Chicago-based firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and Michigan firm McIntosh Poris Associates have unveiled the final framework for Detroit’s East Riverfront District. The initiative, which was launched by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, City of Detroit Planning & Development Department, and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, aggregated input from community stakeholders over the course of several months in 2016. It is expected to double the number of parks and open space in the district.
The goal of the project will be to overhaul the waterfront corridor from its bygone industrial usage first developed in the 19th century and revitalize the area into a series of bustling communities. The final plan sees the creation of more public parks, connective greenways, pedestrian- and bike-friendly streets, and a series of mixed-use developments.
The project will extend the existing RiverWalk along the waterfront to create a continuous park between Cobo Hall and Belle Isle. New greenways will also connect neighborhoods across Jefferson Avenue to the riverfront. Jefferson Avenue will also receive a facelift with new medians, bike lanes, and enhanced sidewalks and transit to accommodate pedestrians.
