Jan 30, 2023 - News

Motor City Transit: Paying for the Joe Louis Greenway

A Joe Louis Greenway ribbon cutting in October.

A Joe Louis Greenway ribbon cutting in October. Photo: City of Detroit/Flickr

A new public-private partnership is forming to raise money for the Joe Louis Greenway's construction and future operation.

Why it matters: Of the $200 million needed to finish the 27.5-mile recreational pathway, $150 million has already been earmarked or obtained.

  • The partnership will help raise the rest.

By the numbers: New documents show the greenway's funding needs, including:

  • $6.5 million: Annual costs to operate and maintain the completed greenway.
  • At least $100 million: Size of an endowment that will collect money for the greenway and surrounding public green spaces.
  • The city would contribute up to $6 million annually to the endowment.

State of play: The partnership, if approved by City Council, involves three entities — the city and two nonprofits: the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and the Joe Louis Greenway Partnership.  The latter is a new nonprofit chaired by Mayor Mike Duggan’s former chief of staff Alexis Wiley.

What we're watching: How will the partnership — headed by two nonprofits not subject to the Freedom of Information Act — affect the project's transparency?

avatar

Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Detroit.

🌱

Support local journalism by becoming a member.

Learn more

More Detroit stories

No stories could be found

Detroitpostcard

Get a free daily digest of the most important news in your backyard with Axios Detroit.

🌱

Support local journalism by becoming a member.

Learn more