NEIGHBORHOOD
BUSINESS PLANNING
THE RIGHT LOOK FOR RETAIL
Commercial districts are clustered retail areas with the ability to catalyze additional
investments along neighborhood main streets. Below are just some of their features.
CONCENTRATED
A continuous row of storefronts, uninterrupted by blank walls, driveways, and other gaps
in the fabric.
DOUBLE-SIDED
Both sides of a street host occupied retail to expose stores to the greatest number of customers.
CUSTOMER ADJACENT
Customers prefer stores adjacent to sidewalks, not placed behind parking lots or across a
large open space.
ACCESSIBLE
Improve traffic by eliminating grade changes, ramps, parking spaces, and curb cuts.
HIGHLY VISIBLE
Highly visible corner lots on streets that have high traffic counts – and therefore high visibility.
TRAFFIC LEVERAGING
Retailers want to know their store is on a busy street, but not a congested thoroughfare.
PARKING PROVIDED
Tenants need opportunities to attract customers arriving by every available transportation mode – car, bus, on foot, bicycle – and having enough parking nearby.
UNCLUTTERED
A sidewalk’s furniture, plantings
or patterns can create difficulties in travel and direct access to shops. The solution is to simply and streamline.
.jpg)
​FLEXIBLE
Tenant space that is designed
to be flexible will have the best chance of long-term sustainability and will be able to meet the
needs of diverse users.
NON-RETAIL STRATEGIES
Non-retail uses, located on the ground floor, also contribute to corridor’s vibrancy.
These uses include gyms, banks, residential units, office spaces, daycares, automobile dealerships and service centers, and funeral homes to name a few. They can be transformed to maximize retail districts.
TRANSPARENT
Clear glass that promotes visibility for a minimum of 10 feet into the interior of all commercial areas and residential amenity areas allows for visual connections in and out of the semi-private space.
FURNISHED
A well maintained, well-lit sidewalk with amenities can increase vibrant pedestrian activity in
front of non-retail uses.
ILLUMINATED
The ground floor tenant should be illuminated and feature retail-like signage and graphics that reflect the identity of the corridor.
RESIDENTIAL USES
To engage with the street, common areas (such as building lobbies), stoops, unfenced small front yards, and limited setbacks are encouraged.
OFFICE USES
Office spaces located along the corridor should engage the street much like retail uses. Cafe tables outside will provide an alternate space for employees during
lunch, meetings, or breaks,
which simultaneously
activating the street.
PLANNING GUIDES AND RESOURCES
NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL STUDY (COMPLETE)
This landmark tool helps create thriving neighborhoods by measuring local demand for
goods and services, taking inventory of vacant storefront, tracking customer spending, and measuring demand for retail space. It is helping small business operate successfully along each neighborhood corridor.
COMMERCIAL USES PROTOTYPE BOOK
A companion piece to Detroit Neighborhood Retail Opportunity Study, this book was developed
to help retailers with the design
of their building. It helps with business owners with space layout, color palette, merchandising,
and brand – all of which serve important roles in creating
the customer experience.
DETROIT REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP PROFESSIONAL GUIDE
The Detroit Region hosts leading U.S. professional service firms with proven expertise in guiding companies through Detroit and U.S. expansion. This guide features a curated network of these trusted firms, their capabilities, and contact information. The DRP team is here and ready to connect you quickly.
BACK IN BUSINESS - ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FOR ACTIVATING COMMERCIAL SPACE
DEGC SBS partnered with DDP and Liv6 for the Economic Partner Alliance facilitated through LISC to create an economic development project focused on placemaking and real estate strategies for community leaders on major city corridors. See many examples of national initiatives, through case studies that support the
strategies mentioned.
SCHOOLCRAFT CORRIDOR
JULY 2024 VISION PLAN (COMPLETE)
Schoolcraft Road is a commercial corridor that stretches
across Northwest Detroit and has experienced limited
reinvestment for decades, yet reenergized residents
and community groups are driving more focus on the corridor following investment on nearby Grand River.
This vision plan is an opportunity to evaluate and align community interests with current retail market demand.
