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Neighborhoods and projects in Detroit, Michigan

Encyclopedia : N : NE : NEI : Neighborhoods and projects in Detroit, Michigan

The following is a list of current and historic neighborhoods in Detroit, Michigan:

Contents

Neighborhoods

Bagley

The Bagley community is an area in Northwest Detroit whose boundaries are West Outer Drive to the north, Livernois Avenue to the east, West McNichols (Six Mile Road) to the south, and Wyoming Avenue to the west. The community's name is likely derived from Bagley Elementary School, which is the lone public school within the community. This community is situated just west of the Palmer Woods/Sherwood Forest/University District areas of Detroit.

It is a mostly African-American community of tidy, 1930's era four-square brick homes and has thriving businesses along Livernois, Wyoming, Seven Mile Road and West McNichols Road.

Black Bottom/Paradise Valley

See main article at Black Bottom, Detroit

Bricktown

Bricktown separates the Renaissance Center from Greektown. The area contains an eclectic mix of late 19th century architecture and early 20th century industrial buildings and warehouses. Bricktown is home to St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church, the oldest standing church in Detroit, and the Italian Renaissance style Wayne County Building (which was saved from demolition in the early 80’s). The Wayne County Courthouse, (which used to be located in the Wayne County Building), was the place where Mae West was once a defendant on a charge of public indecency. The Bricktown area is now seeing resurgence with the creation of lofts and the addition of the Greektown casino. Though physically it's a tiny area, Bricktown is notable for its live music venues. Jacoby's provides a small performance space for up & coming acts. Around the corner, tSt. Andrew's Hall is a venue for nationally touring acts as is the Shelter in the basement of St. Andrew's.

Brightmoor

Brightmoor stretches from Puritan and Schoolcraft Roads (north/south) between Telegraph Road and Evergreen (east/west). Brightmoor was created in the early 1900's by Henry Ford as a neighborhood for his factory workers. The area has been affected economically by the overall reduction in automotive industry jobs in the region. Consequently, the poverty rate is 44% in the neighborhood, compared to a 32% average for the rest of Detroit. Brightmoor is also one of the most dangerours areas in Detroit. This area has fallen apart due to drugs and gangs but the city is working on improving this area.

This neighborhood is depicted in the novel Warpath by Jeffry Scott Hansen.

Chaldean Town

Chaldean Town runs along 7 Mile road from Woodward Avenue east to John R. road. The area was designated in 1999 as an economic district featuring Chaldean owned businesses, but it has a longer history of residential settlement by Chaldean immigrants dating back to the 1960s. Chaldean Town is often seen as a "staging area" for new immigrants to settle before moving on to other ethnic enclaves in the northern suburbs of Detroit, though many retain the ownership of businesses in the area after moving to the suburbs.

Conant Gardens

Conant Gardens is located on the East Side of Detroit along east 7 Mile Road. The neighborhood is unusual in that it was originally built and owned by African Americans, starting in the 1910s. The original owner of the property, Schubael Conant, was an abolitionist. In the 1840s, he removed the racially restrictive covenants which prevented land from being sold to African Americans. Similar covenants prevented African Americans from buying land in much of the rest of the city until the late 1940s. Nonetheless, the neighborhood was originally intended as an area for white collar employees of the Ford Motor Company to settle. This plan was never put into action, and a large influx of African Americans after World War I helped make the neighborhood primarily black.

Corktown

See main article at Corktown, Detroit

Cultural Center

The Cultural Center is a district that includes a number of museums and attractions. Located about two miles (3 km) north of downtown, the Cultural Center is roughly bounded by Woodward Avenue to the west, Interstate 75 to the east, Interstate 94 to the north and Warren Avenue to the south. Attractions include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Scarab Club, the Detroit Historical Museum, the main library of the Detroit public library system and the Detroit Science Center. The College for Creative Studies is located adjacent the Scarab Club and opposite the East face of the Detroit Institute of Arts. The main campus of Wayne State University is located adjacent to the area, on the opposite side of Woodward.

Delray

See main article at Delray, Detroit

East English Village

East English Village is among the most integrated communities in the highly segregated greater Detroit area. The tree-lined streets of East English Village feature a variety of homes ranging from small bungalows to large, luxurious older homes. The housing stock also includes a large number of two-family homes. An active neighborhood association enhances community life.

