Grassroots Design Access

Grassroots Design Access is a program of DCDC that seeks to partner design services with small to medium scale community-organized projects.* This program is intended for community groups who have not received funding or other resources for design support. The program offers early design services** as a form of community building for groups seeking the ways in which to improve the quality of life for their neighborhood spaces.

Grassroots Design Access is entering its fourth year of facilitation! Thus far, DCDC has responded to nearly 50 organizations. Our program has contributed program assistance to:

• Avalon Village

• Camp Restore

• Imaginative Minds

• Liddesdale Block Club

• Liberated Farms

• Liberty Plaza Community Development Corporation

• Life Challenge of Southeast Michigan

• Asibara Forest

• Universal Health and Wellness

• We 3 Queens Community Outreach, Inc.

• Workin Roots

*Eligible projects may involve existing or new buildings to be used for community activities, initiatives, programs, etc. Projects may also involve an outdoor community space, garden, park space on vacant lots. For the 2024 program, project proposals that involve a need for architectural design will be prioritized, but this does not exclude landscape based projects from applying.

**Services that DCDC can provide begin with community design workshops and engagement with people throughout the conceptual design process. Together, we will identify, visualize, and provide information that will help you make your project vision a reality.  Deliverables can include a variety of documents, like conceptual floor plans, artistic renderings, diagrams, or other documents that will aid in growing support and funding for your project. Services do not include construction documents.

Typical Project Steps

Research and Engagement:
DCDC staff will work with the groups to develop design workshops and/or other community engagement strategies to better understand the project and the goals for each community. We will document the proposed site and conduct research to support a design solution.

Visioning and Design:
This phase will involve a series if concepts and approaches that could address the goals of your project. Concepts will continue to evolve until a design solution fit for your project is identified by your group.

Finalize Design:
A design concept will be agreed upon by each group and DCDC for further development, and may include drawings, examples of similar projects and/or materials and other information required for implementation.

Visioning / Planning Document:
A final document will be prepared to aid in fundraising and marketing efforts, or implementation, depending on the scale, of the project. This may also include a list of relevant resources for continuing your project.

To APPLY:

Applicants should be a representative of a community based organization. Please prepare a package that includes key information that will help us understand the needs and goals in your community, and how your project will respond and fulfill those needs and goals. For more information and application outline please see the PDF linked below.

Please send your applications no later than March 18, 2024.

Apply through the online application form below, or send to GrassrootsDesignAccess.dcdc@gmail.com. For hard copy submissions, please call 313-993-1037 to arrange for drop off.