Keep Detroit Beautiful, with a Keep America Beautiful/Lowe’s Community Partners Grant, provided Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision (SDEV) with the resources to transform the corner of Clark and Vernor in Southwest Detroit.

In turn, SDEV, an environmental and economic development nonprofit, collaborated with Southwest Detroit Business Association, Ideal Group, General Motors, Detroit’s Cristo Rey High School, the Allen Park Lowe’s Heroes volunteers, residents, and other community partners to restore and develop the vacant lot located at the corner of Clark and Vernor in the heart of Southwest Detroit into a productive community place.

The Vernor and Clark Placemaking Grant plan transformed the former vacant lot into a gathering space with a rain garden, pollinator gardens, low maintenance landscaping, vertical green walls, climbing plants, a mural, and outdoor seating to encourage families to visit and linger at this spot.The newly integrated natural features will attract food trucks and potential customers to local businesses.

To see the Vernor and Clark placemaking project come to life, check out the Facebook photo gallery here.