Neighborhood Planning

Gratiot Ave

Large-scale Commercial Activation within a Walkable Neighborhood

Innovative solutions that transform infrastructure into economic generators and walkable community ammenities.

Project Details

• Location: Gratiot & Dequindre Cut
• Architects:
• Laavu

Vision for the Future

Located on Gratiot Avenue and St. Aubin, The Prime Parcel site provides the opportunity to satisfy the existing market demands for a larger scale national retailer without sacrificing the cultural identity of the unique neighborhoods on either side of this important commercial corridor. By modifying the current zoning to allow for a true mixed-use development, this site can accommodate the community’s vocal desire for a big box type store, as well as provide for office space close to Downtown, production / retail venues for local ‘makers’, and a much needed density of multi-family housing. In order to test some of the proposed zoning modifications, three strategies were applied to a multi-phased development proposal: The Big Box Done Right; Innovation in Infrastructure; and Residential Balance.