A new greenway on the east side was officially named after former mayor Dennis Archer on Wednesday. Running along Joseph Campau, the greenway is currently finished up to Robert Bradby Drive. Construction on the Mayor Dennis W. Archer Greenway will be completed by the end of the year, running 1.2 miles up to East Vernor Highway.
Construction started on the $4.9 million project in late 2019. The greenway has new benches, green stormwater infrastructure, power stations, new lighting, security cameras and call boxes, and raised sidewalks at Larned and Lafayette to calm traffic. This greenway improves safe connections to the Riverwalk for Elmwood Park and surrounding east side neighborhoods.
Jos Campau from the Riverfront to Jefferson added protected bike lanes last year, connecting the Riverwalk to the greenway.
“The City is grateful for its partnership with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy on this project, and for sharing our goal of providing better recreational opportunities to Detroiters and connecting residents to the Detroit Riverfront,” said Katy Trudeau, acting director of the Detroit Planning & Development Department. “With the completion of the new greenway on the horizon, the City is thrilled to formally name it in honor of Mayor Archer.”
This greenway is one of many bike infrastructure projects in motion around the city. Construction on the Joe Louis Greenway officially kicked off this year on the west side. Construction is underway at the former UniRoyal site to connect the east Riverwalk to Belle Isle. And the Southwest Greenway in Corktown should start construction soon.
A celebration for the new greenway is scheduled from 4-7 p.m. on August 19, starting at Robert Bradby Drive and ending at Valade Park.
