ONE Mile was a collaborative experiment focused on the cultural and economic regeneration of Detroit’s North End. With minimal infrastructure and a flexible approach, it became a scaffolding for hundreds of events, exhibitions, workshops, and performances, gradually reimagining how vacant spaces could be used. Through this process, it evolved into a guiding framework for the neighborhood, proposing new possibilities for public life and setting the stage for sustainable development rooted in community-driven action and engagement.
Over four years, ONE Mile sparked over $2 million in neighborhood investment. It generated short-term jobs for artists and locals alike and provided a platform that elevated the North End's cultural landscape on both a national and international stage.
2014-2018
North End, Detroit
Funding/Grants:
Artplace America, Knight Foundation, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
Principals:
Anya Sirota, Jean Louis Farges
Collaboration:
Oakland Avenue Artists Coalition
Landscape:
Christophe Ponceau
Participants:
Allen Gillers, Alvina Renfrow, Amp Fiddler, Annelise Heeringa, Andrea Daniel, Andrew
Kremers, Billy Hebron, Carl ‘Butch’ Small, Carleton Golz, Caroline Petersen, Christophe
Ponceau, Dames Brown, Danielle Weitzman, Dave Boggon, David Philpot, Dee Castelow,
DJ G-Smooth, DJ Los, Duminie Deporres, Ejii "jimbo" Kim, Eric Harmon, Eric Howard,
Gabe Gonzalez, Ian Donaldson, Ingrid Lafleur, Jaffer Kolb, James Folden, Jamii Tata,
Jasmine Harris, Jason Lindy, Jennifer Kee, Jerry Hebron, Joe Johnson, Kalia Keith, Karen
Harris, James Lesko, Kathryn Carethers, Kirk Donaldson, Kristen Collins, Dr. Makeeba
Ellington, Marsha Music, Matthew Story, Mick Kennedy, Mike Clark “Agent X”, Missy
Ablin, Nneka Jackson, Omar Bruce, Peter Halquist, Piper Carter, Rachel Mulder, Rich
Richardson, Rosie O'Brien, Ryan Mason, Ryan Moritz, Sam Okolita, San Street Catering,
Sarah Pavelko, Shae King, Stephen Gliatto, Steve Patton, Taylor Montgomery, TFO Horns,
Tom Bray, Tony “T-Money” Green, Walter “Hazmat” Howard, Young-Tack Oh, and many
others.