River Rouge MASTER PLAN

2017 THIS PAGE HAS BEEN LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY Acknowledgments

A special thanks to Karl Laub, the Community Development Director, for his dedication and support of this planning process.

COUNCIL

Michael D. Bowdler* Derek Perry Mayor Councilman Karen Ward Percy Pierce* Mayor Pro-Tem Councilman Patty Campbell Mark Pruneau Councilman Councilman Daniel Cooney Ellis Houghton Councilman Constable Dennis Shiels Constable

*Members of both the City Council and Planning Commission

PLANNING COMMISSION Donald Love Olive Roberts Commissioner Chairperson Jesse Jordan Douglas Myers Jr. Commissioner Commissioner Kenneth Burgess Vicky Dobbins Commissioner Commissioner Karl Laub Voting Member

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Figures, Maps, Tables 1: Regional Location Map 9 2: River Rouge Compared to the State of Michigan on PRT Criteria 11 3: Age and Gender Pyramid, % 13 4: Population Growth 14 5: Poverty Threshold Guidelines, 2016 15 6: Race by Block 16 7: Poverty by Block Group 17 8: Percentage of Workers by Occupation 19 9: Educational Attainment 20 10: Wayne County Health Rankings 21 11: LUST and Brownfield Sites Map 26 12: Average Density of Fine Particulate Matter, 2002-2012 27 13: Existing Land Use Categories 28 14: Existing Land Use Map 29 15: Vacant Properties Map 31 16: Neighborhood Typologies Map 35 17: Community Engagement Results 39 18: Housing Assessment Scoring 47 19: Housing Units Map 48 21: Housing Checklist Example 49 20: Boarded Homes by Block 49 22: Housing Conditions Map 50 23: Market Potential vs. Existing Housing Stock, Share of Total by Building Size 51 24: Road Classifications Map 55 25: Public Transportation Map 57 26: Preferred Roadway Configuration, West Jefferson Corridor 59 27: Sidewalk Gap Analysis Map 61 28: Barriers to Economic Growth in Michigan 70 29: Tree Canopy Cover Map 73 30: Redevelopment Opportunities 77 31: Future Land Use Map 81 32: Future Land Use Districts 82 33: Current Land Use Districts 84 34: Zoning Map 85 35: Corresponding Future Land Uses 87 36: Housing Goals 90 37: Redevelopment Goals 91 38: Health, Environment, and Energy 92 39: Transportation 93 40: Communication 94 41: Economic Development 95 42: River Rouge Master Plan Survey Results 96 43: Pathway to Becoming a Redevelopment Ready Community 139 Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6

INTRODUCTION 8

DEMOGRAPHICS 12

EXISTING LAND USE 24

DOWNTOWNS & DISTRICTS 32

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 38

HOUSING 46

CORRIDORS 54

ECONOMIC PROFILE 68

POTENTIAL REDEVELOPMENT SITES 76

FUTURE LAND USE & ZONING 80

ACTION PLAN & IMPLEMENTATION 88

APPENDIX 96 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PLANNING COMMUNITY strengths identified for River Rouge lie in strong leadership and the new PROCESS ENGAGEMENT plans produced through the PRT This phase of the Project Rising RESULTS process. Some of the opportunities Tide (PRT) Master Plan process mentioned are economically-driven began in the summer of 2016. A 29-question survey was hand with the construction opportunities Over the course of the following delivered to every home in River from the Gordie Howe International year, a team of planners, economic Rouge asking residents how they Bridge, access to available developers, and workforce would prioritize issues pertaining grants, and intra- and inter-city experts collaborated to engage to housing, commercial, industrial, collaboration for economic growth. the public in order to develop recreation, and transportation. On the other hand, the weaknesses recommendations designed to The results demonstrated an and threats are serious concerns. guide growth and development in overwhelming response to prioritize River Rouge is concerned about River Rouge for the next decade. housing, specifically to remove the DTE closure and tax base loss, The Action Plan is a result of blighted structures. Community absentee landlords, and an aging a community survey, a SWOT members also expressed a desire population, all of which have analysis, and discussions held for the city to prioritize business potentially severe and negative during various meetings with recruitment, improved air quality, consequences if not properly the Planning Commission, City better maintenance of existing addressed. Interestingly, there was Council, Downtown Development recreational facilities, and increased no overlap between weaknesses Authority (DDA), and the Economic bus frequency. and threats. Community members Development Corporation (EDC). In May 2017, the Planning believe drugs, race relations, and Commission, City Council, and the absence of a grocery store to residents underwent a Strengths, be the top weaknesses. Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threat (SWOT) analysis. The top

6 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN ACTION PLAN annually for the next five years. • As of 2015, 38.6% of families lived below the poverty line. The Action Plan addresses • River Rouge follows national recurring concerns exposed during trends of an aging population. • River Rouge and Wayne County the community engagement • African-American/Black has have lost 4% of manufacturing process. The Action Plan is divided become the dominant racial jobs, but one-third of jobs are into five broader categories: group accounting for 53% of still in manufacturing. housing, economic development, the population. • A Gap Analysis revealed that redevelopment, transportation, and • More than 1 in 5 residents aged the River Rouge market is communication. 25 years or older do not have a saturated in gas stations, liquor The housing recommendations call high school diploma. stores, and fast food chains, for increasing the supply, improving but has not captured the • Wayne County consistently demand for auto parts, grocery the quality of the housing stock, ranks within the bottom two and increasing the types of housing stores, clothing and general counties in the state for most merchandise, and a full-service largely through modifying the health variables. zoning ordinance and creating restaurant. a year-round rental inspection program. The redevelopment Housing Natural Features and recommendations are centered • As of 2015, River Rouge has a Existing Land Use housing vacancy rate of 27.6% on proactively inventorying and • Over 60% of land is used for which equates to approximately marketing potential sites to industrial purposes. developers who otherwise might 1,057 units vacant. • Belanger Park is the only public not come to the community. • A residential Target Market access to the riverfront. The intent of the health and Analysis (TMA) showed that environment goals is to boost the 90% new households that • There are no wetlands physical health of River Rouge’s move in River Rouge are renters remaining but there are residents through non motorized and are from the poorest potential wetland restoration transit, expanded tree canopy to lifestyle segments. areas left along the Rouge improve air quality, and increased River. exercise classes. The public • River Rouge’s housing stock • Almost 10% of the city’s transportation goals aim to improve suffers from a lack of “missing parcels are vacant. public options that are safe, middle” housing options. accessible, and affordable including • Likely due to the Great • There are 21 open underground building bicycle lanes in the short Recession median housing storage tanks (UST). term, and in the longer term work values have fallen by about with SMART and DDOT to expand $30,000 and have not Corridors the bus frequency. Communication rebounded. • Average annual daily traffic on goals are intended to improve • A housing inventory conducted West Jefferson Avenue dropped two-way communication between in November 2016 found that between 2013-2016 due to the the city and its residents, as well 78% of housing structures Bascule Bridge closure. as communicating the city’s were considered in “good” • The sidewalk gap analysis receptiveness to business through condition. their new branding. shows that most of the gaps • One-third of homeowners are are located along industrial land cost-burdened compared to uses. MAJOR two-thirds of renters. FINDINGS Redevelopment Sites Economic Profile • There are two publicly Demographics • The median household income held properties that can be (MHI) has dropped by $2,000 • River Rouge has been redeveloped. annually since the year 2000, experiencing population • 479 parcels are vacant land. and the MHI of $27,641 is decline since the 1950s and 56% of Wayne County’s. is projected to lose 0.83% RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 7 INTRODUCTION

REGIONAL of the regional government HISTORY SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan SETTING Council of Governments. River Rouge’s location has forged its destiny as a hub of industrial River Rouge is one of the seventeen SEMCOG plans for eight counties activity. Primarily beginning as Downriver Communities of Detroit. in southeast Michigan to help outgrowth of Detroit’s expansion, The City covers 2.65 square miles, coordinate development across its position between the iron ore a small city that is home to major jurisdictions, and can assist local in the upper peninsula and the industrial giants such as National governments through grants for coal mines in the eastern part of Steel Corporation, Texaco, and planning initiatives, for example, the US, and along the Detroit and Amoco Petroleum Products. The the Transportation Alternatives Rouge Rivers, made it an ideal spot City is linked to Detroit in many Program (TAP) that gives funding for manufacturing. River Rouge ways; in addition to sharing a for pedestrian and bicycle transitioned from farmland to a border, they are connected via two infrastructure, safe routes to factory town. Ecorse Township corridors: Jefferson Avenue, River school, and historic preservation of was formed where River Rouge is Rouge’s principal thoroughfare, transportation facilities, etc. currently located in 1827, before and the Detroit River. River Rouge is The City is well situated regarding even the State of Michigan was also bounded on its northern side highway access. One mile west formed. In 1899, River Rouge by the man made channel around of the City lies I-75, and farther officially incorporated as a village. wholly industrialized Zug Island. west lies I-94, a major freeway that In April 1922, River Rouge As a city in Wayne County, River provides access to north-south incorporated as a City. Rouge is a part of the most freeways (I-75 and I-275). River River Rouge’s recent history falls populous County in the state— Rouge is also only about 20 miles in line with many communities nearly 2 of every 10 Michiganders east of the international Detroit experiencing a decline in their lives in Wayne County. As such, Metropolitan Wayne County traditional economic base. In River Rouge falls under the purview Airport.

8 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 1: Regional Location Map LAPEER ST. CLAIR

GENESEE SHIAWASSEE

Fenton

New MACOMB Baltimore l? OAKLAND Rochester Hills g? Iº LIVINGSTON I´ Ø? Sterling Heights %&'(96 Brighton Birmingham %&'(75 %&'(94 Wixom ¥? Royal Oak St. Clair Shores Farmington Ferndale Ù? Ø? %&'(96 Ú? Ý? g? Grosse Pointe Woods Livonia %&'(96 Hamtramck Detroit à? %&'(275 Iº %&'(94 Ë? Westland Ë? Dearborn %&'(75 %&'(94 Ann Arbor I´ I± WAYNE ^_ WASHTENAW CITY OF Ypsilanti Taylor RIVER ROUGE %&'(94 Romulus x?

%&'(75 I± Trenton %&'(275 Milan Rockwood

Iº d? I´

LENAWEE MONROE Monroe Adrian

%&'(75

0 10 20 CITY OF RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN Miles Regional Location Data Sources: State of Michigan Geographic Data Library, Michigan DNR Open Data Portal Freeways DNR Lands / Parks State Roads Cities County Boundary Lakes / Ponds Rivers / Streams

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 9 its heyday, it was a productive, middle-class suburb with ample opportunity. However, with the decline of manufacturing, job loss followed by population loss has spurred a negative feedback loop of housing vacancy falling into disrepair, vandalism, and reduced tax revenue. Moreover, for three years the River Rouge business community was also negatively affected by the closure of the Jefferson Bascule Bridge, which removed reliable traffic and hurt business sales downtown. Fortunately, as the economy rebounds and the bridge reopens, business is due to pick up. The DTE Energy Co.’s coal-fired River Rouge Historical Museum. River Rouge Electric Company in 1903 plant is scheduled to close by 2023, before it was sold to Detroit Edison and the City will lose one-third of its tax revenue. While this signals another round of job shedding, some residents are also happy to “...River Rouge is a part of see a major polluter leave. And, with DTE progressing to renewable energy production, the jobs are the most populous county in expected to be recovered and converted into cleaner jobs, but the state—nearly 2 of every may be relocated outside of River Rouge. 10 Michiganders lives in PROJECT RISING Wayne County.” TIDE The Rising Tide initiative is a statewide program, envisioned by Governor Snyder and implemented Development Authority (MSHDA). and represents Region 10, Metro by the Department of Talent The mission is to provide at-risk Detroit. The communities from and Economic Development communities with the necessary each prosperity region were (TED). TED is comprised of the tools to design and build a selected based on the following Michigan Economic Development successful economic framework. criteria: Corporation (MEDC), Talent Investment Agency, and River Rouge is one of ten • Poverty level the Michigan State Housing communities selected statewide • Unemployment level

10 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN • Labor participation rate innovative redevelopment strategies on community needs and desires • Renter occupied units to signal to developers and over the next 5 to 20 years. The businesses that they are attractive plan records the condition of public • Vacancy rates places to invest. The project’s scope facilities and community assets, • Percentage of households is to plan for economic stability and and records community input on receiving food stamps growth while maintaining River how to improve the quality of life Rouge’s “small town” feel. The for all residents. In addition to Master Plan is an important step to community input, the plan reviews Below, the graph that compares achieve certification. various sources on demographics, River Rouge to the state of housing, and economic data, and Michigan on these criteria. considers the feasibility of the This initiative employs MEDC’s PURPOSE OF community’s desires. A Master Plan Redevelopment Ready Communities THE MASTER is comprehensive in scope, but also (RRC) program as a mechanism provides more specific actions and for preparing each city for a PLAN site locations for implementing the brighter economic future. RRC The purpose of a Master Plan is to community’s goals. is a certification program that serve as a living document to guide encourages communities to use the city’s future development based

2: River Rouge Compared to the State of Michigan on PRT Criteria

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 11 DEMOGRAPHICS

Understanding population and population and housing size, and for communities age trends is important because it information, and the ten-year smaller than 20,000, it takes sheds light on how a city can better interval between data points 60 months. This system accommodate its citizens in terms means it is rarely “fresh.” exposes the statistical tradeoff of providing the desired types of • 2011-2015 American between the reliability gained community facilities, housing, Community Survey. The ACS by increasing sample size and public utilities, transportation program replaced the “long the accuracy that is sacrificed networks, and future land uses. As form” Census questions in the time it takes to do so. a point of comparison River Rouge’s beginning in 2000, asking • Esri Business Analyst. This demographic data is compared to the same types of detailed proprietary software presents larger, but relevant geographies, questions about social, privately-generated market namely Wayne County and the economic, and housing research data. In addition, State of Michigan. conditions on a rolling basis it estimates Census and The figures in this section have instead of once per decade. ACS data for geographic been taken from the following Statistical validity of the ACS configurations other than sources in this preferred order: depends on sampling. In larger Census-defined tracts, blocks, • 2010 US Census. This communities (those with and places. is the gold standard for populations of 65,000 Also, it is important to note that demographic data. It measures or more), it is possible to gain ‘Hispanic’ is considered an ethnicity 100% of the population and a valid sample within twelve and not a race, and therefore offers comparable data points months, which the ACS calls a Hispanic persons may be double- at regular intervals throughout “one-year estimate.” For mid- counted. In certain cases, this may most of the United States’ size communities (population cause the total percentages of race developed history. However, 20,000-65,000), it takes 36 to add up to more than 100%. available data is limited to months of data collection to achieve a valid sample

12 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 3: Age and Gender Pyramid, %

85+ years 80-84 years 75-79 years 70-74 years 65-69 years 60-64 years 55-59 years 50-54 years 45-49 years Male 40-44 years 35-39 years Female 30-34 years 25-29 years 20-24 years 15-19 years 10-14 years 5-9 years Under 5

15 10 5 0 5 10

ACS 5-Year Estimates 2010-2014

POPULATION decline has been the quickest. Population Projections River Rouge’s population decline AND AGE is happening in conjunction with ESRI Business Analyst provides population projections five years River Rouge’s population peaked population loss at the county level. into the future. ESRI predicts that in the 1950s at 20,549. According Wayne County lost about 3.6% of the annual population growth will to 2015 ACS 5-Year Estimates its residents between 2010-2016, be -0.83%, leaving River Rouge the population is about 7,673, or despite stable population growth with a population of 7,111 in about 37% of its peak population. in Southeast Michigan. The most 2021, a loss of approximately Since the last complete census in recent growth is concentrated in 560 people in the next five 2010, River Rouge lost close to 600 Oakland, Macomb, and Livingston years. Population projections people. While many Detroit suburbs counties. River Rouge’s loss can typically base forecasts on historic have experienced population be partially explained by out- data, meaning that a myriad of decline over the last 50 years, migration, but also by a national unaccounted variables can affect River Rouge was the first, and its trend of smaller household sizes.

