Visitors to the Detroit Riverfront can see visible progress at two sites: the Detroit Wayne County Port Authority terminal building, located between Hart Plaza and the Renaissance Center, and the expansion of Tri-Centennial Park just east of Rivard Plaza.
The terminal building will soon be visible, as all piling and foundation work has been completed, says John Kerr of the DWCPA. "We're really excited about that -- it was the most critical stage of the process," he says. "That's where all your unknowns are."
Kerr anticipates building construction will be complete in December and that it will be fully operational in early 2010. The section of the RiverWalk that was closed during the initial stages of the terminal's construction has reopened, although a short section of it is gravel, which can be hard on strollers, roller blades and bikes.
Read more about the terminal here.
Over at Tri-Centennial State Park, construction of the first phase of expansion known as the Lowlands Unit will be complete in mid-June, according to Ken Davis, an engineer with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The trenches that will comprise the wetlands area have been dug, the pump station to control water flow has been installed and construction on sidewalks and walkways has begun.
Landscaping of native plants will start soon.
Read more about the expansion of the state park here.
Next up at the park is the construction of the trail that will connect it to the Woodbridge entrance of the Dequindre Cut. The state is wrapping up the bidding and contracting process on that and will start building that piece this summer.
The two incomplete section of the RiverWalk -- between Tricentennial Park and Jos. Campau and between Mt. Elliott Park and Belle Isle -- are currently on hold, as are the developments planned for adjacent sites.
The grand opening of the first phase of the Dequindre Cut will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 14 near the Woodbridge entrance. Read more
here.
Sources: John Kerr, DWCPA; Ken Davis, DNR; and Caroline Marks, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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