News @ CCS

The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy partnered with Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit (CAID) and the College for Creative Studies’ community + public arts DETROIT (CPAD) on a graffiti project along the Dequindre Cut Greenway. The group worked with four of Detroit’s most respected and influential graffiti artists to create original murals available for public viewing along the greenway. The initiative was made possible with support from Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

Over the years, the Dequindre Cut has become Detroit’s premiere graffiti gallery, attracting some of the most talented graffiti artists in the city and beyond.

“The graffiti art already within the Dequindre Cut is very much a part of the community and the Conservancy plans to create and retain the flavor of the Cut with this progressive initiative,” said Faye Nelson, President and CEO of the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy. “We have outstanding community partners in CAID and CCS who understand, first hand, the importance of accessible contemporary art in our city.”

CCS’ community + public arts DETROIT will use its expertise in community art projects to help inform the near-east side public who live around the Cut on the history of graffiti culture, and its recent ascension in the public consciousness, in addition to a behind-the-scenes tour with the artists and graffiti experts at an upcoming public meeting.

The Dequindre Cut Greenway is maintained, operated and programmed by the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy. Formerly a Grand Trunk Railroad line, the Dequindre Cut is a below-grade corridor that runs parallel to St. Aubin Street, between Gratiot Avenue and Woodbridge Street just north of the Detroit Riverfront. Constructed by the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), the greenway development features a 20-foot wide paved pathway, which includes separate lanes for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, as well as benches and trash receptacles. Many security features are also included along the path, including lighting, call boxes and security cameras. Entrance ramps to the Cut are located at Lafayette Street, Gratiot Avenue and at Woodbridge Street. The DEGC is currently constructing the Dequindre Trail which will extend the greenway further south to Atwater Street at the foot of Tri-Centennial State Park & Harbor by the end of 2009. Future plans also call for the greenway to extend further north from Gratiot Avenue to Mack Avenue.

Funding for this $3.75 million rails-to-trails greenway project was provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan's GreenWays Initiative, the Economic Growth Corporation and the Kellogg Foundation. Additionally, an endowment has been set up for the Dequindre Cut through the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, with funding from the Kresge Foundation, the Kellogg Foundation and the Community Foundation.