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 13 Chart Title 100 4: Population Growth

80

60

40

20

0

-20 1950-1960 1960-1970 1970-1980 1980-1990 1990-2000 2000-2010 2010-2016

-40 River Rouge Ecorse Lincoln Park Wyandotte ACS 5-Year Estimates 2011-2015, SEMCOG Population and Household Estimates for Southeast Michigan the forecast’s accuracy such as the median age will naturally rise. Since the year 2000, the largest the opening of a new major When grouped into different jump has been in the “families” employer, construction of housing categories, stages of life as category, increasing over 15%. developments, immigration, etc. opposed to generations, it is However, a reflection of the easier to see where River Rouge emerging preference to have Age Distribution is gaining and losing segments of children later in life or not at all, the number of school-aged children The median age in River Rouge the population. Below are the age dropped by almost 8%, despite an is 34.7, about two years younger categories used to broadly identify increase in family formation ages. than the County and five years different life cycles: It is also clear why the median age younger than the state of • Pre-school: (5 and under): continues to rise; the middle-aged Michigan. River Rouge is following 8.2% group and the seniors group grew the national trend of an aging • School-aged (5-17): 18.2% by 7.6% and 6.1%, respectively. population, as the median age has Because the population is not increased by about two years every • Families (18-44): 51.5% growing, but the median age decade since 1970. As the Baby • Middle-aged (45-64): 26.4% continues advancing, this could Boomers age, and the following • Senior citizens ( 65+): 16.7% indicate that River Rouge residents generations have fewer children, are aging in place.

14 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN As shown in the age and gender River Rouge. The neighborhood POVERTY pyramid, there is a noticeable gap west of the rail road line is almost for men between ages 40-44, but entirely comprised of African- In a 12 month period between not for women. The gap begins American with no other section of 2014-2015, 38.6% of families to emerge for men between ages the City with such an intense racial lived on an income below the 35-39 and takes a more dramatic concentration. poverty threshold. These rates are shift in the following five year considerably higher than Wayne County and Michigan’s respective increment. Also, unlike other cities Foreign Born in Michigan, there is no decline family poverty rates of 19.9% There is an estimated 347 River amongst college-aged residents. and 11.9%. The poverty income Rouge resident that were born This could mean that fewer thresholds depends on the number outside of the U.S. Of them, the residents are attending college of people living in the household, vast majority come from Latin or that the college-bound tend but 44.4% of families make less America (325), and about three- to remain in River Rouge while than $25,000 annually which is quarters are not U.S. citizens yet. completing their degrees. slightly more than the federal Out of all the households in River poverty level for a family of four. Rouge, 10.2% speak languages With a female head of household RACE other than English at home, but and no husband present, the poverty The racial makeup of River only 4.2% speak English less than rate increases to 62.2%, and when Rouge has changed dramatically “very well.” she has to care for children, the in the last 15 years. Black or rate increases to 77.8%. This jump African-Americans have become in poverty can also be attributed to the majority at 53% of the population, an 11% increase since 5: Poverty Threshold Guidelines, 2016 2000. Coincidentally, the white population’s drop is almost equal at SIZE OF FAMILY UNIT POVERTY GUIDELINE 12.5%. Between these two groups, 93.1% of the City is accounted for, One person under 65 $12,486 with only 3.3% reported “some One person over 65 $11,511 other race.” One of the largest Two people ethnic changes has been among Householder under 65 $16,072 Hispanics. This group has doubled Householder over 65 $14,504 in the last 15 years, growing from 5% of River Rouge residents to Three people $18,774 11.8%. Again, please note that the percentages may exceed Four people $24,755 100% because ‘Hispanic’ is not Five people $29,854 considered a race, and are counted separately. The largest nationality Six people $34,337 represented amongst the Latino/ Hispanic category is Mexican Seven people $39,509 (9.6%). Eight people $44,188 Looking at the “Race” map discloses the potential legacy of Nine people $53,155 housing segregation by race in U.S. Census Bureau, Poverty Thresholds for 2016

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 15 Industrial Cottrell Crossley Springwells Powell WestendSpringwells Riverside Harbaugh Melville South Erie Yale Dill Stone Gould Dix Dearborn Kaier Sire Miller Sloan Rouge South

Fordson Gerisch Cary Denmark Vanderbilt Reisener Heidt Barron Zug Island Carbon

Flora Melville BurdenoUnknown Aggregate Forman Thaddeus Luther Powell Graham Lyon Crown Dey Barnes Norway Gates N I 75/DearbornLeigh Keller Sanders Colonial Herkimer Copland Edwin Gale

Oakwood Bayside

Stocker S I 75 6: Race by BlockDumfries Waring Fort Cullen reyfriars G N I 75 Voss Sanders Brennan

Tractor Patricia Northampton

Deacon Liddesdale Pleasant

Fort Patricia Leonard

Victoria

Liebold Gilroy Ethel Deacon Bassett N Fort/N I 75 Anchor Toronto Hart Cicotte Dwight Charles Division James Beatrice Myrtle Linden Frazier Delisle Schaefer Brownlee Coolidge Henry Le Roy Harris Electric Bromley Henry Liddesdale Campbell Le Roy Miami Annabelle Coolidge Melvin Henry Oak Batavia Pine Beatrice Byron Belanger Park Ruloff Maple DowningDeacon Bassett Goodell Frazier Richter Morrow Elm Genesee Polk Haltiner Beechwood Burke Chestnut Walnut Hall Kleinow Great Lakes Omaha

Great Lakes Campbell Marion Industrial

Holford Palmerston Ethel Carlston Fairmont Summit Eaton Catherine Cora Perrin Stoner Abbott Elizabeth Stoner Le Blanc 19th Lenoir Forest Hill Florence 18th Auburn Superior Ironton

17th Rockwood Visger 16th Glenwood Alexander Rockwood Ruth Glenwood Hyacinthe 15th Francis

14th Marie High Ironton

Jefferson Bell Quality 10th Union 12th 11th G R Fink 13th Ridge 8th Knox

9th Elton Salliotte 13th Charlotte Agnes Joseph 7th Alexis

Alexis 10th 9th DrennanJosephine Cherrygrove Eliza Outer Oute Broadwa r y

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 0 0.5 1 Miles Race by Block Data Sources: State of Michigan Geographic Data Library, ESRI Basemap, Wayne County GIS, U.S. Census Bureau City Boundary Percent African American: State Roads 0.0% - 10.0% Unpopulated Blocks All Roads 10.1% - 28.1% Railroads 28.2% - 45.8% Rivers / Streams 45.9% - 78.5% Lakes / Ponds 78.6% - 100.0%

16 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN Industrial Cottrell Crossley Springwells Powell WestendSpringwells Riverside Harbaugh Melville South Erie Yale Dill Stone Gould Dix Dearborn Kaier Sire Miller Sloan Rouge South

Fordson Gerisch Cary Denmark Vanderbilt Reisener Heidt Barron Zug Island Carbon

Flora Melville BurdenoUnknown Aggregate Forman Thaddeus Luther Powell Graham Lyon Crown Dey Barnes Norway Gates N I 75/DearbornLeigh Keller Sanders Colonial Herkimer Copland Edwin Gale

Oakwood Bayside

7: Poverty by Block GroupStocker S I 75 Dumfries

rs aring ort W F Cullen

Greyfria N I 75 Voss Sanders Brennan

Tractor Patricia Northampton

Deacon Liddesdale Pleasant 3.2% Fort Patricia Leonard

Victoria

Liebold Gilroy Ethel Deacon Bassett N Fort/N I 75 Anchor Toronto Hart Cicotte Dwight Charles Division James Beatrice Myrtle Linden Frazier Delisle Schaefer Brownlee Coolidge Henry Le Roy Harris Electric Bromley 3.0%Henry Liddesdale Campbell Le Roy Miami Annabelle Coolidge Melvin 2.3% Henry Oak Batavia Pine Beatrice 6.3% Byron Belanger Park Ruloff Maple DowningDeacon Bassett Goodell Frazier Richter Morrow 3.9% Elm Genesee Polk Haltiner Beechwood Burke Chestnut Walnut Hall Kleinow Great Lakes Omaha 6.2%

Great Lakes Campbell Marion Industrial

Holford Palmerston Ethel Carlston Fairmont Summit Eaton Catherine 14.3% Cora Perrin Stoner Abbott Elizabeth Stoner Le Blanc 19th Lenoir Forest Hill Florence 18th Auburn 2.4% Superior Ironton

17th Rockwood Visger 16th Glenwood Alexander Rockwood Ruth Glenwood Hyacinthe 15th Francis

14th Marie High Ironton

Jefferson Bell Quality 10th Union 12th 11th G R Fink 13th Ridge 8th Knox

9th Elton Salliotte 13th Charlotte Agnes Joseph 7th Alexis

Alexis 10th 9th DrennanJosephine Cherrygrove Eliza Outer Outer Broadwa y

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 0 0.5 1 Poverty by Block Group Miles Data Sources: State of Michigan Geographic Data Library, ESRI Basemap, Wayne County GIS, U.S. Census Bureau City Boundary Number of Households Below the Poverty Level: State Roads Unpopulated Blocks Block Group Boundary All Roads 1 - 181 Households Railroads 182 - 298 Households Rivers / Streams 299 - 481 Households Lakes / Ponds 481 - 1,094 Households

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 17 the wage gap: in River Rouge the to 59.6%. However, the drop in has been some divergence that median earning for a full-time, wage earners does not correspond may help explain the lower median year-round female worker is 75% to an increase in public assistance, household income, and a low labor of her male counterpart. retirement income or social security participation rate in River Rouge. The childhood poverty rate is income; in fact, the percentage of Both locations have experienced 54.4%. More than half of the residents receiving public assistance about a 4% drop in manufacturing children in River Rouge live in dropped 2%. This means that a work, and in River Rouge a poverty! The factors contributing growing but unknown number of subsequent uptick of about to poverty are multi-faceted residents have little public financial 4% in retail trade. A loss in and are examined as part of support. manufacturing, and a gain in retail median household income The unemployment rate provides likely results in lower wages, fewer (MHI), unemployment, and labor some idea of the employment than full-time hours, and a loss of participation rate. situation, but not the full benefits. Wayne County has not As can be seen by the “Poverty” picture. The unemployment rate shared that fate as the rate of retail map, poverty and race are highly is a measure of those actively trade worked has stagnated within correlated. West of the railroad looking for work but cannot find the same time period. line where the population ranges employment. River Rouge is an area River Rouge has also not matched from 75%-100% African-American of concentrated unemployment the County’s push towards “new also has the greatest amount of (26.0%), almost double that of economy” jobs which are largely households in living in poverty for Wayne County (14.9%). jobs in service-based industries a total of 1,575 households. The There is a percentage of working- such as health care, education, and area with the third highest number age people who have stopped professional services. In these areas, of households in poverty, along looking for work, and are therefore Wayne County has grown more, Marion Industrial Road, has an not included in the unemployment for example, the percentage of African-American population of figure. In that case, it is useful to jobs in the “finance, insurance, and 45.6%-78.5%, and is sandwiched look at the labor participation rate real estate” has doubled to 5.5%, between higher income areas. to understand how many working- whereas River Rouge dropped by That is to say, African-American aged individuals are employed half to 2.8%. and impoverished households are and actively looking for work. The One positive shift for River generally concentrated into the labor participation rate is 53.6%, Rouge has been growth in the same neighborhoods. meaning that only slightly more “professional, scientific, and than half of those who can work management” by 4.5 percentage Income & Employment are working. The civilian labor points. Nationally, the economy force has dropped by almost 1,100 The median household income is moving in this direction, and people since 2000, from 4,250 to in River Rouge is $27,641 with will likely be where employment 3,157. As mentioned previously, a per capita income of $14,360, opportunities expand. this is in part due to due an aging about half of Wayne County’s MHI population that is leaving the labor ($52,733) and 56% Michigan’s Commuting Patterns force. ($49,576). Since 2000, the nominal Given that River Rouge resident’s median household income in River Industry commute time average (28.8 Rouge has dropped by $2,000. minutes) is 3 to 4 minutes longer Also, since 2000 the percentage of Previously, industry in River Rouge than the County and state those receiving a “wage and salary clearly mirrored Wayne County. averages, there is some evidence income” has dropped from 74.8% However in the last 15 years, there that River Rouge residents must

18 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 8: Percentage of Workers by Occupation

RIVER ROUGE WAYNE COUNTY RIVER ROUGE WAYNE COUNTY 2000 2000 2015 2015

Agriculture 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.3

Construction 4.9 4.6 6.3 4.0

Manufacturing 21.5 21.8 17.0 16.7

Wholesale Trade 3.8 3.2 1.3 2.4

Retail Trade 10.6 10.7 14.1 10.9

Transportation and warehousing, and 6.7 6.4 8.4 6.0 utilities

Information 2.0 2.5 1.1 1.8

Finance, insurance, real estate, and 5.6 5.9 2.8 5.5 rental and leasing

Professional, scientific, 8.6 9.2 13.0 10.6 management Arts, entertainment, recreation, 9.7 8.0 12.1 10.4 accommodation, food service Educational, health, and social 16.8 18.6 18.4 23.3 services

Other services 4.7 5.0 4.0 4.9

Public 4.5 4.0 1.4 3.4 administration

2000 Decennial Census, 2015 ACS 5-Year Estimates

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 19 9: Educational Attainment

TOTAL % NO HIGH % HIGH % SOME % % % GRADUATE/ POPULATION SCHOOL SCHOOL COLLEGE ASSOCIATES BACHELOR’S PROFESSIONAL AGE 25+ DIPLOMA DIPLOMA DEGREE DEGREE DEGREE

River 2,128 22.9 38.8 21.1 5.3 4.3 3.3 Rouge

Wayne 1,170,589 10.6 30.3 24.5 7.9 13.4 8.6 County

Michigan 6,652,665 7.2 29.9 23.8 8.9 16.5 10.5

ACS 5-Year Estimates 2011-2015 look farther outside of their considerable portion of high school In River Rouge, the unemployment community for employment. This graduates (21.1%) have achieved rate for those without a high could prove problematic for the “some college” but only 4.3% school degree is 45.2%, 17.5% for 549 residents without access to a have a bachelor’s degree. This high school graduates, 13.1% for vehicle. indicates a large portion of those people with an associate’s degree However, more River Rouge starting college do not finish. This or some college, and 5.4% for residents rely on public figure is quite low when compared people with a bachelor’s degree. transportation and carpooling to the County (13.4%) and the This trend rings true for Wayne than at the county and state level. state (16.5%). Since 2000, the County and the State of Michigan Almost 16% of workers carpool number of college-graduates too. Consequently, poverty rates compared to 9.7% in Wayne residing in River Rouge has dropped are lower for residents with a County, and 8.8% in Michigan. by 1.2 percentage points. college degree. Also, 4% of workers use public There is a clear connection transit, almost four times the state between level of education and Vocational Training average of 1.4%. economic stability. In general, In Wayne County there are also the higher the level of education training programs in a range of EDUCATIONAL obtained, the more economic fields for those who prefer a career security a person experiences. For that does not require a bachelor’s ATTAINMENT instance, in River Rouge the labor degree. Focus:HOPE, a civil rights force participation rate is 93.4% Educational attainment plays a organization and SEMCA, the local for bachelor’s degree holders, 60% huge role in a person’s economic MiWorks office, have partnered to for high school graduates, and future, especially as more jobs provide free training for qualified 51.6% for those with less than a require a bachelor’s degree. More students in information technology high school dipolma. The census than 1 in 5 residents aged 25 or and machinist courses. Their data also shows that a college older do not have a high school Career and Technical Education degree significantly reduces the diploma, compared to 1 in 10 in (CTE) provides an accelerated likelihood of being unemployed. Wayne County. Furthermore, a path for high school students. Starting in their junior year,

