Finding new uses for […]
The Land + Water WORKS Coalition is back for another year of exciting programming and we’re kicking it off with the launch of our 2019 Land + Water WORKS Ambassador Program.
Join DFC at the Volunteer Recruitment and Management Workshop! The Working with Lots Program is launching a workshop series! Throughout the next year we will be partnering with different Detroit organizations and businesses to offer nine workshops aimed at strengthening skills and capacity to successfully install Field Guide lot designs on your property and implement land-based placemaking techniques. […]
Detroit Future City awarded nine Detroit-based grassroots organizations with $97,000 in grants to support the implementation of lot designs from the Field Guide to Working with Lots. As a celebration and kick-off session to welcome grantees, DFC hosted a Working with Lots Convening on March 26, where this year’s cohort will get to know each other and begin planning their projects.
Detroit Future City (DFC) announced today the release of “Growing Detroit’s African-American Middle Class,” a comprehensive data report supporting attraction, retention and growth strategies to restore a demographic that once defined the city. The report is funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Fund at the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan.
As the city continues to experience a revitalization, “Growing Detroit's African-American Middle Class” provides a benchmark through which the African-American middle class can serve as a measure to track equitable growth.
The report is a continuation of DFC’s commitment to providing accessible, data-driven strategies dedicated to moving the city forward, and stems from the 2017 release of its “139 Square Miles” report.
Detroit Future City (DFC)’s Working with Lots Program is issuing another round of grants to transform vacant land into intentional, productive, and well-maintained landscapes. Now in its fourth year, the Working with Lots Program continues to look for Detroit-based partners who are passionate about improving the way their neighborhoods look and feel.
Detroit Future City Deputy Director, Tom Goddeeris, wrote a Crain's Detroit Business "Other Voices" piece that suggests three strategies that encourage the reuse of vacant industrial property in ways that will provide jobs and other benefits to city residents.
In her latest article, Ingrid Jacques of the Detroit News talks the need to grow Detroit's neighborhoods and mentions Detroit Future City's "Growing Detroit's African-American Middle-Class."
Industrial Districts: Rethinking Strategies for Adaptive Reuse Detroit has nearly 900 vacant industrial buildings and sites scattered throughout its extensive network of industrial districts. Innovative strategies will be needed to put these properties back into productive use in ways that promote equitable redevelopment in Detroit’s neighborhoods. In this report, Detroit Future City examines a range […]
Join DFC for a 12-mile green water infrastructure bike tour of Detroit, organized by Sierra Club and Wayne State University.On this moderately-paced bike tour, you will stop to see rain gardens, green roofs, permeable pavers, rain barrels and other examples of green solutions in the City of Detroit.
This workshop will guide participants through the process of constructing a simple wood bench. The hands-on component will include guiding attendees through the different aspects of the construction process, including marking and sawing lumber, drilling holes, assembling a bench, etc. Participants will have the option to choose between using hand tools or power tools.
Participants will work together to assemble a bench during the workshop, and each participant will leave with all the materials for one bench, cut to size, and the know-how to assemble at home. RSVP to secure your spot. Class size is limited!
This workshop will teach participants the proper techniques for planting the common sizes of different perennials and trees. We will cover how to plant a seed, bulb, plug, quart and gallon pots, bare root trees, and balled + burlap trees. Proper watering methods will also be discussed. The hands-on component will involve planting exercises in an "I-do, we-do, you-do" format.