The blog and highlight video below provide just a snapshot of a groundbreaking, record-crashing year for which the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) is extremely proud. Thanks to the dedication of the DDP Board, team, partners, and sponsors, we achieved significant results as Downtown’s voice and steward. While many of our efforts were behind the scenes, including preparing for a potential trip to the Super Bowl for the Detroit Lions to daily meetings leading up to the NFL Draft, others were more visible, including our activation, maintenance, and curation of our parks and public spaces to our sell-out events. Our efforts made news as USA Today readers voted Campus Martius Park the #1 Public Square in the nation and The Rink at Campus Martius Park presented by Visit Detroit as the #1 Ice Skating Rink.
Following is a list of some of the DDP’s accomplishments this year that are highlighted in the video:
- The DDP’s 2024 Annual Meeting, “Legacy and Leadership in Detroit,” was a sold-out event thanks to our stellar leadership discussion panel with Mike Tirico, Daniel J. Loepp, and Roger Penske.
- In April, Detroit hosted the NFL Draft with record-breaking attendance, and the DDP hosted Draft Day in the D throughout four Downtown Parks. This was the first time the Draft expanded its footprint and was an opportunity to drive guests further into the Downtown to experience more retail and restaurant establishments.
- The DDP partnered with the Detroit Tigers to host the official, annual Opening Day Tailgate in historic Grand Circus Park.
- The DDP moved ahead with RAP Grant Projects, with work on Capitol Park, Grand Circus Park, and Campus Martius Park. The process is guided by a masterplan looking toward the future of these great public spaces.
- In a historic expansion and confirmation of the DDP’s capabilities, the City of Detroit tripled the DDP’s stewardship from six Downtown Parks and Public Spaces to 18.
- The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear was held in the streets of the Downtown and brought more than $100 million to the city. This year, Campus Martius Park and Cadillac Square became the locations of the Grand Prix’s headline concert by ILLENIUM and the Grand Prixmiere fundraising event. Annual events like the Grand Prix boost the economy and provide excellent visibility for the region.
- The DDP managed another successful year of 1,200 mostly free summer programs throughout Downtown parks.
- The Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) celebrated 10 years of supporting Downtown’s business community, maintaining parks and public spaces, and building the BIZ Ambassador program.
- In August, we hosted the annual Party in the Park, a summer fundraiser that supports the DDP’s critical work in our parks and public spaces.
- At the annual Fall Forum, the DDP shared with attendees that Downtown Detroit witnessed $3 billion in investments in 2024 and more than $5 billion in the greater Downtown area.
- Thanks to a grant from The Kresge Foundation, the DDP completed and released an extensive Peer Review of the I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project in November. The review included design evaluation and recommendations, construction mitigation, and opportunity assessment sections. The DDP worked with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the City of Detroit to provide a balanced voice within the community and advocate for a truly reconnective design.
- The DDP was awarded a $2-million grant from the federal Reconnecting Communities program to explore freeway capping options within the I-75 right-of-way owned by the MDOT. DDP is co-leading this planning initiative with the City of Detroit and MDOT. A robust and meaningful community engagement process will inform the vision and identify a preferred alternative for the project.
- The DDP produced the 21st annual Detroit Tree Lighting presented by the DTE Energy Foundation, which had a record-breaking attendance of 115,000. For 21 years, the DDP has partnered with Dutchman Farms to supply Detroit’s Christmas Tree.
- New this year is the DDP’s CHALET 313 designed by Gardner White: a never-before-seen glass-enclosed, two-story heated lounge. This unique addition to Campus Martius Park is a great place where friends and family can gather, warm up, and enjoy the holiday magic in the heart of Downtown Detroit. Generous funding partners include William Davidson Foundation, the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, Downtown Development Authority, and Michigan Economic Development Corporation Revitalization and Placemaking Program.
- The Downtown Detroit Markets and Cadillac Lodge returned for another winter funded by Gilbert Family Foundation and supported by Bedrock.
- We celebrated our 40th annual Detroit Aglow presented by Amazon with another sold-out event. The event’s theme was Aglow for 40 Years: Celebrating Connections, with proceeds from the benefit supporting DDP’s ongoing efforts to cultivate economic and social impact in Downtown Detroit.
It was an incredible year, and we look forward to another year of advancing our mission to create a vibrant Downtown that is clean, safe, and welcoming for all to enjoy.
See you Downtown!