20 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN students learn STEM curriculum products and environments usable which more specifically is a score and graduate with college credit for all people; the emphasis is for health behaviors, clinical care, for engineering technology and building the appropriate design social and economic factors, and information technology. New as of into the product as opposed to the physical environment (see Fall of 2016, Focus:HOPE began the adapting existing products or Table for more detail). Since 2011, American Apprenticeship Program creating a specialized product. Wayne County has ranked either so enrollees can gain hands-on This can help ease the pressure of last or second to last in the state. experience. accommodating changes in ability The County Health Rankings throughout the population. & Roadmaps program is a DISABILITY collaboration between the Robert Health Statistics Wood Johnson Foundation and the STATUS Unfortunately, Wayne County University of Wisconsin Population As is common in most ranks last in measures of health in Health Institute. Health outcomes communities, the disabled the State of Michigan. Based on represent how healthy a county population is disproportionately the Robert Wood Johnson County is, and are measured by how represented by senior citizens (65 Health rankings compiled in 2016, long people live and how healthy years or older). For example, 17.3% Wayne County is ranked 83rd of people feel while alive. Health of residents have a disability, over 83 counties in Michigan for health factors influence the health of one-third of whom (34.5%) are outcomes. Health outcomes are a county, and are measured by over 65 years old. The disabilities based on length and quality of life. health behaviors, clinical care, that have the largest impact on Wayne County is also ranked last social and economic, and physical planning for the built environment of 83 counties for health factors, are ambulatory and independent living difficulty. It is important for a municipality to have a grasp 10: Wayne County Health Rankings on these figures in order to tailor amenities and buildings towards WAYNE COUNTY HEALTH RANKINGS all levels of ableness. Almost 20% of the population aged HEALTH VARIABLE RANKING 65 years or older have difficulty Health Outcomes 83 living independently, 28.6% have ambulatory difficulty, and 9.4% Length of Life 81 have vision trouble. It is important to track types of Quality of Life 83 disabilities and how they change Health Factors 83 over time because residents with mobility and living constraints Health Behaviors 83 require different amenities to help them access recreational and Clinical Care 77 housing opportunities. The federal Americans with Disabilities Act Social and Economic Factors 83 requires that site development provide reasonable access for Physical Environmental 83 the disabled. Universal design is Source: 2016 County Health Rankings a concept that strives to make

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 21 environment factors. Moreover, almost 88% of the County’s residents are uninsured. At the county-level, the percentage of uninsured persons peaked in 2010, and fell in the subsequent years. However, starting in 2013, the trend has worsened, and those without health insurance is rising again. Using the ACS 2011-2015 5-Year Estimates to hone in on River Rouge shows that 13.8% of its residents are uninsured. When the uninsured are examined by demographic groups, the uninsured rates are highest between ages 25-34 (40.6%), those with less than a high school education (23.6%), and surprisingly those earning between $75,000-$100,00 annually (18.3%). Interestingly, those who worked full-time in the past 12 months had a only a slightly lower uninsured rate (17.0%) than those who did not work at all (18.4%). This may provide some evidence that unemployed persons are better protected through state insurance such as Medicaid than through an employer. While those “who did not work at all” could be retired River Rouge Planning Commissioner, Douglas Myers Jr., at a Sierra Club or disabled, the uninsured rate event in 2015 advocates for clean air in River Rouge due to high asthma for those 65 years or older is 0%, rates in the area. http://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/ and the uninsured rated for the files/blog/Volunteersathearing3.jpg disabled is 11.9%. These figures could also describe a situation in which employers may not be providing jobs with healthcare benefits to River Rouge residents.

22 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN THIS PAGE HAS BEEN LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 23 EXISTING LAND USE

NATURAL 53,949 jobs directly and indirectly, Detroit River and produces $2.58 billion per year The Detroit River connects River FEATURES in income for transportation and Rouge to Lake Erie and is about commodity-related industries. 30 miles long. It is an important Rouge River The channel that goes around Zug waterway because it is an The Rouge River originates in Island was not originally a part of international border between the Oakland County and flows through the Rouge River. It is a man made United States and Canada. It was Wayne County where it connects channel dug in 1888 to connect historically important because to the Detroit River next to Zug the Rouge and Detroit Rivers. after 1817 when the Erie Canal Island in the City of River Rouge. Known as the Short Canal, it was was created, the Detroit River The river has always been an enlarged in the 1920s by Henry connected the region to the East integral part to the success of Ford to facilitate navigation by Coast. The Detroit River is easy River Rouge. According to the larger ships to the Ford River Rouge to navigate as there are no major US Army Corps of Engineers, 6.7 Complex. tributaries (on the U.S. side), nor million tons of material were either In addition to being a major any dams or locks. shipped or received in River Rouge corridor with economic value, the in 2013. The large amount of river also offers some recreational Wetlands and material moving through Rouge opportunities. While most of Floodplains River was facilitated by three feet the river is blocked by industry, River Rouge no longer has of dredging that took place in Belanger Park allows residents wetlands, but there are still about 2012 to accommodate ships. and visitors access to the water. 98 acres of potential wetland This process should occur every It’s becoming a more significant restoration areas. These areas, 2-5 years but the harbor was not destination as kayaking and other logically located along Rouge dredged in 2016. A reduction in water sports grow in popularity in River, were likely wetlands the harbor’s capacity could have the region. stark consequences as it supports pre-settlement. They have the potential to be restored because

24 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN of their hydrology, water source predictions estimate more intense THE BUILT and quality, substrate makeup, and frequent storms. plant material, etc. Wetlands are ENVIRONMENT important because they form Parks where dry land and water meet, There are eight parks of varying Industry and therefore play a huge role sizes within the City that provide The history of River Rouge’s in water management for cities. important respites from urban industry and its impact on the City Wetlands help reduce flooding, living. Memorial Park, River Rouge’s and its residents is no secret. The purify contamination most prominent park at the heart residents are surrounded by heavy in surface runoff, recharge of the City, received a $300,000 and light industry which affects the groundwater supplies, produce Community Development Block quality of the air, soil, and water. oxygen, and add recreational Grant to build a splash pad. The opportunities to a community. Many industries rely on an splash pad will be 5,200 square underground storage tank (UST) Because of their importance feet with easy access to permanent to store materials. An UST refers to both human and animal life, bathrooms and pavilions. With to any tank or underground piping the state and federal legislation, construction beginning in the connected to that tank that has at chiefly the Natural Resources spring or summer of 2018, the least 10% of its combined volume and Environmental Protect Act of area will have three different areas underground. Nearly all USTs in the 1994, require the preservation of catered to different users: young U.S. contain petroleum. Until the or responsible management of children, teens, and families. The 1980s, most USTs were made of wetlands. Part 303 of the MDEQ City is thrilled to be able to provide bare steel which over time is likely Wetlands Protection Act allows a safe place for children to socialize to corrode, causing the contents MDEQ to administer wetlands and exercise. to leak out into the soil. A leaking permitting at the State level. underground storage tank (LUST) Some of the potential wetlands is dangerous because petroleum restoration areas in the City are bound by and/or overlap with the floodplains. There is only one 100- year floodplain in River Rouge, on the northern part of the City covering about 60 residential parcels on parts of Brownlee, Anchor, Cicotte, and Harris Streets. A 100-year flood means that there is a 1% percent chance of a flood occurring in a year. When adding the 500-year floodplain, about 90 residential parcels could be affected. A 500-year flood refers to the 0.2% chance of flooding in a given year. While these seem like infrequently occurring events, this is merely a statistical chance, and flooding could occur more often, especially given that climate change Wayne County Executive Warren Evans (left) and River Rouge Mayor Michael Bowdler (right) Displaying The Memorial Park Splash Pad Concept

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 25 Industrial Springwe Springw Powell Rivers 11: LUST and Brownfield Sites Map Weste Harba South Erie MelvilleYale Dill Dearborn Fort Kaier Stone Sire Gould Fordson ide ells lls uge ugh ilt nd Miller Sloan Ro South Melville Vanderb Cary Denmark Heidt Reisener Barron Zug Island Powell Carbon Medina Flora Melville Burdeno Aggregate Thaddeus Unknown Luther Forman Graham Lyon Barnes Crown Dey N I 75/Dearborn Norway Gates Leigh Keller Colonial Herkimer Oakwood Copland Edwin Gale

Sanders Bayside

Stocker S I 75 Dumfries Fort

Waring Fort Cullen Dunkirk Patricia Greyfriars N I 75 Voss Sanders Brennan

Tractor Patricia

Deacon Waring Pleasant

Patricia Leonard Victoria

N Fort/N I 75 Liddesdale

Liebold Gilroy Ethel

Bassett Anchor Toronto Hart Deacon Dwight Cicotte Charles Division James Beatrice Myrtle Linden Frazier Delisle Schaefer Brownlee Coolidge Henry Le Roy Harris Bromley Henry Campbell Annabelle Le Roy Beatrice Coolidge Melvin Miami Henry Oak Ethel Batavia Bassett Pine Deacon Byron Belanger Park Ruloff Maple

Downing Goodell Frazier Genesee Richter Morrow Elm Haltiner BeechwoodPolk Burke Chestnut Walnut Hall Kleinow Great Lakes Nieman Great Lakes Campbell Marion Industrial Palmerston Holford

Carlston Fairmont Summit Eaton Catherine Cora Perrin Stoner Abbott Elizabeth Stoner Unknown Le Blanc 18th Lenoir Forest Hill Florence

17th Auburn Superior Ironton Orchard 16th Rockwood Visger 14th Glenwood Alexander 15th Rockwood Ruth Glenwood Francis 13th High Marie Jefferson Ironton 12th Bell Quality

10th 11th Union Hyacinthe G R Fink Ridge 8th Knox

9th Elton Salliotte Charlotte 7th Agnes Joseph 9th Alexis

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 0 0.5 1 Miles LUST and Brownfield Sites Data Sources: State of Michigan Geographic Data Library, ESRI Basemap, Wayne County GIS City Boundary Parcels State Roads Brownfield Sites All Roads Railroads Open Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Sites Rivers / Streams Closed Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Sites Lakes / Ponds 26 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN and other hazardous substances of LUSTs from $50,000 to $10,000 Air Quality can contaminate the soil and (for those with 8 USTs or more). The industrial land use has a groundwater. Since 1986, more The idea was that this would negative affect on air quality as than 21,800 LUSTs were found in increase the number of closures, well. While emission standards Michigan. In River Rouge, there are but that has not proven to be the have become more stringent 21 open USTs, 10 closed USTs, and case. over the last decade, the area still 3 brownfields. An open LUST site The following open LUSTs are from suffers from heightened exposure means that a release has occurred the following companies: to particulate matter. The graph but no corrective action has been “Average Density of Fine Particulate completed to meet the land use • Amoco Petroleum Products Matter” shows that the average criteria. A closed LUST is when a • Mercury Manufacturing density of fine particulate matter release has occurred and corrective • Gary Saab has decreased substantially since action has been completed, 2002, but also that Wayne County however, the MDEQ may not have • Million and One Services, Inc. started with much higher averages agreed with the action described in • National Steel-Great Lakes than the state and the nation. the closure report. Division Exposure to particulate matter has In 2016, 170 LUST Closure Reports • National Steel Corporation- many negative impacts to humans, were submitted, and 100 were Great Lakes Division nature, and infrastructure. The approved demonstrating there is • River Rouge Animal Shelter following are some of the effects: a huge backlog for cleaning up • Exacerbates respiratory and leakages. The same year, the state • Texaco Lubricant Company cardiovascular ailments of Michigan reduced the deductible • Wolverine Gasket & amount for owners and operators Manufacturing • Linked to heart and lung diseases • Reduced visibility, haze • Damages paint, building 12: Average Density of Fine Particulate Matter, 2002-2012 materials, and surfaces 20 • Increases corrosion of metals

18 • Impacts vegetation ecosystems

16 Brownfield Sites

Brownfields are the result of 14 abandoned or dilapidated structures and environmental 12 contamination that makes it 10 difficultUnited State to redevelop. When this happens, the consequences are 20 Michigan 8 wide reaching; these properties 20 orWayne land Countyoften contribute to public 18 20 6 health and safety hazards as well

18 Micrograms per Cubic Meter economic stress. There are three 16 18 4 brownfields in River Rouge, only 16

one of which is located near an 14 16 2 open LUST. 14 12 The City of River Rouge received 14 0 funds from the Downriver 12 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 10 United State Community Conference to 12 Year 10 UnitedSource: State County Michigan Health Ranking complete a Phase 1 and Phase 8 2 clean up on a brownfield site 10 United State Michigan Wayne County 8 6 Michigan Wayne County 8 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 27 6 Micrograms per Cubic Meter Wayne County 4 6 Micrograms per Cubic Meter

Micrograms per Cubic Meter 4 2 4 2 0 2 0 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 0 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010Year 2012 2014 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010Year 2012 2014 Year 13: Existing Land Use Categories NUMBER OF LAND USE CATEGORY ACREAGE % ACREAGE PARCELS Unknown 4 35.381 2.46% Commercial - Improved 151 21.693 1.51% Commercial - Vacant 55 7.538 0.52% Exempt-Public and Religious 657 187.12 13.0% Industrial - Improved 62 818.378 58.86% Industrial - Vacant 37 96.949 6.74% Residential - Improved 2539 241.901 16.81% Residential - Vacant 387 29.948 2.08% Residential Land Bank PA 260 5 0.475 0.03% TOTAL 3,897 1,439.38 100.0% River Rouge Assessment Data located on Pleasant Road. As municipal building performance, municipal buildings (September commonly happens in demolition, implement energy management 2014-August 2015) and will work basements are left underground policies, and find funding sources towards adopting a revolving and whoever purchases the for project implementation. energy fund. The goal for the property is then liable for removing This collaboration has also led to revolving energy fund is to use the concrete. This can cause a delay two projects that have improved 80% of energy savings to pay for in the redevelopment process. the energy efficiency of the library future clean energy investments. River Rouge worked with the and City Hall. It is estimated that The revolving energy fund can Department of Environmental the new insulation and windows on also serve as way to educate Quality to fill the basement with the library will save the City $3,000 municipal staff and residents about clean soil as a way to remediate per year in energy expenditures. energy efficiency. The Community the site, and return it to productive City Hall will replace its air handler Development Director will serve use. River Rouge followed through and windows to reduce energy as an energy leader liaison with this process as a part of an consumption. Prior to this most between the City and the energy economic development strategy to recent energy conscious effort, the management consultant. bring new business to the City. The City of River Rouge had installed In 2017, along with 25 other site is now legally remediated and rooftop solar photovoltaic cells Michigan communities, River Rouge ready for new development. on City Hall, and replaced all of won an award from the statewide the streetlights with light-emitting Michigan Green Communities Energy Management diodes (LEDs) which has saved the Challenge for its commitment Beginning in 2016, the City of River City thousands of dollars annually. to sustainability projects. River Rouge and Ecoworks, through The City will continue its Rouge received a bronze medal funding provided by the Michigan commitment to responsible energy for establishing a revolving energy Energy Office, collaborated management in several ways. The fund to improve the library’s energy to assess the City’s energy City has already established an efficiency. management system. Together, energy usage baseline year for 13 they worked to benchmark existing

28 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 14: Existing Land Use Map

Wy In F D H erney dustrial oming Woodmere istel arrington Post Bacon SouthSolvay Dearborn Crossley Bland GouldGreen Cottrell Melville Springwells WestendSpringwells Powell Harbaugh South Riverside Yale Anderson Erie Dill Dix Dearborn Kaier Stone Sire Miller Sloan Rouge South Fordson Gerisch Cary Denmark Vanderbilt Reisener Heidt Barron Zug Island Carbon

