East Grand Boulevard Transformation Project
About this Project
Last updated on October 4, 2023
Vanguard Community Development Corporation received funding from the Knight Foundation to make streetscape improvements to East Grand Boulevard between Woodward Avenue and I-75 in the Historic North End Detroit neighborhood.
The East Grand Boulevard Transformation Project has developed, with community insight and expertise, a vision and vibe for the boulevard. A robust community engagement process was completed in 2021 in partnership with Know Allegiance Nation and Detroit Mercy’s Detroit Collaborative Design Center.
Construction commended in May 2023 and to date, the following elements have been installed:
- Regular benches
- Solar charging benches
- Bike racks
- Planters
- Median Murals
- Artistic Crosswalks
- 83 New Trees
- Community ID Sign
Work in the median is underway and includes irrigation updates and new planter beds and plants. Way-finding signage is in production and will be installed shortly.
The community and all stakeholders are invited to join us for a Community Celebration on Thursday, October 12th from 3-6:30 PM. For additional details and to register, please visit:
We appreciate your patience and support!
Final Design:
22_09_27 East Grand Blvd Streetscape Transformation_100% CD Drawing Set
News Articles About Project:
North End’s East Grand Boulevard Streetscape Transformation Project Now Completed
Vanguard, in partnership with Know Allegiance Nation, is enlisting the collaboration of up to 6-Storytellers to highlight the true history and preserve the culture of the North End in written and oral form. Storytellers can be elders, current residents, legacy residents, and/or historians. Priority will be given to North End legacy residents.
- Read our Storytellers F.A.Q. PDF (121kb) NEW
- Learn more about becoming a Storyteller — APPLY HERE! NEW
Frequently Asked Questions
Presentation Decks & Downloads
- August 4th E. Grand Blvd: Last Call Community Meeting — View on Google Docs NEW
- April 29th “Uncovering our Values” Workshop
- 4/29 Workshop Video Recording — View/Download
- 4/29 Workshop Dialog and Transcription — Listen/Read on Otter
- 4/29 Workshop Slides — View on Figma (use +/- keys on the keyboard to zoom in)
- April 22nd Follow-up Focus Group
- Audio-only Recording + Transcription — Listen/Read on Otter
- April 6th Design Workshop Kickoff
- Slide Deck – View on Google Slides / View a PDF
- North End Asset Map — Download PDF
eBlast Communications
- August 2nd Last Chance to Share your Streetscape Feedback Invite NEW
- eBlast — View on BenchMark
- July 9th Call for Creators & Community Design Lab
- eBlast — View on BenchMark
- April 29th Boulevard Brand Identity Workshop Reminder
- Workshop Title: “Uncovering our Values” — View on BenchMark
- April 23rd Design Workshop Kick-Off Follow-Up
- E-Mail update, upcoming activities, and ways to get involved — View on BenchMark
- April 6th Design Workshop Kick-Off
- Attendance Thank You + Ways to Get Involved – View on BenchMark
Social Media Graphics
- Re-shareable assets for Facebook
- Facebook Assets — Download on Dropbox
- Upload these graphics with any posts you create about the Transformation Project.
- Facebook Assets — Download on Dropbox
This process is informed and inspired by the voices of the North End Community with implementation support from:
