About us
Strong Towns Detroit is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy group based in Detroit, Michigan. We’re an independent organization of volunteers, working as a recognized local chapter of the nationally focused 501(c)(3) nonprofit Strong Towns. We are advocates for stronger, resilient, and prosperous neighborhoods in the city of Detroit and greater metro Detroit area.
We are advocates
We share a vision for Detroit that is beautiful, safe, and walkable. That every Detroiter would have access to amenities, transportation, and would feel comfortable letting their kids out to play. We show up for policies, projects, and plans that move Detroit towards that vision.
We are involved in our community
We do on-the-ground service work to build rapport in the community and to serve our neighbors. Does a neighborhood have overgrown sidewalks? Is there a lot that could be cleaned up and used more productively? We don’t just talk about strong neighborhoods: we roll up our sleeves and get it done.
We partner with local leaders
We make relationships with local government, neighborhood associations, non-profits, developers, landlords, and business leaders and find ways to support their missions. We believe for progress to be made we need collaboration from every level of stakeholder.
Our philosophies
We are a independent organization that is a recognized local conversation of Strong Towns. We fully adopt the Strong Towns approach.
· A strong Detroit needs strong citizens working together to improve the community.
· Land must be used responsibly to create wealth for the community.
· A transportation system is a means of creating prosperity, but never an end unto itself.
· Economic growth are the results of a healthy local economy, not substitutes for one.
· Investments into infrastructure and development must lead to an net-increase in revenue for the city/county, otherwise it’s a liability.
What we advocate for
Poor street design leads to automobile accidents, induces demand that creates congestion, and discourages other road users from utilizing public space. Instead, whenever a street needs to be redone, the project is looked at holistically for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit users alike.
Developers currently need to adhere to strict zoning regulations, forcing developers to either go through lengthy and expensive processes to change zoning, or build less productive developments that contribute less housing and produce less revenue for the city. This slows down the development process and turns developers away from Detroit.
We seek to curtail the primary mechanism of local wealth destruction and municipal insolvency: the continued expansion of Michigan’s highways and related auto-based transportation systems.
Parking minimums force developers to build more parking than they require — increasing the cost of development while also having a huge opportunity cost. The taxable value of the land is near nothing compared to if a structure was built. This cuts into our municipalities revenue, while spreading amenities further apart, forcing us into cars and increasing infrastructure costs.
We advocate for ending parking mandates and subsidies to free up vast swaths of land that can be used more productively.
Alternative mobility options not only provide people with more options for transportation, it is also a cost-effective way to move more people, reduce noise, reduce pollution, improves safety, reduces congestion, and encourages more activity. Simultaneously, it grants mobility opportunities to the disabled, elderly, low-income, and young.
We support transit investments and expansions of mobility networks.
The true extent of deferred maintenance and replacement cost obligations for infrastructure is not accounted for in a city’s financial reports. Municipal financial statements must be prepared with the local citizen in mind, not a Wall Street analyst or bond investor.
We call for more clear financial statements that illustrate long term financial outlooks.
Strong Towns Detroit 