Let's Save Michigan

June 14, 2012

Meet the “It’s About Place” Contest Finalists Part 2

The “It’s About Place” contest received 46 proposals from communities all over Michigan.  Contestants from Muskegon to Detroit, Marine City to Manistique saw great placemaking potential in their communities and came up with some truly creative projects.

The top 10 project vote recipients will now move to the final round where a panel of placemaking experts will choose a winning project. 1^st Place will receive $2,000 and runners up will receive $1,000 and $500 respectfully. 

The 6 – 10 finalists include:

Detroit: Innovation Square (2,090 Votes)

Innovation Square will transform a “cracked, warped and tired” parking lot in Tech Town into an inviting outdoor space that encourages inter-organization collaboration and community development, with the goal of generating sufficient momentum to secure follow-up funding.

Detroit: Canfield Social Yard (1,962 Votes)

The Canfield Social Yard seeks to raise awareness of the west Woodbridge area and foster a culture of neighborhood and civic engagement by programming a vacant lot with entertainment and educational events that support existing community efforts and encourage new projects.

Milford: Growing Greens Community Garden (1,940 Votes)

The Growing Greens Community Garden will grow healthy food for families and neighbors, involve and educate our children about healthy eating, and grow a sense of community with donations of fresh organic produce to a local food bank.

Saline: Alley Project (1,468 Votes)

The Saline Alley Project will improve and beautify an underutilized, forgotten alley in downtown Saline and turn it into a much-needed community gathering space with peaceful outdoor seating for restaurants, festive lighting, bountiful planters of blooming flowers and dynamic “galleries” for artwork.

Saline Patch article covering the Alley Project

Hartland: Old Hartland High School (1,184 Votes)

The Old Hartland High School project will create a year-round gathering place with an atmosphere that encourages interaction and socialization among community members and where local groups can hold casual meetings under the backdrop of a large Poetry Word Wall.

Hartland Patch article on the Old Hartland School project