Detroit Arts Alleys

The Arts Alley Initiative is a transformative set of projects that envisions vibrant, safe, and inclusive community gathering spaces in the heart of Detroit’s neighborhoods. As part of the Blight to Beauty Initiative, the effort harnessed the power of art and design to address long-standing challenges amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic—challenges such as limited access to safe, green spaces, deteriorating infrastructure, and insufficient support for the creative workforce.

Through the Arts Alley Initiative, livingLAB collaborated with prime consultant OHM Advisors, artists, residents, and community leaders to reimagine residential and commercial alleys, transforming them with innovative landscaping, stormwater management, and pedestrian-friendly amenities. A total of 9 alleys were completed with the following highlighted in this post:

Manistique Alley in Jefferson Chalmers supports environmental arts projects envisioned by the Manistique Community Treehouse Center and surrounding neighbors. The alley ties together an existing solar power station, creative empowerment garden, bird watcher’s garden and proposed ADA-compliant tree house structure.

The Old Redford Alley joins an anchor - Artist Village – in one of the city’s busiest arts districts. The project honors long-standing work done by Detroit Blight Blusters, Sidewalk Detroit and the Platform. The district’s main anchors are Artist Village, the Old Redford Theater, the Obama Building and The Triangle.

Snowden-Hartwell Alley is a residential Arts Alley located between West Outer Drive and West McNichols Road near the Lodge Freeway. The alley has already received improvements including rain barrels, pollinator gardens, vegetable planters and pedestrian amenities from The Neighborhood Association, the area’s block club, which has gained national attention for its environmental work.

Bagley Alley in Southwest Detroit serves several neighborhoods and community grous and is uniquely connected to the community by its location next to the Roberto Clemente Recreation Center. The alley will be a well as a gathering place for residents and visitors along the Bagley commercial corridor that includes partner Mexican Village, the city’s oldest Mexican restaurant.