r/Detroit • u/WhetManatee Greenacres • Jan 08 '22
Neighborhood Highlight Green Acres Neighborhood Highlight
"Green Acres is the place to be." - 1960s TV show.
Geographic profile
Located on Detroit's north-central side, Green Acres is bounded by Livernois to the West, 8 Mile to the North, Woodward to the East, and Pembroke to the South. As a resident, I am biased, but I like to think of Green Acres as the geographic center of the metro. 15 minutes from downtown Detroit, Green Acres is also within a 20 minute drive of Birmingham, Dearborn, Livonia, Novi and Roseville. Closer to home, Ferndale borders Green Acres to the north, and the suburb's downtown is within a 10 minute bike ride of anywhere in GA. Detroit's Avenue of Fashion is even closer for residents, and we'll discuss the Avenue of Fashion more in the "Notable Attractions" section below. Historically, Palmer Park and the old Sate Fair grounds have also been significant amenities. The State Fair grounds will soon host a new, modern transit center to replace the "facility" that presently serves as a transfer hub for almost a dozen DDOT and SMART routes, and Palmer Park remains one of the largest and best parks in the city. And it just got better with the new disc golf course.
History
Native History and Settlement
Immediately prior to European settlement, Green Acres, like much of the modern day city and metro, belonged to members of the "Council of the Three Fires," namely, Ojibwe, Odawa (Ottawa), and Potawatami peoples. I am not sure if there was ever a pre-European settlement in the same geographic location as the modern day subdivision, but Green Acres lies very near to the historic Saginaw Trail that connected native peoples living along the Detroit River to settlements in and around modern-day Saginaw.
By the early 19th century, surveys were underway to replace the Saginaw Trail with a highway to Pontiac. That road (with some modifications) would eventually become Woodward Avenue. Additionally, the surveying Base Line that became 8 Mile Road was set down in 1815. However, the area remained more or less rural until the (in)famous Annexations of 1916, when the City of Detroit added the 21 square miles surrounding Highland Park and Hamtramck to its borders, including the plat in Greenfield Township that would become Green Acres.
Post Annexation
Immediately prior to its annexation, most of Green Acres sat as undeveloped land adjacent to the brand new Palmer Woods subdivision. A small portion at the corner of 8 Mile was subdivided at least as far back as 1913, but the majority of modern-day Green Acres was subdivided in 1917 or later. In any event, maps produced for the Home Owners Loan Corporation (commonly called "redlining maps") indicate the area was "still desirable" despite its proximity to working class and Black neighborhoods west of Livernois and north of 8 Mile. According the redlining map, as of 1940, Green Acres was "40% developed. All utilities. Restricted. Homogeneous." Meaning it was homogeneously well-off, white, and unwelcoming of anyone who didn't fit that profile. Hey, at least it had sewers.
In the years since, Green Acres has retained its professional character, but sloughed off it's exclusionary past. Many residents are educators, health care workers, or business owners. With a median income similar to Ferndale's and a population that is more than 80% African American, the Green Acres of today is a stable, quiet neighborhood of Black professionals. Walking around, you'll find a mix of old and young, single people and families, sports cars and winter beaters. You might even say that Green Acres really is the place to be.
Transportation
Buses
Nearby DDOT routes:
#4 Woodward (at State Fairgrounds)
#7 7 Mile
#17 8 Mile
#30 Livernois
Nearby SMART routes:
#405 N'western Hwy (at 8 mile)
#430 Main Street-Big Beaver (at State Fairgrounds)
#450/460 Woodward Local (at State Fairgrounds)
#451/461 FAST Woodward (at State Fairgrounds)
#494 Dequindre (at State Fairgrounds)
#495 John R (at State Fairgrounds)
MoGo
Livernois & Norfolk, Outer Drive, Clarita, Ferndale Project (brewery)
Woodward & 7 Mile, 9 Mile
7 Mile & Oak Dr.
Personal Vehicle
M-1 (Woodward), M-10 (Lodge Fwy), M-102 (8 Mile), I-75, and I-696 all provide access within 2.5 miles of Green Acres. As in most Detroit neighborhoods, parking is free and ubiquitous on both commercial and residential streets, although overnight parking is prohibited on Livernois.
