For
years, Detroit's riverfront has been an embarrassment. Though the city
grew outward from the waters connecting Lake St. Clair and Lake Ontario,
access to this scenic, natural resource has diminished over the years
as buildings and industry dominated the river's northern banks. The
romantic waterside strolls one associates with cities like Boston, Chicago,
San Francisco, and even Cleveland are a rarity here, while the splendor
of the riverfront is best viewed from Windsor.
That's all about to change: The city has put forth
a bold new initiative to restore the riverfront to a viable place for
people to walk, exercise or just enjoy their surroundings. It's been
a long time coming, but the wheels for this project finally seem to
be turning. The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy was created to see the
mission through and its agenda is to return the riverfront to the people
- and in so doing, help revitalize the city as a whole.
The
plan's first phase involves constructing a river walk stretching three
miles - from Joe Louis Arena to the Douglas MacArthur Bridge to Belle
Isle. People will be able to walk, run, bike, roller-blade (and maybe
even skateboard!) on the new RiverWalk, which will also include places
for people to sit and take in the scenery. In addition to this promenade,
the state will be constructing the Tri-Centennial State Park and Harbor,
which will provide urban access to the State Park system. The Harbor
is scheduled to open in time for the 2004 boating season. GM is working
to provide public access to the river at the Renaissance Center by creating
the Civic Center Promenade, which will also link to the Detroit RiverWalk.
And a new Port Authority is in the works to provide easier access to
cruise ships and other vessels making the river itself a more enjoyable
destination.
Besides all the projects the city is working on, much
of the private land surrounding the area will be redeveloped. While
the DRC is not responsible for planning this area, they plan to coordinate
their efforts with that of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation.
The Joe Louis to Belle Isle leg is scheduled for completion
by 2005 with a second phase extending the RiverWalk west to the Ambassador
Bridge by 2006.
Financial
goals for the project are being met and the architectural, engineering
and planning firm the SmithGroup has been chosen to oversee all aspects
of the project. The SmithGroup has been making its mark on the Detroit
landscape since 1855, with its involvement in projects like Comerica
Park, Ford Field, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Detroit Athletic
Club, and has worked on waterfront projects in Chicago, Cleveland and
other cities.
For more information contact the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
at 2290 First National Building, 660 Woodward Venue, Detroit, MI 48226.
The DRC intends to launch an official website with construction
updates starting in August. Keep your eyes on the water front and we'll
keep you posted in these pages.