News Article

June 30, 2016 [DETROIT]—The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy and the City of Detroit Planning Department continue to make progress towards the development of a comprehensive plan for the East Riverfront District. When complete, the plan will provide the Conservancy with a road map for making decisions on housing, retail, infrastructure improvements, parking and public transportation for the area.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), along with six local firms and internationally renowned landscape architect Michel Desvigne, have been working to complete a framework plan within a four-month timeline. The project is on schedule to be completed by August.

Since public engagement is a critical part of this planning process, a series of community meetings to connect with audiences and to hear what they have to say about the future of the district are being hosted. To date, three community meetings have been held, with each drawing several hundred people. The next community meeting is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. July 12 at the Outdoor Adventure Center. A walking tour of the East Riverfront will be offered July 13 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the OAC. The last community meeting will be held in August. 

In addition to gathering community input, SOM’s efforts thus far have focused on historical research, defining priorities for the district and marketing initiatives. Now efforts are focusing on sharing ideas, discussing options and presenting conceptual plans. 

Anyone interested in learning more about the East Riverfront District Framework plan can visit yourdetroiteastriverfront.org for announcements and further updates.