Eastern Market

Poultry stand at Eastern Market
Enlarge
Poultry stand at Eastern Market

Eastern Market is a historic commercial district in Detroit. It is located approximately one mile (1.6 km) northeast of the city's downtown and is bordered on the south by Gratiot Avenue. First open in 1841, the district was expanded significantly in 1921 and presently covers 43 acres (174,000 m²). Eastern Market is a selling point for a wide variety of produce, meat, spice and other products. It is particularly busy on Saturdays, when farmers tend to bring in their poultry and livestock, along with fresh produce, for sale.

Greektown

Greektown is located less than half a mile (0.8 km) from the Renaissance Center in the downtown area. It is comprised of only a few city blocks, with Monroe Street at the center. The neighborhood is a popular restaurant and entertainment district, having many restaurants that serve authentic Greek cuisine, as well as one of the city's three casinos, Greektown Casino. Certain buildings on Monroe Street are themed to resemble the Parthenon, Pegasus, and other forms of Greek architecture. Greek music is also played on Monroe Street throughout the day. Well known restaurants include Cyprus Taverna, New Hellas Café, Pegasus Taverna, and Pizza Papalis. The Detroit People Mover has a station at the Greektown Casino on Beaubien Street between Monroe Street and Lafayette Boulevard.

Indian Village

See main article at Indian Village, Detroit

Krainz Woods

Krainz Woods stretches from 7 Mile Road and Ryan Road to 7 Mile and Mound Road. The Sojourner Truth Homes housing project is located there. The neighborhood was named after Captain John Krainz, a World War II hero from Detroit. This Neighborhood was known as "KW7" (for Krainz Woods/7 Mile)

Mexicantown

Mexicantown is located in Southwest Detroit, near Springwells and Vernor-Junction. It is located one block north of the Ambassador Bridge. It is known for good Mexican cuisine at restaurants such as Mexican Village, Evie's Tamales, El Zocalo and Xochimilco. Restaurants, bakeries, and shops are located on Bagley, both the east and west sides of the Interstate 75 service drive.

Mexicantown has had a thriving economy in recent years, as evidenced by new housing, increased business openings and the forthcoming Mexicantown International Welcome Center. Per the 3rd Precinct of the Detroit Police Department, the area is the safest neighborhood in Detroit#redirect .

Musician Jack White grew up in Mexicantown.

Midtown

Midtown Detroit is an area roughly two square miles between Downtown Detroit to the south and New Center to the north. Its boundaries are the Ford, Chrysler, Fisher, and Lodge Freeways. It includes the Art Center and the Medical Center in the northeast quadrant, Wayne State University's campus, the Detroit Public Library, and the Detroit Historical Museum in the northwest, and the Cultural Center including various restaurants, galleries, and nightlife venues along Woodward in the center, among other things. As of the census of 2000, there were 16,877 residents living in the area; 19 % of whom were white, considerably more than the 12 % in Detroit as a whole. Asians made up 7.6 % compared to less than one percent in the city of Detroit. The area has experienced a renaissance in the past few years as billions of dollars have been invested Wayne State and others and thousands of new homes constructed or rehabilitated. The daytime population surpasses fifty thousand and includes tens of thousands of Wayne State students, teachers, and doctors at the Medical Center.

This area includes Brush Park and the Cass corridor.

New Center

The New Center is a commercial district located approximately three miles (4.8 km) north of the city's downtown, and one mile (1.6 km) north of the Cultural Center, around the intersection of Woodward Avenue and Grand Boulevard (which is sometimes referred to as The Boulevard). Developed in the 1920s, it was designed to create a business hub that would offer convenient access to both downtown resources and outlying factories. Some historians believe that the New Center may be the original edge city - a sub-center remote from but related to an urban core. From 1923 to 1996, General Motors maintained its world headquarters in the New Center (in what is now Cadillac Place) before relocating downtown to the Renaissance Center. Cadillac Place is now occupied by State of Michigan government offices. The descriptor "New Center" derived its name from the New Center News, an automotive-focused free newspaper begun in 1933 that continues to operate under the name Detroit Auto Scene.

The Comerica Tastefest, a five-day street festival held around Independence Day, takes place on the streets of New Center.

The Fisher Building, considered an Art Deco masterpiece, sits in the New Center.

