Kronk Village in Detroit
Kronk Village 
This project in Detroit, MI includes the historic rehabilitation and “green” adaptive reuse renovation of the existing Kronk Community Building (including the Kronk Boxing Gym founded by Emanuel Steward) as a multi-use center and the redevelopment of existing vacant public blocks and adjoining sites (Atkinson Playground) as a sustainable residential neighborhood.
There are approximately 35 acres of predominantly vacant, publicly-owned land surrounding the historic Kronk facility. The proposed new neighborhood development would contain a mix of approximately 250-350 units of affordable senior and family rental and/or cooperative housing in a variety of residential forms, including single family homes, duplexes, rowhouses and multi-family apartments. A green infrastructure of sustainable urban initiatives including a district-wide geothermal utility and food farming is integrated into a traditional, walkable, transit-oriented “New Village” plan.
The Kronk Community offers an opportunity to build a truly “green” urban development. With such a clean slate, many systems and practices can be built from the ground up with sustainability in mind. By integrating agriculture into the community we not only provide a source of nutritious food, but jobs, security, and beauty. Using other available technologies coupled with urban agriculture we can create a sustainable eco-friendly community that also makes financial sense.
- For an overview of the project, the proposal to the City of Detroit in detail, or more specifics on the Urban Farming aspect of the project please see the materials listed below.
- Also see
- Up Off The Canvas, L. Jon Wertheim's 12.07.09 Sports Illustrated article on Kronk Gym and its reinvention
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Recent blog posts
"I have tried to evolve an organically integrated set of policy proposals that would have the power not only to stop the appalling deterioration of our country – her accelerating descent into a pit of cynicism, passivity, violence and despair – but that, instead, would define a step by step process leading us back to the path of our original mission: to becoming the greatest force on the globe in the struggle for a more humane, a more intelligent and a more life-giving culture."
- Frithjof Bergmann
On the Kronk Proposal to Detroit...
Super impressive. The tone together with the spirit of Frithjof's "Onwards and Upwards" is implicit everywhere and throughout; this proposal is sure to bring about a timely and historic change.
That one of the key facets to the proposal suggests a Media/Music component for the Village is very...very cool.
Peace.