# @DetroitParksRec on Facebook

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.facebook.com/1407065491607598/videos/1228639773834418
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/70202508-DetroitParksRec-facebook
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/348cda937c.jpg
- **Posted:** 2016-08-22T16:08:58.000+00:00

## Caption

Riverside Park expansion moving ahead two years ahead of schedule
• Construction begins this fall on new softball diamond, soccer field, basketball courts, and playground.
• Bridge Company demolishes warehouse two years ahead of schedule.
• News warehouse to be replaced with riverwalk and park amenities, construction begins in 2017. 

Last summer, the Detroit City Council approved a Land Exchange Agreement with the Detroit International Bridge Company (DIBC) that included plans to expand Riverside Park by nearly 5 acres and invest up to $5 million in southwest Detroit’s premier riverfront park.  Today, that effort is moving forward 2 years ahead of schedule.

The 2015 Land Exchange Agreement required DIBC demolish the former Detroit News warehouse and transfer the 5 acre site to the City of Detroit for the expansion of Riverside Park. The warehouse was not expected to be demolished until late 2018.

However, DIBC worked with its tenant and is now in the process of demolishing the warehouse two years ahead of schedule. The title to the property will be transferred to the City following completion of the demolition.  Thanks to DIBC’s collaboration with the City and other stakeholders, the City will begin construction on the warehouse site next spring, adding nearly 5 acres of prime riverfront recreation space to Riverside Park. 

“This is great news for families of southwest Detroit, who for too long have not had the convenient access they should to a premiere riverfront park,” said Mayor Mike Duggan.  “Thanks to the commitment of the bridge company, we will be able to expand Riverside Park two years earlier than we had expected.”

City leaders have worked closely with the Riverside Park Community Advisory Council in planning the park. The Advisory Council is composed of southwest Detroiters, some of whom live just steps from Riverside Park.

“This has been a very community driven process from the very beginning.  We are thrilled with the plans for Riverside and excited that our park will expand even earlier than expected” said David Sanchez of the Riverside Advisory Council. 

Riverside Park Timeline: 

Fall 2016
• Basketball Court
• Softball Diamond/Soccer Field
• Comfort Station
• Playground
• Pavilion
• Expected Completion: Spring/Summer 2017

 Spring 2017
• Bike Paths
• Walking Paths
• Riverwalk
• Skate Park
• Dog Park
• Expected Completion: Spring/Summer 2018

The agreement was structured so that DIBC had to fulfill a number of key commitments to the City of Detroit before the City would transfer any land. The DIBC agreed to:
• Install more than 1,000 windows in the Michigan Central Station
• Transfer $3 million to the city for Riverside Park improvements
• Demolish and clear the former Detroit News Warehouse and transfer 4.7 acres to City of Detroit to expand Riverside Park
• Contribute an additional $2 million to the City for  additional Riverside Park improvements, upon state approval of the partial conversion of the undeveloped 3-acres of parkland

 In addition to fulfilling these commitments, Linc logistics, a Moroun-owned company, has opened a 500,000-square foot logistics facility in the I-94 industrial park on Detroit’s east side, which will create 150 new jobs.  So far, 82% of those hired at Linc Logistics are Detroit residents.

“Completing commitments to the City of Detroit feels good, delivering them early feels even better,” Matt Moroun, Vice Chairman of the DIBC, said.

NEXT STEPS
In order to receive the additional $2 million dollars to continue Riverside Park improvements, the City must obtain approval from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) for the partial conversion of the Park. The City has already submitted a request for preliminary approval of the partial conversion of the Park to the MDNR and will host a public hearing on its request in anticipation of seeking formal support of the Detroit City Council for the partial conversion.
#DPRDWeMakeItHappen #Riversidepark #cityofdetroit

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## Tags

riversidepark, cityofdetroit, dprdwemakeithappen

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