State Park Expansion

[andyguard]

I haven't seen anything in the Detroit papers, but this article was on the Times Herald's website [[Port Huron):
Governor signs bills granting recreation funds

"The money will go to dozens of projects. They include ... $30 million to buy private land to expand the William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor in downtown Detroit."

[Gistok]

Thanks for the info Andyguard!

It's nice that "royalties" money, and not taxpayer money is going towards this...

Some of that $30 million is probably going to some of the landowners who got stuck holding the bag back when the Archer administration decided that the casinos could find their own locations instead of being clustered together on the east riverfront.

[NorthEndere]

Doubt it. Seems to me that the only parcels of land that could conceivably be incorporated into the park are the cleared sites on either side of it which belong to the concrete companies, which were about the only businesses left operating in the district after the casino debacle.

[Novine]

The Detroit money is going to acquire the Globe Building, land to be added to Milliken State Park and land and easements along the Riverfront anywhere between the Ambassador and MacArthur bridges. The DNR is in charge of those projects. The city is also getting money to acquire land for an extension of the Dequindre Cut trail.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/sn...s_349083_7.pdf

[Rocko]

The various City of Detroit projects from the link Novine so kindly provided:

City of Detroit [[Wayne County) is recommended to receive $500,000 to develop the Balduck
Park In-Town Youth Camp and Family Picnic Area. This will include restrooms, picnic shelter,
play area, nature trail, walking path, camp activity areas, pathways and interpretive signs.

City of Detroit [[Wayne County) is recommended to receive $500,000 for improvements to
Patton Park, including construction of two softball diamonds, lighting, comfort station, picnic
shelter, parking lot improvements, connecting pathways, and an asphalt trail linking the
Greenway to the sidewalks.

Acquisition Projects Recommended for Funding:

William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor [[Wayne County) – $20 million. This funding
will be used to acquire three to six large private inholding parcels and trail easements along the
Detroit Riverfront as additions to the William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor in downtown
Detroit.

Globe Building Adventure and Discovery Center Acquisition [[Wayne County) – $9 million.
This funding would be used by the DNRE to acquire 48,000 square feet of built-out space in the
Globe Building for the William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor Adventure and Discovery
Center in downtown Detroit.

Detroit Riverfront Easements and Acquisitions [[Wayne County) – $5 million. These funds
would be used by the DNRE to acquire public use easements and land acquisitions along the
Detroit River from the Ambassador Bridge to the MacArthur Bridge as part of a 5-mile-long
public greenway.

City of Detroit [[Wayne County) – $375,000. These funds would be used to acquire a 0.7-mile
section of abandoned rail corridor in downtown Detroit that continues the Dequindre Cut north,
connecting the Detroit Riverfront to the historic Eastern Market.

[Gsgeorge]

All great news! Can't wait til they do something awesome with the Globe Bldg. It's a perfect space for that kind of project. I can see a rock-climbing wall and other recreational opportunities. Lots of possibilities for community outreach, recreation, & tourism.

[Marc]

Is there any indication that they will save the Globe Building and not tear it down?

[Gistok]

Is there any indication that they will save the Globe Building and not tear it down?

Marc... read post #5 in this thread for your answer...

[leland_palmer]

Reading is Fundamental!

[Hypestyles]

... hopefully these projects will come through and be implemented, and the parks will be maintained..

[gthomas]

I want to see a nice dog park included in the state park land acquisation..? Lots of dog owners in the area...including me? have it located off the 'Cut",.. hope they will also add more trees and evergreens to the adjacent area. Some pine trees maybe..?

[kcwhite]

Does anyone know if the bigger Detroit projects were completed? Or even started? I apologize in advance for my ignorance on the matter, as I haven't had the chance to see for myself. Thank you for any information regarding this.


This thread is what my search turned up.

[Novine]

Here's a more recent update.