Detroit Riverfront Trail: $12M Greenway Upgrade Approved

Detroit City Council approved a $12 million allocation on July 7 for upgrades to the Dequindre Cut greenway, marking the latest step in a multi-year effort to connect Eastern Market with the riverfront trail system.

The vote comes as summer construction schedules tighten and federal infrastructure funds face new deadlines before the end of the fiscal year in September. Local leaders have tied the timing to rising use of bike and pedestrian paths recorded in city counts from last summer.

Neighborhood festivals and safety updates

Organizers opened the annual Hamtramck Labor Day preview events early this week with a July 8 street fair along Joseph Campau Avenue that drew vendors from 20 local businesses. At the same time, the Detroit Police Department expanded its neighborhood safety initiative to include foot patrols along Gratiot Avenue between St. Aubin and Chene streets.

Both efforts build on existing programs run by the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation and the Southwest Detroit Business Association, which have coordinated similar events and security measures in past seasons.

City data released this week showed a 14 percent drop in reported property crimes along the Gratiot corridor compared with the same period in 2025, according to the department’s mid-year report. The Eastern Market Partnership reported 8,400 visitors during its July 5 farmers market, up from 7,100 the prior year.

Next steps for residents

Work on the Dequindre Cut is scheduled to begin the week of July 21, with lane closures posted on the city’s construction alerts page. Residents can find festival schedules and patrol zone maps on the Detroit.gov events calendar or by calling 311 for printed copies at neighborhood district offices.