The West Riverfront design competition winner to be chosen this spring

In case you missed it, last week marked the end of the public exhibition for the West Riverfront design competition. Four design firms—Gustafson Guthrie Nichol, Hood Design Studio, James Corner Field Operations, and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates—are in the running to redesign 22 acres of Riverfront green space just west of downtown.

We shared the renderings earlier this month. Photographers Michelle and Chris Gerard stopped by 1001 Woodward to capture the models and presentations that were on display to the public.

The presentations were on display February 10-22, and Marc Pasco from the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy tells us that they had a great turnout from the community. The DRFC continues to raise funds for the $50 million redevelopment. The jury for the design contest includes representatives from the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy, the City of Detroit, and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation; plus architectural design and planning experts including Leslie Koch, former president and chief executive of the Trust for Governors Island; Deborah Marton, executive director of New York Restoration Project; Regina Myer, president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership; and Deborah Weintraub, chief architect/chief deputy city engineer, City of Los Angeles.

In the next few years, the Riverwalk is expected to extend from the Ambassador Bridge all the way to Belle Isle. If you didn’t get a chance to see the designs in person, here’s a look at what you missed.