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49-818: In addition to its headquarters in Washington, D.C., RTC has smaller offices in California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio. RTC receives its funding largely from paid memberships and receives no government funding. As of December 2012, RTC had approximately 80,000 paid members, the remainder of its funding coming from foundation and corporate grants and major donors. RTC members have developed programs focusing on urban rail trails and trail systems since 2009, including RTC's Urban Pathways Initiative (UPI), which features ongoing programs in Washington, D.C., Camden, New Jersey, Jacksonville, Florida, Compton, California, New Orleans, Louisiana, Springfield, Massachusetts, and Cleveland, Ohio, and

98-822: A $ 5-million loan to a Detroit housing agency, United Community Housing Coalition, with $ 4.5 million guarantee as the agency waited for federal funds from the U.S. Congress to make their way through legislative hurdles. In April, Kresge announced that it would contribute $ 4.4 million, including $ 2 million in Detroit, to help with the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines . Kresge's education program awards more than $ 10 million in grants to organizations focused on higher education . The foundation favors programs directed at low income students, "especially those living in cities, and underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, including first-generation students; Black, Indigenous, and people of color; veterans; and immigrant students". The education program

147-469: A $ 5-million pilot program to award small grants to restore neighborhoods in Detroit. The program was relaunched in 2018 with $ 6 million in additional funds. As of August 2020, the program awarded grants to 127 projects in neighborhoods around the city. In 2017, the Kresge Foundation invested $ 16 million to stabilize the finances of Marygrove College in Detroit and help develop a plan to transition

196-644: A carousel, concessions and bike rentals. Richard Plaza located in Gabriel Richard Park features covered seating, concessions and a butterfly garden. The River Walk is continuous from Joe Louis Arena to Milliken State Park with unfinished sections between the state park and River Place. From River Place the River Walk is then continuous through Mt Elliott Park to the former site of the Uniroyal Tire factory west of Belle Isle. The west riverfront promenade development

245-430: A major part in organizing the "grand bargain" to rescue the city of Detroit from bankruptcy in 2013 . Kresge contributed $ 100 million of the $ 370 million raised to improve the city's finances. Kresge's CEO Rapson was in large part responsible for organizing several organizations that came together to raise the funds necessary for the plan. The organization started Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit (KIPD) in 2015 with

294-536: A total of $ 8 million. The Kresge Foundation made a number of financial contributions to help with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic . In 2020, the foundation committed $ 19 million to help nonprofit organizations weather the pandemic. In Detroit, the foundation committed $ 2 million to back loans from the Paycheck Protection Program to nonprofits organizations. In March 2021, the foundation also backed

343-696: A total of 5.5 miles (8.8 kilometers) along the Detroit River . The International Riverfront encompasses a cruise ship passenger terminal and dock, a marina, a multitude of parks, restaurants, retail shops, skyscrapers , and high rise residential areas along with Huntington Place . The Marriott at the Renaissance Center and the Robert's Riverwalk Hotel are also situated along the International Riverfront. Private companies and foundations together with

392-791: A venue for a variety of annual events and festivals including the Detroit Electronic Music Festival , Detroit Free Press International Marathon, the Detroit International Jazz Festival , Motor City Pride , the North American International Auto Show , River Days and Detroit China Festival. In February 2021, the Detroit International Riverfront was voted best riverwalk in the United States by USA Today readers. It

441-712: Is a 982 acres (397 ha; 1.534 sq mi) island state park in the Detroit River managed by the State of Michigan . Until November 12, 2013, it was a city-operated park operated by the City of Detroit Recreation Department. It connects to the city by the MacArthur Bridge . It is home to the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory (1904), the oldest conservatory in the United States, the Detroit Yacht Club ,

490-657: Is an additional redeveloped site along the east riverfront which includes residential units and retail. The Detroit International Riverfront includes a 5 + 1 ⁄ 2 -mile (8.8 km) promenade called the River Walk which is to extend from the Ambassador Bridge to Belle Isle . The path is located directly on the river, sometimes bridging it. The path is 62 feet ( 18 + 3 ⁄ 4  m) wide in most places, with separate lanes for pedestrian and wheeled (such as bicycles or inline skate ) traffic. Pavilions, fishing piers and benches are located at intervals along

539-400: Is designed to supplement new retail and residential development, and includes the newly renovated historic Alden Park Towers . Architect Eric J. Hill aided in its design. The first 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of continuous riverfront promenade and two of the four planned pavilions opened to the public on June 6, 2007. Rivard Plaza located at the foot of Rivard Street features a covered seating,

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588-462: Is focused geographically in Michigan, Florida, California and Texas, and cities such as Detroit, Memphis and New Orleans. The Kresge Foundation also works in one country outside of the United States. The foundation funds and promote South African postsecondary access and success. With the intention of improving student graduation rates. In 2021, the foundation issued a loan guarantee of $ 4.5 million to

637-526: Is funded by The Kresge Foundation . RTC was formed in 1986 by Peter Harnik and David Burwell. The Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (known as the 4R Act) included a little-noticed section to provide funding, information exchange and technical assistance in order to preserve these corridors and create public trails. The "railbanking" provisions of this legislation allowed disused railroad corridors to be preserved in public ownership rather than sold and irrevocably dismantled. In addition to

686-466: Is not expected to be completed before 2022. The west riverfront includes the high-rise Riverfront Towers . The west riverfront promenade will eventually connect to River Rouge in the southwest side. William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor (formerly Tri-Centennial State Park and Harbor ) is a state park in Michigan , and one of only two state parks located within an urban area. The park consist of

735-533: Is one of wealthiest charitable organizations in the world, with an endowment of $ 4.3 billion as of June 2021. In 1924, with an initial gift of $ 1.6 million, Sebastian Kresge established the Kresge Foundation in Detroit . Twelve years earlier, he and partner John G. McCrory opened the first 5-and-10-cent store in Memphis, Tennessee , and parlayed the concept and operations into a chain of stores that were incorporated as

784-584: Is the Horace E. Dodge and Son Memorial Fountain, designed by Isamu Noguchi and Walter Budd in 1978. The historic Stroh River Place complex is a mixed-use residential development adjacent to the Roberts Riverwalk Hotel and Residence , the redeveloped site of the Parke-Davis research laboratory, a National Historic Landmark located along the east riverfront promenade. The historic Dry Dock Complex

833-592: The Detroit Boat Club , the Dossin Great Lakes Museum , a Coast Guard post, and a municipal golf course. The park contains a Nature Center where visitors are able to traverse wooded trails and view wildlife natural habitats. The island includes a half-mile (800 m) swimming beach. The Aretha Franklin Amphitheater , formerly known as Chene Park , is located on the near east side of Detroit , at

882-573: The Detroit International Riverfront between Belle Isle and Joe Louis Arena , later to be extended to the Ambassador Bridge . Since the late 2000s, the Kresge Foundation has awarded more than $ 6 million to more than 250 artists through the awards and fellowships in its Kresge Arts in Detroit program. In 2015, the foundation added the Gilda Awards, named after Gilda Snowden , to recognize emerging artists in Detroit. In 2010,

931-632: The RenCen , is a group of seven interconnected skyscrapers in Detroit , Michigan , and the tallest building in Michigan since 1977. Located on the Detroit International Riverfront, the entire Renaissance Center complex is owned by General Motors . The central tower is occupied by the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center , the tallest all-hotel skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere with

980-726: The 2019 season. Dequindre Cut Greenway is a non-motorized trail extending from the Detroit River northward, with the future potential to connect to the Ferndale-Birmingham greenway in Oakland County . The mile (1.6 km) long trail primarily connects the Lafayette Park neighborhood and Eastern Market to the Riverwalk. The greenway utilizes half of the corridor, with a 20-foot (6.1 m) wide paved path with separate lanes for biking and walking. Construction of phase I of

1029-623: The 53-acre (21-hectare) forested campus via the Marygrove Conservancy, a nonprofit organization created by the foundation in partnership with University of Michigan and the Detroit Public Schools Community District . The result, the School at Marygrove, is a K–12 school with plans to expand into an institution for the education of students from early childhood to junior college, also known as P–20. From 2015 to 2020,

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1078-648: The Dequindre Cut Greenway, extending from the River one mile (1.6 km) north to Gratiot Avenue, is complete. Funded by MDOT's Transportation Enhancement Program and the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan, this portion of the greenway sets the template for future phases and includes a 20-foot (6.1 m) bituminous path; access ramps for bicyclists, pedestrians and emergency vehicles; landscaping; lighting; signage and security cameras. The first phase of

1127-588: The Detroit-Wayne County Port Authority opened its new cruise ship passenger terminal and dock at Hart Plaza, adjacent to the Renaissance Center, which receives major cruise ships such as the MS Columbus and the Yorktown. The 14-acre (5.7 ha) plaza, which is named for the late U.S. Senator Philip Hart , opened in 1975 and has a capacity for about 40,000 people. At the center of the plaza

1176-594: The Kresge Foundation awarded more than $ 8.4 million in grants to developments through its FreshLo program which stands for "Fresh, Local & Equitable Initiative". The program awards grants to development projects around the United States that are food-focused in areas that lack access to fresh foods. In November 2020, the foundation set aside $ 30 million over three years for nearly 60 organizations focused on racial justice in Detroit, Memphis, Fresno , and New Orleans as well as national civil-rights organizations. Among these were 20 organizations in Detroit that received

