DETROIT (WWJ) — With an ambitious project in the works that would build massive caps over I-75 in Detroit, bridging the gap between Downtown and Midtown, officials are asking for input from the community.
A third and final public meeting will be held Tuesday, Oct. 29 at the MSU Detroit Center on Woodward Avenue as city officials continue to consider the "I-75 Cap," a "locally led and U.S. Department of Transportation-supported initiative to reconnect communities cut off from economic and social opportunities by prior transportation infrastructure decisions."
Essentially, a large lid would be placed over the freeway, allowing for public green space, along with other amenities and possibilities for events and pop-up retail. The cap could be placed between Third Street and Brush Street, butting up to where city officials are considering turning I-375 into a street-level boulevard to connect more neighborhoods.
Downtown Detroit Partnership via I-75 Cap study meeting notes
The Downtown Detroit Partnership is co-leading the planning initiative with the city of Detroit and Michigan Department of Transportation. DDP CEO Eric Larson told WWJ Newsradio 950's Dan Jenkins the project is part of a bigger transformation of the area.
"Within the next five to 10 years, the downtown as a whole, between I-375 and I-75 and then so many of the other improvements that are taking place — both our public spaces, as well as our infrastructure — would come together. So the next decade is very transformational for the downtown and, quite frankly, sets us up for decades to come of a much more enjoyable environment," Larson said.
A draft of the vision statement for the project found on the DDP website says the project will "restore city connections between neighborhoods, providing new spaces that create opportunities for economic prosperity, recreation, and community resilience."
Leaders of the project hope community-centered design and programming will "support residents impacted by legacy infrastructure investments, prioritizing social equity, environmental sustainability and shared access."
Larson said getting input from the community is important so they can be able to determine what types of activations and programming will go on top of the parks.
The third "visioning session," focusing on the community's preferred alternative, will be addressed at Tuesday's meeting, set for 6-7:30 p.m.
The DDP's website says future phases will include securing funding, design and environmental studies in 2025, completing design and initiating construction in 2025/26 and completing construction with added amenities in 2027/28.
The idea of a freeway cap isn't necessarily new to the area, with a series of overbuilds across I-696 with parks and pathways in Oak Park. Other cities across the country have freeway caps, which are detailed in a case study on the DDP website.
