Following Jefferson eastbound, on either side, are several enclaves of fine urban living options, from historic homes to high rise apartments and condos – riverside, or inland, all with a view of downtown and minutes away from the vitality of downtown living and Belle Isle. Known as “The Villages,” these old and new neighborhoods will be connected with the RiverWalk at Gabriel Richard Park, offering a pedestrian linkage to downtown. The area is comprised of English Village, Islandview Village, West Village, East Village, and the East Riverfront, which runs from General Motors Renaissance Center to the Roostertail. Housing prices range from around $100,000 to $1 million. In addition to Belle Isle, Gabriel Richard, Owen, and Irma Henderson parks offer riverside public green space. Henderson Park includes a marina, playground, basketball court, fishing, and a running/walking path. West Village and Indian Village are probably the most well-known of these villages. Indian Village is the most affluent address, featuring mansions more than 100 years old on quiet, tree-lined streets. It sponsors the area’s most respected home and garden tour in June. During the growing season, the Indian Village Community Garden is open to the public. There area includes rental options like the historic Parkstone and Parkhurst apartments. Neighboring West Village offers less expensive, smaller homes of the same vintage, with a creative edge.
This is a healthy sign: we can't remember a Valentine's Day in Detroit proper (and Hamtramck) filled with so many events, from music to skating to indie retail fun in a long, long time. Kelli Kavanaugh puts together a hot list of cool things to do this week.
The productive green space is part of the Detroit School Garden Collaborative, a partnership between the Detroit Public Schools and the Greening of Detroit. Amy Kuras eagerly looks forward to planting season in this report.
In his final full report on Detroit's new council by districts, Matthew Lewis heads to the near lower East Side to explore the Villages, made up of historic, leafy neighborhoods with new retail buzz.
The city's only 100 percent plant-based foods restaurant, Detroit Vegan Soul in the Villages aims to promote healthful eating in the community. Amy Kuras takes the dairy-free taste test for the Urban Innovation Exchange.
Leasing the park to the state would provide $4 million or more in annual cost savings to the city, free up money for other Detroit parks and allow reinvestment in public safety for city neighborhoods. Evette Hollins lays out the advantages in this opinion piece.
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