The writer, a retired Detroit firefighter, led the Detroit Fire Fighters Association.
By Daniel F. McNamara
Rising from its bankruptcy, Detroit is utilizing land in creative ways to revitalize its neighborhoods and jumpstart businesses and other financial instruments. Almost every day a new story from somewhere in Detroit is reported on by the media; local, national and international. It is an exciting time for investors, speculators and citizens.
Absent from all of this is any news or discussions about the Detroit River, a 28-mile river in the Great Lakes system. Its name comes from the French Riviere du Detroit, translated literally as River of the Straight.
It travels south from Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie carrying the International border between Canada and the United States. Currently, it is only 0.5 to 2.5 miles wide. The deepest portion is 53 feet and its elevation is 574 feet above sea level. Its flow is constant.
As one of the busiest waterways in the world, the River serves as an important transportation route connecting Lakes Michigan, Huron and Superior to the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Erie Canal.
It is federally recognized as the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, a cooperative effort between the United States and Canada to preserve the area as an ecological refuge. It has also been designated as an American Heritage River in 1998 and a Canadian Heritage River in 2001 – the only river to have dual designations. It is a destination for all kinds of sportsmen throughout the world.
"Jewels lie scattered along the riverbanks."
The question then is puzzling. With huge potential economic impact, its waterway seemingly designed for a robust population along its banks, the recreation options it offers, the shipping it handles and its pristine beauty why is it not being as developed as the rest of Detroit?
It is an incredible and difficult task to put all of its opportunities on a list. Why doesn’t Detroit explore potential relationships with Windsor and all of the communities down river? In today’s economic climate, a form of regionalization calls out to everyone along its path. How can so much exist where neighbors cannot or do not work on its development as a new and exciting source of revenue in a tough economic climate and an explosion of natural life style experiences?
Politically, it can be daunting especially where there are so many little islands. There have been attempts in the past that were noble in thought but shorted by reality. However, Detroit is in a very favorable climate right now and it seems that now is a very good time to reach out and start a strong and positive discussion with stakeholders and residents.
The State of Michigan has shown us all that it can happen. With its lease of Belle Isle, it shows that investment and cooperation can happen. It can be compared to string a beautiful and valuable necklace. All of the jewels lie scattered along the riverbanks. It will take some effort to string them all together, but the eventual cohesive of the connections will have a result of dazzling brilliance and value.
If two countries and its cities can come together and develop a new international crossing, it offers hope of other opportunities to grow, develop and expose our “Diamond in the Rough.” Detroit was first settled in 1701 because of the Detroit River and its resources.
Detroit and its friends have a great ability to “rediscover” it in 2017.
