Riverwalk - Upriver to Near Belle Isle

Most people familiar with Detroit’s Riverwalk are not aware of its completion from the Carousel along the Riverwalk near the Renaissance Center east almost to Belle Isle. It is simply gorgeous. Let’s have a look using the photos in this blog entry and Google Earth.

For those who have Google Earth loaded and operational, click here to start Google Earth - the walking tour file will load automatically. The caption in each photo begins with a letter that matches the letter in the walking tour.

If you do not have Google Earth loaded, click here for the program and instructions.

Below is a picture of the Riverwalk looking west, or downriver, towards the carousel with the Renaissance Center in the background. Previously, I shot the Riverwalk from just the other side of the carousel, downriver past the Ren Cen to Cobo Center. That photo shoot is in the blog entry, ‘Detroit Walking Tour - Between the Marriott at the Ren Cen and Cobo Center’ - click here.

A - View Towards Carousel

Turning around to look to the east is the ‘Lowland Park Unit’ construction, which is nearing completion. It will include a wetland walk, shoreline fishing, pathways, and observation decks. This photo show the wetlands under construction.

B - View of Weltands Construction

I stood on a small hill bordering Tri-Centennial Park and took this picture showing the Lowland Park Unit construction and how close it is to downtown. On the left side of the photo, along the river, is the winding path of the Riverwalk. I am particularly fascinated by the changing look of the Riverwalk as it winds its way with the Detroit River on one side and on the other side are, depending on your location, office buildings, convention center, fountains, trees, parks, marinas, and wetlands. You’ll see in the remaining photographs, condominiums, a hotel, the U.S. Coast Guard, and fishing piers along the Riverwalk.

C - Overview of Wetlands and Downtown

Monday morning’s tree planting ceremony takes place here, at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Tri-Centennial Park.

D - Tri-Centennial Park

Chene park was constructed over 20 years ago. It is a popular venue for music concerts and, as on the day I took this picture, high school graduation ceremonies.

E - Chene Park

Until the Riverwalk is completed near the marina, the path is diverted to Atwater Street. This picture shows the intersection of Atwater and Jos Campau. Ahead is the Stroh River Place, a mixed use campus, and on the left, one of my favorite restaurants, Andrews on the Corner, which has been in the same family since 1918.

F - Jos Campau and Atwater

Turn right at Jos Campau and walk back to the river. You’ll pass one of Detroit’s finest upscale restaurants, the Rattlesnake Club, owned by Chef Jimmy Schmidt.

G - Rattlesnake Club

The French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac founded the City of Detroit 308 years ago. The word ‘Detroit’ translates to ‘the strait’ in French as the river connects Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie. Many streets along the riverfront have French names. Jos Campau, for example, was a wealthy Detroit landowner. His grandfather, Jean Louis Campau, was awarded a large tract of land by the French government in 1734.

H - Le Cote Du Nord-Est

I - Omni Hotel

The photo below shows a pathway on the edge of Harbortown, which includes apartments, parks and a marina along the Detroit River.

J - Harbortown

Here is a photo of the U.S. Coast Guard station. In the background is one of the towers at Harbortown.

K - Coast Guard Station

At this time, the eastern most portion of the completed Riverwalk is here, just short of the Douglas MacArthur Bridge at Belle Isle.

L - Fishing from the Riverwalk

Fishing is very popular along the entire length of the Riverwalk. We came across Darrell casting in his line. He’s caught perch, rock bass, silver bass and walleye.

In the not too distant future, the Riverwalk will extend from the Douglas MacArthur Bridge at Belle Isle to the Ambassador Bridge. For more information on the Riverwalk, go to www.riverwalk.org.

Alan

Riverfront Days in Detroit at the end of ACE Week

This annual event celebrates the friendship between Canada and the USA.  The events include a Tall Ship, bass fishing tournament, parade of boats, a great variety of music including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, which opens the celebration on Friday, June 19, at 6:30 pm, and of course, lots of food.

