Thursday, November 3

Oakland Avenue Urban Farm

Over the last 60 years, Detroit has battled converging forces of population decline, economic turmoil and racial inequity. Many neighborhoods experienced disinvestment and vacancy. For more than a decade, the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm has been a stabilizing force in Detroit’s historic North End. By growing healthy food, hosting educational programs, creating cultural gathering spaces and generating jobs, the Farm is achieving its vision for a vibrant civic commons that will continue to benefit the neighborhood for decades to come. Jerry Ann Hebron, executive director of North End Christian Community Development Corporation, will tour attendees through the Farm and describe its role in improving the quality of life for neighboring Detroit residents. 

Bio: Jerry Hebron is a native Detroiter and product of the Detroit Public School System. Hebron is the current Executive Director of the Northend Christian CDC and Oakland Avenue Urban Farm, located in the Historic North End in Detroit. Hebron is married to William E. Hebron; together the two have 4 children, 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grands. Hebron and her husband work together running the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm where they cultivate people, food and community. Their farm is 6 acres with 3.5 acres dedicated to food production. The mission of the Northend Christian CDC is to provide resources in the North End Community to build a better community. The couple has done this by creating a farm-way that is open to and welcoming to everyone. Hebron is also leading the community vision regarding the Oakland Avenue Corridor Development.

Cranbrook 

Nestled in the heart of Oakland County, about twenty miles north of downtown Detroit, Cranbrook is an educational powerhouse and an architectural gem that the New York Times has referred to as “one of the most enchanted architectural settings in America.” There is nothing quite like it anywhere else in the world. Part artistic community, part educational center, part scientific institute, the community is recognized for the strength of its educational and cultural programs, the beauty of its grounds, and the exceptional architecture of its many buildings. Cranbrook’s 319-acre campus features the work of world-renowned architects such as Eliel Saarinen, Albert Kahn, Steven Holl, Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, Rafael Moneo, Peter Rose and sculptors Carl Milles, Marshall Fredericks and others.  Kevin Adkisson, Center for Collections Curator, will provide a guided tour introducing attendees to Cranbrook’s art and design history and community.

Michigan Central and Detroit’s Mobility Future

Known as the “Motor City,” Detroit has led the way in mobility innovation for over 100 years, from the first paved road to the assembly line and more. Rising above Detroit’s Corktown and Southwest Detroit neighborhoods, the former Michigan Central Station and its surroundings served as a symbol of the city’s decline for the last 30 years. Thanks to new investment and a new vision driven by Ford Motor Company, Michigan Central is transforming into a place where cutting-edge startups, experts across multiple industries, top academics and community leaders come together to develop solutions and skills that address pressing societal challenges and help usher in a more accessible, sustainable future for all. Led by Melissa Dittmer, Head of Place at Michigan Central, attendees will learn more about the vision for this new 30-acre vibrant and walkable community and experience a hardhat tour of the buildings currently under construction, including The Station, that will contribute to providing an inclusive, dynamic environment for workers, residents and visitors alike.

Downtown Detroit Revitalization Tour

Over the last 10 years, well over $1 Billion has been invested in downtown Detroit. Join downtown design and public space leaders for a tour of downtown Detroit’s revitalization to learn the story of this investment. Attendees will see the dramatic transformation of once-derelict public spaces into vibrant gathering places. They will learn more about Bedrock Detroit’s unprecedented investment in 100+ downtown buildings, as well as its plans for new construction on currently vacant sites. This tour will give newcomers to Detroit some insight into the downtown’s complex redevelopment journey.

Friday, November 4

Design and The Henry Ford 

The Henry Ford is a national cultural treasure and Michigan’s leading cultural tourism destination.  This unique American history complex covers over 220 acres on its National Historic Landmark-designated campus in Dearborn, MI. The campus consists of The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, Benson Ford Research Center, Giant Screen Experience and, off-site, the Ford Rouge Factory Tour.  It also hosts Henry Ford Academy, a 500+ charter public high school grades 9 through 12.  It uses its unparalleled collections of 27 million artifacts to document and promote the stories of American innovation, ingenuity and resourcefulness.