The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy and the City of Detroit Planning Department announced last week that Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings & Merrill will lead the development of the East Riverfront District. This district is bordered by St. Antoine, East Grand Boulevard, Larned Street, and the Detroit River.

Six local firms will also provide consulting in the project. Also, Dean of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design Mohsen Mostafavi will lead a "Creative Detroit Think Tank" to help address the issues.

According to the Riverfront Conservancy, "The plan will evaluate various conditions, including; building stock, land-use patterns, major historic and cultural assets, and transportation operations on the corridor. The final plan will provide a vision for future East Riverfront District improvements that builds on the success the Conservancy helped foster over the past decade. The plan will also address the lack of a direct connection for vehicles and pedestrians to the East Riverfront area from I-375 while analyzing stakeholder needs, vehicular circulation, connections to transit options and non-motorized travel."

Some of the major issues to address include extending the bike path to Belle Isle, clean up of the former Uniroyal site, and making Jefferson more user-friendly.

The first public meeting is tomorrow, April 12. Community members are encouraged to attend and give input into the process. Those who would like to attend can register here.