Charles Cross

Though he's a Michigan native, it took UDM to get Charles Cross back to the state after a lengthy out-of-state tenure, most recently in New York City. The recipient of a two-year National Endowment of the Arts Grant, Cross is a Research and Design Fellow in Landscape Architecture at UDM's Detroit Collaborative Design Center. Known as a Recovery Grant, the grant funds arts projects and activities in the nonprofit arts sector that might otherwise be eliminated during the current economic decline.

Before starting his career as a landscape architect, Cross earned several degrees, including a B.S. in Agriculture from Western Michigan University, B.A. in Urban Landscape Architecture and Master's in Urban Design from City College New York. While at CCNY, Cross received the Fourth Year Studio Landscape Architect Student of the Year. His extensive three-page, single-spaced CV also includes such accomplishments as Michigan Certified Storm Water Operator, Guest Critic at Columbia University Design Program, and Executive Committee Member of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Dan Pitera, associate professor and Design Center director, says, "I can't tell you how thrilled we are to have Charles with us. He brings energy, insight, and a lot of intellectual capital to the Design Center team."

In his role at UDM, Cross is currently involved in the Woodward Design and Streetscape Grant Program. This project is sponsored by the Woodward Avenue Action Association, a non-profit organization that is attempting to create a newly cohesive image on Woodward—Detroit's main thoroughfare—that will be both aesthetically appealing and attractive to new vendors. In 2002, Woodward Avenue was designated by U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration as a National Scenic Byway, Michigan's first roadway to be so recognized. The program "recognizes a distinctive collection of American roads, their stories and treasured places. They are the heart and soul of America."


Right now, Cross is spearheading an initiative to create a conceptual streetscape design plan for Woodward Avenue between Six Mile and Eight Mile Roads. The streetscape design plan is part of the initiative's Neighborhood Revitalization Plan.

"On the streetscape project, we are combining four ideas in approaching the design," Cross says. "We are investigating the idea that this section of Woodward could become a sustainable urban corridor." Bioswales (landscape elements designed to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water) are being considered, since they are a BMP, or best management practice, for controlling storm water. "This would allow storm water to percolate back into the aquifer as nature intended," he says. "This is far preferable to water traveling through the sewage treatment system. This is just one example of an element in the urban sustainable corridor."

Sustainability will also influence the use of streetscape elements, such as lighting, signage and even trash receptacles. The design team is even looking into a solar powered trash receptacle that sends text messages to indicate when it is ready to be serviced. (According to Cross, it is unfortunately not yet ready for home use.)

Additionally, Cross is interested in developing a relationship between the context and the corridor, celebrating the diversity of the surrounding Woodward areas. Since the two-mile strip is home to a variety of ethnicities and neighborhoods, Cross hopes to unify the aesthetic that link them together. "This will become more evident along Woodward, through new businesses and cultural venues," he says.

Another element of the new design, according to Cross, will involve "an ease of movement between Palmer Park on the west and the commercial sections on the east." In particular, he wants to integrate the bucolic sense of Palmer Park with the commercial side and, conversely, add a commercial aspect to Woodward's park side.

A final goal, Cross adds, is the process of showing Woodward's historical elements. "We want to reveal the historic layers of Woodward Avenue, from the original vegetation and Indian trails, to the National Scenic Byway designation," he says. "We also want to acknowledge the Automobile Heritage Status, which refers to Woodward's significance as a landmark in the American auto industry."

When he's not redesigning Woodward, Cross is working on a master plan for a non-profit organization, which will include an urban farm, housing, and educational facilities. In addition, Cross is teaching Introduction to Architecture and co-teaching Design Studio at UDM.