PROJECT GOALS AND CONCEPTS

After becoming familiar with the site and its space, it was clear it lacked a sense of place and was in need of creative redevelopment due to its many obstacles and potentials. Our project goals aim to work toward an establishment of a place throughout the entirety of the site and the context beyond. Our first goal, revolving around the Joe Louis Greenway, is to increase the walkability and pedestrian accessibility of the site. A linear green park builds off of the Greenway and runs throughout the site from North to South. A strategic network of linear parks accompanies the Greenway and creates its transverse axis. In addition, vehicle roads will be redesigned in a variety of ways to promote walkability. Both Oakman and Grand River will be redesigned to integrate more bike lanes and slow down vehicle traffic. A number of roads will become pedestrian roads with emergency axis only. Paths will be integrated throughout the entire site to further develop its entirety. Our next major goal was preservation the site, specifically with the existing buildings. A large number of industrial buildings are planned to remain and become part of a diverse landscape while maintaining identity. Many residential areas on the sight have an abundance of uninhabitable single-family residences that will be replaced with more equitable opportunities. Affordable housing projects and live work incentives intend to build on a variety of housing types to attract all types of demographics. As a combination of all goals, a greater underlying issue lies in providing identity to the site. Currently, the site lacks an identity and strong community. We hope reinvigorating the site’s retail history and providing adequate resources to the surrounding community will work to help foster this missing sense of identity. Thus, identity becomes our determining factor in transforming a space into a place. By designing spaces for the community to gather while respecting the current use, we intend to let the residents of the area to begin to define their own identity and inspire a place.