Flora Melville BurdenoUnknown Aggregate Forman Thaddeus Luther Powell Graham Lyon Crown Dey Barnes Norway Gates N I 75/DearbornLeigh Keller Sanders Colonial Herkimer Copland Edwin Gale

Oakwood Bayside

Stocker S I 75 Dumfries

Waring Fort Cullen Dunkirk Patricia Greyfriars N I 75 Voss Sanders Brennan

Patricia

Northampton Fort Deacon Liddesdale Pleasant

Patricia Leonard

Victoria

Liebold Gilroy Ethel Deacon Bassett N Fort/N I 75 Anchor Toronto Hart Cicotte Dwight Charles Division James Beatrice Myrtle Linden Frazier Delisle Schaefer Brownlee Henry Coolidge Le Roy Harris Electric Bromley Henry Liddesdale Campbell Annabelle Le Roy Miami Coolidge Melvin Henry Oak Batavia

Beatrice Pine

Byron Belanger Park Deacon Ruloff Maple Downing

Goodell Frazier Richter Morrow Elm Genesee Polk Haltiner Beechwood Burke Chestnut Walnut Hall Kleinow Great Lakes Omaha Great Lakes Campbell Marion Industrial

Holford Palmerston Ethel Carlston Fairmont Bassett Summit Eaton Catherine Cora Perrin Stoner Abbott Elizabeth Stoner Le Blanc 19th Lenoir Forest Hill Florence

18th Auburn Superior Ironton

17th Rockwood

16th Glenwood Alexander Rockwood Visger Ruth

15th Glenwood Hyacinthe Francis

14th High Marie Jefferson Ironton

Bell Quality 10th 12th Union

11th G R Fink 13th Ridge 8th Knox

9th Elton 3th 1 Salliotte Charlotte Agnes 7th 10th Joseph 9th Alexis

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 0 0.5 1 Miles Existing Land Use Data Sources: State of Michigan Geographic Data Library, ESRI Basemap, Wayne County GIS, City of River Rouge City Boundary Residential - Improved Industrial - Improved State Roads Residential - Vacant Industrial - Vacant All Roads Commercial - Improved Land Bank Properties Railroads Commercial - Vacant Government (City, County, State, Federal) Rivers / Streams Schools / Colleges Unknown Lakes / Ponds Religious / Churches RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 29 Land Use Summary for 13% of the land in River Rouge, While it is hard to say to what on which the City cannot collect extent this vacancy affects the The following section provides a property taxes. However, none of residents and the City, the land brief description of how land is them are categorized as vacant, itself will need to be tested for used in River Rouge, described by so while they do not enhance the contaminants and remediated the larger zoning districts. City’s revenue they play a pivotal accordingly before future role in the civic life of its residents. development can take place. Residential A perfect example of properties Since commercial properties are The largest number of parcels that contribute to civic life in the generally limited to West Jefferson belongs to the residential improved community are the schools within Avenue, it is easier to detect category with 2,539 parcels. It is the River Rouge School District: a concentration of 25 vacant typically true that the majority of • Ann Visger Preparatory commercial parcels on this street. land use is dedicated to residential Academy While the vacancies are spaced structures. To have the vast out, the need for more business to majority of vacant properties be • River Rouge STEM Academy fill the commercial corridor is still improved is a good sign because • River Rouge High School apparent. it generally means that properties • Sabbath Middle School have remained occupied since last There are also 387 vacant assessed. residential parcels, meaning that the structures have been Vacant Parcels Commercial abandoned. Vacant properties Commercial properties have a When all of the vacant land use have a negative impact on the relatively small presence in River categories are combined, they neighboring property values, and Rouge. Despite a combined 216 account for 9.59% of the City’s if they cannot be rehabilitated, it is parcels, they account for just parcels. This is a considerable best for the community to demolish about 2% of the total acreage amount. Depending on how its them before they attract unwanted which means they are likely used, vacant land can have a activity such as vandalism and smaller buildings for retail and positive or negative effect on a illegal squatting. restaurants. The commercial parcels neighborhood. A parcel without are clustered along West Jefferson a structure can be converted in a Demolition Road, Coolidge Highway, and public amenity such as a pocket According to the River Rouge’s along the border with Ecorse. park, but if left unmaintained it can add to the perception of Building Department, about 273 commercial and residential Industrial blight. Equally important to the raw number of vacant parcels is how structures have been demolished The improved industrial land use they are clustered. If vacant parcels since 2005. Since 2010 some of category has by far the greatest are distributed evenly throughout the residential demolitions have amount of acreage in the City. the City, it may seem less visible taken place as a result of the Taking up just over 818 acres, to residents and/or investors. Hardest Hit Funds established by industry constitutes close to 60% Residential vacancy is fairly evenly the federal government to help of River Rouge’s land. In addition, distributed throughout the City. restore the neighborhoods. The there are nearly another 100 acres state of Michigan has received of vacant industrial land. Together, The most noticeable vacant land approximately $381 million for they account for 65.6% of the are the large swaths of industrial blight elimination, most of which is land. land located on: concentrated in Wayne County. • Marion Street bounded by Exempt Land Uses Belanger Park Road on the Side Lot Program north This category includes federal, The City of River Rouge has state, and city land in addition to • North of Marion Street instituted a side lot program where public schools, religious institutions, adjacent to the Rouge River adjacent property owners can buy and land bank owned property. • The northwest corner, north a vacant lot for $100. The hope is Together, these properties account of Pleasant Street, bound by that under ownership the parcel’s railroad track to the east. appearance will be improved and 30 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN benefit the entire neighborhood. Wyoming Industrial Ferney Distel Harrington Woodmere Post Bacon SouthSolvay Dearborn Crossley Bland GouldGreen Cottrell Melville Springwells WestendSpringwells Powell Harbaugh South Riverside Yale Anderson Erie Dill 15: DixVacant Properties Map Dearborn Kaier Stone Sire Miller Sloan Rouge South Fordson Gerisch Cary Denmark Vanderbilt Reisener Heidt Barron Zug Island Carbon

Flora Melville BurdenoUnknown Aggregate Forman Thaddeus Luther Powell Graham Lyon Crown Dey Barnes Norway Gates N I 75/DearbornLeigh Keller Sanders Colonial Herkimer Copland Edwin Gale

Oakwood Bayside

Stocker S I 75 Dumfries

Waring Fort Cullen Dunkirk Patricia Greyfriars N I 75 Voss Sanders Brennan

Patricia

Northampton Fort Deacon Liddesdale Pleasant

Patricia Leonard

Victoria

Liebold Gilroy Ethel Deacon Bassett N Fort/N I 75 Anchor Toronto Hart Cicotte Dwight Charles Division James Beatrice Myrtle Linden Frazier Delisle Schaefer Brownlee Henry Coolidge Le Roy Harris Electric Bromley Henry Liddesdale Campbell Annabelle Le Roy Miami Coolidge Melvin Henry Oak Batavia

Beatrice Pine

Byron Belanger Park Deacon Ruloff Maple Downing

Goodell Frazier Richter Morrow Elm Genesee Polk Haltiner Beechwood Burke Chestnut Walnut Hall Kleinow Great Lakes Omaha Great Lakes Campbell Marion Industrial

Holford Palmerston Ethel Carlston Fairmont Bassett Summit Eaton Catherine Cora Perrin Stoner Abbott Elizabeth Stoner Le Blanc 19th Lenoir Forest Hill Florence

18th Auburn Superior Ironton

17th Rockwood

16th Glenwood Alexander Rockwood Visger Ruth

15th Glenwood Hyacinthe Francis

14th High Marie Jefferson Ironton

Bell Quality 10th 12th Union

11th G R Fink 13th Ridge 8th Knox

9th Elton

13th Salliotte Charlotte Agnes 7th 10th Joseph 9th Alexis

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 0 0.5 1 Miles Vacant Properties Data Sources: State of Michigan Geographic Data Library, ESRI Basemap, Wayne County GIS, City of River Rouge City Boundary Vacant Residential Properties State Roads Vacant Commercial Properties All Roads Vacant Industrial Properties Railroads Land Bank Properties Rivers / Streams Lakes / Ponds

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 31 DOWNTOWNS & DISTRICTS

DISTRICTS bus lines running through its entertainment, a shopping hub is downtown, but not the multi- typically designed for convenience. Downtown modal network to draw people In River Rouge, however, the from outside the City to the shopping hub and the downtown Downtown is the governmental downtown. On the other hand, are one and the same. The and cultural center of a city. there are 275 residential parcels shopping hub is primarily located Likewise, it is typically a large that are within a quarter-mile on West Jefferson Avenue which is employment hub and a place walking distance to where West a car-oriented commercial corridor that attracts visitors to events Jefferson Avenue and Coolidge that accommodates commuters and entertainment options. Highway intersect, the heart of or those who do not wish to Downtowns are also the location downtown. To have this many make shopping an experience; it’s where multi-modal forms of transit residents living so close is a boon designed for those looking to make converge, and where pedestrians for downtown. Building up big purchase items, comparing are given higher priority than in housing density within this quarter- prices, or running errands by car. other districts. Here, pedestrians mile buffer could be even more The layout is usually characterized become potential clients. In River advantageous as retail tends to by larger building footprints Rouge, the downtown takes on follow rooftops. surrounded by parking lots, and a linear shape as its core is one are not within close proximity to street: West Jefferson Avenue. River Shopping Hubs residential neighborhoods. Rouge’s downtown is managed West Jefferson serves this in partnership between the City A shopping hub should differ from purpose to River Rouge residents and the Downtown Development a downtown in a couple of ways. and those passing through. For Authority (DDA). While the downtown is meant to provide a multi-faceted experience example, some of the businesses River Rouge currently has two of dining, shopping, and on this street are Dairy Queen,

32 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN McDonald’s, Bi-Rite Supermarket, people want to live, not just Placemaking Elements Michigan Screen Print, BP gas tolerate living. There are many station, a party store, etc. These tangible features that help to Build-to Lines businesses accommodate speedy create a sense of place (discussed Build-to lines are a tool for creating or convenient shopping and eating below), and when they are fully a uniform building facade line over a leisurely retail experience. employed communities can emerge on the street, sometimes known as thriving places with amenities, as a “street wall.” Build-to lines Industrial opportunity, and a mix of different usually have a setback of zero feet. lifestyles. The industrial districts in River If buildings frame a street, then Rouge surrounds the City. Aside A part of placemaking is pride in the build-to-line explains how a from industrial activity, these uses civic spaces, and understanding building interfaces with the public can also spur the development that the design of these spaces realm. The building should relate of complementary businesses influences how the public accesses to the streetscape in a way that representative of the New and interacts with them. Cities is agreeable to pedestrians. For Economy. Manufacturing has the should strive for a public realm instance, a building that is too tall potential to contribute to jobs that distinguishes it from others disrupts the human scale and can in other areas such as logistics, and gives its built environment a feel intimidating to newcomers. marketing, and administrative recognizable identity. The spaces River Rouge’s buildings downtown functions. This is the hope of we experience often—roads, do form a street wall, as evidenced industry-dominated cities. sidewalks, parks, plazas—must not by a walk audit that showed a only be highly regarded and well While spin-off jobs would benefit equal distance between building implemented, they should also the local economy, there is no fronts and the road. be well coordinated with private guarantee that the offices are development for a high quality located in the same community. Open Store Fronts experience for all users. Headquarters for service-sector Open store fronts are another jobs could be located anywhere design feature that make in the US, unlike industry, they are relatively footloose. Moreover, heavy industry emits toxins into the air and potentially the soil and waterways, and is usually accompanied by frequent semis transporting parts and products. Their vast footprint can be unsightly, if not buffered appropriately. An industrial landscape makes it difficult to attract other business to the area, younger individuals and households to work there. PLACEMAKING Placemaking is an approach to creating desirable places where Boarded up building downtown

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 33 still permitting variety. Signs are meant to advertise for a company, but also be compatible with the architectural style and scale of the building. Sign standards may address legibility, placement, colors, materials, and illumination. From one entrance into downtown, driving in from Coolidge Highway, a visitor is greeted by two billboards with a height that is meant to be seen from a distance. In general, billboards do not belong in downtown but rather on the side Billboards of a highway. Billboards detract from a downtown setting because their scale are not compatible with the quaintness of a Main Street. Aside from the placement of the billboards on top of a building, most signs seemed to be placed in a similar location: between the window and the roof line, with slight variation. They are either flat against the building, on an awning, or jut out perpendicular to the facade. No signs are located Building Signage in the windows. Having signs placed at an equal height creates a visual coherence that is also more downtown more inviting. A to feel safe. Some of the vacant legible for drivers passing by and successful open store front creates storefronts have been boarded up, pedestrians. “transparency,” or an adequate eliminating transparency altogether amount of window for pedestrians and suggesting blight instead. The to see into stores. Transparency buildings that are occupied have NEIGHBORHOOD has a couple of benefits: it allows large windows but few displays. pedestrian to window shop, and This is a signal of weak retail TYPOLOGIES to feel safer on the street. A enterprise. River Rouge’s neighborhoods transparent store front allows for are largely transected by three more “eyes on the street” that Ground Floor Signage corridors: West Jefferson Avenue, make even a solo pedestrian feel Standards Coolidge Highway, and the less alone or vulnerable. Canadian National rail line. Signage has an impactful influence These roads and rail lines serve River Rouge suffers from a on shoppers. Guidelines are as unofficial neighborhood high commercial vacancy rate necessary for a cohesive boundaries. Typologies are a way downtown, making it difficult “look” for downtown while

34 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 16: Neighborhood Typologies Map

W Industrial Ferney yoming Distel n h Harrington Woodmere Post Baco SoutSolvay Dearborn Crossley Bland GouldGreen Cottrell Melville Springwells WestendSpringwells Powell Harbaugh South Riverside Yale Anderson Erie Dill Dix Dearborn Kaier Stone Sire Miller Sloan Rouge South Fordson Gerisch Cary Denmark Vanderbilt Reisener Heidt Barron Zug Island Carbon

Flora Melville BurdenoUnknown Aggregate Forman Thaddeus Luther Powell Graham Lyon Crown Dey Barnes Norway Gates N I 75/DearbornLeigh Keller Sanders Colonial Herkimer Copland Edwin Gale

Oakwood Bayside

Stocker S I 75 Dumfries

Waring Fort Cullen Dunkirk Patricia Greyfriars N I 75 Voss Sanders Brennan

Patricia

Northampton Fort Deacon Pleasant

Liddesdale

Patricia Leonard Liebold Cicotte Park Gilroy ! Deacon Ethel

Bassett AnnabelleBeatrice Cicotte Anchor James N Fort/N I 75 Panther Stadium Dwight ! River Rouge High School Schaefer ! Coolidge Henry ! Bromley River Rouge STEM Academy Sabbath Campbell Henry Le Roy Middle School Coolidge Henry Harris ! Oak Melvin Pine Batavia Miami

Byron Belanger Park Ruloff Genesee Morrow Beatrice Maple Richter Downing Goodell Bassett Kleinow Elm Deacon Walnut Campbell ! Haltiner Burke Marion Industrial Great Lakes Samuel Milton Memorial Park (Community Center) ! ! Ethel

Fairmont Summit Ann Visger Preparatory Academy Cora Frazier Stoner Polk Eaton Elizabeth Abbott Beechwood Stoner Holford Great Lakes Le Blanc 19th Forest Hill Florence

18th PalmerstonLenoir Auburn Superior Ironton 17th Rockwood

16th Glenwood Alexander Rockwood Visger Ruth

15th Glenwood Hyacinthe Francis

14th High Marie Jefferson Ironton

Bell Quality 10th 12th Union

11th G R Fink 13th Ridge 8th Knox

9th Elton 3th 1 Salliotte Charlotte Agnes 7th 10th Joseph 9th Alexis

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 0 0.5 1 Miles Neighborhood Typologies Data Sources: State of Michigan Geographic Data Library, ESRI Basemap, Wayne County GIS, City of River Rouge City Boundary Neighborhoods: State Roads Beechwood Center Area Pleasant Area All Roads Cicotte Park Area Stadium Area Railroads Dunn Park Area The Backstreet Rivers / Streams Haltiner Triangle The Circle ! Neighborhood Centers Memorial Park Area The Front Street

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 35 Traditional urban neighborhood, East Pleasant Avenue to categorize the various attributes Neighborhood Centers between downtown living and of a complicated subject into a spacious residential areas; however, A neighborhood center is based coherent grouping. Neighborhood because River Rouge is bounded on sense of place rather than typologies are important because by another city on all sides, geography. It can be an anchor not only do they evaluate density, there are no spacious lots on the institution, a landmark, or a housing type, road type, proximity periphery. Multi-family units consist frequently visited and adored to amenities, and setbacks, but of duplexes or quadriplexes, but location that serves its members in also the residents’ experience of still not higher than three stories. some way—a place to congregate living there. The combination of Homes in this typology typically socially or to conduct community all of these attributes impact the have setbacks of 2 to12 feet from matters, or both! Where possible, residents’ quality of life. As such, the right of way, and sit on a street the “Neighborhood Typologies” these typologies are the building grid. Typically these homes are map identifies a center for most of blocks to a people-centered within walking distance to more the neighborhoods. approach to planning. In addition, amenities such as neighborhood the “Neighborhood Typologies” Traditional Urban schools, parks, community centers, map includes the centers, All of River Rouge’s neighborhoods and places of worship than in a edges, and corridors that bound fall into this category. Traditional suburban neighborhood. neighborhoods. With changing urban residential development demographics and development refers to higher density, single- needs, these typologies should be family, usually detached homes. periodically reviewed and updated These areas can be a transition to reflect changing preferences.

