DETROIT -- The eastern portion of Detroit's riverfront will get 8 acres of new park space and two pedestrian and bike paths under a plan revealed in a public meeting Wednesday night.
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy announced plans for two Dequindre Cut-style greenways to connect more neighborhoods to the riverwalk, and a new urban beach.
"We want it to be a world class gathering place," said Mark Wallace, CEO of the conservancy.
The first of the two new non-motor paths to run north from the river is the Joseph Campau Greenway, which would stretch from the riverfront to Vernor Highway, and the second is the Beltline Greenway, between Bellevue and Beaufait Streets, which will connect Kercheval Street to the river.
New parks and green space for the public are envisioned for three sites south of Atwater Street along the river, adding nearly 8 acres of park space to the east riverfront.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will also expand the Milliken State Park & Harbor between Chene Park and the harbor.
Atwater Beach, an urban beach resembling Sugar Beach in Toronto with sand, lounge chairs, an interactive zone for children and bar-type service with food and beverage is also expected to be completed by 2018.
"The riverfront belongs to all Detroiters," said Maurice D. Cox, director of the City of Detroit Planning & Development Department.
"Thanks to the involvement of hundreds of residents, we have principles that frame an international riverfront that can be accessed and enjoyed by all."
A portion of Jefferson Avenue, between Rivard Street and East Grand Boulevard, is also expected to undergo a transformation within the next few years to include protected bike lanes, buffers for pedestrians and a reduction of the total number of lanes.
"Sometimes it functions as nine lanes, it's really supposed to only be seven," Cox said. "We're thinking of bringing it down to five."
Jefferson Avenue will also see on-street parking and a pedestrian safe zone, or "enhanced crosswalks," Cox added.
In the last five years, Jefferson Avenue has seen 1,350 vehicle crashes, 39 pedestrian-vehicular incidents and nine fatalities in crashes, the city reports.
A significant portion of the riverfront district between Atwater Street and the Detroit River will remain free from development with parks and open green space, officials said.
"We are going to finish the riverfront promenade, that last stretch that corresponds to the Uniroyal site so people can go from Hart Plaza all the way to Belle Isle along the riverfront promenade," Cox said.
He said the plans are currently being designed and the funding is in place for a year-end groundbreaking.
The boundaries of the East Riverfront district are St. Antoine to the west, East Grand Boulevard to the east, Larned Street to the north and the Detroit River to the south.
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is also expected to break ground in 2017 on the Uniroyal Riverwalk from Mt. Elliot Park to the Belle Isle Bridge along the former Uniroyal site. The extension will connect to Gabriel Richard Park.
Additionally, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation issued a Request for Proposals on Wednesday for the deteriorating Stone Soap building at 1490 Franklin St., envisioning a mixed-use development to increase riverfront density.