Detroit is giving away historic Virginia Park brick pavers October 17-18

The City of Detroit is giving away historic brick pavers, and all you need to bring is gloves and a way to haul them home.

On October 17 and 18, 2026, the Department of Public Works will hand out unused and unsalvageable brick pavers pulled up during the Virginia Park streetscape construction project. The pickup happens along the roadway in front of 801 Virginia Park. It's free, it's open to the public, and the city is calling it Community Brick Reclaiming Day.

Materials are first come, first served. If you can't make it, the city says additional pickup events are planned for people who miss these dates.

The bricks come out of a much bigger job. Virginia Park Road is getting a full curb-to-curb reconstruction, from the John C. Lodge Freeway to Woodward Avenue, with the historic 30-foot-wide roadway's brick surface and stone curbs being replaced. The work also covers concrete sidewalk repairs, ADA-compliant crosswalk ramps, new shade trees, and site furnishing upgrades. Construction started in late summer 2026 and is scheduled to wrap in fall 2027. The estimated construction cost is $5,278,100.

Reusable bricks are being salvaged for the rebuild. The ones headed to residents are the leftovers, the pavers the project can't put back.

A few rules keep it safe. Don't take bricks from the pallets, steer clear of active construction areas, and secure your material before leaving. Park legally and respectfully. The city notes that participation is voluntary and at your own risk, and that you're responsible for safely loading and hauling what you take.

The city is handing a piece of a historic Detroit street straight back to the people who live around it. Set a few of these pavers into a garden path and you've kept a literal piece of the block.

To go, show up at 801 Virginia Park on October 17 or 18 with gloves and transportation equipment. Questions can go to the DPW Engineering Division at 313-224-3949.