Podcasts about detroit riverfront conservancy

Hosts Adolph Mongo, Allan Lengel, and Jim Nardone talk with attorney Todd Perkins about his bid to become Detroit's next mayor.Perkins spoke Saturday at Thomas Magee's bar in Eastern Market about a range of topics, including policing, crime, development, mental health issues, reparations, and the field of mayoral candidates—among them Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield, whom he has criticized for her comments regarding her role on the board of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.

April 23, 2025 ~ The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy experienced a significant setback when its former CFO, William Smith, was found to have embezzled millions of dollars over nearly two decades. Former U.S. Attorney Matthew Schnieder is representing the Conservancy and joins Lloyd, Jamie, and former congressman Dave Trott to discuss the upcoming sentencing and the extent of Smith's deception.

April 21, 2025 ~ The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is requesting a maximum prison sentence for the ex-CFO. Matthew Schneider joins Kevin to discuss the case.

April 21, 2025 ~ Crain's Detroit Managing Business Editor Mike Lee talks with Lloyd, Jamie, and Dr. Steve Craig about the CFO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy facing sentencing for embezzling over $40 million, tourism in Michigan declining because of tense U.S.-Canada relations, a small tower within the Renaissance Center for $9 million, and much more.

February 3, 2025 ~ Sandy Pierce, MSU Trustee, Vice Chair and Chair Elect of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Former Banking Executive talks about taking over for Matt Cullen as Chair of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and the bid to bring the WNBA back to Detroit.

Hosts Adolph Mongo, Vanessa Moss, Allan Lengel and Jim Nardone talk with George Jackson, the former President and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, and board member of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. He talks about development in Detroit under his watch and why he doesn't get the credit he deserves.He also talks about the FBI's search to determine if more than William Smith, the CFO, was involved in the theft of $40 million from the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.  The hosts also talk to Detroit Ombudsman Bruce Simpson who is winding down his term in that job. Simpson talks about his accomplishments and what could be next on the agenda. 

Over the past 10 years the CFO has embezzled money through various shell companies. $29 million to his companies and $15 million to american express to pay off bills

Ex-Detroit Riverfront Conservancy CFO William Smith pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering. Setting the stage for a sentencing hearing that could yield an up to 20 year prison term for the man responsible for some of the worst graft in recent Detroit history. The 52 year old agreed to pay at least 44.3 million in restitiution for his theft from the non-profit, which occurredover a decade and helped support what prosecutors have characterized as his lavish lifestyle.

WWJ's Jonathan Carlson and Jackie Paige report a plea deal is in the works for the ex-CFO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, plus the state has settled a lawsuit stemming from an active shooter drill at a psychiatric hospital in Northville Township. (Photo: Getty Images)

July 25, 2024 ~ Full Show: Guy, Lloyd, and Jamie are live from Boyne Mountain for the Tournament of Champions Pro-Am, and talk about the 10 great golf courses they own in northern Michigan, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Congress, President Joe Biden's speech from the Oval Office, the lawsuit filed by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, the Detroit Lions opening training camp in Allen Park, the highly-anticipated release of 'Deadpool & Wolverine,' and another session of Therapy Thursday!

July 25, 2024 ~ The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is suing its former CFO, along with his family members, in a lawsuit alleging a conspiracy to steal almost $40 million. Guy, Lloyd, and Jamie talk with Honigman Law partner Matthew Schneider about the lawsuit he's filed on behalf of the nonprofit.

July 25, 2024 ~ Full Show: Kevin and Tom react to President Biden's presidential speech. They are joined by Matthew Schneider to discuss The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy's lawsuit. And the learn more about the state budget that Governor Whitmer signed.

July 25, 2024 ~ The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is suing its former CFO William Smith in a lawsuit that describes a conspiracy to steal almost $40 million from the nonprofit. Their attorney, Matthew Schneider, joins Kevin and Tom to discuss more.

According to WWJ's Jonathan Carlson, lawyers for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy have filed suit against former CFO William Smith along with his wife, mother, sister and a friend. Smith faces decades in prison if convicted in the theft. -- 44-year old Michael Lopez, the man accused of murdering 23-year old Melvindale Officer Mohammed Said on Sunday could be charged as early as today. Lopez is currently being housed in the Detroit Detention Center. (PHOTO: Junfu Han/USA Today)

June 25, 2024 ~ The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan has created a $35 million fund to help the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy finish its projects, amid the investigation into the former CFO embezzling $40 million. Guy, Lloyd, and Jamie talk with the foundation's president Ric Devore about the importance of supporting the conservancy. Photo: Ryan Garza ~ USA Today Network

June 25, 2024 ~ Full Show: Guy, Lloyd, and Jamie talk about the loss of Oakland County Sheriff's deputy Brad Reckling, as his wife speaks about her family's future, the fund created to help projects of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, an Oakland and Macomb County company receiving national recognition for its efforts in manufacturing competitiveness, the status of two astronauts at the International Space Station, the status of Charlevoix State Rep. Neil Friske, the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, and more!

June 25, 2024 ~ The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy's CFO's assets are now on hold after trying to transfer them. Todd Flood joins Kevin and Tom to explain the legality of how this works.

June 18, 2024 ~ The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is working to figure out what to do for cash following the money scandal. The Detroit News' Chad Livengood joins Tom to discuss this.

WWJ's Jonathan Carlson has your morning news update including a report from our Charlie Langton that the longtime chairman of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy -- which has been rocked by an embezzlement scandal -- spoke to donors at an annual fundraiser last night.   (Photo: © Detroit Free Press-USA TODAY NETWORK)

Charges have officially been announced against the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy's former chief financial officer. We'll have the latest on that case, plus charges against a father who allegedly murdered his girlfriend and shot and wounded their child and more on Wednesday's top local news with WWJ's Tracey McCaskill. 

June 5, 2024 ~ More than $40 million has gone missing from the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, and now the organization is looking to take legal action against its former CFO. Guy and Jamie talk with Detroit News politics editor Chad Livengood about how this scheme went uncovered for so long.

June 5, 2024 ~ Full Show: Guy and Jamie talk about General Motors CEO Mary Barra's appearance on NBC News talking about the company's electric future, the task force formed by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, new extreme testing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, the lack of school counselors in Michigan schools, the upcoming reopening of Michigan Central Station, and more!

With more than $40 million missing from the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, the non-profit has launched a probe into ex-CFO William Smith. And Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer heads to Washington D.C. this week to meet with members of the Biden Administration. (Photo: Ryan Garza via Imagn Content Services, LLC)

May 22, 2024 ~ The FBI has taken over the financial investigation into the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy looking into the possibility of financial mismanagement. WJR Senior News Analyst Marie Osborne talks to Paul W. Smith about the investigation.

After 20 years of development, Detroit's Riverwalk now spans 3.5 miles. Detroit Riverfront Conservancy president and CEO Mark Wallace joins Stephen to share the story of Detroit's riverfront development, and what they hope to accomplish in the future.

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy just unveiled the Uniroyal Promenade, a half mile expansion passing through the former Uniroyal site along the Detroit River. After 20 years of development, Detroit's Riverwalk now spans 3.5 miles. What does that mean for the public access and development on the river, both now and in the future? Detroit Riverfront Conservancy president and CEO Mark Wallace joins Stephen to share the story of Detroit's riverfront development, and what they hope to accomplish in the future.

During a press conference on Monday, Detroit Police Chief James White said investigators have found no evidence of antisemitism. Plus, Detroiters and visitors can now walk 3.5 miles continuously along the water at the Detroit River, as the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy held a grand opening for the new Uniroyal Promenade. Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Oct. 22, 2023 ~ Host Ann Thomas explores several Detroit businesses and organizations, such as the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, the Detroit Pizza Pass, and the 14th annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival! Special guests include Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Chairman Matt Cullen, Visit Detroit President and CEO Claude Molinari, Peacock Room Founder Rachel Lutz, and Executive Director of the Michigan Brewers Guild Scott Graham.

