When the 2024 NFL Draft came to town, Detroit didn’t just host a major sporting event; it redefined what such an event could mean for a city. However, it is evident that there’s no other city quite like Detroit. Breaking the NFL draft overall attendance record with 775,000 people in attendance, a statement was surely made. Known for its gritty determination and rich Black cultural heritage, Detroit used the draft as a platform to launch a city-wide transformation, signaling not just a revival, but a renaissance.
Concrete Change on the Ground
This wasn’t merely about beautifying the city for the cameras. The $5.7 million poured into the infrastructure was a calculated move to tackle long-overdue projects, finally giving Detroit the facelift it deserved, with practical upgrades that resonate with everyday life:
Woodward Avenue’s Facelift: This isn’t just any street; it’s the backbone of Detroit’s cultural and social life. Replacing the streets with new brick pavers means safer, smoother commutes and walks for Detroit’s residents and visitors.
Parking Lots Turned Art: Transforming ordinary parking lots with murals and green spaces reflects Detroit’s spirit, turning mundane into magnificent.
Washington Boulevard’s Makeover: The redesigned median with its new lighting and paving isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about making one of the city’s major boulevards brighter and more inviting.
Brighter Nights and Safer Streets: The addition of about 1,000 new or repaired light poles goes beyond illumination—it’s about security, about extending downtown’s welcome further into the night.
Connectivity That Counts
The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP), working alongside the city, took significant steps to improve digital connectivity by expanding and enhancing free public Wi-Fi in prominent public spaces such as Grand Circus Park, Capitol Park, Beacon Park, Paradise Valley, Campus Martius, and Cadillac Square. This effort was to ensure that both locals and visitors enjoy seamless internet access. Furthermore, major telecom providers Verizon and AT&T upgraded their infrastructure, installing additional devices to boost cell coverage and bandwidth across Detroit. These upgrades vary, with some being temporary fixtures for the event and others permanent enhancements to the city.
Leveraging the NFL Draft as a catalyst for urban aesthetics, the DDP introduced a pilot program focused on unified storefront branding. This initiative adorned vacant storefront windows with art deco-styled motifs and leasing information, creating an evident aesthetic downtown streetscape.
Moreover, the partnership received a RAP grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation aimed at revitalizing key public spaces. A standout project was the comprehensive overhaul of Paradise Valley Park, which included infrastructure repairs and significant landscaping work to clear out overgrown areas. This endeavor was part of broader efforts that also included repainting 600 flagpoles and planting numerous trees and shrubs around Detroit’s freeways, as well as implementing new transportation routes to better manage the influx of visitors.
These improvements are not just temporary beautifications but lasting enhancements that will benefit Detroit long after the draft festivities have concluded. Seemingly, the city just needed an extra push to finally complete a deep spring-cleaning.
Community First: Detroit’s Heartbeat
The NFL’s contributions to Detroit extended far beyond the excitement of the draft itself, playing a significant role in community support and enrichment. While the city enhanced its appearance through numerous beautification projects, the NFL focused on meaningful donations and partnerships to assist Detroit’s most vulnerable residents.
The draft’s community initiatives hit home, addressing real needs and making tangible differences:
Fighting Homelessness: The NFL collaboration with Little Caesars and the $50,000 donation to COTS Detroit, an organization dedicated to assisting individuals and families in overcoming homelessness through housing support and additional services. Additionally, they fed 300 families and offered them a glimpse of the NFL Draft Experience, further deepening their community engagement.
Empowering Veterans: The Green Boots project is more than gardening—it’s therapeutic, it’s community-building, it’s life-affirming for veterans who’ve given so much. Another notable initiative involved the NFL and S.H.I.E.L.D. 1 teaming up to provide the Green Boots Veteran Community Horticulture Gardens and Marketplace with a GroShed. This hydroponics gardening system allows for the cultivation of healthy, toxin-free foods year-round. Green Boots serves not only as a source of fresh produce for the local community but also as a therapeutic space for veterans to engage in gardening and address their mental health needs.
In collaboration with Lowe’s, the Bob Woodruff Foundation, and Michigan Volunteers of America, the NFL supported significant renovations at the Volunteers of America Michigan facilities. These upgrades are designed to improve the services provided to veterans, senior citizens, struggling families, and other residents in need across Michigan.
Boosting Health Infrastructure: In response to new state legislation requiring CPR and AED training in schools, the NFL Foundation, alongside Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin and his Chasing M’s Foundation, donated 60 AEDs valued at over $120,000 to 50 high schools across Michigan. This initiative reflects a proactive approach to safeguarding the health of student athletes, potentially saving lives during critical situations.
The NFL worked with the American Cancer Society to provide a grant to Henry Ford Hospital. This funding aims to strengthen the link between community health centers and NFL team-affiliated hospitals, ensuring that patients receive consistent screening, follow-up care, and treatment.
Economic Impact: A Ripple Effect
There’s no secret that the economic boost from the draft was felt immediately by local businesses, from food trucks to boutiques, injecting a vibrant energy into the local economy. Official figures detailing the economic impact of the draft on Detroit’s economy are anticipated to be announced in late May.
But the real win was showing the world that Detroit is not only back in the game but is also changing how the game is played.
A Cultural Touchstone
This draft was a declaration that Detroit remains unbreakable, with a community and culture that not only endures but thrives. It was a moment of pride, a showcase of what Detroit is truly made of, and a hint of what’s to come. Detroit didn’t just set the stage; it changed the game. The draft was a powerful showcase of Detroit’s Black culture, shining in its full glory. It’s precisely why we say “Detroit vs. Everybody” — because only we truly grasp the richness and potential of this city. The 2024 NFL Draft peeled back the curtain on our world of culture, allowing a global audience to get a glimpse of what makes Detroit unique. And trust me, now everyone wants in.
This was not just any draft. It was a monumental event that reflected Detroit’s past struggles, celebrated its current victories, and heralded a future filled with promise. For Detroiters and everyone watching, it was clear: Detroit isn’t just moving forward; it’s leading the way.