On July 30, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan, the East Jefferson Development Corporation (EJDevCo)—in partnership with Jefferson East, Inc. (JEI)—debuted its Jefferson-Chalmers Mainstreet Master Plan for the East Jefferson Corridor during a virtual presentation.
The comprehensive master plan will guide revitalization of the main street commercial corridor, including services, infrastructure improvements, public spaces, businesses, mixed-use commercial redevelopment and more.
“As development continues to move into Detroit neighborhoods, it is critical that Detroiters have a voice in the process, from ideation all the way to implementation to ensure that development happens in an inclusive way that doesn’t displace existing residents and businesses,” said EJDevCo Chief Executive Officer Derric Scott.
“We have spent the last year working closely with the Jefferson-Chalmers community to develop a plan that reflects their vision for their neighborhood, and we are excited to unveil the final project,” he added.
East Jefferson is central to the neighborhoods it serves including Jefferson Chalmers, the East Riverfront, Islandview, the Greater Villages, and more.
In August 2019, EJDevoCo, with support from Houseal Lavigne Associates and inFORM, launched Building Jefferson-Chalmers Together, a Jefferson-Chalmers Mainstreet Master Plan.
The weeklong collaborative and community-orientated planning process engaged residents, stakeholders and business owners including ongoing monthly feedback sessions, community workshops, surveys and focus groups.
A culmination of a year’s worth of planning, the Jefferson-Chalmers Master Plan virtual unveiling will showcase to the community, businesses and stakeholders how their input will inform the vision in the Jefferson-Chalmers Commercial Corridor over the next several years.
“Nobody knows and loves their neighborhoods more than Detroiters,” said Elling.
“Engaging the community on this process is about more than just giving a voice to those who live and work here; it’s about ensuring inclusive and equitable development, starting with the community and continuing all the way to development,” he concluded.
The first step towards improving Jefferson was to address safety—it’s one of the City’s highest crash corridors—especially for people walking and biking. Earlier this year, the City installed a temporary design as part of the Eastside Bike Network that in part will inform how East Jefferson could be transformed.
Photo of East Jefferson Avenue courtesy of City of Detroit.