Downtown Detroit Partnership
The Pitch
Downtown Detroit Partnership turned gray spaces in downtown Detroit into Campus Martius Park, a popular community gathering space with greenery and historic monuments.
The Problem
Downtown Detroit lacked green spaces and areas for community gathering. Paired with population decline, the urban center continued to degrade and led to mass closures of local businesses.
The Process
- Built Campus Martius Park (CMP) on 2.5 acres of land in downtown Detroit in 2004; The park can host 5,000 people
- Included the iconic Woodward Fountain, water walls, historic monuments, gardens, seating and a bistro in the park’s design
The Impact
- Provided access to green spaces for Detroit’s residents
- Attracts 2 million+ people to the park annually, prompting the park to receive international attention
- Partners with the “Winter Blast” and the Detroit Jazz Festival to host large seasonal events like “Summer in the Parks” and “Winter Magic,” performances and cultural celebrations
- Attracts business to local vendors
- Enhances social cohesion and a sense of local identity by hosting events like the Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Has become the heart of downtown Detroit, drawing in new developments that revitalized the area: The two-block area surrounding the park has seen over $2 billion in investments and economic growth that attracts new jobs and residents
