Midtown Detroit Inc Unveils Streetscape Plan for Historic Chinatown District

Midtown Detroit Inc has released final designs for the Peterboro streetscape project. A $1 million state grant backs the work. The plan will fix broken roads and sidewalks, help small shops, and remember Chinese American history in this part of town.

The grant arrived after an old Chinese Merchants Association building was torn down, which made people in the area speak up. Executive director Melanie Markowicz said they aren't trying to build a fake new Chinatown. Instead, they want to keep what's left while making the street better.

Midtown Detroit Inc used to build buildings but has changed into something different now. It takes care of ten parks. It also looks after all the medians on Woodward and West Grand within its boundaries, six green alleys, and the Midtown Greenway Loop.

That work covers more than 40 miles of streets across nine neighborhoods from Brush Park through New Center and parts of Milwaukee Junction and Virginia Park. The nonprofit does jobs many people think the city government handles, which frees up money for other things.

The service area is bigger than Hamtramck. The group maintains public spaces and also runs events like Dally in the Alley and Noel Night.

Markowicz talked to Daily Detroit about how to make sure that money turns into places where people can gather while current neighbors still feel at home.