DETROIT (WWJ) -- It may seem like a different lifetime — and to some Detroiters, it was — but just under 20 years ago, Campus Martius was little more than busy intersection, used mainly to reroute the city’s traffic.
All of that changed in 1999, when Detroit was gearing up up for its 300th birthday, and a plan was put into place to revitalize and rebuild what has long been regarded as the city’s center.
The result of the undertaking became far more important than anyone realized at the time, ultimately providing early glimpses of what a Detroit comeback could look like, if the city was given a chance to shine again.
In its earliest days, Campus Martius — which translates to ‘Field of Mars’— was used as a military training ground.
But after the Great Fire in 1805, little was left of Detroit, and those in charge of the rebuild needed a place to begin.
The location that was chosen by Judge Augustus B. Woodward was Campus Martius, which was used as the point of origin for laying out all new roads in the city.
Further solidifying the area as Detroit’s core was the building of the Michigan Soldiers and Sailors Monument in 1872, which still stands today.
But as roads widened through the decades, green space and walkability dwindled, and Campus Martius was reduced to little more than a busy traffic island.
Fast-forward to the late 90s, and Detroit was looking ahead to its 2001 Tricentennial Celebration. Then-Mayor Dennis Archer had a vision to ring in the city’s 300th year by turning Campus Martius into a multi-use park that could serve Detroiters as a place to gather.
The city teamed up with the non-profit Detroit 300 Conservancy, and the transformation began to take shape.
Charged with the task was Bob Gregory, whose meticulous planning ultimately led to the version of Campus Martius Park that Detroiters know and love today.
Gregory, who now works with the Downtown Detroit Partnership, explained on The Daily J podcast that he and his team looked to places like New York City's Central Park and Rockefeller Center for inspiration.
With the establishment of now-iconic landmarks like the Woodward Fountain, and annual holiday traditions like the Christmas tree and skating rink, the park was transformed into a Detroit destination for those who live in the city and the suburbs alike.
A new bustling city center also captured the attention of local businesses leaders, such as Dan Gilbert, who moved the Quicken Loans headquarters from Livonia to One Campus Martius in 2010.
In the years that followed, other businesses and restaurants began to follow suit, which also resulted in the revitalization of nearby spaces like Cadillac Square and the Monroe Street Midway.
In the summer months, the Beach at Campus Martius — which initially came to fruition following a collaborative effort between the Project for Public Spaces and the Downtown Detroit Partnership — acts as a counterpart to the winter activities, drawing in thousands of people of all ages to enjoy a taste of Northern Michigan in the city.
Campus Martius has also become a destination for large-scale events, such as the 2024 NFL Draft, as well as recurring programming like the world-renowned Detroit Jazz Festival during Labor Day Weekend.
Thanks to the work of non-profits like the Downtown Detroit Partnership and the Project for Public Spaces, Campus Martius Park has received international acclaim for its urban planning, and was even named on USA Today’s list of the 10 Best Top Public Squares in 2021.
Indeed, it's hard to imagine what the state of Detroit’s downtown area would be if not for Campus Martius’s stunning transformation over the last two decades.
When Detroit burned in 1805, Campus Martius served as a guidepost to re-establish the entire city.
Today, it continues to serve a similar purpose by providing Detroiters with a beautiful place to gather and reflect on how far we've come, while also offering hope for even better days ahead.
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