This was on the local news this morning— according to a USA Today reader’s choice poll. I was surprised to hear it- the best river walk in the entire country?
I’m all the more surprised because in my early 20s I worked in the Renaissance Center, that steel and glass monstrosity on the Detroit River, and at that time there were nothing but parking lots right up against the river. I thought then, what a stupid waste of real estate! So I’m gladdened that the city did finally come to their senses and create the riverwalk. Though more than a bit skeptical that it’s the best in the entire country.
Well technically the Detroit River is not a river since it connects two of the great lakes, so its actually the straights.
They tore down or restored a lot of the older stuff that was down there (including the Joe) and have invested heavily in downtown in general. Much nicer (and safer) than it was when I moved here 20 years ago. I think they got the award based upon effort. I still think San Antonio beats it out for style and charm, but it is very nice. Way to go D!
Huron and Erie are not (quite) at the same elevation, which makes ‘straits’ a little problematic. The Detroit also has a high volume one-way flow, which seems rather more river-like than strait-like. Course detroit is French for strait, so what do I know?
Basically any city with a river running through it, i.e. most cities East of the Mississippi and many in the Southwest with artificial or enhanced rivers (Phoenix) have a riverwalk-type area. It is pretty much the easiest and most visible form of urban renewal and downtown revitalization (for cities built around their river system).
You can take it but sooner or later it is going to be underwater regardless of the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project.
So are you Detroit haters just going “Detroit sucks hyuk-hyuk-hyuk” because you believe that’s what people do, or do you actually have first hand knowledge from within the past two years that you don’t like Detroit?
