Vacant Detroit storefront to be transformed into community space

A vacant storefront on 6 Mile will soon be a much-needed safe community space called Treehouse, but it needs community support to get there. Live6 is in the running for a National Geographic Vote Your Main Street grant. Detroit is one of 25 cities in the running to share $2 million in funding.

Courtesy of Live6

Lauren Hood of Live6 tells Curbed that the storefront is about 2,500 square feet and has been vacant for at least 20 years. The owner acquired a number of properties in the area a few years ago and there are plans underway for restaurants and more businesses. But this space, Treehouse, will be a space for neighborhood youth who don’t have any other place to go. This would be a low-barrier-to-entry space to encourage safety and community conversation.

They’re hoping to add a performance space and possibly arcade games to Treehouse.

An open house will be held Saturday, October 7 to engage the community and introduce the space.

The campaign runs through October 31 and individuals can vote up to 5 times a day (there is a sign in for voting). Partners in Preservation is a program created by American Express and The National Trust for Historic Preservation.

It’s early on in the fundraising, but momentum is building in the neighborhood. The venue is close to the Fitzgerald redevelopment, which will break ground soon. The project will involve rehabbing 115 homes and adding green space to the neighborhood.