36 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN THIS PAGE HAS BEEN LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Community engagement has been distributed for residents to take proportion going to those who codified as part of the master the survey online, however, all of lived in the City for 40 years or planning process. Soliciting public the surveys were completed by more. As such, the results skewed feedback is an acknowledgment hand. It is important to note that towards residents who are aged 44 that in many ways the residents are the results are therefore not totally or older. No person under the age the experts of their communities, representative of the population, of 24 took the survey. and that their daily experiences and and the findings of this survey In terms of racial demographics, suggestions should serve as the should be viewed as providing whites were over-represented in foundation of the Master Plan. direction for the resident’s, but not this survey accounting for about as definitive results. 52% of the respondents when METHOD Project Rising Tide also developed they make up about 40% of the a website where every community population. The next highest racial As a part of the community was represented with a group to take the survey were engagement, the Planning promotional video, background African-Americans at about 35%, Commission drafted and approved documents, and the City’s Action who were under-represented by a 29-question survey asking the Strategy. Also, posted to this about 18 percentage points. Only residents how they would prioritize website is a bi-weekly update that 4.4% of survey-takers were of issues pertaining to housing, recorded how the communities are Hispanic origin, and they comprise commercial, industrial, recreation, progressing through the project’s nearly 12% of River Rouge and transportation. The survey was goals. residents. There were no Asians then delivered door-to-door by the or Native American who took the Mayor to reach out to the entire survey. community. Of the approximate Survey Responses 2,700 surveys delivered, 27 were Over half of the survey respondents The income of the residents also returned for about a 1% response have lived in River Rouge for fell slightly out of line with that of rate. The survey link was also over 20 years, with the highest the community at large with about

38 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 70% earning less than $25,000 per 17: Community Engagement Results year, compared to 60% earning that much in reality. How do you think the City of River should prioritize the following issues? A Summary of the Respondents First Choice Description of River 16 Rouge 14

Interestingly, when asked to use 12 one word to describe River Rouge as it is now, and one word you 10 would like to use to describe River 8 Rouge in the future, the most 6 popular answer was the same. To describe the City currently, 14.3% 4 said family, and 10% wished to 2 describe the City the same way 0 in the future. This is an indication Parks and HOUSINGHousing COMMERCIALCommercial INDUSTRYIndustry PARKS TRANSPORTATIONTransportation of what keeps people in River ANDRecreation REC Rouge is the people, and a strong Parks and Housing Commercial Industry Transportation Recreation tie to family. Some other positive equally between first, third, fourth, The community’s biggest concern Series1 15 2 0 0 4 descriptors were “fun,” “resilient,” and fifth position. Industry was is housing appearance. This makes and “community.” Others reported clearly ranked most often as a last sense because it has a big impact less kind words such as “boring,” priority. on the neighborhood, and the “stagnant.” For the future, adjacent property owner’s ability residents hope to see a city that is Housing to sell their homes. Secondly, “modern,” “unique,” “growing,” blighted structures can attract When asked to more specifically and “safe.” unsavory activities that make select what actions should be neighborhoods appear dangerous prioritized in terms of housing, Overall Priorities and disorganized. There was also a there was a general consensus on preference for using underutilized With limited resources, it is a “removing blighted structures” building stock over new worthwhile exercise to see how first. Half of the participants chose construction. the community would prioritize this as the number one priority. different components to improve The following responses are listed Later in the survey, residents the City. Overwhelmingly, by the percentage of votes for the were asked what type of housing respondents chose housing number one priority: development they would support. as a priority over commercial, The most common answer (76.2%) 1. Remove blighted structures industry, parks and recreation, was detached single-family homes. (50%) or transportation. Parks and Single-family homes already Recreation received equal votes 2. Convert 2nd floor space into comprise the majority of housing for second and fourth priority. apartments on West Jefferson stock and a strong response in Commercial was consistently Avenue (25%) favor of more of this housing type selected as a middling priority 3. Code enforcement (15%) indicates that residents want to see as third or fourth priority. River Rouge return to its suburban 4. New construction of Transportation also did not receive past. There is considerable alternatives to single-family a clear response as it was selected request for other formats, the housing (10%)

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 39 most popular being lofts and flats own. Industrial (38.1%), then duplexes (28.6%), Residents also had the opportunity This question asked residents how and townhomes (23.8%). This is in this survey to report what type they would prioritize industrial an interesting finding given that of retail they would like to see issues. The following responses another study, the Target Market come to River Rouge. General are listed by the percentage of Analysis (found in the Housing merchandise and department votes received for the number one Section), recommends development stores received equal votes at 56%, priority: of housing alternatives to single- followed by clothing stores at 44% 1. Air quality (70%) family homes. Given the difference of the votes. These retail options between public opinion and the illustrate that residents cannot 2. Water quality and TMA, there may need to be further find basic goods within their redevelopment of DTE site (2- discussion about the advantages community. Convenience shopping way tie at 10%) and disadvantages for a City with must be done elsewhere. 3. Encroachment on residential only one dominant housing type. Survey-takers also reported that neighborhoods and tax abatement (2-way tie at 5%) Commercial when they cannot find the retail options they are looking for, 69.6% 4. Soil quality (0%) This question asked residents how of them will go to Lincoln Park, the Survey participants are most they would prioritize commercial neighboring City. A little less than concerned with air quality, possibly issues. The following responses half of the respondents (47.8%) because it has a more noticeable are listed by the percentage of said they go to Allen Park to meet effect than water and soil quality votes received for the number one their retails needs. priority: which received considerably As for meeting their entertainment fewer votes. Despite the DTE 1. Business recruitment (35%) needs, residents noted a desired plant leaving a huge gap in the 2. Business retention and for a movie theatre (80%), and a City’s economic profile, few of the physical improvements to the full-service restaurant (60%). ESRI respondents were concerned about commercial corridor (2-way tie Business Analyst supports these the economic consequences, again at 25%) responses; in the last 6 months, perhaps due to the age of the over 53% of residents attended 3. Business training programs respondents who do not rely on a movie, and 35% went out to (10%) DTE for employment. dine. The option for adding a bar 4. Collective marketing (5%) received zero votes. To find these Recreation The priority for residents is to bring entertainment options, residents’ This question asked residents how new business to River Rouge. responses are varied. The most they would prioritize recreational A slight preference for business common response was “other” issues. The following responses recruitment over business retention which reported primarily Southgate are listed by the percentage of could imply that residents are not and Taylor. The next most common votes received for the number one satisfied with the type, quantity, response was Detroit with 39% of priority: or quality of existing businesses. the vote. These findings show that A low vote for business training residents have to travel quite far for 1. Maintain existing facilities could be because the majority of entertainment and would prefer to (52.6%) the participants were senior citizens have options within the City. 2. Upgrade existing facilities and are uninterested in training, (36.8%) but also that residents would rather 3. Develop new facilities (10.5%) draw in business than start their 4. Acquire new land for parks and

40 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN recreation (0%) The order of these responses are logical as a city would likely improve maintenance of existing facilities if given the resources, rather than upgrade them first. Also, no votes for acquiring new land would suggest that the residents are happy with the current amount of land dedicated to recreation, or do not believe there is any land available for purchase. This section also asked residents if they support the vacant post office to be converted into a community boxing center. Over 72% of respondents either “support” or “strongly support” this conversion. No one opposed the idea, but 11.5% of respondents strongly oppose this development, although Map of River Rouge used in the community engagement survey it is unknown why. Further community engagement should be considered before initiating re- development of the site.

Transportation This question asked residents how they would prioritize transportation issues. The following responses are listed by the percentage of votes received for the number one priority: 1. Increase bus frequency (47.3%) 2. Improve quality of roads (36.8%) 3. Add bicycle lanes (15.8%) 4. Improve walkability (0%) The top housing priority for residents is to demolish blighted structures, Given that many residents leave particularly those which have been subject to considerable fire damage River Rouge for employment, increased bus frequency would make job opportunities more

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 41 accessible or the daily commute more flexible. The next most common response is to improve road quality. This was also likely have to happen before a city could add more bicycle lanes or improve walkability. “Improve walkability” received no votes; although this could be because it is not a priority or because respondents feel that the City is already walkable.

Neighborhoods The purpose of this question was to put residents in the role of a City official. The question refers participants to a map of River Rouge with five neighborhoods delineated, seen on page 41, and asks them to imagine they were City of River Rouge, River Rouge Days given $100. How would they divide these funds amongst the five neighborhoods for housing demolition? The majority of survey- takers,19 of the 27 respondents, skipped this question. For the eight people that responded, the average amount spent were roughly equal between the neighborhoods with about $24 given to each. The favored approach is to spread the funds evenly throughout the City as opposed to focusing on one area. Given that the “Vacant Properties” map (shown in the Economics Section) shows that there is not a major clustering of vacant homes, an even spread of demolition funds may be best.

Respondents were then asked to City of River Rouge, River Rouge Days select the top criterion for deciding where to demolish homes. Almost 43% replied that the “condition of the home” was the top criterion, followed by the “concentration of blighted homes” (33.3%). Tied

42 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN at 9.5% were the options “high planning process, River Rouge owner-occupied units. visibility in the community” and received a specialized Economic “amount of unwanted activity Development Strategy that provides Top Weaknesses taking place in the home.” a series of steps to improve River Surprisingly, receiving the fewest Rouge’s downtown prospects. • Drug problem votes was “severity of unwanted During this analysis, a SWOT was • Race relations activity taking place in the home” conducted with the community • No grocery store with 4.8% of the votes. Residents to determine the City’s Strengths, are more concerned with the visible Weaknesses, Opportunities, and A drug problem can also spiral out impact of blighted housing. Threats. into many other negative effects such creating a reputation that Conducted on May 18th, 2017, the Events River Rouge is dangerous. Also, session began with the participants drug dealers can disincentivize The question “what is an event listing all of their SWOT examples others from legitimate work if they in River Rouge that you consider before prioritizing them. Each can offer more money than a local fun” is meant to gauge what participant was given twelve business. residents consider to be an asset stickers of which they placed three The weakness “race relations” to the community. This question for each SWOT category. The was not expanded upon in much helps to understand where to stickers were weighted so that each detail. It is not clear where exactly draw momentum for events participant could rank his/her top the tension lies. Upon hearing this that generate civic pride. Sixty three priorities for each category. the Planning Commission decided percent of the survey participants to continue to promote River filled in “Rouge Days” as a fun Top Strengths Rouge as a place of diversity of event. Secondly, respondents • Downtown Development inclusiveness. wrote “music in the park.” This Authority (DDA)/Economic One of the top weaknesses, not is valuable information because Development Corporation having a grocery store, has already it demonstrates that efforts to (EDC) build community ties through being proactively addressed. The events is appreciated. River Rouge • New plans City is already looking to recruit residents enjoy coming together for • Stable homeownership grocery stores to River Rouge in communal events. a larger building to help drive the The residents were pleased with cost of food down. In the same vein, the survey how the City is managed as both wanted to discover some of the the DDA and the EDC were called residents favorite places in the City. out as strengths. The community Top Opportunities When asked, the parks received the at large also sees the influx of • Gordie Howe International highest praise, naming Belanger new plans from the Rising Tide Bridge (GHIB) and Memorial park primarily. Initiative along with the Corridor • Available grants Another favorite is the Senior Plan for West Jefferson as Center. Again, this is uplifting news beneficial for planning the City’s • More collaboration as residents consistently state that future. Residents listed “stable The opportunities’ top scores publicly run, community-based homeownership” which seems were clustered close together. The amenities are among their favorite counterintuitive at first considering GHIB is expected to bring a lot of places. the high vacancy number. However, business to River Rouge which is this weakness suggests that the welcomed after the Bascule Bridge SWOT Analysis blighted properties are largely in closure. Residents also see grant- As a part of the Rising Tide the hands of landlords, as noted in writing efforts and both intra- and the “threats” category, instead of

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 43 inter- City collaboration as an opportunity for economic growth.

Threats • DTE closure/ tax base loss • Absentee landlords • Aging population The threats identified could have a large impact on the City’s future. The DTE closure was noted as the largest threat receiving twice as many votes as the others. The loss of the DTE plant will reduce the City’s revenue substantially, which could mean that the City has to reduce its staff or services. Fortunately, the county is dedicated to transitioning the site to another use that could benefit the City. Crumbling buildings in River Rouge may be prevented with proper Another major threat is absentee upkeep and dedicated landlords landlords who are not invested in the community and contribute to the number of blighted properties in the City. As property values rise and demolition persists, the instances of absenteeism will likely diminish as it will become more expensive for them to hold empty or unkempt property. The participants were also worried about an aging population. The census shows quite a young median age of about 34 years old. However, as was pointed out, it is possible that the younger residents are transient and do not stay long. In general, the elderly are the residents who have lived in River Rouge the longest. It is likely that, Now vacant parcels once comprised a solid base for City tax despite census data, River Rouge is revenue; with the imminent DTE Closure, it is important to aging in step with the state and the find stability in the tax base rest of the country.

