Building the Market

Vision

We shepherd Eastern Market’s rich history to nourish a healthier, wealthier, and happier Detroit.

Mission

We manage operations, develop programs, build facilities, provide critical infrastructure, and collaborate with community partners to:

• Strengthen the Eastern Market District as the most inclusive, resilient, and robust regional food hub in the United States.
• Fortify the food sector as a pillar of regional economic growth
• Improve access to healthy, green, affordable, and fair food choices in Detroit and throughout Southeast Michigan

Commitment to Racial Equity:

Located in a city where more than 80% of its residents are people of color, Eastern Market cannot hope to achieve its vision without addressing structural racism and addressing disparities in racial equity. Eastern Market Partnership must take action to improve racial equity as an organization and in the market and district that we serve.

2025 Plan & Downloads

Past plans have elevated Eastern Market to one of the nation's most comprehensive regional food hubs and attracted millions in market and infrastructure investments. We embarked on a strategic planning process that will help guide economic development in the district through 2025. You can download the details:

Eastern Market 2025 Strategy Executive Summary

Full 2025 Strategy

Framework Plan

In 2019 the City of Detroit Planning & Development Department, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, and The Nature Conservancy with strong support from the Eastern Market Partnership developed a detailed framework plan based upon the 2025 Strategy Plan. 

You can download the details of the Eastern Market Neighborhood Framework & Stormwater Management Network Framework Plan:

• Neighborhood Framework Plan - Part 1
• Neighborhood Framework Plan - Part 2
• Neighborhood Framework Plan - Part 3
• Neighborhood Framework Plan - Part 4
• Neighborhood Framework Plan - Part 5
• Executive Summary and Implementation Plan

Land Use Changes

To support the expansion of the Eastern Market District and to help retain the authenticity of the Eastern Market District a major overhaul of zoning in the area has been in the works for the past two years. 

Please find the most recent update on adopting a new MKT District – a zoning district specifically designed for Eastern Market – and other changes at this link.

Eastern Market Development Corporation

Eastern Market Development Corporation (EMDC) is a community-based non-profit development entity established to ensure that the Eastern Market District remains an authentic and diverse place for all businesses, residents, and visitors. EMDC engages in commercial and mixed-use (mixed-income housing, retail, industrial) development projects in collaboration with private and philanthropic partners.