The Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors® (GMAR), a local trade group representing over 8,400 Realtors® across metro Detroit, recently awarded The Avalon Village and In Memory of Community Garden with two placemaking grants totaling $3,000 towards the expansion of The Avalon Village’s Goddess Marketplace and the installation of new flower beds at the community garden.

“It’s often said, ‘Realtors® sell communities, not just homes or properties,’ and at GMAR, we believe that to be true. When buyers come to Realtors® in search of their new homes, one of the first things they consider about where to look is sometimes largely based on if there‘s a sense of community,” said James Iodice, President of GMAR.

“We are grateful to GMAR for its willingness to help see this project come to fruition. The expansion of the Goddess Marketplace will change the game on how physical retail spaces normally look in our community, drawing customers to this unique business space where women have the opportunity to be creative, productive, and profitable,” said Shamayim “Shu” Harris, founder and director of The Avalon Village.

“GMAR’s Placemaking Grants are really unique because it helps foster an environment where collaboration, from the bottom-up, can create vibrant gathering places,” said Vickey Livernois, Chief Executive Officer of GMAR. “The Avalon Village and the City of Detroit have worked diligently to be attractive cities for buyers who are looking for a place to belong. These grassroots efforts are ideal placemaking projects for us because they’re creative and help instill a greater sense of place amongst Detroit and Highland Park residents.”

To find out more information on the program or to apply for a grant, visit www.gmaronline.com/placemaking.