44 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN THIS PAGE HAS BEEN LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY HOUSING

HOUSING DATA a small proportion of attached yet reflected in the housing data and multi-family units may affect in River Rouge because the vast The data presented in this section what types of demographics are majority of nonfamily households is from the 2011-2015 ACS attracted to moving into the City. (84.9%) live alone. 5-Year Estimates and is used to Younger professionals and students More than two-thirds of supplement observations made prefer smaller, more affordable from fieldwork. households are headed by a family units, and currently River Rouge unit (68.8%) which include the River Rouge has 3,826 housing lacks this type of housing. following: units, with an overall vacancy rate of 27.6%, leaving about 1,057 Household Size & Type • Married-couple housing units vacant. Of all the • Male householder, no wife The average household size is 2.71 occupied housing units, 57.1% are present for owner-occupied households owner-occupied, and 42.9% are and 2.85 for renter-occupied • Female householder, no man renter-occupied. Homeownership households, not a considerable present rates in River Rouge are lower than difference by tenure. The average the county (63.0%) and the state 31.9% of occupied housing units household size has not changed (71.0%). are nonfamily households and since 2000. Nationally, the average include: The majority of homes in River household size continues to • Living alone Rouge are single-family detached decline; however, in areas with high (68.3%). The City has a very small unemployment and low median • Not living alone (non relative proportion of 1-unit attached household incomes, household roommates,or with unmarried housing (0.7%). Most of the size may increase. Residents spouse) multi-family units are relatively struggling financially may form non small scale: 11.3% are 2 units, traditional households to share the Home Values and 10.7% are 3 or 4 units. Such housing cost burden. This is not The median housing value in River

46 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN Rouge is estimated at $34,100. 18: Housing Assessment Scoring Three-quarters of homes are valued under $50,000 (75.8%). Likely due SCORE DESCRIPTION to the Great Recession when home values collapsed nationwide, the 0 (Demolition) House is not structurally sound median housing value has fallen by about $10,000 since 2000. The values have not rebounded. 1 (Poor) Needs two or more major repairs The median monthly mortgage payment is $989. Homeowners who dedicate more than 30% of Needs three or more minor their gross monthly income towards 2 (Fair) repairs, but no more than one their mortgage are considered major repair “cost-burdened.” One-third of homeowners are considered cost- 3 (Good) Needs 2 or fewer minor repairs burdened. Moreover, in addition to being cost-burdened, many homeowners have lost significant value in their homes. In 2009, the year 2000, the median gross African-Americans are clustered, is the median home value was rent has almost doubled from $358 also where the smallest proportion $65,200 and in 2015 the estimated to $681. Despite a decreasing of the oldest housing stock (the median home value was $34,100. population and decreasing wages, area with 0.0% is all industrial land Homeownership in River Rouge the demand for rental housing, and uses). does not prevent households from therefore the prices, has increased financially precarious situations, because people cannot afford to although overall they are in a better buy homes. HOUSING spot than renters. A higher portion ASSESSMENT of renters suffer from being cost- Age of Housing Stock An assessment of River Rouge’s burdened (see below). Since 2014, no new housing units housing stock found the majority have been built. Just over 50 units of the housing exteriors to be in Gross Rent have been built since 2000. River good condition. A housing unit can Rouge’s housing stock continues be a detached, single-family home, The median gross rent is $681. to age; over half of the housing an attached home, an apartment Tenants who pay more than 30% units were built before 1939 or condo in a multi-family building. of their gross monthly income (56.4%). The map titled “Housing A unit is different than a structure, towards rent are considered Units Built Before 1940” shows because one structure could “cost-burdened.” Over two-thirds the largest concentration occurs contain several housing units. This (67.7%) of renters are cost- in the center of the City. The next is an important distinction because burdened by their rent revealing largest concentration of housing only data on housing structures that renters are in a severely more built prior to 1940 is located next was collected, which precludes financially precarious situation to industrial uses along Marion an assessment on individual units than homeowners. And, perhaps Industrial Road and north of if located inside a structure. No explains the increase of single- Pleasant Avenue. Interestingly, the interior assessment was conducted. family homes being converted into area in the farthest south western units with multiple tenants. Since As a part of the housing analysis, a corner, where both poverty and

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 47 Industrial Cottrell Crossley Springwells Powell WestendSpringwells Riverside Harbaugh Melville South Erie Yale Dill Stone Gould Dix Dearborn Kaier Sire Miller Sloan 19: HousingRouge Units Map South Fordson Gerisch Cary Den Vanderbilt Re Heidt Barron Zu mark isener ra m Carbon earborn elville eus rdeno g Island gregate Flo M BuUnknown Ag Forman Thadd Luther Powell Graha Lyon Crown Dey Barnes Norway Gates N I 75/D Leigh Keller Sanders Colonial Herkimer Copland Edwin Gale

Oakwood Bayside

Stocker S I 75 Dumfries

Waring Fort Cullen

Greyfriars N I 75 Voss Sanders Brennan

Tractor Patricia Northampton

Deacon Liddesdale Pleasant 10.0% Fort Patricia Leonard

Victoria

Liebold Gilroy Ethel Deacon Bassett N Fort/N I 75 Anchor Toronto Hart Cicotte Dwight Charles Division James Beatrice Myrtle Linden Frazier Delisle Schaefer Brownlee Coolidge Henry Le Roy Harris Electric Bromley 0.0%** 16.6%Henry Liddesdale Campbell Le Roy Miami Annabelle Coolidge Melvin 8.0% Henry Oak Batavia Pine Beatrice 7.1% Byron Belanger Park Ruloff Maple DowningDeacon Bassett Goodell Frazier Richter Morrow 14.6%Elm Genesee Polk Haltiner Beechwood Burke Chestnut Walnut Hall Kleinow Great Lakes Omaha 12.1%

Great Lakes Campbell Marion Industrial

Holford Palmerston Ethel Carlston Fairmont Summit Eaton Catherine 4.1% Cora Perrin Stoner Abbott Elizabeth Stoner Le Blanc 19th Lenoir Forest Hill Florence 18th Auburn 11.1% Superior Ironton

17th Rockwood Visger 16th Glenwood Alexander Rockwood Ruth Glenwood Hyacinthe 15th Francis

14th Marie High Ironton

Jefferson Bell Quality 10th Union 12th 11th G R Fink 13th Ridge 8th Knox

9th Elton 3th Salliotte 1 Charlotte Agnes Joseph 7th Alexis

Alexis 10th 9th DrennanJosephine Cherrygrove Eliza Outer Oute Broadwa r y

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 0 0.5 1 Miles Housing Units Built Before 1940 Data Sources: State of Michigan Geographic Data Library, ESRI Basemap, Wayne County GIS, U.S. Census Bureau City Boundary Number of Households Built Before 1940: State Roads 20 - 158 Households Block Group Boundary All Roads 159 - 305 Households **Twenty housing units were built here prior Railroads 306 - 463 Households to 1940 but no occupied housing remains Rivers / Streams 463 - 637 Households in this block group Lakes / Ponds

48 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN team visited a sample of 22.4% of The ArcGIS collector app used 20: Boarded Homes by Block the total 3,826 housing structures during fieldwork allows for BLOCK BOARDED in River Rouge. Assessing the immediate data collection and NUMBER HOMES housing conditions was based on compilation. As an online mapping 1 4 the amount and severity of damage platform, it allows for the collection visible on the exterior of the home of a variety of features, and saves 2 2 on major household features. The the information directly to “the 3 1 scoring system was based primarily cloud” for easy accessibility and 4 2 on assessing the quality of the updating. For example, during structure; therefore structural fieldwork the user can place a point 5 2 damage such as missing windows and label it as a “point of interest” 6 4 or a building that leans lowers the for a community center, and then 7 1 score more so than chipped paint, take a photo and attach it to that for example. The types of repairs location. These maps can also be 8 6 were categorized as “major,” shared, and the data expressed 9 3 “minor,” or “no problem,” and as desired with a wide range of 10 3 the final score depended on options. This method allows for the combination of major and more precise data collection, and 11 1 minor repairs recorded. Using the a better reference for decision- 12 2 checklist, the team ranked homes making. 13 1 on a scale of 0 to 3. TOTAL 32 Fieldwork November 2016 21: Housing Checklist Example HOUSING TYPE OF REPAIR NEEDED FEATURE Major Minor Notes Building frame/ Building is not leaning; but The building is not structure foundation is in need of minor straight; leans or tilts repairs or is missing material Roof/chimney/ Minor deterioration, improper A lot of deterioration, gutters roof repair, some mortar Some roof shingles missing material, holes in X missing from chimney, gutters are loose roof, or sagging roof in need of repair Windows/doors Windows missing, doors Window frames need replacing missing or rotted or paint is peeling Building missing many Siding/paint bricks, wood siding is Some peeling or cracking paint X Paint is chipping rotted Significant deterioration; steps missing, porch Separation of the porch from Porch sagging, supports holding the building, paint needed up porch are rotted SCORE: 3 GOOD GOOD

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 49 22: Housing Conditions Map

Brennan

Patricia

Fort

Waring Deacon Northampton

Pleasant

N I 75

S I 75 Leonard

Gilroy 8 8Victoria Liebold 8 Ethel × 8 Edsel Beatrice Deacon 8 8 8 Bassett Annabelle 88 88 N Fort/N I 75 88 8 8 8 8× 88×8 88 Hart Dwight8 8 × 8Charles 8 8 8 Anchor Toronto 8 8 8 8 Cicotte8 8 Marion Industrial 88 8× 8 8 888 8 Patricia 8 8 8 8 Linden× 8 8Furgason 8 8 8 8Myrtle 8 8 8 Frazier 8Division 88 88 88 888 Liddesdale 8 × Brownlee8 × Schaefer × 8 8 Delisle 88James 88 8 ×88 × 88 8 8 Coolidge × 8 8 8 8 8Henry8 8 8 8 8 Electric 8 8 8 8 8 888 8 8 8 Le Roy 888 8 8 8 88 8 Harris 8Bromley8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8Henry 8 × Campbell8 8 8 8 8 8 8 Liddesdale Annabelle 88 8 8 8 Byron 88 8 8 88 8 8 88888 8 8 888× 88 88 8 8 888 8 8 8 Le8 Roy 8 Miami 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 888 8 888 8 Melvin8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 88 8 88Henry8 8888 8 88 8 888 ×88 8888 8 8 8 8 Coolidge 8 Batavia 88 Beatrice 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 × 8 Oak 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8×8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8888 88 8 88 888 8 8 88 8 8 888 8 8 888 88 88 8 Deacon Morrow 8 8 8× 8 8 8 8 8 8 × 8 Pine 8 8 8 8 × Genesee 88 888 8 8 8 Ruloff8 8 8 8888 88 8 8 8 Bassett 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 Downing 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 × 8 8 8 8 8 Goodell Frazier 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8Maple 8 8 8 8Richter× 88 8 8 8 8 88 888 8 8 8 8888 8888 Haltiner 88 8 8 Beechwood 8 8 8 8 8Elm 8 8 8 8 Polk 8 8× 8 8 8 8 8 88888 8 88 88 88 8888888 888 88 88 Burke 8 8 Kleinow Emiline 8 8 8 8 8 88 88 88 Louis8 8 8 8 88 8 88 8 8 8 88 Chestnut88 8Walnut 8 8 8 8 Hall 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8Great88 Lakes 8 8 888 8 8 8 Omaha 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 Palmerston8 8 8 8 88 8 88 8 8 Marion Industrial 8 8 8Unknown 8 8 8 8 8Campbell8 8 88 8 88 ×888Nieman8 8 8× 8 8 88 8 8 88 Great Lakes 88 8 88 8 88 8 8Holford 8 8 88 8 8 Ethel 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 88 8 88 8 8 88 8 8 88 88 8 8Fairmont8 8 8 × × 8 8 88 8 Carlston 88 8Summit 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 Abbott × 88 88 8 8 8 8 8Perrin 8 8 Eaton8 8 8 8 8 Catherine 88 × 8 88 Cora8 8 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 88 88 8 8 8 88 8 88 88 8 8 ×8 Stoner 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 Elizabeth 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 Alexander 8 Unknown 8 8 88 8 8 8 88 8 88 8 ×8 8 8Stoner 8 8888 8 88 88× 88 888 88 8 88 19th 8 Unknown8 8 8 8Le× Blanc 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 88Lenoir8 888 8 88×8 88 8 Visger 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 Hill 8 18th 8 8 8 8 8 ×88 × × 8 8 88 8 8 8 8× Florence8 88 888 8 Sumby 8 8 8888 8 8 8 8 8Orchard 8 8 8 Francis 88Superior 88 Forest Ironton 8 Auburn 88 8 8 88 88 8 888 17th 88 8 8 Rockwood 8 8 16th

15th High Glenwood 14th

13th Jefferson 12th Rockwood 11th 10th 9th Ruth Glenwood 8th Marie

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 0 0.3 0.6 Housing Condition Miles Data Sources: State of Michigan Geographic Data Library, ESRI Basemap, Wayne County GIS City Boundary Parcels State Roads × Great Quality All Roads 8 Average Quality Railroads 8 Poor Quality Rivers / Streams 8 Demolition Recommended Lakes / Ponds 8 Vacant

50 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN In River Rouge, the features east of the CN North America rail to accommodate them. Many collected included housing quality, line, with just two falling west of factors are at play so a TMA usually number of boarded houses, points the railroad. Homes ranked “fair” casts a regional net known as a of interest, and photos that were and “good” do not have a clear- “trade area” to investigate trends spatially linked to their location. cut spatial pattern, and are spread outside of a community that could With this type of comprehensive fairly evenly throughout the City. influence the supply and demand housing data, it becomes clear if for certain housing types. there is any clustering of poorly In River Rouge, there are about 34 maintained homes, and where to Target Market new households that move into target any programs or assistance. Analysis (TMA) the City annually; 90% of them are The condition of River Rouge’s likely to be renters seeking attached housing stock is varied. Of the 858 Renters units. The remaining 10% that housing units the team sampled, A residential target market analysis are homeowners are likely seeking 669 were ranked “good” (78.0%). is a study that attempts to gauge affordable detached homes. Once 113 or 13.1% were ranked “fair” what type of residents are moving out-migration is considered, only and 38 were ranked “poor” into a community, their lifestyle and about 10 renters will be seeking (4.4%). Two were ranked zero for housing preferences, and translate attached units, which suggests that “demolish.” The homes that were that into an estimate for the type River Rouge can support 10 new ranked poorly are primarily located and amount of housing needed attached rental units annually.

23: Market Potential vs. Existing Housing Stock, Share of Total by Building Size

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 51 Missing Middle Housing Types

There is currently a mismatch in row houses or townhouses valued “Missing Middle” building size as well, as the study at least $100,000. Housing shows that about 13% of new Housing units are the building renters prefer buildings with 5 Housing and Economic blocks of neighborhoods, and to 9 units, but this format only Development neighborhoods the blocks that represents 5% of the building make up a city. The importance of stock. With this shortage, River There is a direct link between not only the amount, but the type, Rouge could stand to gain two housing and economic size, tenure options, and location buildings with 5-9 units per year. development. Due to population of housing units has been brought New rental formats are needed, decline, there is not so much as a to the forefront in the aftermath and it is recommended that at least housing shortage but a housing of the housing crisis. Only 60% of rental cost $700 monthly mismatch in River Rouge. The recently has housing construction or less. TMA finds that only when new jobs, placemaking amenities, and picked up, but River Rouge has not experienced that change. Homeowners downtown reinvestment occur will new, owner-occupied housing Unfortunately, River Rouge did not The TMA shows that there is a be developed. Workers must live avoid the negative impacts of the surplus of detached homes, even somewhere, and if the housing housing crisis: no new construction with an estimated 70 households product does not align with their and falling home values per year moving into the City and income and format preference, Again, because the population is looking for detached homes. With economic development could declining, the approach is more low home values and high vacancy become stifled. Workers, at best, mixed than in other communities. rates, it is difficult to renovate, will commute to River Rouge for a In River Rouge, a combined effort rehab, or remodel homes. job but will not be able to invest in to build new units and to preserve The research suggests that there the community in any other way if and convert existing units into the is a need to build three new a neighboring city can fulfill their types of housing stock that more attached, owner-occupied units per housing desires. appropriately serves a lower-income year. Ideally, the homes would be demographic.

