Project Meerkat

Abstract

Thi s is a Master of Community Development Capstone Project that aims to explore the needs of the neighborhood between Marygrove College and the University of Detroit Mercy, in Detroit, Michigan. The project is designed to be community-driven in which the residents take the lead in determining their needs through the identification of the hopes and dreams for their community. Th e target community is located within the Fitzgerald community. The boundaries are Six Mile (McNichols) and Puritan to the North and South, and Livernois and Greenlawn to the East and West, totaling 10 city blocks. This neighborhood existed prior to the establishment of the University of Detroit Mercy and Marygrove College. This project explores the relationship between the two institutions of higher learning and the neighborhood–past, present and future. I n the Capstone Preparation phase of the program the team developed a preliminary action plan to meet the goals and objectives of the project: • Engage stakeholders to identify community needs and goals • Use placemaking methods and techniques to address the needs and goals of the community Project short term objectives: 1. Facilitate a resident-led initiative to address community safety. 2. Engage UDM and Marygrove College in local neighborhood community development. Assist community groups in planning, designing and managing meeting/social space