The Fluid Commons: Waterborne

WATERBORNE what has(is) the edge given(ing) rise to?

URP551 / ARCH509 Fall 2020: The Fluid Commons Christian Hunter, Ifeoluwa Olowabi, and Madeeha Ayub

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents By the River Times Material Legacies Deindustrialization and Diversification Confluence Precedent Studies

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“As I rode back to Detroit, a vision of Henry Ford’s industrial empire kept passing before my eyes. In my ears, I heard the wonderful symphony which came from his factories where metals were shaped into tools for men’s service. It was a new music, waiting for the composer with genius enough to give it communicable form.

I thought of the millions of different men by whose combined labor and thought automobiles were produced, from the miners who dug the iron ore out of the earth to the railroad men and teamsters who brought the finished machines to the consumer, so that man, space, and time might be conquered, and ever-expanding victories be won against death.”

--Diego Rivera, My Art, My Life

Image Source: Detroit Institute of Arts By the River

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Oversize black and white postcard depicting the Detroit skyline with Windsor, Ontario in the foreground. Several ships are docked on the Detroit River. The Fort Shelby Hotel, Michigan Bell Building, Book Cadillac Hotel, Buhl Building, Greater Penobscot Building, Guardian Building, and First National Building are visible.

Detroit Skyline. A fine view of downtown Detroit with its skyscrapers grouped around the river front at the foot of Woodward Avenue. Tied up at the docks are two of the large boats that ply the Great Lakes. In the foreground, by contrast, are the flat roofs of the low buildings in Windsor, Ontario, on the Canadian side of the Detroit River. Just below Detroit is the only point in the U. S.-Canadian boundary where Canadian territory lies south of the United States.

Image Source: Detroit Historical Society By the River

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01 By the River

“Is it that we privilege a moment in time, a wishful moment perhaps, when the earth surface presents itself as divided between land and water? The fact is that in the time of this moment maps are drawn, properties are demarcated, decisions are made, the past is described, and the future is considered.”

Mathur and Da Cunha (Waters Everywhere, 2014)

By the River

The Detroit River hosts a unique manufacturing and infrastructural legacy. James Howard says, ‘the city of Detroit exists because it sits on a river between two great lakes- very important and strategic.’ As a water-based transcontinental highway, the Detroit River enabled the rise of an industrial powerhouse that forever transformed the Midwest hinterlands. Today, in the midst of a transitional economic cycle that has brought decay and abandonment of old industrial practices to the region, the river remains one of the busiest waterways in the world.

Its fluid waters tell the stories of the many occupations that have inhabited this territory and whisper the many possible futures ahead.

Waterborne unfolds the strategic nexus of this narrow transnational fluid edge overtime. The project includes a timeline displaying this historical narrative and a photographic and a cartographic exploration tracing the industrial heyday, the de-urbanization years and the slow transformation reclaiming a different future for the Detroit Riverside Communities. The project interprets the Detroit River as a driver of urbanization and traces the form, function, use, movement and transformation in the shorelands.

The riverfront is also the region’s future. Vacant land left behind in industry has given rise to variance in parcelization, public access and land ownership. Though a liquid linear amenity has risen as a result, it is a rather fragmented system of parks and marinas along its shore, and businesses continue to thrive only in certain cross sections. The current challenge for the Detroit River future is incorporating both its industrial history of discovery and innovation, and the culturally-rich narratives of its many inhabitants. Waterborne aims at juxtapositioning the tangible and intangible flux of this frontier to produce a deep layered story of the future contributed by those who inhabit the river today.

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River Edge The line separating land from water is essential to a river. The line with which this separation is imaged on maps, etched in the imagination, and enforced on the ground tells the historical, cultural and societal stories. River edges are not neutral: their construction enable the commodification of water through the deployment of invisible infrastructures, thick industries and exclusive real estate.

By the River

Their construction too, enables the everyday experience, the discovery and wonder of the never ending water flow. Indeed more often than not the drawn line speaks louder than the flow of water.

There is then an art to seeing and experiencing a river. Below are some more edge qualities along the Detroit River that produce unique moments of cultural dispositions, industrial legacies, opportunities of recreation, trade, transport, transnational economy and heritage.

Permeable The river lines that emerge between land and water surfaces can be amoebic, seeping and soaking, collecting in interstices and penetrating in the landmass, thereby conflicting with the parallel relationship of river and edge.

Adjacent Inscribing the line of separation on the earth’s surface that separates water from land does more than that. It brings land and water as two extraordinary things into being from a ubiquitous if varied wetness, presenting them on either side of a line that unites them in difference.

Fluid Rivers as flows of water penetrating into the interior of the landmass facilitates draining of land and provides transportation corridors, water supply, establishment of productive industry, waste disposal routes and today an incentive space of infrastructure colonization.

Juxtaposed The river has always been a staging ground for urbanism.

The paradigms of course, source and flooding of the river are evident in its juxtaposition with space and time. A river is always a transition, a different permutation of color, texture, and light.

Porous The line of separation between two entities of land and water diminishes at certain instances. The river is transformed by deviating from its course to drain more land. The riparian landscape is more fluid and amphibian in such cases.

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02 Times

“Spatial stories stem from the universal cultural need to describe, recount and narrate a particular stream of thought that is situated with or impacted by a place or series of places” Bodenhamer, Corrigan and Harris (Deep Maps and Spatial Narrative, 2015)

Times

Spatial story-telling and spatial narratives are critical for exploring and presenting rich connotations and attachments to the humanities storied- narrative style.

Between its humble discovery beginnings in 1701 and now, the Detroit River has held many meanings that have significantly impacted the making or unmaking of the Detroit region at different moments within its rich history.

In this chapter; we examine themed historical timeline of the Detroit River over four centuries- the 1600’s to the 2000’s. The investigation is presented under themes like Trading, Industrialization, Navigation and the Underground Railroad.

While not a comprehensive history, the intersections visible on the timeline highlight important moments in the history of the Detroit River. Telling these stories help materialize time and showcases how the geographical situation of the Detroit River impacted the city, the region and the country and vice-versa.

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Fur Trade (1600s - 1700s) In the 1600’s, the Iroquois were allied with the Dutch who founded New Amsterdam and traded furs from men of the forests. By the middle of the century New York was depleted of beavers, inspiring the Iroquois to migrate Westwards. Early numbers estimate that 10 million beavers inhabited the region, but the arrival of French fur trappers in the 1600’s seeking to alleviate Europe’s insatiable hunger for fur led to a virtual decimation of the beaver population. By the mid-1880’s, they were virtually extinct.

In the East; the English took over control of the area from the Dutch. However, they maintained friendship by giving the Lake Erie and the rest of the great Lakes to the Dutch.

Lake Superior

“Detroit was founded so that King Louis XIV of France could wear a Beaver Hat”

Lake Michigan

US

DETROIT RIVER

1670

Father de Casson landed on the left bank of the River in what is now Detroit, somewhere between the mouth of the Rouge River and Fort Wayne. Father de Casson planted a large wooden cross covered with the French coat of arms on the site, prophetically demolishing a stone figure that the Indians worshiped.

Times

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The French who lived in Montreal adopted the lifestyle of the Indian settlers, including water transportation. The French were the first non-natives to discover the Detroit river and the Detroit shores.

All travel was simply by water as there were no roads and wagons.

When Great Britain defeated the French in the Seven Years War, it took over control of the Detroit River. The newly established United States claimed this region during the American revolution but the British did not complete the transfer until 1796.

The emerging lines of the river edges in the context of the fur trade are quite permeable in nature; considering that the fact that the river enabled the land mass to be penetrated at strategic points; even leading to the founding of Detroit.

1650’s

1600’s

Scarcity of Beavers in New York made the Iroquois move westward

Dutch and Iroquois Alliance to buy Fur and ship to Europe due to high fashion demands for beaver hats in France.

Montreal

CANADA Lake Huron

Lake Ontario NY

Lake Eerie

1690’s

The French settle in Montreal trading with the Indians for fur; adopting their lifestyle and mode of transportation by water.

They navigated the Detroit river and landed on Detroit shores.

