Red-Lining and Auburn Hills: Developing an African-American Neighborhood in 1960s Grand Rapids

Developed in the early 1960s, Auburn Hills is a neighborhood on the northeast side of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Four African-American men wanted better housing for their families. All professionals, they could afford to provide it, but they were locked out of many neighborhoods by blatant housing discrimination. In 1962 Samuel Triplett, Joseph W. Lee, J. E. Adams, and Dr. Julius Franks acted together to buy and develop a tract of land owned by the City of Grand Rapids. Many white neighbors were vocal in their opposition. They fought the development aggressively, worrying that the area would become a slum and devalue surrounding neighborhoods. The City of Grand Rapids also fought the sale, claiming the land had been dedicated in the master plan as park space. An ensuing battle was fought in newspapers and at public hearings. It took over two years to be settled, but eventually the developers prevailed and constructed their first house in 1964.

Today the neighborhood called Auburn Hills stands as one of the earliest examples of a neighborhood developed by blacks in response to racist red-lining policies. Located north of Leonard Street and east off Fuller Avenue, the area includes Palmer, Dale, Travis, Drexel, and Auburn Streets. Many of the original families still live in the pleasant neighborhood, whose architectural styles range from 1960s split levels to more recently constructed duplex designs.

Research and work are underway to recognize the neighborhood formally for its historic importance. Its story will be told by Jennifer Metz, partner in the firm Past Perfect, Inc, a consultant on historic preservation issues and adjunct faculty at Kendall College of Art & Design.

See a contemporary promotional advertisement for Auburn Hills on pages 4 - 5.

“Red-Lining and Auburn Hills: Developing an African-American Neighborhood in 1960s Grand Rapids”, February 14, 2013, 7:00 p.m. Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, presented by Jennifer Moelling Metz, Past Perfect, Inc.