If you are from out of town visiting Detroit for the ACE, stay a day or two longer and enjoy Detroit’s beautiful waterfront and the River Days celebration.

Here is a brief summary of the events during River Days (the events are free):

For more information, go to http://www.riverdays.com/.

Alan

High Level Experts to Speak on US Climate Change Policy at 09 ACE

The US is at a critical juncture with respect to global climate change regulation.  In my nearly 40 years as an environmental professional, I have experienced a few rules and regulatory decisions that have impacted business in a sudden and profound way.

After spending five minutes thinking about it, here is my short list, in no particular order:

• The very first nonattainment designations for ozone and particulate matter in the late 1970s and early 1980s and the impact on permitting,
• The 1990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act and preparing for Title V permits and MACT,
• Various Michigan rules including sulfur in coal, fugitive dust, and air toxics.

The recent Congressional actions on climate change and U.S. EPA proposals on GHG reporting and the endangerment finding, when enacted, will join that list.  Good thing we have the ACE coming up in about one week so you can learn more about the changes.

A&WMA leadership has developed four multi-faceted panels for the 09 ACE to explain, discuss, and debate Congress’ activities on climate and energy legislation and the U.S. EPA proposals.  These panels include senior level experts from government, business, and environmental organization.

For detailed information about the panels, go to http://emawma.org/ACE09/ClimatePolicyPanel.pdf.  Consider attending these panels as the results of the debates in Congress and comments to the U.S. EPA will be critically important to your business.

Following is a summary of the four special panels:

Federal Energy and Climate Policy, June 16, 1:20 pm – 2:50 pm

This panel will address the major policy objectives, specific legislative proposals, and the outlook for passage of the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 in the 111^th Congress. Industry representatives from the utility and manufacturing sectors will discuss the proposed legislation and any alternative policies they might recommend.

International Energy and Climate Policy: Economic Issues, June 17, 8 am – 9:20 am

This panel will outline policies being considered in Congress and the State Department to address how US actions to reduce greenhouse gases could adversely impact domestic business sectors. Panelists include (among others) senior executives from international corporations (Holcim (US) Inc., Rio Tinto, and Toyota Corporation).

Unintended Consequences of Regulating Greenhouse Gases under the Clean Air Act, June 17, 3:30 – 5:00 pm.

In Massachusetts v Environmental Protection Agency, EPA proposed to determine that greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere endanger the public health and welfare of current and future generations, and that emissions from mobile sources contribute to this problem. This panel will examine critical issues presented by recent and prospective agency action in the climate change arena.

Regulation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Mobile Sources, June 18, 2:00 – 3:30 pm.

Cars, trucks, buses and other mobile sources represent a major portion of the US greenhouse gas emissions inventory. This panel will focus on proposed actions by EPA and several states to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from mobile sources.

Panelists include (among others invited):

• Alan Weverstad, Executive Director, Environment, Energy, and Safety Policy, General Motors Corporation
• Skiles Boyd, VP Environmental Management and Resources, DTE Energy
• Dave Doniger, Natural Resources Defense Council
• Bill Becker, Executive Director, National Association of Clean Air Agencies
• Peter Cunningham, Managing Director for Energy and Climate Strategies, Rio Tinto (London)
• Kevin Butt, General Manager of Environmental Engineering, Toyota Corporation
• Erika Guerra, Manager of Government Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility, Holcim (US) Inc.
• CV Mathai, Manager of Environmental Policy, Arizona Public Service Company (Phoenix)
• Mark McLeod, Environmental Defense Fund
• Jeff Muffat, Manager of Environmental Regulatory Affairs, 3M Corporation
• John Paul, Supervisor, Dayton Regional Air Pollution Control Agency
• Annie Petsonk, International Counsel, Environmental Defense Fund
• Rick Sprott, President, A&WMA and former Executive Director, Utah Department of Environmental Quality
• Gene Trisko, United Mine Workers of America
• Allison Wood, Hunton & Williams

Alan