DDP Centennial
100 Years of service to the city of Detroit.
In 1922, 13 progressive business leaders came together at the J.L. Hudson Co. offices to establish the Business Property Association – the precursor to what is now the Downtown Detroit Partnership. The meeting was held to investigate taxes levied on Downtown business properties, protest the 1922 increased assessed valuations, and encourage a subway be built leading many miles out for future expansion.
The Business Property Association was the first of its kind in the country and has been one of the city’s strongest advocates ever since. The organization has gone through several iterations. In 1954, it was rebranded as the Central Business District Association; in 1988, Detroit Downtown, Inc. (DDI); and in 2005, the Detroit Downtown Partnership.
DDP Centennial Celebration
Centennial Spotlights
Downtown History (Centennial)
DDP Celebrating 100 Years Serving Detroit 2022
September 1, 2022
Downtown History (Centennial)
Centennial Celebration (Magazine + Event Presentation)
August 30, 2022
Click here to read DDP’s Centennial Magazine
Downtown History (Centennial)
Downtown Density 1925-2020
August 23, 2022
DDP Centennial: 100 years of Population Data By Joshua Long, Data Program Director The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) is marking its 100-year anniversary this year. In 1922, the first version . . .
100 is Much More Than a Number
August 23, 2022
By Eric B. Larson As we put the final touches on our Centennial Celebration, I can’t help but reflect on what it means for the organization. There is some inherent . . .
Downtown History (Centennial)
DDP Centennial: The Mayors
August 17, 2022
The Mayors The Downtown Detroit Partnership has a strong history of working closely with city, county and state government officials to support the Downtown in many factions. Here at the . . .
Downtown History (Centennial)
DDP Centennial: How It All Began
August 17, 2022
In 1922, Oscar Webber of J. L. Hudson Company gathered 13 Detroit businessmen at the Hudson Co. offices to establish the Business Property Association — today’s Downtown Detroit Partnership. The . . .
Downtown History (Centennial)
DDP Centennial: Detroit Opera House
August 17, 2022
Detroit Opera House Also Turns 100 The Detroit Opera House opened in 1922 in the Grand Circus Park Historic District. The 3,500-seat auditorium, designed by renowned architect C. Howard Crane, . . .
Downtown History (Centennial)
DDP Centennial: The Walk To Freedom
August 17, 2022
Martin Luther King, Jr and “The Walk to Freedom” and Social Justice On June 23, 1963, the 20th anniversary of the Detroit Race Riot of 1943, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther . . .
Downtown History (Centennial)
DDP Centennial: Greektown and Ethnic Festivals
August 17, 2022
How DDP Pioneered the Hugely Popular Ethnic Festivals Like most of Detroit’s neighborhoods, this area we now know as Greektown has gone through many transformations. It was initially established by . . .
Downtown History (Centennial)
DDP Centennial: The Business of Architecture
August 17, 2022
The Guardian Building Step inside the Guardian Building, and you’ll be transported to another era. You will quickly understand how this site is a part of DDP’s history and is . . .
Downtown History (Centennial)
DDP Centennial: Downtown Detroit Days
August 17, 2022
Downtown Detroit Days In 1954, thanks to the innovative thinking of Central District Business Association President Diane Edgecomb, the first Downtown Detroit Days (DDD) festival was planned. (The CDBA was . . .
Downtown History (Centennial)
DDP Centennial: The City of Champions
August 17, 2022
The City of Champions Detroit is part of an exclusive club of cities where all four major sports teams compete within its Downtown city limits. Whether you know Detroit as the . . .
