By: Elise Fields and Isaac Douglas
The Capitol Park area has long been considered a cultural and historic gem in Detroit. Some may wonder: how did we get here?
For decades, the location served as a bus transfer terminal. In 2013, the City of Detroit entrusted the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) with the management and programming of the space. Helping to restore the park, the DDP brought substantial, temporary improvements to stabilize the area.
In 2017, a master plan was developed with robust community input to help guide future improvements. Just as the city was beginning to recover from bankruptcy, the global COVID-19 pandemic took effect in 2020, further emphasizing the importance of accessible, outdoor public spaces.
In the spirit of true Detroit grit, we collaborated with public and private partners to build support for eight projects across Downtown. Through collective effort, funding was secured in 2022 via Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Capitol Park was among the projects awarded during the first round of MEDC’s Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program.
Just last month, the DDP and partners unveiled the fully remodeled Capitol Park. The result is a testament to the power of partnership, as the DDP continually works to create spaces that are clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone to enjoy.
With the goal of creating a more connected Downtown, the park renovations significantly elevate the experience in our city center. Why is any of this important?
It helps attract people to the area, increases foot traffic for small businesses, and boosts the local economy, all of which contributes to the resurgence of tourism and vibrancy in the Downtown core.
We believe a vibrant Downtown benefits the entire city, region, and state by serving as a cultural and entertainment center while helping to drive economic growth through tourism and job creation from both large-scale and small businesses.
One of the most meaningful impacts is how these enhancements help support legacy businesses like The Last Tangle Salon and Café D’Mongo’s, while also making room for newer establishments to bring fresh, new energy to the area.
In fact, four new businesses recently opened in the Capitol Park area, helping to enhance the vibrancy and vitality of the space:
- Culture Detroit, the city’s only Black-owned sneaker and designer streetwear store, offering buy, sell, pawn, and consignment options
- 3 Kings Sports Cards, adding variety and collector culture to Downtown
- Chaos Burger is a new restaurant to the surrounding neighborhood.
- Parlay Detroit introduces a newly imagined sports bar to the area.
Nearby favorites like Eatori and Leila offer patio seating with beautiful, scenic views while urban street wear retailer Xhibition brings unique flavor and distinctive style, enhancing the shopping options.
While SPKRBOX energizes the area with vibrant day and nightlife attractions, the park adds value by creating a strong sense of place. Serving as an outdoor living room of sorts, it’s the ideal gathering spot for kicking off the evening or winding down the night.
Beyond its economic impact, Capitol Park holds deep historical significance. It once served as a stop on the Underground Railroad and was home to the Detroit Plaindealer, one of the nation’s first African American newspapers. This legacy is thoughtfully preserved and celebrated through this renovation.
Public space improvements of this kind represent more than just physical upgrades; it’s an investment in Detroit’s cultural legacy and economic future. Recent upgrades include an expanded lawn that transformed the previously concrete-heavy space into a greener area complete with new lighting and seating, and beautiful views of the surrounding skyline.
Additional funding was provided by the City of Detroit Downtown Development Authority, the Knight Foundation and The Kresge Foundation.
Capitol Park officially reopened July 23, followed by a series of programming that is free and open for all to participate. Community Yoga with Citizen Yoga is held every Wednesday through August 31 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Visit the DowntownDetroit.org website to learn about other upcoming events happening at Capitol Park.
Projects like this are not done alone. We make it happen together with a long-term vision, community input with the goal of achieving sustainable impact for all who live, work, and play in the Downtown.
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