Notable Attractions
There is plenty of food and drink available on the Avenue of Fashion, and u/Emoney2321 gave a great rundown if some of the most well-known stops in his post (linked below), so go read that after you finish reading this. As for watering holes and eateries along Green Acres' portion of the Avenue, you'll find:
Baker's Keyboard Lounge
That's right, my local lounge has a Wikipedia article. And you're damn right I'm weirdly proud of that. Baker's (controversially) claims to be the oldest operating jazz club in the world. Regardless of its debatable provenance, Baker's is certainly a historic club with great music and art deco vibes, making for one of the most cherished venues to experience in the region.
Trap Vegan
I love this place; I'm not even vegan. Their burgers are comparably priced to a meat-based alternative, which is unusual and welcome for a plant-based option. Their smoothies are garunteed to get you hooked, too. Oh, and they have the best tater tots this side of your mom's house.
The Office Ultra Lounge and Grill
The Office is the best place to get Jamaican jerk mac and cheese by Green Acres. Is there anywhere else to get Jamaican jerk mac by Green Acres? No. But if there was The Office's would be better. In all seriousness, The Office is much more than you can ask of a neighborhood bar. Great people, great music (including a live band on Sundays), good food, and TVs so you can watch the game while you "work" on your drinks.
The Hot Dog Factory
This forthcoming establishment will be the Atlanta chain's first foray into the Motor City. Personally, I'm distrustful of any dog that doesn't come with rat meat chili and a nonzero chance of becoming a stabbing victim, but I'm also excited to have some meaty carry out within walking distance of my house. I look forward to trying them and updating this post once they open along with the entry for Petty Cash. Speaking of which...
Petty Cash
Another soon-to-open restaurant, Petty Cash will be the next restaurant/cocktail bar courtesy of Detroit native and former NFL corner back Ron Bartell, the man who brought us Kuzzo's Chicken and Waffles three blocks south.
Non-food attractions:
Woodlawn Cemetery
Founded in 1895, Woodlawn Cemetary occupies most of the western half of Green Acres. Its grounds are the final resting place of Rosa Parks, Albert Cobo, and Joseph L. Hudson, and a slew of Fords, Dodges, and other notable Detroit musicians, reverends, industrial magnates, and civil rights activists.
Avenue of Fashion
Livernois in Northwest Detroit has been known as "The Avenue of Fashion" since at least the 60s due to its dense concentration of boutiques and clothiers. Today, it is a hub of art and entrepreneurship in Detroit. Almost all the retail shops and galleries on the Ave are locally owned and many have been here for decades. If you're looking for new clothes, you can find styles both chic and... unique. If you're looking for a place to hang, you will also find art, events, music, drinks, and great food.
Bonus fun fact
Green Acres' block club is called the Green Acres Woodward Civic Association. Dues are voluntary, costing $25/year, and provide for winter maintenance, a radio patrol, and a monthly newsletter delivered to paying members.
More Reading:
Detroit Urbanism
Annexations of 1916
Native American Trails
Woodward Ave
Base Line
Avenue of Fashion
Official website
New restaurants
u/Emoney2321's Bagley post
Woodlawn Cemetery
History and notables
Demographics
Redlining Map
Race & income
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u/jhp58 University District Jan 08 '22
The Office is such an improvement over Hangovers. Only been once but it's solid.
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u/WhetManatee Greenacres Jan 08 '22
I didn't make it Hangovers before they closed, but I've been to The Office a few times now, and I don't think any other bar nearby has better vibes.
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u/East_Englishman East English Village Jan 08 '22
Jamaican jerk mac and cheese
SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY
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u/Emoney2321 Bagley Jan 08 '22
Word up neighbor! We looked at houses there before finding the right fit in Bagley. Thanks for posting!