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“An ‘Underground Railway’ sprang up complete with “station agents” and “passenger depots.” The Detroit River was “Route No.1” on the line.”

Jenny Nolan (How the Detroit River Shaped Lives and History, 2014)

Times

In 1850, Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act; a bill allowing slave owners to go anywhere in the United States to bring back runaway slaves.

Due to its strategic location along the border with Canada, the Detroit River was a major player in the ‘underground railroad’ route for escaped slaves from the south, helping scores by the mid-19th century.

The Underground rail Road (UGRR) was an informal network of safe houses and people willing to help runaway enslaved people.

Hiding places — often taverns, homes and barns — were referred to as “stations.” Helpers were called “conductors,” and runaways were either “passengers” or “baggage.”

During this slave emancipation period, the Detroit river metaphorically mirrored the West African slave coast. While the waterways facilitated European invasion and slave capture to the Western world; the Detroit river became the route for escape from slavery to freedom in Canada.

In this context, the UGRR is a network of invisible lines mapped along the edge of the river and across.

The emerging edge of the river can be described as fluid; considering the designation of different routes and ferry boat landings all happening along the river as it joins St. Clair. For the UGRR narrative; Frost, Karolyn Smardz, et al described the Detroit river as the “Fluid Frontier.”

“As A Fluid Frontier demonstrates, the Detroit River corridor was the most active entry point along the United States–Canada border for fugitive slaves.

They came from all over the American South, many with considerable stops in the Northern states as well.”

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UNDERGROUND RAILROAD (1800’s-1900’s) Seymour Finney Barn William Webb Homesite Detroit Second Baptist Church 1st Michigan Colored Regimen Ferry Landings

Sandwich Baptist Church

Nazrey AME National Historic Site

Ferry Landings Places of the UGRR Detroit Freedom sites, Canada Detroit River

4 miles

Times

1800-1830

1830-1840

1800’s

The US is split on whether to allow slavery or no slavery,16 free states, 15 slave states

UGRR OVERVIEW

THE FLUID BORDER

1834

British empire issues Emancipation act

1837

FERRY BOAT LANDINGS

Detroit ferry Boat landings happening along the Detroit river as it joins St. Clair’s -Foot of Atwater and Sixth street -Foot of Beaubien -Foot of St. Aubin (now home of Detroit Shipbuilders shop-yard)

1842 Detroit Vigilante runaway slaves

Community

protecting

ORGANIZATION

1836

PEOPLE

George De Baptist

NOTABLE EVENTS 1833

The Blackburn Riot: Escape of Thornton and Ruth (Lucie) Blackburn (Detroit’s first riot)

NOTABLE PLACES

1836

Second Baptist Church 19

1840-1850

1850 Fugitive law was passed; Detroit becomes pivotal to freedom to Canada

Embarkation points Detroit, Wyandotte, Grosse Ille, Ecorse on American side Amherstberg, Sandwich, Colchester on the Canadian side.

1844 African American Mysteries: Order of the Men of Oppression Transporting freedom seekers as a part of the UGRR; funding settlements in Canada.

1851 The Refugee Home Society, founded on May 21, 1851, worked to provide donated goods to refugees on both sides of the border and organized a stock company to buy land for formerly enslaved persons attempting to start new lives.

1843 William Lambert

1843

1842

Seymour Finney Barn As a “Conductor”on the Underground Railroad, his Finney Barn became a major stop or “Station” on the secret railroad to freedom. From this stop,many escaping slaves could secretly cross the Detroit River to safety in Canada. They could travel to nearby Black settlements in Chatham, Dresden, and North Buxton or to Amherstburg, Ontario.

Others may have traveled to settlements near Niagara Falls, Ontario.

The Caroline Quarlls Escape (route no. 4)

Times

1850-1860

1850 7 UGRR routes: -The Detroit river route -The Second route was from Toledo to Adrian -The Old Saulk Trail -Old Territorial road trail -Old Grand river trail -Detroit to Saginaw route -Chicago to Mackinaw to Duluth

1844 A band of fugitives, free Blacks and white abolitionists had members in the United States and Canada. The society used a series of passwords, hand grips, and rituals meant to assure secrecy.

1858 The John Brown Missouri Raid / Liberation of the Daniels family:

1863

1872

1st Michigan Colored Regimen

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument

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“Detroit was destined to be a center of the American automobile industry. Located in the center of America’s industrial heartland, all of the raw materials required for automobile production were easily accessible and transported to the city by the Great Lakes waterways and by rail” Thomas Sugrue (From Motor City to Motor Metropolis: How the Automobile Industry Reshaped Urban America, 2004)

Times

The Detroit River changing scenes through the years highlight the ways in which Detroiters have long used the river and lakes to build industries, engage neighbors and pursue recreation. The river significantly impacted the social, economic and ecological development of the region.

Early history examines Detroit’s place at the center of the fur trade, and how its geographic location made it a prime location for the French, British and American settlers. Later, its location on the river made Detroit a center of industrial development, manufacturing capital and marine transportation.

For decades, the Detroit River was the busiest commercial waterway in the world, and Detroit shipyards built more vessels than any other city in the region.

The emerging river edges in this context take on different forms- permeable, adjacent, fluid and porous. These forms are evident in the rapid and gradual changes to the Detroit river waterfront in the 1900, as it responded to industrialization, wars and political decisions- all of which impacted transportation, infrastructure development, creation of new channels, water crossings.

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DETROIT RIVER SCENES (1900’s)

US-Canada Crossings Ship Routes Detroit River 4 miles

Times

1800- 1820

1820-1850

TRADE

1840

DIVERSIFICATION IN USE

1827

INDUSTRY

The river banks are studded with mills for flour. Fishing becomes a major export.

Immigration continues at a rapid pace with increased transportation.

INCREASE IN TRANSPORTATION AND MIGRATION

1818

First steam Boat Lands in Detroit, reducing travel time between buffalo and Detroit from 10 days to 24 hours only.

TRANSPORTATION 1817

Lake Erie Excavation begins.

Allowing quick access from the East Coast to Buffalo and Lake Erie.

Enabled more settlers to the piers of Detroit.

1818

SPORTS & RECREATION

Several wooden piers built to handle the river traffic: -The Merchant Wharf-The Public Wharf -Wing’s Wharf at Grisworld -Hudson’s Wharf at Bates street

Sawmills populated the riverfront to turn the white pine logs harvested from Michigan’s forests into milled lumber. This is the Detroit River in the first decade of the 1900s

1837

Each month in 1837, 20 teams of Horses, 200 yokes of Oxen, 800 people crossed the river by Ferry from Canada.

Sailing ships from the Northland brought timber to the sawmills in Detroit.

Immigration continues at a rapid pace with increased transportation.

Population Growth three decades; 1830- 2222 1840- 9102 1850- 21,019

over

1827

Water system Franchise is granted.

Water from the river is raised to a reservoir; piped out through pipes made from logs.

1900

The sinking of last tubular section of the Michigan Central Railroad tunnel is sunk into the Detroit River, connecting Detroit and Windsor. The railroad tunnel opened on July 26, 1910.

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1850-1900

1900-1920 1919

1900

Commercial lumbering was big business in Michigan beginning in the 1840s. By 1900, Detroit’s role in the lumbering industry was fading.

18th Amendment law was passed; Smuggling begins.

Detroit River and St. Clair carried 75% of all the liquor smuggled into the US during the Prohibition.

1920

1927

1932

The Detroit River became the major route for smugglers who made rumrunning the second largest industry in Michigan after the auto industry.

1900

Detroit’s Industrialization begins.

The automotive industry boomed, and the many manufacturers imported abundant supplies of iron ore, sand, limestone and wood.

Smokestacks from industries belch smoke into the air along the Detroit waterfront in 1927

1890

POLLUTION

Sailing ships are seen along the Detroit waterfront in this photo.

1910 1900

Steam-powered excursion boats are docked along the Detroit waterfront in 1923. In the foreground at right is the Detroit Fire Department’s High Pressure Pumping Station.

Deposits from the Solvay Process Co., a chemical plant in Detroit’s Delray neighborhood. Large-scale dredging and dumping of wastes altered the river’s flow patterns and destroyed fish spawning grounds.

The deepening of the 12mile Livingstone channel in the lower Detroit River, leading into Lake Erie. From 1874 to 1968, helping shipping industries but destroying whitefish and the river.

1912

This is believed to be the first photo ever taken of Detroit from an airplane The Belle Isle bridge in the foreground was a woodand-steel structure built in 1889. It was destroyed by fire in 1915.

1861-1865

Although Detroit was not a scene of fighting in the Civil war, the river was closely patrolled for the fear of attack from the Canadian side by Confed Sabotage agents.

1931

The beach at Belle Isle is crowded in this aerial scene Times

1920-1950

1950 to 2000’s 1933

End of Prohibition; peace returns to the water.

Death of the Rum-running industry

1929

The Detroit River was a highway for Canadian liquor during Prohibition. A Detroit News photographer hid in a coal elevator to get this picture of rum runners loading their cars at the foot of Riopelle.

1932

The Robin Hood Flour plant is seen along the Detroit River.

INTENSE WATERFRONT OCCUPATION

1935

Ford Motor Co.’s Canadian headquarters along the Detroit River near Windsor is seen in 1935

1981

A view of the Detroit Waterfront

1929

Completion of the Ambassador Bridge.

INDUSTRY-DRIVEN INFRASTRUCTURE GROWTH

1990

1930

Jim Portman from Pinckney water skis on the Detroit River on Jan. 17 to promote a boat show being held at the Pontiac Silverdome.

Portman had to receive special permission from the Detroit City Council to water ski in the river

Completion of the Detroit Windsor Tunnel.

1955

Rowing event in Ecorse

1935

Belle Isle Bathing Beach.

Detroiters with no air conditioned homes or cars flocked to the riverfront to seek relief from the sweltering relentless summer heat.

1982

A large crowd lines the riverfront for the Freedom Festival on July 1, 1982

2009

Photograph from annual fireworks celebrations by the Detroit waterfront 27

03 Material Legacies

“Mapping is a fantastic cultural project, creating and building the world as much as measuring and describing it. We have been adequately cautioned about mapping as a means of projecting power knowledge, but what about mapping as a productive and liberating instrument, a world enriching agent, especially in the design and planning arts?”

James Corner, Agency of Mapping

Material Legacies

This section looks at the Detroit River as a driver of economic production in the region. From the extractive practices powering the manufacturing processes (water, salt, iron ore, iron ore, lumber), to the consumption regimes negotiated at the riverfront (energy and wastewater treatment plants), or the role of the river as transcontinental highway enabled by aggressive dredging practices and ever expanding infrastructure, the Detroit River continues to drive the economy of the riverside communities.

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“The industrial part of Detroit is really the most interesting side, otherwise it’s like the rest of the United States, ugly and stupid.”

-- Frida Kahlo

Image Source: Atlas Obscura Material Legacies

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“Planning is for the world’s great cities, for Paris, London, and Rome, for cities dedicated, at some level, to culture. Detroit, on the other hand, was an American city and therefore dedicated to money, and so design had given way to expediency.”

Jeffrey Eugenides, Middlesex

Image Source: Classic Cars Journal Material Legacies

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River Industrial Typologies

Material Legacies

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Industrial Landscapes

Material Legacies

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Industrial Imagery

Image Source: Google Earth Material Legacies

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Daily river excursions, Detroit

Image Source: Detroit publishing Co Publisher Material Legacies

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“No one has the right to use America’s rivers and America’s Waterways, that belong to all the people.

The banks of a river may belong to one man or one industry or one State, but the waters which flow between the banks should belong to all the people” Lyndon B. Johnson

Image Source: Detroit publishing Co Publisher Material Legacies

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River as an enabler

Material Legacies

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Detroit River ferry boat in ice

Image Source: Detroit publishing Co Publisher Material Legacies

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River as Passage

Material Legacies

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04 DeIndustrialization and Diversification

Detroit’s East Riverfront Today

Image Source: CBS Local, Detroit

De-Industrialization and Diversification

The fluidity of the Detroit River continues to the present day. While the river presence continues to influence what goes on along its banks, there is a shifting narrative from the legacy of a dominant industrial landscape to a more complex set of uses and heterogeneous patterns. This move towards heterogeneity is reflective of a shift in vantage points of what the river means to people along its shores.

The narrative of the river as a driver for industry and transportation carried through from an earlier industrial era. Today, far from the prevalent narratives of the region’s post-industrial turn, the Detroit River shorelands speak of a very different reality. Industry has not only remained, but also expanded, and at the very least held its ground in many locations along the river. The physical traces in the river landscapes manifest the nature of the Detroit River as a “working riverfront.”

At the same time, a set of competing narratives are emerging. The principal counter-narrative is viewing the river as a “liquid amenity.” This can be seen through the push for more green space and the rise of parks and opening up the river on formerly private industrial sites.

This shift is boosted by the national trend of residents moving back to older urbanized areas for the first time in decades. This in turn gives rise to new alternative versions such as mixed-use developments and whole new neighborhoods along its shores.

Today, these competing narratives are held in a state of flux. It’s in this purgatory in which one sees the acres of vacant formerly industrial land sitting quietly dormant while their future is being imagined. Some may have more solid plans, but for the time being this formerly industrial property simply exists, in flux.

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The Ebstorf Map

Image Source: Lincolnmullen.com

De-Industrialization and Diversification

“The trends being experienced in GIS toward an exhaustive mapping of the physical environment, ‘the world on your desktop,’ predominantly reinforce the mapping of the material to the exclusion of the intangible, of emotion and experience, and the contingent human encounter with the physical, symbolic and imaginary landscapes.”

John Corrigan (Deep Maps and Spatial Narratives)

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Vacant Industrial Land under Regeneration Delray Neighborhood, Detroit Delray Delray Neighborhood, Delray Neighborhood, Delray Neighborhood, Neighborhood, Detroit Detroit Detroit Detroit

Delray Neighborhood, Detroit Delray Neighborhood, Detroit Delray Neighborhood, Detroit

Arkema Plant, Riverview Arkema Arkema Plant, Arkema Plant, Arkema Riverview Plant, Riverview Plant, Riverview Riverview Arkema Plant, Riverview Arkema Plant, Riverview Arkema Plant, Riverview

McLouth Steel Site, Trenton McLouth McLouth McLouth Steel McLouth Steel Site, Steel Site, Trenton Steel Site, Trenton Site, Trenton Trenton McLouth Steel Site, Trenton McLouth Steel Site, Trenton McLouth Steel Site, Trenton

Solutia Plant, Trenton Solutia Solutia Plant, Solutia Plant, Solutia Trenton Plant, Trenton Plant, Trenton Trenton Solutia Plant, Trenton Solutia Plant, Trenton Solutia Plant, Trenton

Some former industrial riverfront property has become vacant or will soon do so. A number of these vacancies were mourned. Others are a relief from what residents think of as

“eyesores.” Some sites have uses in mind,

while others lie in wait for what their future

use is to be.

Vacant Industrial Land Vacant Vacant Vacant Industrial Vacant Industrial Industrial Land Industrial Land Land Land Vacant Industrial Land Detroit River Detroit River Detroit Detroit Detroit River River River Vacant Industrial Land Detroit River Detroit River De-Industrialization and Diversification

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Vacant Industrial Land (selected sites) 1999 1

Parcels within the Delray neighborhood.

2

Arkema chemical plant

3

McLouth steel plant, which closed 1995

4

Solutia chemical plant

Image Source: Google Earth De-Industrialization and Diversification

2020 1

Vacant land cleared Gordie Howe Bridge Current owner(s): MDOT

2

Vacant land, Arkema closed in 2008 Current owner(s): Arkema

3

Now demolished McLouth steel site Current owner(s): DSC Holdings (Matty Moroun)

4

Demolished Solutia plant, recent closure on left side Current owner(s): Solutia

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Parks on Formerly Industrial Sites Detroit Detroit Detroit Riverwalk Detroit Riverwalk Riverwalk Expansion, Riverwalk Expansion, Expansion, Detroit Expansion, Detroit Detroit Detroit Detroit Riverwalk Expansion, Detroit Detroit Riverwalk Expansion, Detroit

Detroit Riverwalk Expansion, Detroit

Milliken Milliken Milliken State Milliken State Park, State Park, Detroit State Park, Detroit Park, Detroit Detroit Milliken State Park, Detroit Milliken State Park, Detroit Milliken State Park, Detroit

West Riverfront West Riverfront West Riverfront Park, Riverfront Park, Detroit Park, Detroit Park, Detroit Detroit WestWest Riverfront Park, Detroit West Riverfront Park, Detroit West Riverfront Park, Detroit

BASF Riverfront BASF Riverfront BASF Riverfront Park, Riverfront Park, Detroit Park, Detroit Park, Detroit Detroit BASFBASF Riverfront Park, Detroit BASF Riverfront Park, Detroit BASF Riverfront Park, Detroit

Detroit Detroit Detroit River River Int’l River Wildlife Int’l River Int’l Wildlife Wildlife Refuge, Int’lGibraltar Wildlife Refuge, Refuge, Gibraltar Refuge, Gibraltar Gibraltar Gibraltar Detroit River Int’l Detroit Wildlife Refuge, Detroit River Int’l Wildlife Refuge, Gibraltar Detroit River Int’l Wildlife Refuge, Gibraltar

There is a trend to see the Detroit River’s edge as a “linear liquid amenity.” Some of the parks represent a public opening of the riverfront to communities. Others also double as an

ecological restoration. While many are planned

by their respective communities, some are

aided by specific people or industries.

Parks on Parks Industrial on Parks on Industrial Industrial on Sites Industrial Sites SitesSites Parks onParks Industrial Sites Parks on Industrial Sites Detroit Detroit Detroit River Detroit River River River Detroit Parks onRiver Industrial Sites Detroit River Detroit River De-Industrialization and Diversification

1

2 3

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5

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Selected sites to become parks 1999 1

Vacant site of former Uniroyal factory.

2

Cemex-Medusa, Lafarge and Holnam Detroit River silos

3

Detroit Free Press Printing Plant

4

A newly-opened BASF Riverfront Park and Wyandotte golf course

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Former Chrysler manufacturing plant, closed in 1990 Image Source: Google Earth De-Industrialization and Diversification

2020 1

Planned Riverwalk expansion Current owner(s): City of Detroit

2

Milliken State Park Current owner(s): Michigan DNR

3

West Riverfront Park, currently under development Current owner(s): Michigan DNR

4

The site today Current Owner(s): City of Wyandotte

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Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Current owner(s): U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services 61

Industry and Infrastructure Investment

Fiat-Chrysler Fiat-Chrysler Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) Plant Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) Plant Expansion, (FCA) Plant Expansion, (FCA) Plant Expansion, Detroit Plant Expansion, Detroit Expansion, Detroit Detroit Detroit Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) Plant Expansion, Detroit

Revere Revere Dock’s Revere Dock’s New Revere Dock’s Revere New Seawall Dock’s New Seawall Dock’s New Seawall New Seawall Seawall Revere Dock’s New Seawall

Gordie Gordie Howe Gordie Howe Bridge Gordie Howe Bridge Gordie Expansion, Howe Bridge Expansion, Howe Bridge Expansion, Detroit Bridge Expansion, Detroit Expansion, Detroit Detroit Detroit Gordie Howe Bridge Expansion, Detroit

New New Lafarge New Lafarge Silos, New Lafarge Silos, Detroit New Lafarge Silos, Detroit Lafarge Silos, Detroit Silos, Detroit Detroit

New Lafarge Silos, Detroit

BASFBASF PlantBASF Plant Expansion, BASF Plant Expansion, BASF Plant Expansion, Wyandotte Plant Expansion, Wyandotte Expansion, Wyandotte Wyandotte Wyandotte BASF Plant Expansion, Wyandotte

Though some industries have closed and are giving way to other uses, it would be wrong to assume that the “working riverfront” is totally disappearing. In fact, there are multiple expansions happening right now

either in expanding industry or expanding the infrastructure to handle it.

L

L L L L

Industry Industry Industry andIndustry and Infrastructure Industry and Infrastructure and Infrastructure and Infrastructure Infrastructure Investment Investment Investment Investment Investment Industry and Infrastructure Detroit Detroit River Detroit River Detroit RiverRiver Detroit River Investment Detroit River De-Industrialization and Diversification

1

2 3

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5

L

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Sites to expand industrial uses 1999 1

DTE Conner Creek Power Generation Station

2

Revere Dock/Detroit Bulk Storage site

3

DTE-owned land

4

Fallow industrial land

5

BASF plant in Wyandotte Image Source: Google Earth De-Industrialization and Diversification

2020 1

Land cleared for FCA plant expansion Current owner(s): FCA

2

The same site today, pending seawall improvements Current owner(s): Revere Dock/Detroit Bulk Storage

3

Planned landing for Gordie Howe Bridge Current owner(s): MDOT

4

New shipping silos for Lafarge Current owner(s): Lafarge Midwest Inc

5

BASF plant today, expansion on upper right Current owner(s): BASF 65

Alternative Visions

East Riverfront, Detroit East Riverfront, East Riverfront, East Riverfront, Detroit East Riverfront, Detroit Detroit Detroit East Riverfront, Detroit East Riverfront, Detroit

U.S. Steel Site, Ecorse/River Rouge Ecorse/River Rouge U.S. Steel U.S. Site, Steel U.S.Ecorse/River Steel Site, U.S. Ecorse/River Steel Site, Ecorse/River Site, Rouge Ecorse/River Rouge Rouge Rouge U.S. Steel Site, Ecorse/River Rouge U.S. Steel Site, Ecorse/River Rouge

McLouth Steel Site, Trenton Trenton McLouth McLouth Steel McLouth Site, Steel McLouth Trenton Steel Site, Trenton Steel Site, Trenton Site, Trenton McLouth Steel Site, Trenton McLouth Steel Site, Trenton

DTE Trenton Power Plant, Trenton Plant, Trenton DTE Trenton DTE Trenton DTE Power Trenton DTE Power Plant, Trenton Power Plant, Trenton Power Plant, Trenton Plant, Trenton Trenton DTE Trenton Power Plant, Trenton

DTE Trenton Power Plant, Trenton

Some areas of the Detroit River break the mold of parks or industry or fallow industrial land. In certain stretches along the river, communities are coming together to think about ways in which they can create a new relationship to the river. Many may introduce new elements,

such as mixed-use developments, to the river’s

edge.

Alternative Alternative Alternative Visions Alternative Visions Visions Visions Visions Alternative Visions Alternative Visions Detroit Detroit River Detroit River Detroit RiverRiver Detroit River Alternative Detroit River Visions Detroit River De-Industrialization and Diversification

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4

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Sites Future Alternate Visions 1999 1

Detroit East Riverfront neighborhood area

2

Part of current U.S. Steel complex in Ecorse

3

Aerial of the vacant McLouth steel site

4

Trenton Channel Power Plant site Image Source: Google Earth De-Industrialization and Diversification

2020 1

Future plans for envisioning the district Current owner(s): US Steel Image Source: Skidmore Owings Merrill

2

Future mixed-use vision by Ecorse and River Rouge Image Source: Model D Media

3

Partially demolished McLouth site as it stands today Current owner(s): DSC Holdings (Matty Moroun) Image Source: Detroitnews.com

4

Trenton Channel Power Plant as it stands today Current owner(s): DTE Image Source: Wikimedia Commons 69

05 Confluence

Conner Creek

Ecorse River

Confluence

Four Detroit River Confluences exemplify different edge conditions introduced earlier in the project. These are specific cross sections along the Detroit River where transitions overlap spatially and temporally to represent past and present and trace evolving visions of the future.

At the end of this section, we include links to the interactive mapping components and the Confluence Survey.

River Rouge

Trenton Channel

71

Four River Confluences Conner Creek

River Rouge

Ecorse River

Trenton Channel

Confluence

73

Conner Creek

Confluence

Conner Creek was one of the first “natural” confluences of the Detroit River on its journey from Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie. Today, this confluence is anything but natural. The creek was channelized and put underground in the 1920s, as environmental conditions worsened with industrial development on the area. Conner Street today roughly approximates its historical path. By 2005, the Detroit Water and Sewage Department built the Conner Creek CSO facility in an attempt to control the large volumes of untreated waste water released by the outfal located at the site. This underground facility is critical increasing capacity in the regional sewage system at the intersection of two major intersectors.

While Conner Creek still exists underground today, changes at its confluence are happening. First, environmental improvements as a result of the new CSO has meant that wildlife is returning to the area. This has been bolstered by the Conner Creek Greenway, which is aiming to create a multi-use greenway alongside Conner Creek’s former path. In contrast, industry near the confluence continues to maintain a foothold, as Conner Creek DTE Station was recently demolished for an expansion of Fiat-Chrysler’s Plant in the Conner Creek industrial area. At the same time, luxury housing in exclusive gated communities and the close proximity to Belle Isle complete the mix of uses in the area.

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Conners Creek

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1961

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1997 Confluence

1840’s

1870 1873

1900’s

1915

1920’s

Previously called Twobley’s Creek, and Riviere du rand Marais “River of the Great Marsh” Named “Conner’s Creek” in honor of local landowner Henry Conner.

Gradually changing landscape as Marsh was drained and sold as lots for farming and settlement by Frontier’s man Colonel Philetus Norris.

Colonel Philetus Norris establishes the village of Norris between the forks of the Conner Creek near Nevada and Mt. Elliot.

Construction of Mills along the creek.

Removal of forests to make land for farming; ribbon farms dominate the landscape along the creek & Detroit river for easy access to water.

Old Indian trails & Village plank roads give way to railroads and other new infrastructure.

Detroit terminal road is constructed parallel to the creek and attracts industries like Detroit Edison, Chrysler Hudson Motor car, Continental motors.

Parkway is designed to alleviate damage from flooding when creek overflowed its containment.

Detroit City draws a plan to line Conner’s creek with parkland but it was not implemented.

Instead, the creek is almost entirely buried to make land for industrial uses.

For Instance; Daimler Chrysler Jefferson Avenue plant and other facilities are located over the creek.

Belle Isle becomes a centralized parkland; mimicking New York’s Central Park designation.

1927 Instead, the creek is almost entirely buried to make land for industrial uses.

Belle Isle becomes a centralized parkland; mimicking New York’s Central Park designation.

1980’s

2000’s

Decline of Detroit’s automobile industry; consequential decline in population resulting in abandoned sites, especially industrial sites.

City agents and organizations design urban renewal plans and make efforts to reclaim abandoned sites such as rail lines, stream beds into green parks and greenways.

Detroit East-side Community Collaborative launches the 4.5m long Conner’s Creek Green way for biking and walking.

Kadinsky, Sergey. “Conner Creek, Detroit.” Hidden Waters Blog, 14 June 2016, hiddenwatersblog. wordpress.com/2016/06/14/conner-creek-detroit/.

DECC. History of Conner Creek, connercreekgreenway.org/history/.

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01 Conner Creek Map

02 Conner Creek along cemetery

03 FCA Engine Plant

Industry & Infrastructure investment Vacant Industrial Parcels Industrial Parcels River Detroit

Confluence

79

River Rouge

Confluence

At this confluence, River Rouge empties into the Detroit River marking the city limits of Detroit with Ecorse. Opposed to being largely buried like Conner Creek, River Rouge was instead harnessed for industrial an infrastructural purposes. The industries along the banks of the river sought to meet their needs of water consumption and access transportation. At the centerpiece of this confluence is the infamous Zug Island, home to one of the largest steel plants in the Detroit Region. Part of a marshy peninsula, the River Rouge Improvement Company built the “Short Cut Canal” in 1888, and Henry Ford enlarged it in the 1920s to ensure shipping access to its plant. This confluence also houses the DTE River Rouge Powerplant, the DWSD Waste Water Treatment Plant, as well as the USS Hot Strip Mill steel manufacturing. Though the LaFarge silos constituted new industry expansion in the mid-2000s, most of the industry here has been holding the status quo in recent decades.

However, dark clouds lie on the horizon for this industrial confluence: U.S. Steel plans to stop Zug Island operations indefinitely, while DTE has committed to taking its River Rouge plant offline in 2022.

The future vision for the area is in the making and signals more infrastructure for the site, this time to enable global trade. The Gordie Howe International Bridge is currently under construction, and will cross the river and enter the U.S. near the confluence. In the process, the area has been cleared of numerous buildings, a large amount of which was former industrial land, to make way for the bridge and its customs facilities. It will give rise to a third confluence here--though this one is made of concrete.

81

River Rouge

1949

1952

1981

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1899

Previously a part of the Ecorse Township; River Rouge is incorporated as a village in 1899.

The name “River Rouge” comes from “Red RIver” in French,

by Frenchman Lt. Antoine de la Monthe Cadillac.

The Rouge River itself was first influenced by human activity in the late 1800’s when a dredging project was undertaken for navigation.

1915

Henry Ford acquires 2000-acre stretch of bottom land along the Rouge River. He initially planned to make it a large bird sanctuary but left it unused for a long time.

1917

Henry Ford begins to build boats on the Rouge site; an assignment given at the end of the World World I by the United States forces to hunt down German submarines.

Ford widens the Rouge River substantially; enabling Ore boats to travel up the river. The ore shipped to the city was brought to factories that lined the river’s banks.

1922

River Rouge becomes incorporated as a city to avoid being annexed by the city of Detroit. Detroit immediately claims land on the West side of the River Rouge.

1950

River Rouge population peaked due to industrial boom.

More factories populated the banks of the river.

These factories released a lot of toxic fumes and oil leaks into the river, causing a great pollution.

Consequentially, the wildlife biodiversity declines.

1965

The Dearborn Guide named the Rouge River waterway the state’s most polluted river.”

1969

River Rouge burns.

A construction worker accidentally dropped a torch in the river, this ignited the 3000 gallons of oil accidentally spilled by the Shell oil company refinery.

This news did not get enough attention, until the Cuhayoga fire years later.

1972

Landmark bills like the Clean Water and the Clean Air act made their way through congress, activists and government officials charged with cleaning up the environment tackled the sources of pollution.

1980

The population of the city of River Rouge peaks.

1986

Friends of the Rouge River founded.

1992

Rouge River clean up programs begin

1992

A cooperative effort between agencies at the federal, state and local level created the Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project.

This project attempted to crack the code of what it would take to clean up the Rouge River.

2000’s

Evidence of return of extinct wildlife species such as beavers and endangered species of fishes.

Charter Cointy of Wayne. River Rouge, www.waynecounty.com/departments/econdev/river-rouge.aspx.

Warnes, Kathy. “River Rouge in the News - 1949.” MEANDERING MICHIGAN HISTORY, meanderingmichiganhistory.weebly.com/river-rouge-in-the-news---1949.html.

Nissen, Jack. “In 1969 the Rouge River Burned. 50 Years and More than a Billion Dollars Later, Life Has Returned to the Water.” FOX 2 Detroit, 8 Oct. 2019, www.fox2detroit.com/news/ 83

01 Springswell Earthwork

02 Delray 1904 Map

03 Solvay Process company

04 Great Mound of River Rouge

05 St John Cantius, 1910

06 Delray Businesses

Parks Industry & Infrastructure investment Vacant Industrial Parcels Industrial Parcels River Detroit

Confluence

85

Ecorse River

Confluence

The Ecorse River empties into the Detroit River at the aptly-named town of Ecorse. Compared to other confluences along the river, land uses have always been more heterogeneous here--a mix of parkland, houses, pleasure marinas, and industry have all co-existed in Ecorse for decades. Even the large BASF plant at Wyandotte nearby has itself actually contributed to the heterogeneity of the river’s edge by donating part of its own site as riverfront parkland in 1995. The Ecorse River is unique compared to other confluences in this way, as despite some alterations and channelization, most of its banks from its start up to the confluence are composed of parkland or the backyards of houses rather than heavy industries.

This interesting balance continues into the future visions at the confluence. At the Creek Site along Ecorse Creek, what was once a steel plant (by virtue of the water) is being marketed again for industrial use. However, the focus now is on logistics and light industrial--with the Gordie Howe and River cited as proximate and valuable resources. This new industry is not synonymous with pollution, however, the re-development also includes cleaning up the Ecorse Creek. Meanwhile, further up the Detroit River, Ecorse and its sister city River Rouge are planning to create a brand-new mixed use town center on the old U.S. Steel industrial site. The Ecorse confluence exemplifies how a diverse array of Detroit River edges have co-existed and it is charting some potential lessons in the future of a heterogeneous waterfront.

87

Ecorse River

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1961

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1818

The arrival of English Settlers. The name Ecorse, came from its location at the mouth of a little stream known to the French as Rivierre Aux Echorches, the river of bark. They called the stream river of bark because of the large number of birch trees growing along the banks.

1827

The Michigan Territorial Legislature created the Township of Ecorse. The Township contained 54 square miles of land running from the Detroit River to what is now Pelham Road.

It included Ecorse, River Rouge, Allen Park, Melvindale, Taylor, Lincoln Park, Wyandotte, and part of Detroit.

1834

Because of its rapid growth Ecorse township became the village of Grandport with the plot of the village laid out and recorded in 1836. It had 800 people, 152 homes, and 4 businesses. It was to become the hub of the neighboring sprawling farmlands and the site of a shipyard as well as Raupp’s Lumber Mill.

1902

Ecorse is incorporated as a village. The Village of Ecorse was once named Grandport and was part of the Province of Quebec. Grandport officially becomes Ecorse, even though it had been called Ecorse for generations.

1919

The passage of the unpopular Volstead Act of 1919, brought about an era of false prosperity that temporarily turned Ecorse into a boom town. The boat houses along the riverfront became the notorious “rum row”

1923

With the opening of its first steel mill, Michigan Steel Mill, Ecorse began to become an economic force in the region.

1929

Industrial development and resulting residential and commercial development grew steadily from 1929 and reached a high point during WWII The construction of the Great Lakes Steel Corporation was begun. This was truly a herculean project, since the property on which it was to be erected was almost entirely swampland.

The land had to be drained, and thousands of piles had to be driven into the earth to form a foundation for this huge building project. The mill was completed in 1933.

1933

The Prohibition was repealed. This brought a close to this colorful and profitable era in Ecorse history. Yet, even during those “dark days,” Ecorse had been moving ahead and building for the future, as the economy greatly relied on the steel industry.

1941

Ecorse became incorporated as a city on September 15, 1941, and adopted a City Charter on January 27, 1942.

After becoming a city, the population became more cosmopolitan.

1980’s

The city’s economy went into decline along with the auto and steel industries, causing a decline in jobs and population.

Newton, Bethany. “Ecorse, Michigan.” Discover Downriver, 15 Oct. 2020, www.discoverdownriver.com/ ecorse-michigan/ecorse-michigan.

Cosbey, John Howard. “Mr. Cosbey’s History of Ecorse.” Ecorse Along the Detroit River, ecorsealongthedetroitriver.weebly.com/mr-cosbeys-history-of-ecorse.html.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Ecorse, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2011, www.britannica. com/place/Ecorse.

“Ecorse in the Past.” Ecorse Along the Detroit River, ecorsealongthedetroitriver.weebly.com/ecorse-in-thepast.html.

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01 Council Point

02 LeBlanc homestead

03 Michigan Steel

04 Salliotte and Raupp Sawmill

Regenerating Industrial Land Industry & Infrastructure investment Vacant Industrial Parcels Industrial Parcels River Detroit Confluence

91

Western Shore of the Trenton Channel

Confluence

Not all confluences along the Detroit River are natural. The western shores of the Trenton Channel are home to two confluences defining the man-made Slocum’s Island. Nameless, the canal is simply attributed as “the Detroit River” on maps and displays two main land uses along the shorelands: Elizabeth Park on the north, and the DTE Energy Trenton Channel Power Plant. This area south of the city of Trenton is primarily industrial, with a large Chrysler plant, the DTE power station, the Solutia Chemical plant, and others. The Trenton Channel has been dredged several times to increase access and transportation capacity and remains one of the most polluted sections along the Detroit River.

With all, this confluence better represents the changing nature of the riverfront, with the coexistence of industries closing and other modernizing operations, while more and more land is hosting recreational or environmental uses. The Chrysler plant has changed focus and production, investing millions to modernize the facilities.

The Solutia Plant, already partly closed in 2008, started the full shutdown process in 2020, and the DTE Plant is scheduled to close in the next couple of years. At the same time, Elizabeth Park has seen recent improvements and the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is consolidating in the south. Compared to other areas that call for parkland, this one is perhaps the most ambitious, turning acres of former industry into a restored marshland and taking the river’s edge back to the pre-industrial era. With so many components in flux, the edge of this confluence has yet to be charted.

93

Western Shore of Trenton Channel

1949

1961

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1816

Major Truax, a bounty land surveyor, arrived in 1816 from New York.

Truax required large tracts of land and built the first sawmill. This was the motivating force behind the town’s development.

1827

The district was designated the Township of Monguagon by proclamation of Gov. Lewis Cass.

On May 25 of the same year, the town was organized and called Truaxton for its founder, Abram Caleb Truax.

1829

The ‘Superior’, successor to the ‘Walk-In-The-Water’, began regular stops, new docks were built much later.

Other settlers had arrived, ship captains began to make Truaxton their home, and the docks presented a busy scene.

1830’s

Situated on the government road between Detroit and Toledo, Truaxton was the overnight stop for stage coaches.

However, the town lagged until navigation started on the lakes and river.

1835

Most of the residents were engaged in farming and lumbering.

Because of the strands of fine oak which surrounded the town, shipyards were established and shipbuilding became a large industry.

Later the town boasted a second sawmill, stave mills, and factories making plow handles, cheese boxes and cigar boxes.

1869

The American Champion, then the largest boat in the Great Lakes, was launched at the town’s shipyards.

For years the town’s activity centered around the river. Fishing was a profitable business and the livelihood of numbers.

1852

With the advent of the Lake Shore and Southern railroad in 1852, the town expanded back from the river’s edge. There was a great influx of new residents.

1860

The Canada Southern railroad entered the territory. Houses began to spring up, roundhouses, foundries, car shops, stations, taverns, stock yards and customs houses came into being.

1872

Detroit was connected with Buffalo with the completion of the rail line.

1924

The Trenton Channel Power Plant, a coal-burning power station in Trenton, opened on the shoreline of Detroit River in 1924, on the south side of Slocum Island. It is owned by Detroit Edison, a subsidiary of DTE Energy.

The power plant is scheduled to close by 2023, because DTE Energy is planning to change to natural gas and renewable energy power plants

1948

In 1948, McLouth Steel purchased riverfront land along Jefferson Avenue to begin building its second complex; McLouth Steel Trenton Plant.

McLouth underwent multiple bankruptcies and reorganizations in the 1980s and 1990s. McLouth ultimately shuttered for good in 1996, and with it, the Trenton Plant.

“‘Early History’ (1941).” Downriver History & Facts, www.downriverthings.com/early-history-1941.html.

“History of Trenton .” History of Trenton  | Trenton, MI, www.trentonmi.org/222/History-of-Trenton.

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01 Battle of Monguagon

02 Elizabeth Park

03 Trenton Power Plant

04 Slocum’s Island

Park Regenerating Industrial Land Vacant Industrial Parcels Industrial Parcels River Detroit Confluence

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Interactive Mapping Tool Link

Confluence

Confluence Survey Link

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06 Precedent Studies

Precedent Studies

Cuyahoga Railway River Valley

Menomenee River Valley

Connecticut Riverwalk 101

“For decades, the winding 100-mile Cuyahoga River was a slimy blot on Cleveland’s reputation and a national punchline. Forty-nine years later, the June 22, 1969 fire is seen as the spark for America’s environmental movement” At the time of the first Earth Day in 1970, the Cuyahoga River had long been a pollution problem. Cleveland had been a major industrial city since the 1880s, and the mayor then called the river “an open sewer through the center of the city.”

But when the Cuyahoga River caught fire in Cleveland in 1969, many believe it became the symbol of out-ofcontrol pollution that was needed to get the Clean Water Act passed.

Image Source: The Allegheny Front Precedent Studies

Cuyahoga River Context 103

Although now the fire might represent Cleveland’s industrial past, in the 1970s it helped solidify Cleveland’s reputation as one of the nation’s most troubled cities, “identified with urban blight, white flight and decay of the river and Lake Erie,” Image Source: Cuyahoga.org

Precedent Studies

Cuyahoga River Industry 105

Precedent Studies

The Cuyahoga River has kept itself on history’s pages.

It has been a transportation route; a boundary; a birthplace for oil, rubber and modern steel industries; a power source; and a dumping place.

Although small in size, it became a national icon, starting with a famous fire in 1969. This galvanized the environmental movement and helped lead to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and passage of the Clean Water Act. Because of the Cuyahoga, rivers throughout the nation are better monitored and protected.

The 100-mile Cuyahoga River flows both south and north before emptying into Lake Erie at Cleveland, Ohio. This is a scant 30 miles west of its headwaters.

Today the river drains 813 square miles of land in portions of six counties.

Image Source: National park service

Cuyahoga River Journey 107

On June 22, 1969 the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio was set ablaze as sparks from a passing train ignited oilcovered debris in the river. Although it was not the first fire on the river, it set itself apart by gaining the nation’s attention and 50 years later, the Cuyahoga made a new name for itself as Ohio’s 13th designated water trail, marking just how far restoration of the river has come.

The river has not always been safe for recreation. Today, with 50 years of grassroots clean-up, federal enforcement, changes to municipal policies, nonprofit leadership and community advocacy, the river has become a prized natural resource, as well as a recreational and economic asset to the communities along the river corridor.

The ongoing cleanup process has been long and arduous.

Locals involved have modeled the hard work necessary for successful river restoration, making the Cuyahoga River a community treasure.

Image Source: Cleveland News Precedent Studies

Cuyahoga revival 109

The Menomonee River Valley Constitutes land on either side of the Menomonee River in Milwaukee. The area was one of the major industrial areas of the city, and the river was changed completely from its natural state. As in much of the rustbelt, the area began to decline and was seen as an ugly spot in Milwaukee through the late 1980s. Starting under Mayor Norquist in the 1990s, the area was re-developed to include both newer, revamped industry, new development, natural restoration, and recreation facilities.

The juxtaposition between the re-uses a fascinating case study of the multiple approaches that can be taken to reimagine an older industrial waterway. A couple of these re-uses that mirror the Detroit River are showcased here, looking at parks, industrial expansion, industrial vacancy, and alternative visions. Furthermore, any best practices here could be easily applied to Detroit given the cities’ similarities in climate, industrial histories, and socioeconomic factors.

Image Source: TheValleyMKE

Precedent Studies

Menomonee River and Detroit River Comparisons Width and Length: Menomonee River: 33 miles long, approx. 250 ft. at widest point Detroit River: 28 miles long, approx. 10,500 ft. at its widest point Commonalities: Both rivers are post-industrial rivers Both are going through developments along their shores, although the Menomonee is further along Differences: The industrial landscape is only part of the Menomonee’s length, but all of the Detroit’s length The Menomonee River has its own booster organization and is mostly located in one city, whereas the Detroit River crosses multiple jurisdictions

Menomonee River Valley 111

Industry to Parks Case Study: Three Bridges Park Three Bridges Park is an example of how former industrial land became parkland. Originally part of the Milwaukee Road yards, the plot of land was then abandoned with industry shrinkage, and remained fallow up until the mid-2000s. The park opened in 2013 as the largest city-owned park. Today, it hosts an ecology center and forms part of a larger greenway network along the Menomonee River.

Three Bridges Park as it existed in 2009:

Image Source; Google Maps

Three Bridges Park today:

Image Source: TheValleyMKE

Precedent Studies

Industrial Expansion Case Study: Menomonee Valley Industrial Center Just because the Menomonee Valley exhibits industrial decay doesn’t mean that industry doesn’t have a place here.

The Menomonee Valley Industrial Center resulted from a master plan by Wenk Architecture Landscape and Planning on former railroad shops. The city acquired the property in 2003, and following remediation efforts, over the following decade and a half 60 acres of new industrial land and new public parks were created on the the site.

Menomonee Valley Industrial Center site as it existed in 1999:

Images Source: TheValleyMKE

Menomonee Valley Industrial Center today:

Menomonee River Valley 113

Industrial Vacant Land: Marketing Mechanism

Downtown Milw

Miller Stadium While there are multiple vacant lands in Menomonee Valley, one of the most interesting approaches worth documenting has been the marketing towards this land. TheValleyMKE, the website for the Menomonee Valley, actively categories and Miller Stadium promotes the utiliziation of vacant former industrial land.

It’s worth noting it uses this method not just with industrial Walker’s Poin vacant land, but with older industrial properties too.

Three Bridges Park

Three Bridges Park

Harley Davidson Museum

Menomonee Valley Industrial Park

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Three Bridges Park

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Alternative Visions: Harley Davidson Museum The Harley Davidson Museum is an example of how alternative visions can become reality on former industrial land. The land the museum sits was used by the City of Milwaukee Department of Public works for storage, as well as by Morton Salt. Construction of the museum started on this piece of property in 2006, and finished in 2008. However, it wasn’t an easy endeavour environmentally, as the construction actually required major soil remediation efforts.

Harley Davison Museum:

Image Source: TheValleyMKE

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Menomonee River Valley 115

The City of Springfield, Massachusetts was established on the Connecticut River for trading and also as a port for fur-collection. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the city experienced an industrial boom.

However, in the mid-19th century Springfield became constsently flooded and also experienced a decline in industry. These resulted in a population decline and urban sprawl as people migrated away from the city to the surburbs.

Consequently, in recent times the city had been cut off from the river by flood control dikes, railroad tracks, Route 5 and Interstate 91. The Connecticut River Walk & Bike-way was conceived to revitalize the Connecticut Riverfront, restoring it as a focus of life in the region.

5. Rasal , Sneha. “Reconnecting the City with the Riverfront to Revitilaise the Socio-economic conditions of Springfield, MA.” University of Massachusetts Amherst, Https://Scholarworks.umass. edu/,2020.

Image source: John Phellan Photography Precedent Studies

Connecticut River Walk Project 117

Precedent Studies

The first sections of the Connecticut River Walk and Bike-way, a 3.7 mile segment in Springfield and a 1.7 mile segment in Agawam, are currently open to the public.

For most of the length of the proposed 20-mile corridor, the River Walk runs adjacent to the banks of the Connecticut River, passing through a continuous greenbelt and offering majestic river views. The land is publicly-owned municipal flood control land.

Phase 1- River Walk Segments Now Open • Springfield – 3.7 miles, from the South End Bridge north to Plainfield Street in Chicopee; passes the Basketball Hall of Fame and Riverfront Park; • Agawam – 1.7 miles from Borgatti Park north to School Street, running between the riverbank and River Road; Phase 2- River Walk Segments Under Design • Chicopee – 4.9 miles; the I-391 corridor brings the route north from Plainfield Street to Chicopee downtown; • West Springfield Riverwalk – 2.0 miles in a loop around Riverdale Shops; • Agawam Bikelane Loop – 3.3 miles linking the Connecticut River Walk to the town center, via Main Street and School Street; • Chicopee Riverwalk – 2.1 miles along the Chicopee River, from City Hall to Chicopee Falls; • Holyoke Canalwalk – 2.0 miles along the First Level and Second Level Canals in downtown Holyoke.

Image source: Springfield-ma.gov 119

The Connecticut River Walk and Bike-way was designed to enhance the experience of riverfront recreation which is safe and accessible to everyone. In the participating communities, it serves a population of about 280,000 residents.

The development goals are reducing auto traffic and emissions by offering opportunities to walk and bike to work; stimulating riverfront revitalization in downtown Springfield and other areas, attracting tourist facilities, restaurants, shops and museums; providing much needed outlets for recreation in densely urban and suburban areas; serving as the foundation for a Connecticut River greenbelt linking new riverfront parks, attractions, recreational facilities and wildlife sanctuaries being planned concurrently with the River Walk.

The programs include paved paths for strolling, jogging, bicycling and roller blading; scenic overlooks and nature trails; urban promenades with benches and picnic areas; safety and security features such as bicycle-mounted police patrols.

Image source: Springfield-ma.gov Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway. 2008, www.pvpc.org/sites/default/files/ct_rivwalk.pdf Precedent Studies

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Image source: THE collaborative.com Precedent Studies

Detroit River and Connecticut River comparisons Length Detroit river- 28 miles long Connecticut river -20 miles long Commonalities They are both post-Industrial rivers; they are both undergoing development along the waterfront including riverwalk projects.

Differences Detroit river revival efforts are focused on tackling postindutrial pollution issues while the Connecticut river walk is much more focused on reuniting the cty with the river after the sharp demarcations caused by previous flooding issues in the mid-19th century.

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Sources - Smardz Frost, Karolyn, Tucker, Veta Smith, and Blight, David W. “A Fluid Frontier : Slavery, Resistance, and the Underground Railroad in the Detroit River Borderland.” Book. Great Lakes Books. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2016.

- Corner, James, and Hirsch, Alison Bick. “The Landscape Imagination Collected Essays of James Corner, 1990-2010.” Book. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2014.

- Cosbey, John Howard. “Mr. Cosbey’s History of Ecorse.” Ecorse Along the Detroit River, ecorsealongthedetroitriver.weebly.com/mr-cosbeys-historyof-ecorse.html.

- Desimini, Jill, and Waldheim, Charles, eds. “Cartographic Grounds : Projecting the Landscape Imaginary.” Book. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2016.

- Bodenhamer, David J., Corrigan, John, and Harris, Trevor M. “Deep Maps and Spatial Narratives.” Book. The Spatial Humanities. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2015.

- Cosgrove, Denis E. “Geography and Vision : Seeing, Imagining and Representing the World.” Book. International Library of Human Geography ; v. 12. London ; New York : New York: I.B. Tauris ; In the United States of America and Canada distributed by Palgrave Macmillan, 2008.

- Kadinsky, Sergey. “Conner Creek, Detroit.” Hidden Waters Blog, 14 June 2016, hiddenwatersblog.wordpress.com/2016/06/14/conner-creek-detroit/.

- Karolyn. “Foreward.” A Fluid Frontier: Slavery, Resistance, and the Underground Railroad in the Detroit River Borderland, edited by Et al, Wayne State University Press, 2016.

- Newton, Bethany. “Ecorse, Michigan.” Discover Downriver, 15 Oct. 2020, www.discoverdownriver.com/ecorse-michigan/ecorse-michigan.

- Nissen, Jack. “In 1969 the Rouge River Burned. 50 Years and More than a Billion Dollars Later, Life Has Returned to the Water.” FOX 2 Detroit, 8 Oct. 2019, www.fox2detroit.com/news/ - Nolan, Jenny. “How the Detroit River Shaped Lives and History - Michigan History - The Detroit News.” Michigan History, 29 Oct. 2014, blogs. detroitnews.com/history/1997/02/10/how-the-detroit- Rasal , Sneha. “Reconnecting the City with the Riverfront to Revitilaise the Socio-economic conditions of Springfield, MA.” University of Massachusetts Amherst, Https://Scholarworks.umass.edu/, 2020.

- Surgrue, Thomas. “From Motor City to Motor Metropolis: How the Automobile Industry Reshaped Urban America.” From Motor City to Motor Metropolis: Becoming the Motor City, 2004, www.autolife.umd. umich.edu/Race/R_Overview/R_Overview1.htm#popsugrue.

- Warnes, Kathy. “River Rouge in the News - 1949.” MEANDERING MICHIGAN HISTORY, meanderingmichiganhistory.weebly.com/river-rougein-the-news---1949.html.

- Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway. 2008, www.pvpc.org/sites/default/ files/ct_rivwalk.pdf.

- Charter Cointy of Wayne. River Rouge, www.waynecounty.com/ departments/econdev/river-rouge.aspx.

- DECC. History of Conner Creek, connercreekgreenway.org/history/.

- “Ecorse in the Past.” Ecorse Along the Detroit River, ecorsealongthedetroitriver.weebly.com/ecorse-in-the-past.html.

- “‘Early History’ (1941).” Downriver History & Facts, www. downriverthings.com/early-history-1941.html.

- “History of Trenton .” History of Trenton  | Trenton, MI, www.trentonmi.org/222/History-of-Trenton.

- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Ecorse, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2011, www.britannica.com/place/Ecorse.

Precedent Studies

Image References Pg 4-5. Detroit Institute of Arts https://www.dia.org/art/collection/object/detroit-industry-north-wall-58538 Pg 6-7. Detroit Historical Society https://detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com/bysearchterm?keyword=Riverfront&page=4 Page 18-27. Detroit River scenes through the years https://www.detroitnews.com/picture-gallery/news/local/michigan-history/2015/07/23/detroit-river-scenes-through-the-years/30156473/ Pg 30-31. Atlas Obscura https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/detroit-salt-mine Pg 32-33. Library of congress https://www.loc.gov/search/?in=&q=detroit+river&new=true&st= https://journal.classiccars.com/2018/09/22/the-building-of-legend-fords-piquette-avenueplant/ Pg 40-41. Library of congress https://www.loc.gov/search/?in=&q=detroit+river&new=true&st= Pg 42-43. Library of congress https://www.loc.gov/search/?in=&q=detroit+river&new=true&st= Pg 50. CBS Local, Detroit Pg 42 Lincolnmullen.com Pg 54, 58, 62, 66. Newspaper clips Curbed Detroit Detroit Free Press Model D Media News-Herald Skidmore Owings Merrill The Detroit News Trenton Tribune Pg 69 Images Skidmore Owings Merrill Model D Media Detroitnews.com Wikimedia Commons Pg 78 Image 01-02, https://hiddenwatersblog.wordpress.com/2016/06/14/conner-creek-detroit/ Image 03, https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/messages/6790/25121.html?1227687351 Pg 84 Image 01, http://detroiturbanism.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-mound-builders.html Image 02, http://detroitchurchblog.blogspot.com/2017/10/st-john-cantius-parish-history-1902-2007.html Image 03, https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A240411 Image 04, http://detroiturbanism.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-mound-builders.html Image 05, http://detroitchurchblog.blogspot.com/2017/10/st-john-cantius-parish-history-1902-2007.html Image 06, https://detroit.curbed.com/2018/5/3/17314922/the-origins-demise-delray Page 90 Image 01 https://www.lphistorical.org/earlyhistory.html Image 02 https://www.lphistorical.org/leblanc.html Image 03 https://www.nailhed.com/2015/03/the-riddle-of-steel.html Image 04 https://ecorsealongthedetroitriver.weebly.com/uploads/1/2/9/3/12938817/chapter3ecorse2.pdf Page 96 https://www.thenewsherald.com/downriverlife/trenton-authors-elizabeth-park-celebrates-100th-anniversary-in-photos/article6b2da182-db45-11e9-9f8c-ebb456b02e79.html Pg 102-103.

The Allegheny Front https://www.alleghenyfront.org/how-a-burning-river-helped-createthe-clean-water-act/ Pg 104-105. http://cuyahogariver.org/the-cuyahoga.html Pg 106. https://www.nps.gov/articles/cuva-valley-railway-cultural-landscape.htm Pg 108-109. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2019/02/four-day-xtinguish-torch-fest-marks-50th-anniversary-of-cuyahoga-river-fire-along-100-miles-of-waterway.html Pg 110-111.

Google Maps, TheValleyMKE Pg 112-115.

TheValleyMKE, Wikimedia Commons Pg 118: Springfield-ma.gov Pg 122-123.

Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway. www.pvpc.org/sites/default/files/ct_rivwalk.pdf

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