Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park Development

**ShadowSoarer** · November-26-21, 08:31 PM

Looks like the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park Development has been delayed for ground breaking in to Spring 2022 for completion in 2024.

Originally was suppose to start Fall 2021 and completed in 2023. Their website still has this for the project timeline, but received a letter in the mail with Spring 2022 for project to begin.

They could've started this project in 2020 when there were no events taking place in that area. Wonder why it is taking so long since massive amounts of money has been donated towards this park. Maybe labor shortages, even though this project had a design competition back in 2018. Also seems like on their website it seems like the renders have been updated with no pier from the 2018 render. Can't believe 4 years just to get shovels in the ground. Sorry for the negativity.

**Danny** · November-27-21, 01:10 PM

Let them delay! If those folks don't have more investors keep the project on hold until they got it. If you announce any plans implemented it.

**stasu1213** · November-27-21, 03:26 PM

Probably money's had been redirected to something else. When any funding comes to the city it goes into the general funds instead of being earmarked for the purpose it was given for

**Satiricalivory** · November-27-21, 03:44 PM

Why?? What the fuck?? This is fucking insane. It's been pretty much fully funded since 2018. Infuriating. Who is in charge of this?

**southen** · November-27-21, 06:39 PM

The Riverfront Conservancy is spearheading the project, it isn't in the city general fund so we can dispense of that "theory". After the the winning team was selected and presented their design the project has gone through a community engagement process to gain input to potentially change the design and programming based on the needs and wants of Detroiters. Doing that during a pandemic probably has its challenges and has caused delays in moving forward in addition to the other challenges of the last two years. Take a deep breath, the construction will start soon and we will have a world class park to enjoy.

**Gistok** · November-27-21, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by stasu1213

Probably money's had been redirected to something else. When any funding comes to the city it goes into the general funds instead of being earmarked for the purpose it was given for

That would be pretty stupid of the city to have spent that money [which they likely never got their hands on]... since they still have about $500 million still coming in future grants from the Wilson Foundation.

**Gistok** · November-28-21, 04:42 AM

Originally Posted by southen

Doing that during a pandemic probably has its challenges and has caused delays in moving forward in addition to the other challenges of the last two years.

Southen... I was wondering about the Wilson Foundation... and their mandate [by Ralph Wilson] to spend all of the $1.2 billion between Detroit and Buffalo within about 20 years. I haven't heard of any more recent large grants to either city... and I imagine that the delayed paydown of the fund could mean that it's still [with the stock market so high] near its' original $1.2 billion.

**stasu1213** · November-28-21, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by southen

The Riverfront Conservancy is spearheading the project, it isn't in the city general fund so we can dispense of that "theory". After the the winning team was selected and presented their design the project has gone through a community engagement process to gain input to potentially change the design and programming based on the needs and wants of Detroiters. Doing that during a pandemic probably has its challenges and has caused delays in moving forward in addition to the other challenges of the last two years. Take a deep breath, the construction will start soon and we will have a world class park to enjoy.

Excuses after excuse after excuses. Doesn't foundation money go through the city government so that it is distributed to the Riverfront Conservancy? The development was moving at a much faster pace when Faye Nelson was the head of the Riverfront Conservancy. Things had slowed drastically after she had stepped down. You are right. Maybe it is a theory. The question remain is why haven't work was started in 2018 when the money was allocated toward the project? The battle for the design for the thing should had brought forth a winner earlier on. Incompetence is the reason for waiting to get the money then battle a few years for a design

**Gistok** · November-28-21, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by stasu1213

Excuses after excuse after excuses. Doesn't foundation money go through the city government so that it is distributed to the Riverfront Conservancy? The development was moving at a much faster pace when Faye Nelson was the head of the Riverfront Conservancy. Things had slowed drastically after she had stepped down. You are right. Maybe it is a theory. The question remain is why haven't work was started in 2018 when the money was allocated toward the project? The battle for the design for the thing should had brought forth a winner earlier on. Incompetence is the reason for waiting to get the money then battle a few years for a design

You do realize that besides the pandemic, there are federal and state environmental impact studies done... ad nauseum. This isn't just building upon the riverbank... but actually adding a channel to the river.

But I do agree... this has taken forever.

**Lapooty** · February-14-24, 10:28 AM

Here are some of the first real update photos I've seen of this project, posted by Neumann/Smith Architecture to their facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/neumannsmitharchitecture/posts/pfbid0ZMKMUQvoEdXwmVGq6XHix4fywp9krHcQvf6Bo88y511d R9aPCvw9SNvgsQBypX6Kl
more here ^^^

s/o to animatedmartian from skyscraperpage

**K-slice** · February-14-24, 10:42 AM

Looks like it's goning to be an awesome park, bit they need a "meter maid" at these riverfront parks to ticket the people trashing them. I took my out-of-town family to see the new Riverside Park last summer and it was embarrassing how the people there were just throwing trash everywhere.

Detroiters used to be able to blame their lack of care on the lack of monetary investment in the spaces they used, not any longer.

**EASTSIDER BALDUCK** · February-14-24, 02:31 PM

Yepper.
Could not have said it any better.

**mikeg19** · February-14-24, 03:49 PM

This is off topic but since it is captured in the picture, anyone know what is going on with the old Free Press Printing Plant property next to the Riverfront Towers? That property is absolutely prime to develop into residential or expanded park space.