FARMINGTON, Mich. – A cool, new outdoor area is opening in Farmington for folks to enjoy and take pride in. It’s also a space the community helped make happen.
At the intersection of Grand River and Farmington Road lies Masonic Plaza, now renovated and ready for the community to enjoy after significant local investment.
Jess Westendorf, executive director of the Farmington Downtown Development Authority, shared the journey of transforming this space.
“Just a year ago, we were crowdfunding for this space, and over 400 people came together to donate, which allowed us to get a matching grant and other private donations,” Westendorf said.
Westendorf emphasized that spaces like Masonic Plaza attract more businesses to the area.
“We’ve got an independent bookstore, five independent coffee shops, a distillery tasting room coming soon, two breweries, and just a ton of vibrancy,” she noted.
James McLaughlin, owner of Ground Control Coffee Roasters, expressed his excitement for the new space.
“There’s only so many spaces you can sit inside the cafe, right? So now we have 10 more tables here, plus a bunch of benches and a beautiful fire that you can enjoy your coffee next to, you know, really, in three seasons,” McLaughlin said.
The plaza features brand new tables and chairs, a unity torch, and even a swing designed for adults.
“How about this swing? Swing for adults? What is that? You know, I feel very relaxed. This is my second time on it, so I’m really enjoying it. It’s kind of peaceful,” McLaughlin added.
Donovan Singleton, who opened a cigar lounge across the street from Masonic Plaza six years ago, has witnessed the downtown transform with new businesses and outdoor spaces. He now calls downtown Farmington “Metro Detroit’s best-kept secret.”
“There’s extreme buy-in for everything that happens here, and that’s really the only way you can be successful at projects like this. The community understands what it is, why it’s here. And again, you’re taking spaces that were largely underutilized and creating more meeting spaces, more congregating spaces, and this community is extremely close-knit,” Singleton said.
