Wayne County Commission approves $750,000 Riverfront Conservancy grant

Published on May 21, 2021

Wayne County Commissioners today approved a $750,000 grant that will allow the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy to construct a new river walk section connecting the riverfront with the planned Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park.

The expanded 65-foot river walk section is designed for use by pedestrians and bicyclists and will align with the Joe Louis Greenway and Iron Belle Trail, further transforming the once-blighted riverfront area into a useable public recreation area.

"This is another major step forward for the river walk, which has become a go-to destination for so many people in Detroit and Wayne County," Commission Chair Alisha Bell (D-Detroit) said. "Transforming the riverfront is part of Detroit's ongoing rebirth as a world class city and I am pleased we are able to play a role in that process."

The commission worked with Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans to provide the grant.

As proposed, the grant includes money for the river walk and a riverfront plaza with seating as well as for handrails, landscaping and signs.

Lights, utilities, trash receptacles and a security system with closed-circuit cameras and call boxes are also included.

The project is expected to be complete by the end of this year.

The Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park is being developed on West Jefferson Avenue and is named for the Grosse Pointe insurance agency executive who was founding owner of the Buffalo Bills football team and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Wayne County Commission approves $750,000 Riverfront Conservancy grant(PDF, 125KB)