West Riverfront design finalists to present plans to the public

Last summer, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy announced a design competition for the West RiverFront, covering a 22-acre site along the Riverfront between Rosa Parks Boulevard and Eighth Street. 22 design teams submitted proposals; the competition was first narrowed down to eight semi-finalists, and now the four finalists are ready to reveal their designs.

A public presentation is scheduled for February 8 at 1001 Woodward. The final teams are each scheduled for an hour and a half presentation starting at 9:00 a.m. and running throughout the day.

The public is welcome, but anyone planning on attending should register here.

The four finalists are:

• Gustafson Guthrie and Nichol (GGN)
• Hood Design Studio
• James Corner Field Operations
• Michael Van Valkenburgh and Associates (MVVA)

More information on this project specifically will be announced later this week. Earlier this month, we learned that a Riverwalk connector is in the works off of Riverfront Towers. This would connect the Joe Louis Arena to the West Riverfront. In the coming years, the Riverwalk could run all the way from Belle Isle to Rosa Parks Boulevard.