The first phase of the Detroit waterfront transformation project, three-and-a-half miles of the east riverfront, spans from Joe Louis Arena to Gabriel Richard Park and was completed in October of The East riverfront, along with its sister rails-to-trails greenway, the Dequindre Cut, are populated with approximately three million visitors annually who come to walk, run, bike, spend time with family and friends and take advantage of the quality of life opportunity a revitalized riverfront provides.
Attractions along the east riverfront include parks, plazas, pavilions, pathways and open green space, all connected by the ever popular Riverwalk. In the summer of , the Conservancy launched the final construction phases to complete the east riverfront project and connect the Riverwalk and its associated green spaces along the waterfront.
The first construction phase included a complete transformation of Mt. Elliott Park and reopened in June The second construction phase included enhancements to Gabriel Richard Park and developing the parcels of land to the west and east of Chene Park.
The final phase was the construction of public space along the site of the former Uniroyal Tire factory. The first phase of the project, three-and-a-half miles along the east riverfront, is more than 80 percent complete and spans from Joe Louis Arena to Gabriel Richard Park.
Opening up a segment of the west riverfront for long-awaited public access is now a reality with the transformation of a former newspaper printing facility property at W. Jefferson into a acre green oasis. Visitors will find three new pathways linking the riverfront to West Jefferson Avenue, benches, trash receptacles and plenty of lush green space for a variety of outdoor activities.
