Joe Louis Greenway Neighborhood Planning Study

The Joe Louis Greenway (JLG) is one of Detroit’s most ambitious infrastructure investments, connecting more than 25 neighborhoods. SMM worked with Interface Studio over two years developing a strategy that ensures the generational investment in the greenway benefits those who live nearby. The team conducted neighborhood outreach in order to analyze and study land use, site conditions and current infrastructure. This analysis developed into distinct neighborhood profiles including conceptual designs for initial investments, visions and development strategy that prioritize the current needs of residents, community organizations, and local businesses, creating the potential to protect housing affordability and spur new economic development, while strengthening the fabric of the existing neighborhood. The final plan resulted in five unique neighborhood playbooks and an overall guiding document outlining greenway opportunity areas and policy recommendations.

The plan has already helped secure new public and private funding, including a $30M Neighborhood Development Fund and a federal Choice Neighborhoods grant. As a living document, it’s guiding how investment, development, and policy align with a shared, community-driven vision.

The plan was adopted in early 2025 and the Study Summary and Neighborhood Playbooks can be found here.