Greektown Neighborhood Framework Vision Plan

CLIENT: Greektown Neighborhood Partnership
LOCATION: Detroit, MI
YEAR: 2016 - Ongoing


The Greektown Neighborhood Framework Vision Plan was a comprehensive planning study and set of recommendation commissioned and represented by the Greektown Neighborhood Partnership (GNP), formerly called the Greektown Preservation Society, on behalf of a complex set of stakeholders, which included local business owners, the City of Detroit Planning Department, as well as the Rock Family of Companies.

MPA worked with a team of world class landscape urban designers (OJB), urban planners (SOM), historic preservationist (KDG), and economic development consultants (HR&A) to deliver a world progressive vision for the historic district. The team developed a massing concept for the district which greatly increased the built density.

The plan called for a diversification of existing and future land use within the district, introducing a significant amount of housing for the long-term sustainability of the increased commercial development. Updated mobility schemes were developed which included the consolidation of surface parking, street composition improvements, as well as took into consideration the long term effects of autonomous vehicles on the built environment.

In addition to streetscape improvements the plan called for significant investment in public green spaces, introducing four (4) new parks into the district, including the reintroduction of the historic Clinton Park, destroyed in the 80’s to make room for the existing Hall of Justice. The plan identified and tested key development opportunities in the district and was adopted by the city as the official plan for the district to guide future development, much of which is already underway.