Spirit Plaza is under renovation again.
The Detroit City Council authorized proposed alterations to the public space between Woodward Avenue and Hart Plaza outside the Spirit of Detroit sculpture. Plans call for new umbrellas, seating, a covered stage, artificial turf lawn, and new playground enclosed with planter boxes.
The layout is similar to how Spirit Plaza had been arranged before, but new amenities are meant to be more permanent through winter months. An asphalt fire lane would remain along the east boundary of the site between CAYMC, and a similar lane would be provided along the west boundary for food trucks. The United Way Torch in the middle of the site will remain.
The City Council previously approved a $2.9 million contract with Michigan Recreational Construction. The work was paused after city officials learned additional City Council authorization was needed.
A previous study of assets along the east riverfront recommended designing a continuous connection between Spirit Plaza, the Monument to Joe Louis and Woodward Avenue. Residents reported feeling that the plaza was a temporary space with a lack of programs.
Spirit Plaza was first installed in 2017, then made permanent by a narrow vote of the council in 2019. Some residents objected to closing access to Jefferson from Woodward Avenue but the plaza has since become a destination for food trucks, musical performances, yoga and wellness events, political demonstrations and family hangouts.
I have thought from the very beginning that this was a ridiculous “park” to construct, situated as it is at the origin of Woodward Ave. and directly across the street from the city’s major civic space, Hart Plaza. This was initiated at a time when Hart Plaza was left deteriorating as a result of the cities neglect (thankfully, some improvements have been made to Hart Plaza since then). It is also a few blocks south of the Campus Martius, downtown’s major park. Besides confounding traffic at this historic junction by creating a park where it does not belong, the city has managed create an ugly park and the recent renovation plans are not much of an improvement. My humble opinion is that it should be removed, Woodward Avenue’s historic origin at Jefferson Avenue be returned, and further funds saved therefrom be invested into Hart Plaza and established city parks, many of which are in dire need of improvements.