DDP Consulting
The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) is a nationally recognized leader in urban revitalization, placemaking, and public-private partnership strategy. DDP Consulting Services are designed to transfer this expertise to organizations and communities beyond those directly managed by the DDP.
What DDP Has to Offer
Learn from one of the country’s most recognized downtown transformation organizations.
The DDP has spent more than 100 years helping shape one of America’s most remarkable downtown stories. Today, we share the strategies, partnerships, and operational expertise behind that success with cities, downtown organizations, business improvement districts, and civic leaders around the world.
Our team has decades of on-the-ground execution experience transforming ambitious ideas into thriving places through proven expertise in placemaking, public-private partnerships, downtown management, and community activation that create impact across the nation.
DDP’s consulting isn’t theoretical. It is grounded in real-world experience leading award-winning public spaces, managing business improvement districts, convening public-private partnerships, and creating vibrant downtowns that attract residents, businesses, and visitors. The team looks forward to continuing to support creating safe and well-functioning urban districts through planning, implementation, and management. DDP’s approach is rooted in data-driven decision-making, cross-sector collaboration, and measurable return on investment while delivering solutions that are visionary, innovative, community-focused, and operationally feasible.
Areas of Expertise
Strategy, Planning & Governance
Supporting organizations, districts, and public-private partnerships in developing strategic direction, governance structures, and implementation frameworks.
Operations, District Management & Implementation
Providing practical operational support to
districts, public spaces, and organizations seeking to strengthen execution, management, and service delivery.
Meet the Experts
Chief Executive Officer
Eric brings more than 40 years of leadership in large-scale real estate development, infrastructure investment, and urban revitalization. He has led transformative projects that have reshaped Downtown Detroit into a model for modern urban regeneration. Eric advises cities, developers, and civic leaders on complex development strategy, public-private partnership structuring, and long-term district growth planning.
Chief Safety & Security Officer
Mike is a nationally recognized expert in urban safety strategy and integrated security systems for public environments. At DDP, he leads a comprehensive safety ecosystem that coordinates public agencies, private stakeholders, and real-time data to create safe, welcoming Downtown experiences. Mike’s work helps cities build scalable, proactive safety frameworks that support economic activity and public confidence.
Chief Community Impact Officer
Gina Cavaliere is a leader in district management, governance structures, and community impact strategy. She played a pivotal role in launching and operating the Downtown Detroit BIZ, a best-in-class model for urban district management. With a background in law and public administration, Gina advises on BID/BIZ formation, operational frameworks, funding models, and stakeholder alignment.
Chief Public Spaces Officer
David leads DDP’s internationally recognized public spaces portfolio, overseeing more than 23 acres of high-performing urban parks, including Campus Martius Park. A national expert in placemaking and place management, David works with cities and developers to design, program, and operate public spaces that drive foot traffic, economic development, and community engagement.
Director of Parks and Public Spaces
Laura is a leader in large-scale event programming and experiential placemaking, overseeing more than 1,200 annual activations that attract more than 4.5 million visitors to DDP-managed public spaces. Her consulting expertise focuses on programming strategy, audience development, and sponsorship-driven event models that maximize both community impact and economic return.
Chief Financial Officer
Cari brings more than 26 years of expertise in financial strategy, nonprofit management, and real estate finance. At DDP, she ensures long-term financial sustainability while supporting complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives. Cari advises organizations on financial modeling, funding strategies, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth planning. Her experience enables clients to align financial performance with mission-driven outcomes.
Urban Evolution Strategist
James is a strategic urban planner with more than two decades of experience shaping citywide policy, infrastructure, and development frameworks. His work has informed major initiatives, including transit-oriented development strategies and large-scale downtown planning efforts. James provides consulting in urban design, land use strategy, mobility integration, and long-term city planning, helping clients translate vision into implementable frameworks.
Senior Director of Urban Innovation
Elise specializes in district operations, innovation programs, and community development implementation. She has 15 years of experiences in Detroit’s nonprofit and economic development sectors, and has led initiatives, including facade improvement programs, small business support, and public space maintenance strategies. She advises clients on program design, operational scaling, and community-centered service delivery models.
Learn More & Connect with Us Today
DDP’s consulting services are delivered through integrated, cross-functional practice areas
that combine expertise from across the organization. Engagements are often structured
across multiple practice areas, allowing clients to access a multidisciplinary team that
combines strategic, operational, technical, and community-centered expertise to deliver
integrated solutions.
Reach out to the DDP today, and together, we can help bring your vision and goals to fruition.
DDP Client Testimonials
