Riverfront plan: Water Taxis and Trolleys

[Hypestyles]

privately funded, go for it.

[ABetterDetroit]

I think a water taxi between downtown and Belle Isle would be pretty damn cool even if only seasonal. A nice enjoyable day could be had by catching the M1 down to Hart Plaza and then a water taxi over to the park. It would also continue to drive more demand for new residents in the areas it would serve along the river. Financing for something like this might need some outside help right now but in the not to distant future it could be just the opposite, the city could open up the rights to bids because there could be money to be made in providing the service.

[archfan]

When you say 'could', do you mean that there is already 'enabling legislation' that allows CBSA to operate on that Detroit soil?

US Customs does operate on-site at several Canadian airports. There's a big sign in one of them that says 'Welcome to the USA'. Once you pass, you are in a secured area and don't have to pass customs at your US destination.

I don't know of any instances of CBSA on US soil, though.

The US and Canada signed an agreement in March to expand preclearance for crossings in both countries. Legislatures in both countries will need to change existing laws to fully implement the agreement.

http://www.dhs.gov/news/2015/03/16/u...ance-agreement

Canada has the right now to set up preclearance sites on US soil through a 2001 treaty, but has chosen not to exercise it. They would like to do so in Massena, NY because of crowded conditions at their facility in Concord, ON.

[Hermod]

I think a water taxi between downtown and Belle Isle would be pretty damn cool even if only seasonal. A nice enjoyable day could be had by catching the M1 down to Hart Plaza and then a water taxi over to the park. It would also continue to drive more demand for new residents in the areas it would serve along the river. Financing for something like this might need some outside help right now but in the not to distant future it could be just the opposite, the city could open up the rights to bids because there could be money to be made in providing the service.

Belle Isle had a ferry [[a relic of the pre-bridge days) which left from a dock just east of the mainland side of the bridge and connected to a dock on the island. It survived into the fifties but was not able to survive as most folks used the bridge.