1225-605: The Kresge foundation. The area contains the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge which is the only international wildlife preserve in North America , uniquely located in the heart of a major metropolitan area. The Refuge includes islands, coastal wetlands, marshes, shoals, and waterfront lands along 48 miles (77 km) of the Detroit River and Western Lake Erie shoreline. Belle Isle Park

1274-1001: The Rail Trail Hall of Fame were the Great Allegheny Passage , Pennsylvania, the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail , Florida, and Katy Trail State Park , Missouri. In June, 2012, the Greenbrier River Trail , West Virginia, was the 26th trail to receive the designation. The Kresge Foundation The Kresge Foundation is a philanthropic private foundation headquartered in Troy , Michigan , United States. The foundation works to expand opportunities in America's cities through grantmaking and investing in arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services and community development efforts. The Kresge Foundation

1323-511: The Renaissance Center for its world headquarters which it had purchased in 1996. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill , Gensler, the Smith Group , and Ghafari Associates were among the architects for the renovation. The majority of the construction operations were led by Turner Construction Company. The renovation included the addition of a five-story Wintergarden which provides access to the Detroit International Riverfront. Work continued in and around

1372-518: The S.S. Kresge Company. In 1977, the enterprise became known as Kmart . The Kresge Foundation and Kmart are no longer affiliated. Since 2006, the foundation has been led by Rip Rapson, formerly of the McKnight Foundation . He succeeded John Marshall III who had led the foundation for 19 years as president and CEO. Kresge has practiced strategic philanthropy since completing a transition that began in 2007. Long known for its exclusive use of

1421-506: The challenge grant to help local communities raise funds for major construction and renovation projects, it now employs an array of funding methods to address and advance a set of narrowly defined programmatic objectives. It awards grants and makes program-related investments. Some grants are awarded for a single year; others are for multiple years. Some of its programs accept applications on an ongoing basis. Others proactively invite or solicit applications. As of early 2019, about 15 percent of

1470-454: The city, state, and federal government have contributed several hundred million dollars toward the riverfront development. Key public spaces in the International Riverfront, such as the RiverWalk, Dequindre Cut Greenway and Trail , William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor , and a cruise ship passenger terminal and dock at Hart Plaza complement the architecture of the area. The area provides

1519-485: The complex until 2005. The Renaissance Center totals 5.5 million square feet (511,000 m ), making it one of the world's largest office complexes. Philip A. Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit , is a city plaza along the Detroit River . It is located more or less on the site at which Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac landed in 1701 when he founded Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit , the settlement that became Detroit. In 2011,

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1568-492: The creation of public railtrails, railbanking legislation has also enabled the reactivation of rail service along previously disused corridors. In August 2000, RTC launched a trail-finder website with maps, photos, reviews and other information on U.S. rail trails, trails and greenways. Since 2000, RTC has used GPS mapping data to provide maps of more than 23,000 miles of trails. In 2007, RTC began recognizing rail trails with its Rail Trail Hall of Fame. The first inductees into

1617-533: The early 2000s, together with the City of Detroit and General Motors, the Kresge Foundation formed the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy as a nonprofit to build and operate the Detroit riverfront. The Kresge Foundation gave a challenge grant of $ 50 million to the conservancy which was, at the time, the largest grant awarded by the foundation. Over the following two decades, the conservancy has restored and built out 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of River Walk along

1666-559: The foot of Chene Street, along the banks of the Detroit River . Located just east of William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor , it contains a 6,000-seat amphitheater where concerts are regularly scheduled every summer. Jazz , Classic Soul and Rhythm and Blues acts are the staples of the season. The park also includes park trails, the Chene Park Fountain, and the Lake Lounge bar. The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy has connected

1715-522: The former city-owned St. Aubin Park and Marina. Located just east of downtown Detroit in the Near-East Riverfront, it covers 31 acres (13 ha) on the Detroit River , and includes a 52-slip harbor of refuge. A 63-foot (19 m) conical brick light tower marks the harbor entrance. The park's first phase opened in 2003, included refurbishing of the marina and construction of lighthouse. Construction on

1764-637: The foundation invested $ 35 million into the M-1 Rail (now QLine ) project to build 3.4 miles (5.5 km) of streetcar service from Downtown Detroit through Midtown to New Center . In total, the foundation contributed $ 50 million to the streetcar project which opened in May 2017 at a total cost of $ 187 million. A gift from the foundation also allowed free rides on the QLine until early September of that year and at various periods in subsequent years. In January 2013,

