For our inaugural challenge this year, we partnered with Bleeding Heart Design and Impact Detroit to activate the Lindale Gardens community through art. An initiative of the University of Detroit Mercy’s Detroit Collaborative Design Center, Bleeding Heart Design’s (b.h.d.) founder Rebecca (Bucky) Willis described b.h.d. as a way to “help people be altruistic,” and in doing so “inspire people to take ownership of their neighborhood.”

As a creative hub, the City of Detroit is a fitting urban center for this type of revitalization effort. Specifically, the Lindale Gardens community is located at the juncture of 7 Mile, State Fair, John R, and I-75 roads. With a declining population and stressed economic situation, this community has experienced trying times. By supporting b.h.d., we worked to expand Bucky’s impact in her hometown, and helped design the framework for the future of the community.

Dividing into teams, we directly engaged with the community, and focused our energies on developing the best strategies and designs for b.h.d. Teams delved in to support different elements of the organization by providing grant guidance, property and land research, community and media relations, design building, event planning, mural management and storytelling.

Results

Together, we transformed a once overgrown and blighted lot on the corner of State Fair and Coventry into a welcoming community gathering space. By building on the work done by b.h.d., we were able to activate this corner of the community with a neighborhood barbecue that featured food, music, a moonwalk for the kids, and marshmallow roasting on a bonfire. We also spearheaded a “Belong Here” guerilla art campaign, in addition to a large mural that will be completed in the spring of 2014.

Most importantly, our research and the frameworks we helped foster can be used for future initiatives. Fellow Ben Newton who served as one of the two project managers stated, “This project has been about building trust, promoting unity, breaking down barriers, illuminating the importance of collaboration, and working towards a positive future for neighborhoods in Detroit”.

Bucky sees b.h.d. as a model that can transform community. By calling to action the members of a neighborhood, it is possible to change perceptions and give neighbors an opportunity to directly take part in the revitalization of their community.