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u/WhetManatee Greenacres Jan 08 '22
Thanks! I thought your post was great, and it definitely inspired me to do this write-up!
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Jan 08 '22
I'm so jealous of Green Acres's tree canopy. It feels so cozy over there. Hey, neighbors! :)
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u/WhetManatee Greenacres Jan 08 '22
Its so nice! You can actually request a street tree from the city, but I have no idea if the inbox is monitored lol
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u/Mom2Leiathelab Jan 09 '22
Nice write up! We have lived here since 2002 and have seen the neighborhood through bad times and good times. When my teens were little there were not a lot of families with young kids nearby but now there are a ton of young couples and families with younger kids. I think a lot of young people who either can’t afford or don’t want the big houses in Sherwood Forest have come here. It feels very wholesome. Neighbors look out for each other, the neighborhood association programs a lot of family-friendly events at Hyde Park, and we’ve turned into a neighborhood that really loves Halloween! We almost left around 2010; we had some neighbors that we didn’t feel safe around, crime was bad, and we were underwater on our house because property values had fallen so far — we bought at the peak of a real estate boom in Detroit and then things took a big slide. We got nervous before we pulled the trigger and now I’m so glad we stayed! The only thing I’d dispute is there being lots of doctors and lawyers. Most of the folks we know are on jobs where you need a college degree but aren’t paid lavishly— teachers, social workers, nurses, etc. There are also quite a few profs from UDM. We have enjoyed raising our family here and hope to stay until our nest empties! I appreciate the positive spotlight on our little ‘hood!
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u/WhetManatee Greenacres Jan 09 '22
Thank you! I am fairly new to the neighborhood, so I definitely appreciate the wisdom, and I'll update the post to include your clarification. I only meant to give the impression that there are a lot of working professionals in GA, but I can see how someone could read it to imply we are all driving BMWs.
I moved here almost a year ago now, and it really feels like I'm in the right spot. I'm glad you decided to stay during the recession because residents like you make this an awesome community!
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u/doltron3030 Detroit Jan 08 '22
hi neighbor!
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u/WhetManatee Greenacres Jan 08 '22
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u/WorldWalker5587 Grosse Pointe Jan 08 '22
Hey neighbors!
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u/doltron3030 Detroit Jan 08 '22
My neighbs! Hope you’ve been enjoying skidding around the ice rink streets this past week.
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u/Stratiform SE Oakland County Jan 09 '22
You're going to make a Sherwood Forest post next, right? ;)
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u/doltron3030 Detroit Jan 09 '22
no I just moved here so it would be awful
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u/Stratiform SE Oakland County Jan 09 '22
Haha, fair enough. I'm mostly just trying to drum up interest in more people doing these, but welcome to the area!!
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u/doltron3030 Detroit Jan 09 '22
It’d be like: Sherwood Forest - the houses are big and dope as fuck and the neighborhood name makes people think we might be elves.
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u/dazmanian_devil university district Jan 08 '22
How does trap vegan compare to spacecat v-stro?
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u/WhetManatee Greenacres Jan 08 '22
I've never been to Spacecat, so you'll have to stop in to Trap and let me know!
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u/dazmanian_devil university district Jan 08 '22
I will! Bold claim about the tots, but I'm excited to try them
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u/WhetManatee Greenacres Jan 08 '22
They claim to use part avocado oil in their fryer and I think you can taste the difference
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Jan 09 '22
Good read! My brother lives in Green Acres and would love to know these facts.
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u/wolverinewarrior Jan 10 '22
The Michigan State Fairgrounds could have been another notable attraction if wasn't abandoned and discarded.
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u/ch4rli3br0wn Jan 11 '22
I used to live in GA on Sherwood. Definitely a fan of Baker's! Beautiful neighborhood and the friendliest people!
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u/cgonz313 Greenacres Jun 23 '22
I've been here since December 2020 and couldn't have been happier than to buy a house here in GA.
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