DETROIT, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy announced a $1 million gift from Wayne County to its East Riverfront capital campaign today. The contribution brings funds raised for the Conservancy's East Riverfront project to approximately $102 million.

"Wayne County is pleased to provide resources to enhance the quality of life for those who live, work and spend their leisure time in our communities," said County Executive Robert Ficano. "This award to the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy represents the County's support of the riverfront and how it positively impacts people's lives. Through grant funds received by Wayne County for public safety and healthy living and wellness efforts, today I announce a $1 million award to the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy made possible from the county departments of Homeland Security/Emergency Management and Health and Human Services. The funds will be used to support the riverfront's public safety initiatives and health and wellness activities on the RiverWalk and its adjoining parks. While we will continue to explore ways support the riverfront project, there are no county general fund dollars being used in making this contribution."

Ficano joined Conservancy President Faye Alexander Nelson and Conservancy Board of Directors Chair Matthew Cullen at a press conference today announcing the contribution. The announcement came nearly five years to the day after original design concepts and plans were unveiled for the East Riverfront project.

The campaign supports the Conservancy's development of the public space along the East Riverfront, which is a total length of 3 1/2 miles of property from Joe Louis Arena to Gabriel Richard Park, just beyond the MacArthur (Belle Isle) Bridge, as well as the permanent operations, maintenance and programming of the public space. In June 2007, the Conservancy opened nearly three miles of the Detroit RiverWalk and two of four planned plazas and pavilions to the public.

"The transformation of Detroit's Riverfront has a positive impact on all of Wayne County and Southeast Michigan, bringing recreational, educational, cultural and economic opportunities to our communities," said Nelson. "We have always included Wayne County as one of our key stakeholders in this landmark project and we are grateful for this generous gift to our capital campaign, which will help us fulfill our vision of a completed East Riverfront."

"We are pleased to be a partner with the Conservancy," said Jewel Ware, Wayne County Commission Chairwoman and Conservancy board member. "We are re-claiming the Riverfront from its industrial past and opening it up for public access. The Riverfront is a shining example of the public sector working in concert with the private sector to benefit the city and the county. I salute Faye Nelson for her leadership and her staff for their hard work."

The Conservancy's entire vision includes 5 1/2 miles of public space on Detroit's Riverfront, from the Ambassador Bridge on the West to Gabriel Richard Park on the East. Since the Conservancy's inception in early 2003, the focus has been on completing the East Riverfront, of which nearly 80 percent is complete. Construction is currently underway on critical remaining segments, including phase two of Tri-Centennial State Park and the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority's new dock and terminal.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources began work on phase two of the 31-acre Tri-Centennial State Park development in September 2008, which is Michigan's first urban state park. Phase two of the development will connect along the Riverfront between Rivard Plaza and the already completed and open State Park Harbor and will include a wetland, shoreline fishing opportunities, natural resource and maritime interpretation, non-motorized trails for walking and biking, an emphasis on "green" utilities, products and innovations, a memorial to Detroit River advocate and philanthropist Peter Stroh and continued RiverWalk.

Work has also begun on the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority public dock and terminal, located on Riverfront property just west of the GM Renaissance Center. The planned 21,000 square foot development will be able to accommodate all types of vessels wishing to call on the City of Detroit, including cruise ships, ferries, water taxis, tall ships, dinner boats and naval vessels. The two story terminal will house a processing area for tourists, ticket counters, the authority's headquarters and a public plaza.

"Projects such as the State Park and the Port Authority public dock and terminal are critical to fulfilling the vision of a diverse, vibrant and engaging Riverfront," said Cullen. "These projects will bring new and exciting educational, environmental and economic prospects to our region and their completion will help us make good progress towards a completed and connected East Riverfront."

Also new to the East Riverfront district is the Dequindre Cut, a below grade greenway that was formerly part of the Grand Trunk Railroad line. The first phase of the project, slated for completion in the coming weeks, connects between the Riverfront and Eastern Market. Once completed and open, the Conservancy will be responsible for the operations and maintenance of the greenway, which is being constructed by the City of Detroit and funded by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Kresge Foundation and the Kellogg Foundation.

The Conservancy also received a $500,000 Transformative Investment grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan's Detroit Neighborhood Fund. The Conservancy will use these resources, matched with a $500,000 grant in 2006 from the Kellogg Foundation, over the next three years to implement opportunities for community engagement and programming within Detroit's near-eastside neighborhoods, including the Dequindre Cut and the East Riverfront.

"It is rewarding to see so much progress continue on the East Riverfront," said Nelson. "In just five short years, this project has become so important to the entire Southeastern Michigan community and we look forward to its continued success."

The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy was formed as a 501 (c) 3 public-private partnership in early 2003 with the mission of developing public access on the Detroit International Riverfront. The completed project will span 5 1/2 miles of riverfront property, from the Ambassador Bridge to Gabriel Richard Park, just east of the Belle Isle Bridge, and will include a continuous RiverWalk along with public parks and green spaces. Once completed, the Conservancy is responsible for the establishment, improvement, operation, maintenance and programming of the Detroit International Riverfront.

SOURCE Detroit RiverFront Conservancy