On October 25th, Better Block Detroit will take over the Airport District to promote green design, walkable neighborhoods, and human scale development. To do this, the project will implement sidewalk cafe seating, community programming, landscaping, storefront repair, and improved wayfinding signage along Gatriot Avenue between Conner and Rosemary from 12 to 7 p.m.
According to the event organizers, Khalil Ligon, CEO of Vista Vantage Consulting Group, and the USGBC Detroit Regional Chapter Emerging Professionals, the Airport District has undergone population decline, massive school closures and high structural blight. Despite this, Ligon and the USGBC want to highlight the neighborhood’s many amenities, including the Detroit City Airport and Conner Creek Greenway.
The district is a predominately residential area surrounded by many underutilized commercial corridors and thoroughfares. The social and physical infrastructure in the district presents unique opportunities to explore sustainable redevelopment practices. With its close proximity to downtown, the riverfront and 8 Mile, the Better Block team thinks the Airport District is well-suited to become Detroit’s next emerging neighborhood.