The previously underutilized park is no longer bisected by vehicle traffic to help create a safer, more community-friendly public space for Corktown residents, visitors, and area employees.
   

 

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Joining Mayor Mike Duggan were L-R Antoine Bryant, Planning & Development Director, Joshua Sirefman, CEO, Michigan Central, Raymond Lozano, President, Mexicantown Community Development Corporation, Brad Dick, Group Executive for Services and Infrastructure and State Senator Stephanie Chang

  The City of Detroit begins a $6M remake of Roosevelt Park in front of Michigan Central Station

• Renovated 13-acre park to include new walkways, landscaping, event lawn, seating areas, and pedestrian gateway entrance
• Vernor Road to be rerouted around Roosevelt Park instead of through it
• Renovation to be complete Spring 2023

By Wendell Bryant
tellusdetroit.com

DETROIT, MI - The City of Detroit, on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, broke ground on a $6-million transformation of Roosevelt Park in front of the Michigan Central Station (The Train Station), including removing the existing roadway that split the park in half for years. Joining Mayor Mike Duggan and other City officials at the groundbreaking for the new greenspace were dozens of community members, business owners, and Joshua Sirefman of Michigan Central Innovation District LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company.

The newly-unified park will serve as an amenity for southwest Detroit residents and the 5,000 workers employed at Michigan Central. By spring 2023, the currently 9.5-acre park will grow to 13 acres after the road removal and reconfiguration. It also will include a promenade connecting Michigan Avenue to The Station, a new pedestrian gateway entrance with key neighborhood entryways, walkways, benches, and tables for seating and landscaping.

"One of the biggest things driving our city's revitalization is what we've done to create more and better parks and green space in our neighborhoods," said Mayor Duggan. "In this area of Southwest Detroit alone, we just broke ground on the Southwest Greenway portion of the Joe Louis Greenway and the incredible Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park along the West Riverfront. This transformation of Roosevelt Park will be another major benefit to residents and visitors of this area of southwest Detroit."

The park improvements will be funded through $5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act and $1 million from the general fund. As part of the reunification of the park, West Vernor, which currently bisects the park, will be re-routed to trace the western edge of Roosevelt Park (currently 16th Street) to continue as a primary connector to the thriving Mexicantown business district. While some traffic restrictions may be during the nine-month construction period, nearby businesses will remain open.


The park improvements will be funded through $5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act and $1 million from the general fund. As part of the reunification of the park, West Vernor, which currently bisects the park, will be re-routed to trace the western edge of Roosevelt Park (currently 16th Street) to continue as a primary connector to the thriving Mexicantown business district. While some traffic restrictions may be during the nine-month construction period, nearby businesses will remain open. (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us USA News Network)

"Whenever we do project like this, we always hold extensive community meetings to get feedback from residents, since this will be their neighborhood park," said Brad Dick, Group Executive, Services & Infrastructure. "Roosevelt Park is in a great location but has been under-utilized. Thanks to the input and ideas we received from residents and other stakeholders, we're able to create something truly special that everyone can enjoy."

Michigan Central is working to improve and strengthen connections among these neighborhoods and attract workers and visitors to Detroit with its rehabilitation of The Station and development of the surrounding areas. The City and Ford are working to ensure this district is a beacon of development, opportunity, and, importantly, a point of pride for all Detroiters.

"Roosevelt Park and Michigan Central Station have long been partners in civic grandeur and will be once again with this investment", said Joshua Sirefman, Michigan Central CEO. "Together, they root us in both the rich heritage and bright future of the surrounding neighborhoods and all of Detroit. The restored Roosevelt Park, with its beautiful boulevard in the middle, and the grand public space in The Station will create a seamless blend of respite and connection."

For more information, visit www.detroitmi.gov/rooseveltpark.

 

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