It's WDET's Fall On-Air Fundraiser and we're doing things a little different on the podcast. We're bringing you some of our favorite conversations from Detroit Today.With your help, we can continue to bring you thought-provoking shows, soulful tunes and the local news that matter most. Whether you're a longtime listener or new to the WDET family, your contribution is vital to our success. By joining Team DET during our fall fundraiser, you're not just supporting public radio — you're becoming a part of a community that values diverse voices and meaningful discussions. For many, Detroit IS the river... and the riverfront has long been intertwined with Detroit's identity and growth. Could it be central to revitalizing the region again? Stefan Gruber, Director of the Remaking Cities Institute joins Stephen to discuss how other cities around the world have tackled this question. Then, Mark Wallace, President & CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, and Amy McMillan, Director of Huron-Clinton Metroparks, join Stephen to discuss how Detroit's riverfront is changing and how it could develop in the future

For many, Detroit IS the river… and the riverfront has long been intertwined with Detroit's identity and growth. Could it be central to revitalizing the region again? Stefan Gruber, Director of the Remaking Cities Institute joins Stephen to discuss how other cities around the world have tackled this question. Then, Mark Wallace, President & CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, and Amy McMillan, Director of Huron-Clinton Metroparks, join Stephen to discuss how Detroit's riverfront is changing and how it could develop in the future.

May 25, 2023 ~ Matt Cullen, Chairman of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy tells Paul the Southwest Greenery is now open and it's Detroit's newest public space that connects the Detroit Riverfront with many great Detroit neighborhoods.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says the city's unemployment rate has dropped to 6.4%, a figure not seen in over two decades. Plus, Sen. Debbie Stabenow announces she's retiring, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy hosting cultural festival and more. Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Listen to a conversation on how Rachel Frierson of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is creating a safe, welcoming space for all who visit the number one river walk in the U.S.

July 15, 2022 ~ The Huntington Bank Executive, Chairman of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy & the CEO of the Carr Center talk about all of the work going on in Detroit to make the city a great place to live, work and play.

April 7, 2022 ~ The Chairman of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy talks to Chris about the new plans for an extension to the beautiful Detroit Riverwalk called the Southwest Greenery.

May 13, 2021 ~ The Chairman of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy tells Paul they have broken ground on the final piece of the of the East Riverfront and he says they started working on the riverfront twenty years ago.

May 12, 2021 ~ Full Episode. Political Strategist John Sellek discusses the GOP's vote to punish Liz Cheney over comments she has made about Donald Trump. Guy has some questions after the Governor's press conference earlier today. Christopher Douglas, Professor of Economics at the University on the shut down of Enbridge's line 5 and Mark Wallace, President and CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy talks about the work that's set to begin on the final piece of the East Riverfront.

May 12, 2021 ~ Mark Wallace, President & CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, talks with Guy Gordon about the construction that is beginning on the Riverwalk.

Mark Wallace is President and CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. He joins Charles Waldheim to discuss his work overseeing the transformation of Detroit’s riverfront.

Welcome Back! This week We're talking about the hometown non profit that has developed a beautiful 5.5 mile stretch of riverfront property in Detroit (from the Ambassador Bridge to Gabriel Richard Park, just east of the Belle Isle Bridge) It will include the construction of a continuous RiverWalk along with plazas, pavilions and green spaces.Elayne Elliot joined the Conservancy two years ago, and is responsible for community programming and engagements with the community! Listen as she shares current and future projects that are fun for the whole family.

