This blog was written by current fellows and Project Coordination Leads for this challenge, Martha Cavazos and Elizabeth Grabowski. 

This challenge, we had the privilege of working with the Detroit Collaborative Design Center, a multi-disciplinary non profit architecture and urban design firm housed in the University of Detroit Mercy. The DCDC has experience designing and building sustainable spaces and communities, currently developing neighborhood activation strategies with the Fitzgerald neighborhood.

The Fitzgerald neighborhood is located near the Lodge Freeway, the Avenue of Fashion, Marygrove College, and the University of Detroit Mercy.

For the challenge, fellows were divided into seven teams-each tasked with a different design question. Connecting these seven tasks was our collective goal to develop materials, resources, plans and events to support the engagement, empowerment and development efforts of local community leaders in the Fitzgerald neighborhood.

As a neighborhood activation challenge, fellows were able to interact with local block club leaders, community organizations, business owners, and schools. We’re grateful to have collaborated with the Marygrove Community Association, College Core Block Club, Fitzgerald Community Association, Maggie Lee’s Community Center, and Bethune Elementary School. Without their support and guidance, we could not have created strategies, videos, marketing materials and more!

So here you have it — a short list over viewing just some of what we’ll pass on to our community partners and Detroit Collaborative Design Center in hopes of continuing to activate the beautiful Fitzgerald neighborhood.

1. A powerful video: The Storytelling team created a promotional video that reflects the community’s vibrant history, and its equally storied neighbors. While crafting the video, it was critical for the team to engage with various community leaders and neighbors. These two beautiful videos will allow community associations and groups to brand their identify as the Fitzgerald Neighborhood, assist in applying for grants, and help communicate with other entities in Detroit.

2. A grant writing toolkit: The Fundraising and Granting Writing team worked alongside Maggie Lee’s Community Center to unpack its financial and programmatic goals and visions for the center. As a result, the team put together several materials that will aid the organization of the grant writing process. We can’t wait to see how grants can impact the center and the neighborhood!

3. A community bulletin board design: Community bulletin boards have gotten a ton of positive feedback in several Detroit neighborhoods as well as urban spaces around the country. The Community Bulletin Board team not only designed a multi-purpose design of a bulletin board, but outlined strategic placements for these boards as well as other “Welcome to Fitzgerald” signs. We think these pieces will brighten empty lots and unify the community’s messaging.

4. A community garden raised bed model: Urban farming is not a thing of the past in Detroit, and most neighborhoods and community centers want in on this proven community engagement strategy. Maggie Lee’s Community Center is no exception and the Community Garden team pulled together implementation plans and strategies to make it happen in the center’s near future. With a full scale model and the team’s building instructions, we hope Fitzgerald residents will be planting this spring!

5. An event plan for a neighborhood bike ride: Recently renovated Lollo Park sits in the heart of the Fitzgerald neighborhood, which means it also sits atop an opportunity to further engage the community as a beautiful public space. The Lollo Park Committee Planning team created many plans to leverage the park in the community, but we are extra excited about the team’s proposed “Lollo Roll.” Based on the famous, “Slow Roll,” community bike ride, “Lollo Roll” will be an excellent opportunity to bring residents of all ages together and most importantly, to Lollo Park.

6. A plan for a mentoring program: The Fitzgerald neighborhood is home to both Mumford High School and Bethune Elementary School, in addition to two outstanding places of higher education, University of Detroit Mercy and Marygrove College. As a result, the Youth Outreach Strategy team had the enormous task of devising best practices to engage the youth of the neighborhood. We are most proud of the forged partnership between Bethune Elementary School and UDM’s American Institute of Architecture Students that we hope will result in a robust mentorship program for all students involved.

7. A bundle of marketing materials for a neighborhood clean up: It’s not news that many Detroit neighborhoods suffer from blighted homes, empty lots, and general garbage dumping, and the Fitzgerald neighborhood is no different. The Cleanliness Campaign team designed a strategy for a neighborhood-wide clean-up. Based on feedback from community members, the team created marketing materials from brochures to lawn signs to deter dumping and beautify the neighborhood.

Can you believe this is only a snap shot of all we accomplished in 5 Fridays? The year three Challenge Detroit Fellows are excited to have contributed to the support of the Fitzgerald Neighborhood and its residents by working with the Detroit Collaborative Design Center to celebrate local Detroiters!