(WXYZ) — Today marked the official opening of the Southwest Greenway, which connects the Detroit Riverfront to Michigan Central and the nearby neighborhoods.
“The grand opening of the Southwest Greenway is the perfect occasion to celebrate the tremendous progress of the Unified Greenway Campaign, which will complete and sustain the Detroit Riverfront and Joe Louis Greenway for generations,” said Matt Cullen, Chairman, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and architect of the Unified Greenway Campaign. “The early success of this campaign thanks to our funding partners, together with the City of Detroit’s commitment of ongoing support, is historic for our community and is nationally significant in the development of urban public spaces.”
According to a press release from the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, the celebration will also kick off a collaborative effort to help raise the $350 million goal to complete the Detroit Riverfront, fund construction of the Joe Louis Greenway, and help maintain both projects. During the ceremony, it was announced that $70 million in new funding had already been pledged, including gifts from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation ($35 Million), William Davidson Foundation ($20 Million), Gilbert Family Foundation ($15 Million), W.K. Kellogg Foundation ($5 Million).
With the money pledged today, the city has gotten $229 million towards the goal.
The Southwest Greenway is part of the 27.5-mile Joe Louis Greenway.
“Today is a great example of what can be accomplished when the whole community comes together,” said Mayor Duggan. "We are so fortunate to have incredible partners like the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, the Unified Greenway Partnership, and all of our funders, as well as the strong support of Detroit City Council, to ensure this beautiful greenspace will be here for generations to come. The Southwest Greenway will be one of the most popular sections of the entire 27-mile path because it will feed directly into the stunning new Ralph Wilson Centennial Park.”
The press conference and ribbon-cutting ceremony can be watched below:
