Shortcodes | Lower Town Riverfront Conservancy

Historic Context

• 1900 – 1950s – Operated as a coal gasification facility by Manfactured Gas Company and MichCon

• 2001 – DTE inherited site through their acquisition of MichCon

• Since 2001, DTE invested $6MM in environmental clean-up along the shoreline to eliminate off-site migration and is investing $2MM more to complete Industrial clean-up

• 2017 – DTE entered into Purchase Agreement with the Lower Town Riverfront Partners to acquire and develop site

• 2019 – Lower Town Riverfront Partners received approval for a Brownfield TIF that will complete environmental clean-up

The Commons

• Centerpiece of the 7 acre public space

• Large elliptical green space provides flexible setting for daily use – passive recreation activities as well as special events

• Easily accessible from River Street and from the riverfront trail

The Riverfront Trail

• Public access to approximately 1,200 feet of Huron River frontage, with three points of embarkation to the water

• A critical connection point to the City’s Treeline Trail, Washtenaw County’s Border to Border Trail system, as well as the State’s Iron Belle Trail

Pavilion, Ribbon and Footbridge

• 9,000 SF Pavilion serves as year-round community space and gathering facility

• Pavilion lawn supports concerts and other performances, arts and cultural events

• Ice ribbon and water feature activates open space all year long

• New footbridge facilitates community connectivity to Argo Cascades and riverfront trail

Broadway-Title-Still-View-from-Footbridge-of-Lawn-and-Commons

Additional Community Benefits

• Entire public space, including Riverfront Trail, is fully ADA accessible

• $2M contribution to the Ann Arbor Affordable Housing Fund or will provide up to 20 units of affordable housing on site

• Pavilion will provide a dedicated venue for community gatherings and cultural activities and performances

• Project dedicates half of its acreage for perpetual public access in the heart of Ann Arbor’s historically African American neighborhood

• On-site trail system completes link to provide access to all of Washtenaw County through Border 2 Border trail

• Creating 3 points of entry to the River in the heart of the City vastly expands public access to the waterfront for fishing, non-motorized boating, and educational pursuits

• Overall development will create over 300 above minimum wage jobs in hospitality, retail, and operations, all of which provide opportunities for continued career advancement