“For the Public” reevaluates a public education model, resources, and methods in the Detroit District to promote access to public education. The intention is to deconstruct the University of Michigan Center of Innovation and distribute properly funded programming along District Detroit’s center on W Columbia Street to develop a pedestrian-only educational corridor. “For the Public” proposes a model to assist in rethinking public education in Detroit.

Three educational typologies contribute to the corridor’s public access, primarily displayed on the ground level. Ground-level interior education spaces provide e-learning opportunities funded by property owners who, in return, receive incentive zoning. Ground-level exterior programs provide landscape learning opportunities distributed on the corridor to engage with hands-on learning properly. Lastly, for easement of employee access, “For the Public” will provide education and workforce affordable housing, zoned parking, and a shuttle service. These typologies offer educational and practical experiences for educators, children, and the public to foster growth and learning simultaneously. 

“For the Public” extracts the definition and mission of public education described by the Center of Educational Policy. It focuses on the outcomes of validating five essential pieces: examining a funding source, free learning, equal opportunity, accountability, and access. These are applied and expanded beyond the District Detroit based on property and current program research for vacant infrastructure and vacant property parcels and leaning into absent community needs for accessible and quality educational resources.

Programs to assist with accessing resources seek to provide quality learning spaces, technology resources such as computer labs, hands-on learning experiences such as maker spaces and sensory gardens, and accountability for the UMCI’s space to have a public platform for community engagement. 

“For the Public” aims to provide an educational model for proper funding, free learning, equal opportunity, access, and accountability. This begins with educational sources meant for Detroit Public School children and the public to access previously inaccessible resources through the three educational typologies.