Riverfront public-park will be getting a much needed facelift. On Wednesday Mayor Mike Duggan and city officials came together to announce an agreement with the Moroun family to upgrade the public park.
The deal will also aid the Moroun’s in their mission for a second bridge to Canada. What has historically been a combative association between the city and the Moroun family, will be put aside as both come together for what they believe can be a win-win for everybody.
The mayor said the city will swap pieces of riverfront land with the Moroun’s in exchange for up to $5 million for public park improvements and new windows at the Moroun’s vacant train depot, which has become a world-wide icon of Detroit’s decade’s long demise.
While the deal is complex, everyone is hopeful that ownership of a 3-acre share of park property would help in a quest to build a second bridge over the Detroit River in to Canada. Duggan said he supports the proposal for both bridges, reiterating that this deal is an example of how the city is willing to let go of age old conflicts in order to move the city forward. This redevelopment plan not only improves the park, it gives the old Michigan Central Station the improvements that it needs.
“I think we’re going to see the day that the depot will get renovated, will get rebuilt, will get people moved in and will get reused,” Duggan said. “The international images that have been shown of Detroit of a train station with the wind blowing through will be a thing of the past.”
The Ambassador Bridge Company will transfer to the city about 5 acres of riverfront property near the park and pay $3 million up front for park improvements. The Moroun’s will have to install 1,050 windows at the vacant train depot by December 1st. The Moroun’s will also be responsible for the demolition costs to clear the land that is being transferred to the city. Presently there is not a plan in place for the reuse of the train station.
“It’s hard to begin renovating any floors at all if you haven’t secured the exterior,” Duggan said. “It seemed like a logical first step and I wanted something that could be accomplished in a defined period that would be noticeable and this seemed like a reasonable approach.”
Furthermore, the city will transfer to the Ambassador Bridge Company about 3 acres of park land required for a possible second bridge. Still, the city will retain a 100-foot strip along the waterfront for public access. In the meantime, the transfer of city land is subject to state and federal government approvals, which will take some time, maybe years. Upon approval, the Bridge Company will receive the title to the city’s property, and will pay an added $2 million to the city.
“Great waterfront parks are complimented by inspiring bridges,” Matt Moroun, the son of Manuel (Matty) Moroun, said. “My family and our business is proud to be investors — not only in the new bridge, but this magnificent park. It will give dividends for the city and our business and our family for years to come.”
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Zack Burgess is an award winning journalist. He is the Director/Owner of OFF WOODWARD MEDIA, LLC, where he works as a writer, editor and communications specialist. His work can be seen at zackburgess.com. Twitter: @zackburgess1