52 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN The homes listed below are a part • Duplexes with a low median household of “missing middle” housing, a • Triplexes income, missing middle housing reference to the range of housing provides a better range of stock that falls between the two • Fourplexes affordable options. Secondly, extremes of single-family detached • Subdivided homes small housing format options homes, and large apartment • Accessory dwelling units support different phases of life, blocks. These housing types can be for example, seniors who want to smaller-scale multi-unit structures • Studios downsize or individuals who live such as duplexes or triplexes, and • Cottage courtyards alone. This enables residents to also townhouses and clustered • Lofts/condos age in place. Another benefit is courtyard apartments. Some of the that smaller units may help attract different housing formats include: Having a variety of housing types millennials or young families who can have several benefits. In cannot yet afford homeownership, particular, for River Rouge a City but need somewhere to live while they save. Lastly, variation in housing types provides architectural interest to a neighborhood. However, as shown by an overwhelming preference for detached, single-family homes in the community survey, it can be a gradual change to understanding the merits of other housing types. Still, nearly 40% of survey respondents wished to see lofts and flats. Housing preferences are changing, but development hasn’t caught up!

Range of Housing Alternatives

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 53 CORRIDORS http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Operations/Rouge-River-MI/

Networks and connectivity are the miles. The right-of-way segment for Rouge’s transportation budget was cornerstones of a modern society. West Jefferson in downtown River $527,373, 61% of which is used Our economy, and increasingly Rouge is 120 feet wide with one for preservation and structural our social lives, depends on how 10-foot wide center turn lane. improvement. The next largest well cities are both physically At the border with Detroit, there portion is spent on the winter and virtually linked to other is a bridge that crosses the Rouge budget (19.4%), and routine markets. Either via physical or River. It was closed for three maintenance accounts for a little online networks, corridors are a years, slowing down automobile more than 11% of the total building block to connectivity. Road throughput substantially on budget. corridors are still the most common West Jefferson Avenue. Recently type of connector in an auto- reopened, there is hope that Average Annual Daily dominated state, but the Rouge increased transit will benefit local Traffic (AADT) and Detroit River come in a close business. Coolidge Highway, also second. known as M-85, connects River Primary Corridors Rouge through its downtown to Interstate 75. Examining the National Functional ROADS Classification (NFC) ratings for River Rouge does not have a The Transportation Asset roadways provides insight into highway running through it, but Management Council, a state local road variations and funding in effect its principal road, West agency that rates and monitors eligibility. This rating system was Jefferson Avenue, serves as one. infrastructure, reports that none developed by the Federal Highway Running north to south, and five of River Rouge’s roads are in good Administration in the 1960s and lanes wide, West Jefferson links all condition as of 2015. About is used to classify streets by of the downriver communities to 10% are in poor condition, traffic counts and use. Local and Detroit and continues to Monroe and the remaining 90% are in unclassified roads are not eligible County for a total of about 64 fair condition. As of 2014,River for federal funding, which can

54 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN Industrial Cottrell Crossley Kaier Springwells Powell WestendSpringwells Riverside Harbaugh South Miller Stone Melville Erie Yale Dill Stone Gould Dix Dearborn Kaier Sire Dill Sloan Miller Melville Cary Dearborn Westend Dix Rouge South

Fordson Gerisch Cary 24: Road ClassificationsDenmar Map Forman Vanderbilt Reisen Heidt Barron Zug Isl Carbon Heidt Luther De Lyon Flora Barron Melville BurdenoU Aggregate k er Forman Keller Thaddeus nknown and Luther Powell y Graham 75/Dearborn Lyon r and arnes Crown Dey B Norway Gates N I Leigh Kelle Copl Sanders Colonial Herkimer Powell Thaddeus Leigh Copland Springwells Oakwood N I 75 Edwin Gale S I 75 Oakwood Bayside

Bayside Stocker S I 75 Dumfries

Waring Fort Cullen

Greyfriars N I 75 Voss Sanders Brennan

Tractor Brennan Patricia Northampton

Deacon Liddesdale Pleasant

Leonard Fort Patricia Pleasant Victoria Fort

Patricia Liebold Anchor Gilroy Ethel Cicotte Beatrice Liddesdale Deacon Bassett N Fort/N I 75 Anchor Toronto Ethel Hart Cicotte Dwight Charles Marion Industrial Deacon Division James Schaefer Beatrice Myrtle Liebold Bassett Linden Frazier Delisle Schaefer Campbell JamesBrownlee Coolidge Henry Le Roy Henry Harris Electric Bromley Coolidge Melvin Henry Liddesdale Campbell Annabelle Beatrice Batavia Henry Le Roy Miami Coolidge Melvin Henry Harris Deacon Oak Ethel Batavia Miami Pine Beatrice Coolidge Byron Annabelle Belanger Park Ruloff Maple DowningDeacon Burke Oak Bassett Pine Goodell Frazier Richter Morrow Elm GeneseeMaple Byron Polk Haltiner 1,510 Hall Beechwood Burke Chestnut Walnut Elm Hall Kleinow Great Lakes Goodell Omaha Richter

Bassett Great Lakes Campbell Marion Industrial Haltiner Holford Palmerston Ethel Kleinow Carlston Fairmont Frazier Summit Eaton Perrin Catherine Campbell Cora Genesee Beechwood Eaton Stoner Abbott Elizabeth Stoner 19th Polk Great Lakes Le Blanc Hill Holford 19th Lenoir Forest Hill Florence 17th Palmerston 18th 16th Auburn Visger Superior Ironton Auburn 17th Rockwood 18th 15th Visger 16thFrancis Glenwood Alexander 13th Rockwood Ironton 11th Ruth Ruth 12th Glenwood Hyacinthe 15th Francis

14th Marie High Ironton

Jefferson Bell Quality 10th Union 12th 11th G R Fink 13th Ridge 8th High

Jefferson 9th 14th 10th Knox 9th Elton 8th 3th Salliotte 1 Charlotte Agnes Salliotte Joseph 7th Alexis

9th Alexis 10th 7th 9th DrennanJosephine Cherrygrove Eliza Outer Outer Broadway

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 0 0.5 1 Miles Road Classifications Data Sources: State of Michigan Geographic Data Library, ESRI Basemap, Wayne County GIS, U.S. Census Bureau City Boundary National Functional Classification: State Roads Principal Arterial Minor Collector All Roads Minor Arterial Local Railroads Major Collector Unclassified Rivers / Streams Lakes / Ponds

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 55 be found primarily in residential for nearly 23 hours per day. There West Jefferson Avenue. Bus line 41 areas. is one fixed route that runs through runs every hour from about 6am There are three types of roads in River Rouge. Route 125 starts at to 10pm Monday through Friday River Rouge: principal arterials, Eureka Road near the Metro Detroit from the Brennan/West Jefferson major collectors, and local roads. airport and ends on West Jefferson stop. On Saturdays it runs every The principal arterials in River Avenue in River Rouge. hour from 7:45 am to 8:44pm. Rouge are West Jefferson Avenue There is also a connector that The bus does not run on Sundays. and Coolidge Highway. These provides a curb-to-curb service that DDOT recently announced that it roads are designed to carry a requires an advanced reservation. will expand six of its bus lines to higher volume traffic for longer The advanced reservation must 24-hour service. While this does distances. The major collectors are be six days prior to a medical not include line 41, it shows an Marion Industrial Road and Visger appointment and two days prior for understanding in the importance Avenue. These streets primarily any other destination. This service of serving those who do not work connect local roads to arterials. will take a passenger anywhere conventional work schedules, or do Local roads primarily provide access within a 10 mile radius of the not have a car to run errands and to property and are represented on service area, but the rider must live socialize. the “Road Classifications map” in within one-third of a mile from the The “Public Transportation” the neighborhoods. connector’s fixed route. The hours map has a quarter-mile and half- The average annual daily traffic are limited to Monday through mile buffer around the three is recorded semi-regularly by Friday from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. bus stops in River Rouge, all of SEMCOG. The AADT data shows The fixed route buses are also which are located downtown. that as of 2010 there was 4,080 equipped with a tracker that Within a quarter-mile, a generally vehicles on West Jefferson Avenue, notifies those waiting with real recognizable walking distance, but dropped drastically to 1,510 time information to a mobile or there are 275 residential parcels, in 2016. This change is largely due computer. Also, those without and within a half-mile, there to the 2013 closure of Bascule smart phones can text SMART the are 869 residential parcels. That Brige that crosses the Rouge River stop ID number, and receive a text is to say that even with limited on West Jefferson Avenue. While with the estimated time of arrival. not in River Rouge, I-75 carries The buses also feature bike racks approximately 100,000 vehicles and are wheelchair accessible. per day, and Fort Street which runs There is a similar service that parallel to I-75 sees 7,000 vehicles complies with the American with on average per day. This amount Disabilities Act (ADA). This service of traffic could positively influence is available for any person with a River Rouge’s ability to attract disability that cannot get in, ride, visitors downtown. or get off a fixed route bus. Pick up and drop off destinations must Buses be within three-quarters of a mile In operation since 1967, the from a fixed route. Suburban Mobility Authority for Detroit Department of Regional Transportation (SMART) Transportation’s (DDOT) managed is the only regional public bus routes largely pass the City transportation service in metro of River Rouge, but there is one Detroit. It runs seven days a week, important connection made on Bus shelter for bus line 41

56 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN Wyoming Industrial Ferney Distel Harrington Woodmere Post Bacon SouthSolvay Dearborn Crossley Bland GouldGreen Cottrell Melville Springwells WestendSpringwe Powell Harbaug South 25: Public TransportationRivers Map Yale Ander Erie Dill Dix Kaier Stone Sire ide Dearborn lls n h son uge Miller h h Sloan Ro Sout Fordso Gerisc Cary Denmark Vanderbilt Reisener Heidt Barron Zug Island Carbon

Flora Melville BurdenoUnknown Aggregate Forman Thaddeus Luther Powell Graham Lyon Crown Dey Barnes Norway Gates N I 75/DearbornLeigh Keller Sanders Colonial Herkimer Copland Edwin Gale

Oakwood Bayside

Stocker S I 75 Dumfries

Waring Fort Cullen Dunkirk Patricia Greyfriars N I 75 Voss Sanders Brennan

Patricia

Northampton Fort Deacon Liddesdale Pleasant

Patricia Leonard

Victoria

Liebold Gilroy Ethel ÕU Deacon Bassett N Fort/N I 75 Anchor Toronto Hart ÕCicotte Dwight Charles U Division James Beatrice Myrtle Õ Linden U Frazier Delisle Schaefer ÕUÕ Brownlee U Coolidge Henry Le Roy Õ Harris Electric ÕJa Bromley Õ UU U Henry Liddesdale Campbell ÕJa Annabelle U Le Roy Miami JaCoolidge Melvin Henry Oak Batavia

Beatrice Pine

Byron Belanger Park Deacon Ruloff Maple Downing Ja Goodell Frazier Richter Morrow Elm Genesee Polk Haltiner Beechwood Burke Chestnut Walnut Hall Kleinow Great LakesJa Omaha Great Lakes Campbell Marion Industrial Holford Palmerston Ja Ethel Carlston Fairmont Bassett Summit Eaton Catherine Cora Ja Perrin Stoner Abbott Elizabeth Ja Stoner Le Blanc 19th Lenoir Forest Hill Florence Ja 18th Auburn Superior Ironton

17th Rockwood

16th Glenwood Alexander Rockwood Visger Ruth

15th Glenwood Hyacinthe Francis

14th High Marie Jefferson Ironton

Bell Quality 10th 12th Union

11th G R Fink 13th Ridge 8th Knox

9th Elton

13th Salliotte Charlotte Agnes 7th 10th Joseph 9th Alexis

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 0 0.5 1 Miles Public Transportation Data Sources: State of Michigan Geographic Data Library, ESRI Basemap, Wayne County GIS, DDOT, SMART City Boundary Parcels 1/4 Mile Distance of Bus Stops State Roads SMART Bus Route 1/2 Mile Distance of Bus Stops All Roads DDOT Bus Route Railroads Ja SMART Bus Stop Rivers / Streams Ja DDOT Bus Stop Lakes / Ponds

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 57 bus service, these stops have the reduce reliance on automobiles potential to serve on average about and shift the bias from mobility to 2,433 people, or close to 32% of accessibility. residents. Sidewalks & Streetscape Design Nonmotorized Features A complete sidewalk network has several benefits. When pedestrians Nonmotorized features broadly have a separated path to walk, refer to any piece of infrastructure they are safer and therefore are that facilitate transit by foot, more likely to travel by foot. If bicycle, or wheelchair. These design could encourage residents features are a part of larger to walk instead of driving, then the An example of a well-maintained movement known as Complete entire community would benefit and well designed sidewalk Streets. Simply put, Complete from cleaner air, improved human Streets are designed for everyone, health, and longer lasting road not just vehicles. Historically, the infrastructure. US has funneled transportation In addition to a complete sidewalk spending to highway construction network, there are other features and expansion for a more “efficient that can enhance the pedestrian throughput” of vehicles. More experience to encourage people to recently, there has been push back walk: by organizations such as Smart Growth America that streets • Landscaping should be designed for pedestrians, • Lighting bicyclists, motorists, and public • Amenities transit users of all ages and abilities. Instead of only measuring • Crosswalks a successful road by vehicular mobility, Complete Streets look Existing Design at design elements, safety, and Features convenience for all users. In 2010, The minimal existing landscaping In the downtown, some of these Complete Streets legislation passed Downtown can be improved streetscape design elements can be in Michigan that requires MDOT to found. For example, West Jefferson consider multi-modal features with features historic lampposts and new road construction. benches along the sidewalk for Elements of Complete Street pedestrians to rest. However, differ by community, but common because the street is so wide and characteristics are sidewalks, bike loud, a bench cannot fully serve its lanes and racks, frequent and function as a relaxing respite. With safe crossings, median islands, a narrower street where cars drive curb extensions, or elements at a slower speed, with a bike lane that enhance the experience buffer, and trees or landscaping to No crosswalk across five-lane traffic of using a street to encourage provide shade, a bench becomes an on West Jefferson, a daunting multi-modal transit. The idea is to effective and functional amenity. experience for a pedestrian

58 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN Mobility:3. Roadway Design Moving and Configuration people and goods efficiently fromPreferred place toRoadway place. Configuration Accessibility: The ease with The preferred roadway configuration for the corridor is to construct a two-way bicycle path on the east whichside of Jefferson.something The two travel lanes can in each directionbe reached and on-street parking or along obtained. both sides shall be kept, but the travel lanes shall be narrowed. The center turn lane shall remain near intersections, but a median shall otherwise be added to add landscaping and a sense of identity to Jefferson. The drawing below shows26: Preferreda section view Roadway and top Configuration,-down view of the West proposed Jefferson corridor. Corridor

Source: River Rouge West Jefferson Jefferson Preferred Corridor Roadway Plan Configuration 2016, McKenna Associates