Old Redford

A neighborhood that stretches from Five Points east to Greenfield Road and from 8 Mile Road to Schoolcraft Road. This area encompasses approximately 8 to 10 square miles of land. It was originally a township outside of the city limits, but was annexed in 1926. Much of the housing stock near the center of the area is a mixture of early 1900s to 1940s homes. The area was serviced by a streetcar until the end of the Detroit street railway system in the 1950s. the main commercial intersecton is at Grand River Avenue and Lahser Road. Near this intersection is the Redford Theater, which is now over 75 years old and still showing movies with the accompaniment of the original Barton theater organ.

Palmer Woods

Known for its elm-lined streets, large brick homes, and Tudor style architecture, Palmer Woods is located on the west side of Detroit. It is bordered by 7 mile, 8 mile, Woodward, and the Sherwood Forest neighborhood in the prestigious 48221 zip code. The area was developed from farmland in the 1920s as an exclusive enclave for the business class. Some of its famous residents have included John Salley and several musical legends. Like adjacent neighborhoods of Sherwood Forest, University District, and the private gated communities nearby, Palmer Woods has its own security service and an active voluntary neighborhood association.

Lots are large, with ample room for trees, play equipment, and a good expanse of grass. Stonework unlike that found in houses built today, adorns homes quite uniquely. There may be Scottish Coats of Arms, lead and stained glass windows, and other features, such as elevators in some of the homes. Some of the properties boast more than one structure:such as a house and guest house, or maids quarters. Part of the neighborhood overlooks Palmer Park.

While urban flight after the riots of the late 60's, as well as an outbreak of Dutch Elm disease in the 1970s, took some of the luster off the fashionable community, it is still the home of physicians, politicians, business owners, artists, executives and their families. The neighborhood remains a relatively quiet and safe area.

Poletown

see main article at Poletown, Detroit

Rosedale Park

Located in Northwest Detroit, Rosedale Park includes North Rosedale Park, [link], a historic Detroit neighborhood of 1694 homes was annexed by the City of Detroit on September 18, 1925. Its homes date to the 1920s and consist of English Tudors, French Normandy Revivals, American colonials, Dutch, Georgian, Spanish Revivals and Cape Cods and bungalows. There is a civic association, club house and park. In a unique situation, the club house, built prior to annexation, is owned and maintained by the civic association/residents. The Park lot was deeded by the sub-divider to the North Rosedale Park Civic Association, and is the only privately owned neighborhood recreation facility in the city of Detroit. Year round traditions in "The Park"[sic] include Art Shows and Fairs, Concerts, home tours, neighborhood block parties and the city's largest block/garage sale encompassing 30 blocks within the community.

The Rosedale Park club house is also home to the Jim Dandy Ski Club. [link]. Founded in 1958, JDSC is the oldest (and possibly the only remaining) African-American ski club in the world.

Warrendale

Warrendale is a neighborhood with approximate borders of Joy Road to the north, Ford Road to the south, Southfield Freeway to the east and the River Rouge to the west. Warrendale borders the communities of Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and Redford.

Warrendale is composed of bungalows dating from the 1930s to the 1950s. This area was predominantly Polish until recently with many Polish-owned businesses and an annual Warrendale Polish Festival.

River Rouge Park run through part of Warrendale. Located on each side of the River Rouge, the park has a huge picnic area, a playground and swimming pool.

Woodbridge

Woodbridge is a Detroit community with a rich and culturally diverse past, known for its community-centered residents. Named after territorial Governor William Woodbridge, this neighborhood has been home to famous Detroiters throughout history, including Ty Cobb, David Stott, James Scripps, founder of the Detroit News, and George Booth, founder of the Cranbrook Academy[citation needed]. An annual Home and Garden Tour held each September gives the public a firsthand view of the neighborhood and the colorful residents that continue to shape its history. It is also home to creative institutions such as the Boy Scouts of America Detroit Council Headquarters, Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit, Alley.Culture Gallery, Gallery 555, and the 4731 Arts Incubator.

Vernor-Springwells

Also knows as just "Springwells", this Southwestern Detroit neighborhood is near the Ford Rouge Plant in Dearborn. Springwells is largely residential, and in 2002, part of Springwells was recognized as a national historic district [link].

Vernor-Junction

Vernor-Junction is a commercial and residential neighborhood southwest from downtown Detroit and is considered one of Detroit's "renaissance" areas. It is bounded by Michigan Avenue, Clark StreetI-75 and Waterman. It is home to Holy Reedeemer Catholic Church, which services the local population. Like Springwells, this area has a large hispanic population.

Other neighborhoods

Housing Projects

External links

 

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