Detroit, Michigan
Carving out calm at a chaotic intersection
The Project
The Leading with Love mural at the Lahser Triangle in Northwest Detroit is the final touch on a community-based safety and walkability project years in the making. With the Redford Theater, the Artist Village, Detroit Blight Busters and long-time businesses like Sweet Potato Sensations, the Old Redford commercial district is a hub for community conversations, arts and resilience. At its heart, the angled intersection of Redford St with Lahser Rd, high vehicle counts and excessive speeding created an unsafe pedestrian environment in an otherwise walkable district. In 2020, during a local public art planning process, residents prioritized this intersection for a mural plaza that would create new pedestrian space, shorten crossing distances and slow car traffic. Winning an Asphalt Art Initiative grant allowed the City to secure additional funds to install a grade-separated plaza and landscaping in advance of the final mural. Per the Old Redford Public Art plan, an artist advisory group led by the Old Redford Business Association selected the artist and design. The project is a tribute to the power of community building when leading with love.
- 40% reduction in crossing distance
- 2 new crosswalks
- 1,700 square feet of roadway reclaimed for pedestrians
“The streetscape is now transformed into a place where everyone can gather, fostering a strong sense of togetherness and inclusivity.”
Augusta Morrison, Program Director, Sidewalk Detroit
Use the slider to see the transformation
Press
Town Hall Engages Old Redford Residents to Have Voice in Public Art, (Model D, July 2020)
For inspiration and tips for the creation of art on roadways and public places, download the Bloomberg Associates Asphalt Art Guide which features successful plaza and roadway art activations around the world, as well as key steps for developing such projects.
