The Spirit of Detroit Plaza is coming to Woodward and Jefferson

The Motor City is trying to be more pedestrian friendly. First last month, a new esplanade was created in the median on Woodward between Campus Maritus and Larned. Now, the Free Press is reporting that a pedestrian plaza will take shape over the course of the next few days.

It will be located in between the Spirit of Detroit in front of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center and One Woodward.

This Spirit of Detroit Plaza will close traffic on Woodward between Jefferson and Larned. Cars will not be able to turn north onto Woodward from Jefferson or onto Jefferson from Woodward.

The plaza will include food trucks, artwork, seating, landscaping, and decorative crosswalk markings.

It’s expected to be temporary through the summer to see how successful it is for pedestrians and traffic. Traffic should close by Thursday evening and the plaza should be open by Monday.

Currently, this lower stretch of Woodward isn’t the most pedestrian friendly. Wide streets are common throughout the city, and this plaza could hopefully bridge a stronger connection between downtown, Hart Plaza, and the Riverfront.

A grand opening of the plaza is scheduled for Monday, June 12 at 11 a.m.

We’ll update with more info, photos, and renderings soon.