Campus Martius Park: Detroit, Michigan

Summary

Located in the heart of downtown Detroit, former Mayor Dennis Archer's goal for revitalizing Campus Martius was nothing short of making the park "the world's best public space." Reopened in November 2004, the striking, 2.5-acre park was an instant success.

Designated Area

Campus Martius Park is located at the intersection of five major streets: Michigan Avenue, Cadillac Square, Fort Street, Monroe Street, and Detroit's historic main street, Woodward Avenue.

For five months out of the year, the northern parcel of Campus Martius is converted into an ice rink. Seasonal decorations add a festive ambiance to the urban plaza. Photo courtesy of Detroit 300 Conservancy.

Planning Excellence

Located in the heart of downtown Detroit, former Mayor Dennis Archer's goal for revitalizing Campus Martius was nothing short of making the park "the world's best public space." Reopened in November 2004, the striking, 2.5-acre park was an instant success.

Attracting more than two million visitors a year, the revitalized Campus Martius Park has been the catalyst for $700 million in downtown investment. Adjoining the park to the north is the new world headquarters of Compuware. A $200 million renovation has been completed of the nearby Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, built in 1924. Other new development includes loft apartments, art galleries, and restaurants.

Affording numerous vistas of the city's skyscrapers and axial avenues, and a view of the Detroit River, Campus Martius played a prominent role in the city as a central gathering place in the mid-19th century. By the early 1900s, Campus Martius had become the busiest intersection in the city. Streets around the space were widened and traffic lights installed to manage traffic congestion — and make pedestrian access to the campus nearly impossible.

Suburban flight of the 1950s and 1960s left downtown Detroit practically deserted. Department stores near the campus were closed and demolished. The vacant land prompted Ed Carey, city council president at the time, to call Campus Martius "pigeon plaza" because the only visitors were birds.

The $20 million raised to restore and renew Campus Martius was a community-wide effort involving city officials, private businesses, and the not-for-profit Detroit 300 Conservancy. A plan was developed in 2001, Detroit's 300th anniversary, by local leader Edsel Ford II and others as a legacy gift to the city. The plan's implementation began in May 2003 and was completed 19 months later. The result is a park unique to Detroit that is gaining nationwide attention — last spring Campus Martius received an open space award from the Urban Land Institute — and helping draw people back to Detroit.

Unique performance areas and retractable stages allow Campus Martius to host over 200 events each year, including concerts and festivals. Photo courtesy of Detroit 300 Conservancy.

Defining Characteristics, Features

Early History, Design Influences

• Originally used as a drill ground for militia training (1788); named after 180-foot stockade,  Campus Martius, in Marietta, Ohio
• Ideas of Augustus Woodward, a judge and ancient Rome aficionado, influenced the original plan and construction (1847); designed similar to public spaces found in Rome for gatherings and public events
• Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (1872) originally on south side; relocated to southeast corner; commemorates Michigan servicemen killed during Civil War

Revitalization

• Renovations based on public interaction principles developed by William "Holly" Whyte; abundant seating — raised and widened curbs, Paris-style moveable chairs — and "triangulation"  or range of activities to bring and keep people in the park
• Winning redesign for park by Rundell Ernstberger Associates based on idea that "the park must communicate the history, spirit, and identity of Detroit"
• $20 million for planning, design, construction of renovated park a gift to the city from Detroit 300 Conservancy, businesses, individuals, and philanthropic sources
• Robert Gregory, president of  Detroit 300 Conservancy and a member of  task force, said from the planning process "came the idea that the park needed to be more than a park ... it needed to be an urban plaza ... that was active"
• Michigan Avenue, Cadillac Square, Fort Street, Monroe Street, and Woodward Avenue rerouted to create traffic circle around entire park; pedestrian crossings located at all major street intersections along traffic circle
• Six-foot granite pillar marking center of city found during renovation; displayed at renovated park as reminder of city's rich history

Visitor Amenities

• Unique performance areas and retractable stages provide flexibility
• European-style bistro cafe open year-round; ice skating rink during winter months
• Extensive annual and perennial flower gardens; two major lawn areas with movable chairs
• Woodward Fountain has 100 water jets; in center of park, operates year-round
• Park has security 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Bustling foot traffic frequents a European-style bistro cafe that is open year-round. The 100-jet Woodward Fountain is also in operation 365 days a year. Photo courtesy of Detroit 300 Conservancy.