Last year, we welcomed 150 leaders from the Denver Downtown Partnership as part of their Leadership Exchange trip, our largest exchange group yet. The group, made up of business, nonprofit, and government leaders, came to understand how Detroit is approaching community development, economic growth, and public space.
These exchanges highlight an important reality: every city faces similar challenges, from equitable development to housing and economic opportunity. Detroit’s experience stands out because many of these challenges have been more visible and more extreme, pushing communities to develop creative, community-driven solutions. Today, cities across the country are increasingly looking to Detroit for insight and inspiration.
For the Denver delegation, City Institute designed a Detroit in Context Learning Journey, exploring neighborhoods across the city while highlighting:
• Art and music as economic drivers
• Investment without displacement and community-centered redevelopment
• Public spaces and public–private partnerships
Participants heard directly from the business owners, nonprofit leaders, and city officials shaping Detroit’s neighborhoods today.
The experience left a lasting impression.
“Bringing 150 business, nonprofit, and government leaders from Denver to Detroit with City Institute was a transformative experience. While every city faces challenges around equity and growth, seeing how Detroit has addressed these issues at a larger scale shifted our perspective. City Institute helped us understand the city’s history, resilience, and innovation—not just as lessons for Detroit, but as insights other cities can learn from. We left inspired, better equipped, and reminded of the power of cities learning from one another.”
— Sarah Fritzinger
Itinerary Stops
Avenue of Fashion / Black Business District
A historic commercial corridor and hub for Black-owned businesses, representing Detroit’s legacy of entrepreneurship and cultural identity. The stop included conversations with local leaders and business owners shaping the district’s continued growth at Good Cakes and Bakes.
Live6 Corridor - Live6 Alliance
A neighborhood revitalization effort along Livernois Avenue focused on supporting local businesses, stabilizing housing, and ensuring development benefits longtime residents.
Clark Park Coalition – Southwest Detroit
A vibrant public space serving as a central gathering place for Southwest Detroit, demonstrating the impact of community stewardship and partnerships in maintaining accessible, active public spaces.
East Warren Corridor - E. Warren Development Corp
An emerging neighborhood corridor shaped by local investment and entrepreneurship, including projects like Morningside Café and the Public Market initiative.
The Shepherd Arts Center
A reimagined historic church turned arts and cultural space, highlighting the role of adaptive reuse and public art in neighborhood revitalization.
Belle Isle- Belle Isle Conservancy
A nationally recognized public park and key asset in Detroit’s park system, illustrating the importance of public space investment and stewardship.
Eastern Market (Drive-By)
One of the largest historic public markets in the country, serving as a hub for food, small businesses, and entrepreneurship in Detroit.
Detroit Riverwalk (Drive-By)
An award-winning public space along the Detroit River, demonstrating successful public-private partnerships and investment in accessible waterfront development.
Oakland Avenue Urban Farm
A community-based urban agriculture project in Detroit’s North End focused on food sovereignty, land stewardship, and economic opportunity.
La Joya Gardens Housing Development
A community-driven affordable housing development in Southwest Detroit led by the Southwest Detroit Business Association, showcasing inclusive development and neighborhood investment.
