New marketplace in Dequindre Cut now accepting vendor applications

Since opening in 2009, the Dequindre Cut Greenway has been one of Detroit's go-to places for a jog, a stroll, a bike ride, and all sorts of other non-motorized forms of transit. But for all the people barreling through, there have also been efforts to turn the Cut into a gathering place, and not just a thoroughfare.

Early on, there were the benches, murals, and a fitness station. In 2016, the Campbell Memorial Terrace, an outdoor performance space, opened. This year, the latest addition to the Dequindre Cut is a marketplace, performance space, and more, complete with food and drink vendors and even a liquor license.

It's called the Dequindre Cut Freight Yard, and it's set to open with a kick-off party this May 19. An information session for would-be retail and food vendors, which is also open to the curious public, will be held Tuesday, April 24, at 6 p.m.

The Freight Yard is made up of several repurposed shipping containers, and features pop-up retail vendors, food trucks, beer and wine vendors, outdoor games, a DJ booth, and more. It will be open most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the summer.

The Freight Yard serves as a summer home for Build Bazaar, the BUILD Institute's series of pop-up retail events. Typically event-based, this is the first time the Bazaar will be held at the same location for months on end.

"This is a new foray for us," says Dina Bankole, market manager at the BUILD Institute. "It's probably the largest-scale project we've done."

The Dequindre Cut Freight Yard is a partnership between the BUILD Institute, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, and Lawrence Technological University.

The May 19 kick-off party will be thrown in conjunction with Detroit Up North and its Camping on the Cut, an overnight camping event on the Dequindre Cut.

The Dequindre Cut Freight Yard is located between Wilkins and Division streets on the Dequindre Cut Greenway. Interested vendors can apply online.

Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith.