A Rejuvenation Plan for Detroit's Highland Park

Along with Hamtramck, Highland Park is one of two tiny cities entirely surrounded by the city of Detroit. Here's how its leaders want its center to develop over the next five to ten years.

1 minute read

May 16, 2017, 7:00 AM PDT

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc


Highland Park Fire Department

Dave Hogg / Flickr

It's not actually part of Detroit, giving Highland Park some local leeway in how it wants to handle redevelopment. Tasked to create plans for the next 2, 5, and 10 years by Mayor Hubert Yopp, "[Tax Increment Financing Authority] Board chair Theresa Johnson plans on focusing first on demonstrating that there is demand for development, through community-driven, targeted, short term wins in multi-modal infrastructure, activated public spaces, and pop-up experiences." 

MKSK Studios has put together plans incorporating those elements. Here, Robin Runyan gives us a look at this "bold vision" for the city. In context, Highland Park lies along what could be a key corridor for rejuvenation outside of downtown Detroit.  

"In it, we see opportunities for increased public space, adaptive reuse of historic buildings, an emphasis on pedestrian safety, increased retail opportunity, and taking advantage of the Inner Circle Greenway, connecting neighborhoods of Detroit with Highland Park, Hamtramck, and Dearborn in a non-motorized capacity."

Tuesday, May 2, 2017 in Curbed Detroit

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15 - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post