FAQs

Q. What is the status of the Detroit Riverfront revitalization?
A. In June 2007, the Conservancy announced the completion and opening of more than 75 percent of the East Riverfront, which in total is 3 ½ miles of riverfront from Joe Louis Arena to Gabriel Richard Park, just east of the Belle Isle Bridge. Close to 3 miles of the East Riverfront is complete, including:

• 1 ½ miles of RiverWalk from Joe Louis to Rivard St.
  
• 1 ¼ miles of RiverWalk from Stroh's RiverPlace to Mt. Elliot Park
  
• Rivard Plaza and Pavilion (Home of the River Carousel)
  
• Gabriel Richard Park Plaza and Pavilion
  

Q. How are the projects funded?
A. A $140 million capital campaign is currently underway at the Conservancy, which includes:

• $80 million for construction and short-term maintenance and operations
  
• $60 million for a permanent endowment to maintain and operate the space. 
  

Our fundraising was given a kick start by the Kresge Foundation, which granted the Conservancy a $50 million challenge grant - their largest gift ever to a single project. Since that first gift, the Conservancy has received substantial support from the corporate and the foundation communities as well as the public sector and is now looking to raise the remaining $40 million needed to complete the campaign.

Q. What is the best way for individuals to contribute money, time and/or talent to the riverfront projects?
A. One easy way to get involved is just to use the riverfront: take a walk, have a picnic, attend River Days or any other activity. This project is not a success until the public is engaged, involved and using the riverfront.

There are a range of opportunities for public support- from individual memberships and contributions to significant naming opportunities - all available on our Web site: www.detroitriverfront.org Also, the public is encouraged to participate in our commemorative brick and bench programs:

• commemorative bricks for $100 and pavers for $500 
  
• commemorative benches for $5,000 and $10,000
  

Q. Why isn't Belle Isle part of the overall plan for the riverfront?
A. The Conservancy was formed to provide public access to Detroit's riverfront as well as to spur economic investment in the riverfront region and beyond. Based on this mission, Belle Isle was not included in the Conservancy's responsibility or vision. The Friends of Belle Isle and the Belle Isle Women's Committee, among others, are focused on Belle Isle at this time.

Q. What security measures are in place to ensure maximum enjoyment the RiverWalk and adjoining areas?
A. The Conservancy has its own contracted security, which is onsite 24/7 and responsible for securing the entire RiverWalk. Our security team is headquartered at Rivard Plaza, which also houses our extensive security camera and call box system. Our security works in partnership with the Detroit Police Department, GM Security, Homeland Security and other partners to ensure that entire Riverfront area is kept safe. It should also be noted that the entire RiverWalk is well lit and features emergency call boxes and security cameras.

Q. Can individuals, groups and businesses use the public spaces for private activities like meetings or family reunions?
A. While the riverfront is a public space, we do try our best to accommodate a variety of events. Call the Conservancy at 313/566-8200 so that the Conservancy operations staff can assess your request and help you plan your event.

Q. Is River Days an annual event? What is the Conservancy's role in that event?
A. Yes. River Days is a signature event for the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy. The Conservancy is the presenting sponsor and has once again partnered to The Parade Company to produce the festival.  This year's festival will be held Friday, June 19 - Sunday, June 21.  The 2008 River Days festival was a huge success, with more than 500,000 people visiting the festival over four days, and 800,000 more attending the Target Fireworks at the festival's culmination.

Q. What other events/activities are planned for the Riverfront?
A. Our extensive programming strategy for 2009 focuses on smaller, more targeted events that will run throughout the year, encouraging the community to engage in and use their Riverfront and the newly-opened Dequindre Cut Greenway in a variety of ways.

Q. What private development is planned along the riverfront?
A. It is exciting to see the number of private development projects that are planned for the Detroit riverfront since the Conservancy began its work. These projects include, but aren't limited to:

• General Motor's River East - mixed use residential and retail planned for the land just to the east of GM Headquarters
  
• @Water Lofts - local developer Dwight Belyue is planning mixed use residential and retail on Atwater Street, east of GM Headquarters
  
• Watermark - headed by Dave Bing, this is a high-end residential development planned for the land just east of Chene Park
  
• Chene West - partners Jerome Bettis & Chuck Betters are planning a mixed use space for this land on the west side of Chene Park 
  
• Uniroyal - the site on the east side of the Belle Isle Bridge has been optioned by the team of Bettis & Betters for major mixed use development
  

Q. How do the private developments that are underway affect the Conservancy's efforts on the riverfront and beyond?
A. The Conservancy's vision of a transformed riverfront goes beyond our mission of public access - a truly transformed riverfront includes a thriving residential, retail and commercial district. The enthusiasm that the private developers have for the RiverWalk is exciting. All of the private developments - much like the private property owners that were on the riverfront when we began our mission - have agreed to work with the Conservancy to ensure public access to the riverfront from bridge to bridge and beyond.