The area to the east and north of Eastern Market, much of what was once known as Poletown, is being re-envisioned as a mixed-use community. This vision is being put to paper by Steven C. Flum Inc. Architects at the behest of a group of developers and religious leaders in the area. Market Square Community, as it is being called, is roughly bounded by Erskine to the south, the Dequindre Cut to the west, I-94 to the north and Chene, Elmwood and Grandy to the east.
A total of nine distinct neighborhoods have been identified, and a master plan is being developed that calls for infill housing utilizing the existing street grid and a neighborhood commercial main street on Chene. These guidelines for future development are calling for a range of housing types and enhanced connectivity to Eastern Market and Midtown via Mack, Canfield and Warren. Flum's Jason Fowler, who has been working on the plan, notes that Market Square is "absolutely connected to a lot of things that are uniquely Detroit."
Three of the nine neighborhoods have some legs in terms of financing and design. Village @ Market Square will include over 100 moderately-priced market rate townhouses south of Mack and just east of the Dequindre Cut being financed with City of Detroit HOME funds as well as a 4% direct loan from MSHDA.
The other two neighborhoods are both for-sale single-family infill housing made affordable with the help of City HOME funds. Just north of Mack from Village, Leland Estates calls for 26 units of housing, and on the east side of Chene, just north of Gratiot, will be Scott Homes—another 35 units.
Future plans call for loft developments, rental homes and townhouses and senior housing.
Source: Jason Fowler, Steven C. Flum Associates
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