Crowdfunding campaign launched for sculptural bus stop project in Detroit

$11,750 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – Three unsheltered bus stops in the Cody-Rouge and Franklin Park neighborhoods of Detroit will be fully transformed into functional public art through a crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, College for Creative Studies, Franklin Park Association, and Cody Rouge Action Alliance announced today. The campaign is being offered through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $11,750 by June 25, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: http://www.patronicity.com/bus.

“This project meets a community demand for shelter at transit hubs but also amplifies the spaces through the use of public art,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Katharine Czarnecki. “We are pleased to provide resources for and serve as a partner in this effort under the Public Spaces Community Places program.”

The Cody Rouge/Franklin Park BUS Shelter campaign will create the final shelter of and put finishing touches on a three-part shelter installation throughout the Cody Rouge and Franklin Parks’ most frequented bus stops. The project emerged in response to community calls for shelter, seating, neighborhood beautification, and engagement. After reviewing the work of several artists, the community voted and selected Detroit artist and industrial designer Kef Parker to realize its shared vision. With the support of the Detroit Department of Transportation, architects, and engineers, Parker refined the communal vision and began crafting elegant, functional sculptures which double as shelter and art. 

"The College for Creative Studies and our partners are extremely grateful for the MEDC's Public Spaces Community Places matching grant for our BUS shelter project,” said College for Creative Studies Director of Community Arts Partnership Mikel Bresee. “This is a hard-working community where bus transportation is central to residents' lives. MEDC has effectively doubled this community's power to raise the funds to provide shelter for residents on the way to school and work."

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply athttps://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of April 20, 2018, MEDC has provided $4,875,166 in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 157 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with nearly $5.8 million raised from 29,181 individual donors.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.