Detroit Riverfront Community Meeting Highlights
Thursday, October 18th, 2012There was a huge turnout at last night’s Detroit Riverfront Community meeting. The large crowd eagerly applauded both the finished and planned projects along the Detroit Riverfront.
Some of the more popular topics were the extension of the Dequindre Cut and the “dream” of connecting the RiverWalk with historic Fort Wayne.
2013 is going to be a busy year for RiverWalk improvements, including:
- Mt. Elliott Park – Under construction now; Completed by 2014. LEED certified design
- Civic Center area – Improved lighting, wayfinding and security are planned for the older riverfront section from Joe Louis to the Port Authority.
- Watermark/Chene East & West – Two new segments will be built on both sides of Chene Park.
- Coast Guard – The segment just west of the RiverPlace is owned by the Coast Guard. Plans are underway to extend the RiverWalk across this property toward Chene Park.
- UniRoyal site – The biggest missing piece on the east; Western third (43 acres) being remediated now
- Gabriel Richard Park – Getting a green parking lot and new path to the river.
- Globe Trading Building – DNR is turning into a Discovery Center with indoor climbing wall, archery, and kayak simulator; scheduled to open in 2013
- Dequindre Cut North – Construction to being, extending the Cut to Mack Avenue with bike lane extension to Hamtramck; Also includes connetions to Midtown and Eastern Market; It should be completed by 2014.
One other very exciting bit of news. The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is starting to make improvements on the RiverWalk West, running from Joe Louis Arena to Riverside Park (about 2 miles), just past the Ambassador Bridge. They will begin by improving the old Free Press publishing site, adding three new pathways to the river, lighting and security, while repairing the riverfront path and guardrails.
In case you missed the meeting, it is on-line. You may want to skip the intro and jump to the 5 minute mark.