Karen Dumas is a communications professional & media contributor committed to excellence, entrepreneurship, and equality. As the founder of Images & Ideas, Inc., she has earned a reputation as a communications strategist known for performance and excellence. Dumas also served Chief of Communications & External Affairs for Mayor Dave Bing and the City of Detroit. Dumas is a regular contributor to The No BS Newshour with Charlie LeDuff. Respected as a trusted and fair radio host, television contributor, and columnist, she is known to be “honest and engaging,” and has been recognized by HOUR Magazine as “the more intelligent choice” of talk-radio show hosts. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Detroit Zoological Society, as well as on their Communications & Marketing Committee and Governance & Nominating Committee, and is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of BLAC Magazine. Previously, she has served on the Communications Committee for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, The Board of Directors for SPHINX, the PR committee for the NCAA Final Four/Detroit, as Board Chair for the Arts League of Michigan, and on the Board of Directors and as PR Committee Chair for Detroit PAL (Police Athletic League), among many others. The City of Detroit, State of Michigan, Real Times Media, and several Who’s Who entities have recognized her achievements. Dumas is a frequent guest speaker at schools, churches, and professional organizations seeking insight into performance-based practices, the tools for success, living and treating others with fairness, women’s challenges in the workplace, and balancing professional and personal roles. A frequent event moderator and Mistress of Ceremonies, her professional but entertaining demeanor enhances any event or organized gathering; her presentations are informative and inspirational for all. She is also a frequent guest contributor for FOX2 and other media outlets.    Here’s what we discussed:  Communication  Political sincerity and how it creates voter apathy  Fragility of businesses    Connect with Karen Dumas   https://twitter.com/karendumas  https://www.facebook.com/karen.dumas  http://www.karendumas.com/ 

Craig's guest is Mark Wallace, President and CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy about the latest expansion of the Riverwalk.  Work has officially begun on the long vacant Uniroyal property, which will allow for the public to access the entire waterfront from east of the Belle Isle Bridge to Downtown Detroit.  The Uniroyal site, due to environmental contamination, has been a difficult piece of the Riverwalk puzzle to solve.   

Craig's guest is John Hartig, former Director of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, Board Member for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, and the author of "Waterfront Porch: Reclaiming Detroit's Industrial Waterfront as a Gathering Place For All".  The two discuss the importance of people reconnecting with the Detroit River, and the environmental benefits of restoring this vital habitat.  

Mark Wallace, president and CEO, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, talks about the power of waterfronts to bring cities together.

On today's show: Amazon is looking to build a new facility at the site of the old Silverdome. Also, Amazon is buying 100,000 electric delivery vans from local electric car startup Rivian. An adult club was shut down in Detroit. The city is getting a grant for self-driving vehicle testing. I-75 is going to be a special kind of mess this weekend. The Somerset Collection is opening a permanent spot in downtown Detroit And Jer stopped by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy to talk about the progress on the riverfront and a new cigar and cocktail event, Smoke on the River. https://www.smokeontheriverdetroit.com/

Tony Muggs of the band The Muggs and Dude returns to talk with Seth and Becky about what's happening in Detroit this week, including the best cheap eats downtown and where to celebrate Oktoberfest. Also, Seth talks to William Smith of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy about the first ever Smoke on the Riverfront festival.

Craig interviews Attorney General Dana Nessel, State Senator Marshall Bullock talks auto insurance and roads, and Mark Wallace of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy discusses a big gift that means a BIG playground for kids in Detroit.  

Crain’s Senior Reporters Chad Livengood and Sherri Welch talk to Delta Dental CEO Goran Jurkovic and corporate communications director Margaret Trimer about the company’s $5 million donation toward construction of a playground at the planned west riverfront park in Detroit. Detroit Riverfront Conservancy board chairman Matt Cullen joined the discussion at the Mackinac Policy Conference.

