The Schoolcraft Southfield neighborhood of Detroit is a patchwork of commercial, industrial, and residential spaces that belies a warm but fierce community spirit. Perhaps the most iconic testament to that shared enthusiasm and pride is the community garden on Memorial Street, formerly a vacant lot that was transformed by the Schoolcraft Improvement Association. Now, the garden is the site of events like Jazz In The Yard, an outdoor concert with vendors and food trucks that draws attendees from all over Detroit.“The greatest asset to the neighborhood is the people who have lived here for 40, 50, 60 years,” says George Perdue, President of the SIA and a Schoolcraft Southfield resident for 30 years. “People have been here for many, many years and have shown that they’re committed to the community, they’re dedicated to maintaining their property and getting involved in things that enable the community to grow and flourish.”
101% Barber Shop is a landmark in Schoolcraft Southfield and a gathering point for socializing.
The Glendale Gardens is a community garden in the heart of Schoolcraft Southfield.
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Sawyer Park offers a variety of amenities for families in Schoolcraft Southfield.
Solidarity against community challenges
Like many Detroit neighborhoods, Schoolcraft Southfield has its challenges, which the SIA tackles head-on through community initiatives. The neighborhood includes several blocks of commercial and industrial spaces for businesses that are welcome neighbors. However, Perdue says that the community will rally against businesses that threaten the residents’ health – like a concrete crushing operation that creates enough dust and debris to affect air quality. “People want to make sure that the environment is safe,” he says. “That’s a busy thoroughfare – there’s children, seniors, and everyone in between passing through the area. The dust and dirt doesn’t fit.”That collaboration is also used to address concerns about crime in the neighborhood. The CAP index scores Schoolcraft Southfield as 6 out of 10, higher than the national average of 4, but Perdue says that the SIA and residents have worked together with local police precincts through the city’s Community Violence Intervention (CVI) initiative to take a proactive approach. “In our neighborhood, they have uniforms, they have cars with flashers, and they drive around,” he says. “That heightens our sense of safety, knowing that they’re here.”
Row of vintage brick Bungalow style homes in Detroit's Schoolcraft Southfield neighborhood.
Brick-solid homes
Brick bungalows and Colonials are the predominant architectural styles within the neighborhood, with homes dating back to the 1930s. Streets are neatly laid out in a grid pattern, and cracked sidewalks set back from the streets allow pathways for pedestrians. 3-bedroom homes in the neighborhood may sell for around $100,000, while properties needing renovations may sell for as low as $30,000. Perdue says that most of the residents are people who have been in the neighborhood for most of their lives. “We’ve encountered blight, but we have a pretty strong housing stock. We have more occupied homes than unoccupied homes and vacant lots. Some neighborhoods can’t say that.”
A historic roller rink and a modern solar farm
Schoolcraft Southfield is home to Detroit Roller Wheels, which opened in 1981 and is one of the oldest skating rinks in the area. The neighborhood is also bordered by O’Shea Park, which includes an urban solar farm as well as basketball courts and a playground. Locals warn that the park has little shade and can get hot during the summer. Within the neighborhood, locals can visit Burger Grill restaurant to try their signature Schoolcraft Burger or Lolo’s Chicken Sandwich. Residents have two supermarkets near the neighborhood – Superland Market, located on Schoolcraft Road at the northwest edge of the neighborhood, and Food Giant half a mile north of the neighborhood. Perdue says that a retail study was recently conducted by Lawrence Technological University to identify areas that are prime for development.
O'Shea Park and DTE Solar Farm in the Detroit Schoolcraft Southfield neighborhood.
Detroit Roller Wheels has nightly skating and is great for parties in Schoolcraft Southfield.
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Public transit keeps residents connected
Bus stops every 10th of a mile along Schoolcraft Road can connect residents with other bus routes to get into downtown Detroit within an hour. Grand River Avenue, a major arterial street that runs 10 miles directly to downtown Detroit, cuts through the eastern edge of the neighborhood, while Interstate 96 borders the neighborhood’s southern edge and runs east and west. By car, residents can get downtown within 15 or 20 minutes depending on traffic. DMC Sinai Grace Hospital is located less than 4 miles north of the neighborhood, about an 8-minute drive.
Schoolcraft Southfield residents have easy access to major highways.
Schoolcraft Southfield residents have easy access to public transportation.
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Dossin Elementary-Middle School empowers students in Schoolcraft Southfield.
Third-generation students at Dossin Elementary-Middle
Students in the neighborhood may attend Dossin Elementary-Middle School, a legacy institution within the Schoolcraft Southfield neighborhood that has a C-minus rating from Niche. “There are folks from all over Detroit that bring their kids to that school, and believe it or not, we have people right here in the community that are second and third generation in Dossin right now,” Perdue said. The school serves children from pre-K to grade 8, after which they attend Cody High School, which also has a C-minus rating.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Schoolcraft Southfield
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Schoolcraft Southfield Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Schoolcraft Southfield, Detroit sell after 63 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Schoolcraft Southfield, Detroit over the last 12 months is $83,700, up 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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