A decade of positive transformations for east Detroit neighborhood
Eight miles from downtown Detroit, Morningside calls itself "a community on the rise." The neighborhood dates to the early 20th century and features a collection of eye-catching architecture from the period. Between 2000 and 2010, it experienced a 27% population loss and falling owner-occupancy rates, much like other neighborhoods across the city. However, a decade-long transformation driven by nonprofits and passionate community members has turned vacant lots into neighborhood parks and cleaned up dumping grounds. In turn, the community has seen rising owner-occupancy rates and stronger community involvement.
Homebuyers, drawn to Morningside's family-friendly offerings and affordability, are transforming the landscape with home renovations. The revitalization continues as community members fundraise to renovate and reopen the historic neighborhood theater. Yet residents are already reaping the benefits of their hard work through rising property values. "If you look at the value, it's been an upward incline," says Gentraia Brown, Realtor with Keller Williams Domain. "Right now, there are a lot of homes in the mid-$200,000 range. You wouldn't have seen that five years ago."
The neighborhood of Morningside is a historic region of the east side Detroit.
A vibrant mural at Three Mile-Munich Park in Morningside.
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Tudors and Colonials with original features
Morningside blossomed in the 1920s due to Detroit's rising middle class. The neighborhood still resembles those early days with its brick Tudor houses with steep, pointy roofs, symmetrical Colonials and towering mature trees. Homes are evenly spaced out with well-kept, grassy front lawns. In 2015, Stabilizing Morningside, a University of Michigan project, helped develop a plan to prevent tax foreclosures, renovate houses and turn vacant lots into assets. The Morningside Community Organization oversees a Vacant Property Tax Force to help improve the look of abandoned homes. Many individuals have also purchased and renovated properties in recent years while retaining original features such as hardwood floors. "The homes are well built," Brown says. "They cared more about the architectural style when they built them, so there is a lot of character. That's something you can't find everywhere." Houses may still need new kitchens and bathrooms. Fixer-uppers can range from $60,000 to $100,000, while updated properties range from $130,000 to $240,000.
A row of masonry homes in the Morningside neighborhood.
The Morningside suburb is filled with stunning Tudor brick homes.
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Community gatherings at Three Mile Munich Park
Green spaces take the place of abandoned houses and vacant lots. In 2016, nonprofits helped construct a playground in the center of the neighborhood, building a foundation for Three Mile Munich Park. It's received substantial upgrades since then, and today includes an open green space with tree cover and picnic tables, outdoor fitness equipment, a picnic pavilion and a playground. New sidewalks add accessibility, while a vibrant mural greets parkgoers. It's a gathering space for neighborhood meetings, family reunions and special events, such as Neighborhoods Day, featuring food, tabletop games and vendors selling plants, art and more. Just west, Corrigan Park is a large open space with a baseball field, playground and walking path looping around the perimeter. Nearby Chandler Park is Detroit's fourth largest park, featuring sports fields, a skate park, an aquatic facility and a municipal golf course.
Three Mile-Munich Park has a designated fitness zones for visitors in Morningside.
Kids will enjoy playing for hours outside at Corrigan Park.
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East Warren Tool Library helps with home renovations
Shops and restaurants are concentrated along East Warren Avenue, in the center of the neighborhood, and Mack Avenue, bordering the neighborhood's south side. On East Warren, Morningside Café is a modern coffee shop serving espresso drinks and baked goods. Flamz Pizzeria is popular for its specialty creations, such as seafood pizza with white garlic sauce, shredded mozzarella, shrimp, crab and spinach. Both spots opened in recent years and reopened after repairing fire damage. They could signal more shopping and dining to come, says Brown, "There are some open retail spots, so I can see that potentially being an area for development. The residents came, and now the businesses will come." Public Foods is a centrally located grocery store, while Aldi provides an alternative to the southwest. The East Warren Tool Library contributes to Morningside's revitalization efforts by lending out construction tools and hosting workshops. One-time project tool requests cost $150. Further south, Park Antiques is a cash-only operation on Mack that sells secondhand treasures such as blown glass and wall décor.
Flamz Pizza is well-reviewed and is an excellent choice for a Friday night meal.
Morningside Cafe received excellent reviews for its fresh beans & locally made baked goods.
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Historic Alger Theater is a work in progress
The Alger Theater is a designated historic landmark, a piece of Detroit history in Morningside. It's another example of this neighborhood's commitment to improvement. One of Detroit's last neighborhood movie theaters, it opened in 1935 and played its last movie in 1985. Since then, dedicated volunteers under the banner of Friends of the Alger Theater have worked toward returning it to a neighborhood destination. A new roof is under construction, and the next step will be to work on the interior. "It's going to take a while because it will cost $3 million," says Jackie Grant, president of the Friends of the Alger Theater and former president of the Morningside Community Organization. In the meantime, the theater helps residents apply for the Homeowners Property Exemption program, which eliminates property taxes for qualifying individuals. Residents may schedule an appointment and visit the HOPE office adjoining the theater. Locals can also add a personalized message to the theater marquee.
Featherstone Garden strives to educate the Morningside community on health and wellness.
The historic Alger Theatre hosts community events and year-round programming.
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After-school tutoring at Carstens Academy
The Detroit Public Schools Community District earns a C from Niche and offers school choice. Morningside students may attend the C-minus-rated Ronald Brown Academy for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, where they may participate in robotics, chess and photography clubs. Carstens Academy of Aquatic Science also earns a C-minus and serves pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students. The 21st Century After-School program provides extra academic support in core subjects such as reading and math. Teens can attend high school at the D-rated East English Village Preparatory Academy, known for its robotics program and career pathways in pharmacy tech and business.
Ronald Brown Academy school is a Michigan Green School for energy saving initiatives.
Carstens Academy of Aquatic Science serves Pre-K - 8th grade students in Jefferson Chalmers.
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Interstate 94 leads to downtown Detroit
Getting to downtown Detroit is possible by car or bus. Commuters can take Interstate 94, which borders the neighborhood's north side, and East Warren Avenue, located in the center of the neighborhood. The number eight bus, through the Detroit Department of Transportation, arrives on East Warren every 30 minutes, connecting with other bus lines toward downtown. East Warren also has protected bike lanes running east and west. The Detroit Medical Center Central Campus is about 9 miles west, offering 24-hour emergency care.
Detroit Police Department works to lower homicide rates
Morningside has a CAP Index crime score of five out of 10, compared with a score of four for the national average. It earns an eight for homicide and seven for assault with weapon. Morningside is part of the Detroit Police Department's fifth precinct, which saw a rise in homicides between 2020 and 2021. The department's 2022 Community Safety Strategy outlines action plans for the precinct involving crowd management and code enforcement, community engagement, police presence and noise and traffic enforcement.
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Morningside Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Morningside, Detroit sell after 61 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Morningside, Detroit over the last 12 months is $135,000, up 17% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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