Riverside Park deal with Morouns approved

The City Council finalized a land swap deal yesterday with owners of the Ambassador Bridge despite residents' concerns that it will harm the Hubbard Richard neighborhood.

Why it matters: The council's 6-3 approval finalizes a contentious deal that started eight years ago and tested the city's willingness to trust the powerful Moroun family, which owns the bridge.

State of play: Under the agreement, the city gets $2 million to fix up Riverside Park while the Morouns' Detroit International Bridge Co. receives nearly four acres of park land near the bridge.

• DIBC's Matthew Moroun said the land will be used as a buffer for the existing bridge and not to build a new span during yesterday's session.

Between the lines: Council President Pro Tem James Tate and members Gabriela Santiago-Romero and Latisha Johnson were the three no votes.

What's next: Moroun pledged to continue negotiating with residents to address their concerns about truck traffic and an expansion of the business into the neighborhood.

• The City Council will receive an update on that pledge in 30 days.