1813-526: The foundation pledged $ 150 million to aid in the implementation of a long-ranging, comprehensive framework for Detroit's future, also known as The Detroit Future City plan. That year, the foundation's Board of Trustees approved 316 awards totaling $ 122 million; $ 128 million was paid out to grantees over the course of the year. Kresge's Social Investment Practice made another $ 17.7 million available to organizations whose efforts support foundation goals through program-related investments. The foundation also played

1862-414: The foundation's domestic holdings were in firms owned by women and people of color. In April of that year, the foundation pledged to ramp up investment in women- and minority-owned firms to 25% by 2025. In November 2020, the foundation sent a standardized questionnaire to all of its 150 money-managing firms to measure the diversity of their ownership and compel these firms to diversify their management. In

1911-474: The fund for the Memphis Medical District to improve housing and commercial spaces in the neighborhood which has a high poverty rate and a concentration of medical facilities. Detroit International Riverfront The Detroit International Riverfront is a tourist attraction and landmark of Detroit, Michigan , extending from the Ambassador Bridge in the west to Belle Isle in the east, for

1960-474: The largest rooftop restaurant, called Coach Insignia. The complex contains many restaurants, a variety of shops, and the vehicle display known as GM World. GM donated its portion of the plaza and promenade to the Riverfront Conservancy upon completion. A cruise-ship passenger terminal stands on Hart Plaza, adjacent to the Renaissance Center. In 2003, General Motors completed a $ 500 million renovation of

2009-437: The lessons learned in phase I construction. The Dequindre Cut is noted for the high quality graffiti covering the walls of the corridor. The Riverfront Conservancy which operates the greenway will permit current and future painted art work to remain as long as it is not deemed offensive. The trail is one of the city's few public art parks and is a major attraction for urban photographers. The Renaissance Center , nicknamed

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy - Misplaced Pages Continue

2058-613: The multi-day festival the last week of June which draws about 3.5 million visitors during the week in order to commemorate each country's respective National holiday - ( US Independence Day on July 4 and Canada Day on July 1). The festival began in 1959. It is organized by the Parade Company, a well sponsored not-for-profit organization governed by the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation. Traditionally, several days of events were planned, ending with one of

2107-580: The park to the Renaissance Center along a riverside promenade. The park was originally named for Charles Chene, a French immigrant who owned a strip of land along the shores of the Detroit River that extended into what is now just east of downtown. On September 4, 2018, Detroit City Council unanimously voted to rename Chene Park the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater after the famous singer who died on August 16, 2018. The change took place before

2156-542: The path. The east riverfront promenade connects an area known as Rivertown. It extends along the east riverfront area from the Huntington Place convention and exhibit facility to the Belle Isle State Park bridge and includes the Renaissance Center , GM Plaza and Promenade, William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor , Stroh River Place , Chene Park, Mt Elliott Park and Gabriel Richard Park. The river walk

2205-578: The second phase, adjacent to Rivard Plaza, to expand the park started in summer 2008 and was completed in summer 2009. In fall 2009, the state park was renamed in honor of former Michigan Governor William G. Milliken . Detroit River Days, a five-day festival on the International Riverfront, marked the 2007 opening of the riverfront promenade along the east river leading up to the Detroit-Windsor International Freedom Festival fireworks. Detroit and Windsor jointly celebrate

2254-470: The similarly themed festivals Movement (2003–2004), Fuse-In (2005) and currently, Movement: Detroit's Electronic Music Festival (2006–present) continue the DEMF's traditions, with each name change reflecting shifts in festival management. All of these festivals featured performances by musicians and DJs, and emphasized the progressive qualities of the culture surrounding electronic music. The International Riverfront

2303-549: The trail officially opened May 14, 2009 with an opening ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Woodbridge Street entrance of the greenway between Orleans Street and St. Aubin Street. The Dequindre Cut Greenway phase II North project begins at the northern terminus of the phase I at Gratiot Avenue and continues for over one-half mile to Mack Avenue. The strategic plan for phase II provides a design approach and project budget that builds on

2352-601: The world's largest fireworks displays, sponsored by Target . In prior years, the fireworks display has been billed as the world's largest. On the Windsor side, there is a midway consisting of carnival rides and concessions during the festival. The Midway operates as stand-alone attraction at the end of June, beginning of July. The Detroit Electronic Music Festival (DEMF) is an electronic dance music showcase held in Hart Plaza each Memorial Day weekend since 2000. In subsequent years,

2401-583: Was selected a second time as the best riverwalk in the U.S. in 2022. In 1981, the City of Detroit purchased the site from Uniroyal for $ 5 million and then spent another $ 3.6 million to demolish structures and clear the site. The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization, helped raise funds for the International Riverfront project. Developers planned the initial east riverfront promenade investment at $ 559 million, which included contributions of $ 135 million from GM and $ 50 million from

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