Background

Like most of Detroit, the Lower Eastside experienced population loss that led to property disinvestment, structure demolition and massive vacancies by 2009. The desire to improve quality of life in the community through strong neighborhoods, and to transform vacant land into places that stabilize those neighborhoods, gave shape to the Lower Eastside Action Plan (LEAP). Created in 2012 by Eastside Community Network, in collaboration with residents and technical advisors, LEAP is a community-driven response and award-winning plan that engages residents in a process of transforming open space and stabilizing neighborhoods.

In 2021, the LEAP Steering Committee voted to rebrand LEAP as the LEAP Coalition.

LEAP Phase I

Launched in 2009, the Phase I planning process and report identified property types, outlined projects to be implemented in the LEAP impact area, and highlighted land use policies that will guide and/or impact implementation. The goal of the Phase I was to engage people in a process to transform vacant land and property into uses that improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods and surrounding areas.

LEAP Phase II

Phase II of LEAP allowed the strategies developed in Phase I to be reviewed, tested and refined. Best practices gleaned from Phase I informed and guided the Phase II planning process, providing residents a greater opportunity to delve into the critical discussions happening around land use in Detroit. The Phase II report focuses on that vetting process, as well as its future directions and land use policies deemed necessary to continue the reinvention of the Detroit’s lower east side.

LEAP Phase III: Strengthen & Transform

In 2017, the LEAP Steering Committee engaged 450 residents in the Phase III planning process, while our Resident Outreach Corps reached over 16,100 houses through door-to-door canvassing to communicate LEAP activities. Through this process, we determined Phase III of LEAP implementation would focus on two goals:

• Strengthening the Chandler Park Neighborhood

• Transforming Open Space.

LEAP Steering Committee

The LEAP Steering Committee monitors progress toward LEAP recommendations; oversees our various committees and work groups; approves project endorsements and LEAP Project Fund awards; ensures meaningful community engagement in implementation efforts; participates in LEAP policy and project advocacy; and ensures the inclusion of LEAP in Detroit's Master Plan of Policies and other official efforts.

Neighborhood Improvement Committee

The Neighborhood Improvement Committee works with ECN staff to monitor the Blight Elimination Standards campaign; assist with the marketing and development of Beautification System Grants; advocate for deconstruction projects that adhere to our LEAP Blight Elimination Standards; and monitor community access to the Detroit Land Bank Authority Community Partnership Agreements, Clean & Green Program, and Side Lot Acquisition Programs.