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.

Fifteen grassroots organizations from around Detroit received a share of $65,000 in mini-grants from Detroit Future City (DFC) to transform vacant lots. This is part of DFC’s Field Guide to Working with Lots, designed to provide actionable guidance for reinvigorating empty lots in neighborhoods.

Recipient: Mandy Moran/Detroit Film Fatales

Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: Mounds of Fun

Recipient: Scott Street Farm LLC’s

Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: Friendly Fence

Recipient: Jacqueline Perkins

Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: Paisley Patch

Recipient: Arthur S. Whitefield

Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: Friendly Fence

Recipient: BOUNCE BACK DETROIT

Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: 8-Mile Rain Garden with Dumping Preventer

Recipient: Kef Parker Art-Gineer Studio

Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: Mix N Match with Native Butterfly Meadow

Recipient: Philip Southend Street Block Club

Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: Gravel Garden

Recipient: Life Builders

Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: Party Lot

Recipient: Demographic Inspirations – Detroit

Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: Summer Soil Booster with Dumping Preventer

Recipient: North Rosedale Civic Association

Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: Native Butterfly Meadow

Recipient: Grandmont Rosedale Development Corp

Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: Friendly Fence

Recipient: West Village Association  

Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: Four Seasons

Recipient: Urban Neighborhood Initiatives, Inc

Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: Dumping Preventer with Turbo Till

Recipient: Mt. Olivet Neighborhood Watch Inc

Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: Mix n Match Meadow

Recipient: 360 Detroit, Inc

Proposed Field Guide Lot Design: Rear Parking Partner