Your show for August 27, 2018: - Ground broke today near Chene Park on what promises to be - when it’s complete - one of Detroit’s hottest new public attractions. Sven Gustafson caught up with Mark Wallace of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy to get the details. - A 275 year old tree was cut down in Ferndale, says the Oakland County Times. More (including awesome pictures you gotta see) here. - A 28 year old bicyclist has died after being hit by a car on the bridge to Belle Isle State Park. - To many Metro Detroiters, a sushi event at Eastern Market has left a raw feeling. The Detroit Sushi Fest was on Friday evening and it is the current object of the Detroiternet’s ire, with many bad reviews. - Norma G’s Cuisine is opening its first brick and mortar location in the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood of Detroit on Tuesday. - Beginners luck seems to be a real thing for a 19 year old Macomb County man. That’s because he won half a million dollars with the Platinum 7’s instant game on his fourth ticket.  - The King of pop - Michael Jackson - would be 60 years old on Wednesday, the 29th. For those of you who might need a little push to get over the hump day of Wednesday… to celebrate, the Joebar in Hazel Park is doing a party. That's it for the show today. Sven rejoins us tomorrow, where we dig into some buildings demolitions around town that have people talking because of the street art that went with it, as well as a large historic structure near Palmer Park. Be sure to subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite app of choice.

Penny Bailer retired in 2015 after 32 years of nonprofit leadership: 14yrs, Executive Director, City Year Detroit and 17yrs, CEO, Michigan Metro Girl Scout Council, receiving CRAIN’s 2nd annual “Best Managed Nonprofit” award. In 1976, Penny helped Co-Found the DPS Golightly Education Center where her children attended grades 1-8.  She served as Founding President of the Golightly Parent Organization.  Golightly was later named a National Blue Ribbon School.  In 1990-94, Penny was elected/served on the Detroit Board of Education.  She earned her Executive MBA/Advanced Management degree/1989 at MSU/Troy and a BFA in Music/Piano Performance, UGA/1962.    Penny serves on/leads several nonprofit boards, including New Detroit and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy; Chair, Detroit Promise Zone Authority; Vice Chair, Detroit Housing Commission; Education/Co-Chair, Clark Park/Osborn Promise Neighborhood; Board/Chair, Detroit Collegiate Prep @ Northwestern HS.  She is on the boards of Detroit Rotary, City Connect Detroit and the WSU College of Education.  She served on the Governance Committee of the Coalition for the Future of Detroit Schoolchildren and is a Facilitator for Citizen Detroit.  More info: http://www.pennybailer.com Follow our hashtag #ignite2impact  Please share this podcast, *subscribe in iTunes and leave a review

Penny served as Executive Director of City Year Detroit (CYD) from 2001-2015, responsible for Michigan’s largest AmeriCorps program, retiring in 2015.  During that period, over 1,000 young adult “corps members” served full time with CYD for up to two years each, providing data-driven all day academic classroom tutoring, mentoring and role modeling to thousands of Detroit’s school children, keeping them “in school and on track to graduation.”  City Year also partners (in 28 cities nationally including Detroit) with Johns Hopkins University and Communities in Schools, Inc. for their U. S. Dept of Education-funded Invest in Innovation (i3) award-winning school transformation model called Diplomas Now.  Penny served for over 17 years (1983-2000) as Executive Director/CEO of the Michigan Metro Girl Scout Council in Detroit, increasing the girl membership from 21,000 to 43,000 and registered adult volunteers from 6,000 to 14,000 and proudly earning the 1992 CRAIN’s “Best Managed Non Profit Award.”  She was elected to the Detroit Board of Education (1990-94) and in 1997 was named one of of CRAIN’s Detroit Business “100 Most Influential Women.”  Since 1979, Penny has served on and led numerous non-profit and civic boards in Detroit, focused primarily on youth, education and Detroit’s revitalization.  In 2014, Mayor Mike Duggan appointed her to the Detroit Promise Zone Authority, which she chairs and which provides free college tuition to Detroit residents who graduate from Detroit high schools; the mayor also appointed her to the board of the Detroit Housing Commission, for which she was elected Vice Chair.  She currently serves on the boards of New Detroit, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, City Connect Detroit and Detroit Rotary, of which she will become President in 2019-20.   She served on the Governance Committee of the Coalition for the Future of Detroit Schoolchildren throughout its tenure January-March 2015.  In 1976, she was a Co-Founder of the DPS Golightly Education Center (K-8)  -- which was attended by both her children and later named a National Blue Ribbon School by President Clinton.  In 2012, she was named Chair of the Self Governing School Council for Detroit Collegiate Preparatory High School @ Northwestern, a DPS/Diplomas Now High School, where she continues to serve as Chair. In June 2017, Penny proudly represented Michigan in swimming at the bi-centennial National Senior Games (aka “national senior olympics) and plans to continue to work hard to continually qualify, if so fortunate, throughout the rest of her life. Bailer earned an Executive MBA from the Advanced Management Program at the Eli Broad School of Management in 1989 from MSU’s Troy Graduate School Campus and a BFA in Music/Piano Performance in 1962 from the University of Georgia near her hometown of Atlanta, after which she did 1 year of graduate work toward a Master’s degree in Music (Piano) at Pennsylvania State University.  In July 2011, she was awarded a Harvard Business School scholarship by the HBS Detroit Alumni Club for an executive education week at HBS: Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management (SPNM).   More info: www.pennybailer.com Follow our hashtag #ignite2impact  Please share this podcast, *subscribe in iTunes and leave a review

