Detroit’s Chinatown getting $2.4 million in infrastructure upgrades
Posted By: Detroit Free Press on February 25, 2026. For more information, please click here to read the source article.
An area in Midtown near Cass Avenue and Peterboro Street, once the heart of Detroit’s Chinatown, is getting a multimillion-dollar boost.
A revitalization plan, including fresh sidewalks, other infrastructure improvements and support for outdoor dining, was unveiled on Monday, Feb. 23, by Midtown Detroit Inc.
Paying homage to Detroit’s Chinatown area of Cass and Peterboro streets, the Peterboro Streetscape Project is a $2.4 million investment.
At a news conference Monday at Detroit Shipping Co. on Peterboro Street, Melanie Markowicz, Midtown Detroit’s executive director, said the project is in one of “Detroit’s most important corridors” and that it “sits at the intersection of history and growth.”
“Development and redevelopment are actively happening in the south Cass Corridor and throughout Midtown,” Markowicz said. “(There’s) new residential projects, new businesses, reinvestment, and long-standing properties. The question is not whether this area will grow. The question is … how it will grow and whether that growth reflects the history and identity of this place. This project ensures that growth here reflects identity, not erases it.”
Markowicz said the group’s assessment of Peterboro Street as it exists now shows “deteriorating pavement, limited lighting, insufficient pedestrian space and minimal public amenities.”
“We cannot build vibrant cultural districts on failing infrastructure,” she said. “This project improves the fundamentals.”
Plans for the Peterboro streetscape include landscaping, sidewalk renovations, upgraded lighting and outdoor dining areas to support small businesses, plus public space for markets and community events.
Cultural elements for the project include murals and lights commemorating current historic landmarks and others that no longer exist.
Markowicz stressed that the project is more than “sidewalks and planters.”
“It’s about identity,” she said. “Not creating a themed environment but designing a high-quality streetscape that acknowledges history while functioning as a modern urban corridor. It positions Peterboro as the vibrant part of a reimagined Chinatown.”
At the news conference, Michigan state Sen. Stephanie Chang, who serves Michigan’s 3rd Senate District that includes parts of Detroit and other cities, spoke of securing $1 million in the state’s budget as part of the project’s investment.
“This streetscape project is one important way that we can lift up Asian American history, Chinese American history, preserve a cultural district and support small businesses by investing in neighborhood infrastructure. Peterborough Street is a vital connector in Detroit’s historic Chinatown and in the greater Midtown,” said Chang, adding that she has memories of being a camp counselor for ACA (Association of Chinese Americans) summer kids camp on Peterboro.
Markowicz told the Free Press ahead of the news conference that they are now in fundraising mode and that the intention is not to recreate Detroit’s Chinatown, but rather to honor its legacy, build for the future and improve public infrastructure. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2027.
“It’s a place of discovery where you can learn about the old Chinatown, learn about the legacy, learn about the history,” she said.
Peterboro Street’s redesign, Markowicz added, also stands as an anchor and highlights nearby venues, including Little Caesars Arena and Masonic Temple, as well as its proximity to Woodward Avenue.
Restaurants on Peterboro Street include Detroit Shipping Co., which houses several restaurants, including Bangkok Street Food, and The Peterboro, offering traditional Chinese dishes, American-influenced Chinese fare, and Craig’s Coffee.
Recently redeveloped and looking for tenants, Markowicz said, is the famed Chung’s restaurant on Cass Avenue at the corner of Peterboro.
Historic Chinatown
The area near Peterboro and Cass was known as Detroit’s second Chinatown. The original Detroit Chinatown was the area near Michigan Avenue and Third Street before it was razed to make room for the Lodge Freeway and moved to the Cass Corridor. During the 1960s, Detroit’s Chinatown area was well-known for its restaurants, shops and other businesses that served many Asians in the area.
More recently, in June 2025, Peterboro Street received a second designation as Vincent Chin Street, in honor of Vincent Chin, who died more than 43 years ago. In June 1982, Chin was the victim of a racially motivated attack and beaten by two autoworkers, who witnesses allege made derogatory remarks about Asian Americans.
On Cass Avenue at the corner of Peterboro is the former and famed Chung’s restaurant. Built in 1963, Chung’s closed in 2000 and largely stood vacant. In 2023, the building, with its pagoda-style awning that runs along Peterboro and fronts Cass Avenue, was sold. Recently redeveloped, Markowicz said Chung’s is looking for tenants.
Jon Hartzell, owner of the Detroit Shipping Co., told the Free Press he is excited about the investments and believes the project will bring more patronage to the area. When Hartzell opened the Detroit Shipping Co. in 2018, he said it was one of the last investments in the area — until now.
“Now, it’s obviously well patronized, but to actually have that investment in infrastructure, now, I’m excited to see other lights open up, other buildings start to be built,” Hartzell said. “It should just spur more. That’s important for everyone.”
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