Inclusion is a behavior. It's more than simply inviting someone to the table. If you want buy-in and true supporters, they have to know they're genuinely part of the process. Karen Slaughter-DuPerry, project management & community relations executive of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy teaches us how to embody this behavior through her experience with building the necessary support to make the revitalized Detroit riverfront a reality. Sponsored by: WillPower Consulting QUOTE IT “We achieved something great.” (10:24) “Nobody was more important than anybody.” (11:28) “The diversity is already there. You just have to respect the diversity.” (12:21) DIG IN (7:36) Building an impactful community for product development (inclusivity and ownership.) (10:01) Get inspired by shared ownership. (14:55) Spinning the assumingly negative to your advantage. TIP OF THE WEEK: Consider forgoing meeting minutes (if your bylaws or governing rules permit) to encourage attendance and engagement.

Make your way to the edge of downtown Detroit, and you will find a river. Until recently, it wouldn't have been a very inviting experience. But today, the Detroit riverfront has become one of America's best waterfront parks. Mark Wallace is president and CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, the organization responsible for turning the waterfront into a great place for people.

In this episode, Mike Bills interviews Mark Wallace, President and CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. The Detroit riverfront has been key in the ongoing reinvention and revitalization of Detroit. This interview tells the story of the Detroit Riverfront and how the Conservancy has played a big part  in developing this significant city asset. QUOTE IT: “Every major city in the US was founded near a waterway...for (hundreds of) years the Detroit Riverfront was a place where industry happens and goods and services come and go. In the past ten or 11 years we’ve radically transformed that.” (3:17) “We’ve provided a gathering space that’s really meaningful for our community...I think the other thing we’ve done in terms of moving the region forward is we’ve demonstrated leadership in public/private partnerships.” (14:00) DIG IN: Around 4:15 Mark elaborates on the process that lead individuals and organizations recognize it was time to repurpose the way residents and visitors were interacting with the Detroit River, and how the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy came to be. Jump to the 10:00 mark and listen as Mark shares a story about a visiting executive that illustrates how remarkable the transformation of the riverfront has been. TAKEAWAYS:  1 – Reinvention takes vision, time and persistence. The redevelopment of the Detroit Riverfront has been more than 11 years in the making. 2 - Even though something has served the same purpose for a long time, there are always ways to put it to new use. The Detroit River was primarily an industrial waterway for hundreds of years. Today, it’s a beautiful, useful space for visitors and residents to gather and experience the area in a new way. 3 – Reinventing one major component typically results in change to additional products or services. Since the redevelopment of the riverfront, many nearby businesses and neighborhoods have began to grow and change. 4 – Creating a meaningful gathering space draws diversity and new supporters. Now that the riverfront’s breathtaking views and modernized space can be enjoyed in a clean, safe environment more and more people are coming to enjoy it. 5 – Enlisting collaborators from multiple sources paves the way for an idea to develop into a tangible asset. The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy sought out public/private partnerships to maximize the growth and development of the riverfront as a shared asset for various stakeholders.