18 | ADOPTED TBD 2016

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 59 Possible Improvements A well connected and maintained River Rouge could work to improve sidewalk network is the first step its landscaping as there is little to towards a pedestrian-friendly none built into the street. Along community. In addition to a strong West Jefferson, there are some network, many of the residential tree planter boxes but no examples sidewalks have a grass buffer of landscaping that improve between the street and the pedestrian safety such as bulb-outs footpath. These grass buffers do decorated with native vegetation or not exist downtown, but primarily medians, both of which shorten the in the neighborhoods. Aside from distance to cross the road and slow being well connected, the sidewalk down vehicular traffic. infrastructure should be well maintained. Throughout almost the entire City, there are no crosswalks, Pedestrian Routes even across the five-lane corridor West Jefferson! A crosswalk River Rouge is a part of the provides a clear signal for where Downriver Linked Greenways cars should stop, and a clear path Initiative (DLGI), which is a for pedestrians to cross. Without community-driven effort to improve Historic Lamp Post a crosswalk, pedestrians are at non-motorized transportation in increased risk of a dangerous the Downriver area. In 2008, the interaction with a vehicle. DLGI updated its master plan but gave out $350,000 in its third kept the goal of coordinating green round of grants to communities Sidewalk Network linkages to improve the quality of to continue connecting missing life for these communities. links in the trail. DLGI was awarded River Rouge has an excellent $21,000 to install signage along sidewalk network. There are no The North-South Connector the trail through 10 downriver major gaps in the sidewalks, with links the Lake Erie Metropark to communities. only a few exceptions. In front the City of Detroit, and follows of River Rouge High School, the Jefferson Avenue through River Another pedestrian route called sidewalk jogs toward the school Rouge to an existing link in Ecorse. the Rouge River Gateway Corridor entrance, leaving pedestrians who For a total of 16 miles, it would would span the final eight miles wish to proceed straight without continue through Wyandotte, of the Rouge River, but runs for a a path. Secondly, the roads that to Elizabeth Park in Trenton, total of 27 miles. The goal of this abut major industry lack sidewalks, and the future Wildlife Refuge trail is to maximize recreational mainly on just one side. These gaps Headquarters. This would become opportunities and show visitors the exists on the following streets: another link in the Iron Belle Trail, area’s historical legacy. It would be the longest state-designated a paved pathway that connected • Harris Street (both sides) trail in the nation. Iron Belle Trail the Hines Drive trail system through • Marion Avenue (both sides) extends from the Upper Peninsula Henry Ford Community College to the southeast Michigan. The • Division Street, north of and U-M Dearborn to Ford Road hiking route’s 1,259 miles are Cicotte Street (one side) and the Rouge River. Along the 72% completed, and the biking river there are several proposed • West Pleasant, west of Dwight portion of the trail’s 774 miles “interpretive points” and visitor Street (both sides) are 60% completed. In 2017, the destinations such as a community • Kleinow Street (one side) Department of Natural Resources

60 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN Ferney Woodmere Post Bland Green Dearborn Crossley Cottrell Industrial Westend Gould Springwells Powell Springwells Harbaugh Melville Riverside South Anderson Erie Yale Dill Dix Dearborn Kaier Stone Sire Miller Sloan Rouge South Fordson

Gerisch Cary 27: Sidewalk Gap AnalysisDenm Map Vanderbilt Reise Heidt Barron Zug Carbon ark Flora Melville Burdeno Island Aggregate her ner aham 5/Dearborn on Thaddeus Unknown es Lut Powell Forman Gr Ly Crown Barn Dey N I 7 Norway Gates Leigh Keller Sanders Colonial Herkimer Copland Edwin Gale

Oakwood Bayside

Stocker S I 75 Dumfries Fort

Waring Fort Cullen Dunkirk Patricia Greyfriars N I 75 Voss Sanders Brennan

Tractor Patricia

Deacon Waring Liddesdale Pleasant

Fort Patricia Leonard

Victoria

N Fort/N I 75 Liebold Gilroy Ethel Deacon Bassett Anchor Toronto Hart Cicotte Dwight Charles Division James Beatrice Myrtle Linden Frazier Delisle Schaefer Brownlee Henry lectric Coolidge Le Roy E Harris Bromley Henry Liddesdale Campbell Annabelle Le Roy Miami Coolidge Melvin Henry Oak Ethel Batavia Beatrice Pine

Byron Belanger Park Deacon Ruloff Maple Downing

Goodell Frazier Richter Morrow Elm Genesee Haltiner BeechwoodPolk Burke Chestnut Walnut Hall Kleinow Great Lakes Omaha Great Lakes Campbell Marion Industrial

Holford Palmerston Carlston Bassett Fairmont Summit Eaton Catherine Cora Perrin Stoner Abbott Elizabeth Stoner

19th Le Blanc Lenoir Forest Hill Florence 18th 17th Auburn Superior Ironton Francis Rockwood Visger Glenwood Alexander Rockwood Ruth 16th 15th Glenwood Hyacinthe

14th High Marie Jefferson Ironton

Bell Quality 12th 10th Union 11th G R Fink 13th Ridge 8th Knox

9th Elton Salliotte Charlotte Agnes Joseph 7th Alexis Charlotte

10th 9th Eliza

RISING TIDE 0 0.5 1 Miles Sidewalk Gap Analysis Data Sources: State of Michigan Geographic Data Library, ESRI Basemap, Wayne County GIS City Boundary Parcels State Roads Sidewalks on Both Sides of Street All Roads Sidewalks on One Side of the Street Railroads Rivers / Streams Lakes / Ponds

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 61 organic garden, the Henry Ford industry, has become an “area of could bring more people to the estate, wildlife and fish habitat concern” as determined by the US City. construction, etc. The river will Environmental Protection Agency. Once highly polluted, the Rouge become an example of how to An area of concern designation River is making a comeback. convert an urban river, once heavily was due to high levels of bacteria, Because Melvindale has a boat polluted, to a natural area that the PCBs, metals, and oil found in the launch, another suggested trip community values. river. However, much work has from the Detroit River Paddling been completed to protect the However, in order to complete this Guide is to depart from Melvindale, habitat in the last 20 years. vision, DLGI would need to obtain passing River Rouge to see the easements through private property Due to its position as an heart of the steel production. to reach the riverfront. international border, an American Paddling up the Rouge River and Canadian collaboration have toward the Detroit River, one can Iron Belle Trail jointly funded major pollution see Fordson Island, Ford Rouge prevention and conservation The Iron Belle Trail crosses the Complex, and Zug Island. This efforts, and environmental clean entire state, and the portion that experience offers both recreation ups. Now it is known as the Detroit enters River Rouge would run and tourism opportunities. River International Wildlife Refuge, along Jefferson Avenue and then the first status of this kind in North west along Coolidge Highway. Rail America. From there it would connect to There is no passenger rail that runs Fort Street and through to Detroit. As a result of these efforts, through River Rouge, but there are The trail is important to River smallmouth bass, yellow perch and two freight lines. One is operated Rouge because it places the City muskellunge have returned. The by Canadian National Railway (CN). in a larger network of both hiking river now offers several species of CN is a Class 1 railroad, meaning and biking trails, and provides an fish and has blossomed into a well that it has an annual operating excellent connection to recreational known fish spot. Moreover, the revenue greater than $256 million. space. river has also become a destination This freight runs closer to the for kayakers. The 2015 Detroit Detroit River serving the Great Bicycle Amenities River Paddling Guide describes Lakes Steel Boat Club. The other where to stop, details about the There are currently no bike lanes railroad passing through the City sites along with recommended within the City’s downtown. The is a privately a owned freight paddling routes. One route takes few bike amenities such as bike operation run by Consolidated kayakers to River Rouge’s Belanger racks are located in front of City Rail Corporation, called Conrail Park. Belanger Park is highlighted Hall, and at both Memorial and for short. This train runs through for having park amenities and a Belanger Parks. the City, parallel to West Jefferson, lighthouse. likely to service the Shelby Steel Processing plant. The Living Corridors, In 2006, a vision for how Detroit & Rouge River municipalities could capitalize on this movement with paddling Transportation The Detroit River is about 30 miles amenities and improved Typologies long and connects Lake St. Clair infrastructure was created, and Transportation typologies are to Lake Erie, and forms the border since then, interest in paddling in categories with loose definitions between the US and Canada. southeast Michigan has grown. that describe a driver’s, cyclist’s, It was once one of the busiest River Rouge is a part of water trail or pedestrian’s transit options waterways in the world, and as with over 30 destinations. This and experience. Transportation a result of its proximity to heavy network’s increasing popularity

62 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN typologies are based on the following criteria: • its physical conditions • how it accommodates its users • the surrounding land uses • the development intensity These typologies differ from the National Functional Classifications because they assess how a road is viewed by users other than drivers. These typologies are not exact, but show various options for Main Street, West Jefferson Avenue how roads can suit different user’s needs. Understanding the criteria for each transportation typology assists cities in pairing them with the corresponding neighborhood and/or district to maximize all user’s experience.

Main Street West Jefferson Ave is the principal street that runs through the downtown. A main street should serve as many users as possible, in addition to drivers, and offer an attractive ambiance. Speed limits Urban Center, Burke Street are slower to make pedestrians more comfortable, and amenities are available to enhance their experience such as benches, trees, bike racks, etc. However, in River Rouge, the main street resembles many of the characteristics of a commercial arterial. The street is so wide, it is not ideal for users other than cars.

Urban Center Streets Urban Center Streets are also a part of the downtown and are designed Commercial Arterials, Coolidge Highway

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 63 to support intense development. They also usually accommodate multi-modal transit, provide access to mixed-use development, and serve most of the parking and trucking needs of downtown.

Examples • Burke Street

Commercial Arterials Commercial Arterials prioritize vehicular mobility between Industrial Street, Marion Avenue residential neighborhoods. Vehicular mobility is usually measured by flow of traffic and speed limits, and these streets are therefore less pedestrian or bicycle oriented. This type of corridor contains retail stores with a large footprint or retail closer to the right-of-way. Because throughput is relatively high, commercial arterials are not suitable for on- street parking. They should be compatible with the character of the neighborhood, although these streets host very little residential Neighborhood Connector, Linden Street development.

Examples • Coolidge Highway

Industrial Mobility is highly valued on industrial streets. Speed limits are often higher than on similarly-sized streets, and there is no on-street parking. Development differs on industrial streets because buildings have larger setbacks and larger footprints than commercial or Residential, Charles Street residential streets. There is also ample parking to accommodate

64 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN employees and larger vehicles such as trucks and semis.

Examples • Marion Avenue

Neighborhood Connector Neighborhood connectors provide access to neighborhood commercial properties and multi-family housing. They may also serve as residential collectors, but mobility is still second to access. Some of their other purposes are to connect neighborhoods to arterials and to connect pedestrians and bicyclists Alley, vehicular alley parallel (and in between) to West Jefferson to neighborhood commercial Avenue and Burke Street uses. There is sometimes street parking, only as a supplement to off-street parking. Overall, the neighborhood connector should balance neighborhood character with mobility. In River Rouge, these streets that primarily run east to west, and connect the neighborhoods to West Jefferson Avenue.

Examples • Batavia Street • East Henry Street • Linden Street

Residential Nonmotorized pathway A residential street provides access to individual residential properties for motorized vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. They carry traffic that has a destination or an origin in a residential neighborhood. They may also offer on-street parking. This typology helps to define the

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 65 neighborhood character. Their purpose is to enable service from the vehicular right-of-way. and maintenance functions in less While separate, they are usually Examples visible locations, to accommodate located adjacent to high-volume one-way traffic for vehicles, and traffic roads. Some may be • Charles Street reduce the amount of access points completely separate such as a trail • Genessee Street on a street. They are not suitable in a park. spaces for parking. While alleys Alleys are perceived as dangerous places, Example with little effort alleys can be re- Alleys are designed to provide • Belanger Park alternative access to residential programmed into more inviting or commercial properties. Alleys spaces. may either be for vehicular access for delivery trucks, a link to rear Nonmotorized Emergency Routes parking, or for pedestrian use only. Nonmotorized paths are separate As shown in the “Road

Belanger Park

66 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN Classification” map, West Jefferson Avenue is the most heavily transited road in the City. Due to its width and higher velocities permitted, West Jefferson Avenue’s accessibility would make it a likely candidate for resident’s to use when needed to flee a city in crisis. Fires, floods, natural or man-made disasters can occur at any moment, and the City must have a plan in place that expedites an evacuation should people’s lives be in danger. While a comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Plan is warranted to hash out the details, some Planning Commissioner’s believe that Haltiner Street could serve as a valuable conduit to alleviate excess traffic on West Jefferson Street in the event that residents are compelled to leave River Rouge for safety reasons. Haltiner Street intersects West Jefferson Avenue near City Hall but branches off and becomes a parallel street that can carry vehicles out of the City to West Outer Drive that connects to I-75 in Ecorse, or to Schaefer Highway north towards I-75. A portion of Haltiner Street also runs parallel to the rail line. More research is necessary to understand the trade offs involved in planning an effective evacuation, and educating the public on what steps to take in case of an emergency is key to saving lives.

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 67 ECONOMIC PROFILE

ECONOMIC Downtown implement significant projects under these current financial TRENDS Development Authority (DDA) restraints. River Rouge’s economy, like the DDAs were created through rest of the nation’s, has changed GAP ANALYSIS dramatically over the last few the Downtown Development decades. A shift from producing Authority Act, State of Michigan The Corridor Study conducted goods to producing knowledge Public Act 197 of 1975, which by McKenna Associates between through a college-educated was designed primarily to help 2016-2017 for West Jefferson workforce has several implications spur economic growth and to Avenue consists of a gap analysis for economic development encourage commercial revitalization within the trade area which strategies. Because growing and historic preservation. DDAs covers River Rouge, and a portion industries are less land-intensive, work in collaboration with the City of Ecorse and Melvindale. This providing cheap land in the form but are in charge of programming trade area overlaps with the DDA of tax abatements is no longer and boosting the downtown. boundaries but does not entirely the carrot it once was to attract There are 59 establishments within encompass it. It is assumed that business. Jobs are following talent the DDAs boundaries, and as of visitors would not come to River now, and strategies to draw in March 2017 they had a taxable Rouge’s downtown from outside industry are based on creating value of almost $3.7 million. of that boundary. A gap analysis a place that fosters and retains Twenty-three of those properties compares the demand of a good or talent, so that business will follow. have a $0 state equalization value. service, based on estimated dollars The following section discusses Of those, 17 are either City, county, spent, to its corresponding supply what types of businesses are state properties, and only six are for goods and services. When already in River Rouge and how privately run businesses. It will be demand exceeds supply, then a they fare, and which types of difficult for the DDA to fund and new business may be warranted businesses are missing.

68 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN to meet unmet demands. If supply Financial Employment Hub exceeds demand, then there is an According to ESRI Business As of 2014, River Rouge was not oversupply of a good or service Analyst, the average River Rouge an employment hub. Despite which could have a few different adult resident is not financially large industry, the Longitudinal effects on a local business. secure. Only 24% have a checking Employment-Household Dynamic Generally, inventory that cannot account, and only 10% have (LEHD) produced by the census be sold due to low demand is not a retirement savings plan. This shows that 2,579 people commute a positive situation for a business indicates that residents do not have out of River Rouge for work, owner. a steady income, nor do they have and 795 enter for work. Only The analysis shows that River the privilege to plan for the future. 83 people live and work in the Rouge is saturated with gas While almost 62% used a credit City. That translates to 96.9% of stations, fast food restaurants, bars, card in the last twelve months, workers being employed outside and liquor stores. This is a common most are quite responsible with of River Rouge. One-third of the occurrence in communities with a using it, as the highest proportion jobs are in manufacturing, 16.9% low median household income and of residents (9.9%) carry a are in utilities, and 10.1% are in high poverty rates. There is also a monthly balance of less than about transportation and warehousing. surplus in motor vehicle dealers. $111. Still, this is not the type of Together, those three industries The analysis also shows that there economic environment that attracts comprise 57% of the jobs in River is not sufficient demand to support retail or the commercial enterprises Rouge. Another 10.4% of jobs are new retail businesses, likely not the community wishes to see. The in public administration, and 8% because the residents do not wish priority must be on raising wages for retail trade. Within the City, the to have retail options, but because and teaching financial literacy to two largest concentrations of jobs they do not have the disposable empower residents, and then to are Shell Oil Products and Great income to support them. The close the supply and demand gap. Lakes Steel Boat Club. demand for new establishments However, there are certain The LEHD tool also tracks where would be for the following: essentials that residents cannot people travel for work. In 2014, • Automobile dealers go without. Despite a low median those who worked outside of River • Auto parts household income, people must Rouge likely traveled southwest. continue to eat and to buy clothes. Just about half of workers (49.7%) • Electronics and appliances In the last 12 months, 44% of travel less than 10 miles away, and • Grocery/specialty food stores residents bought men’s clothing, another one-third (33.9%) travel • Clothing and 42% purchased women’s 10 to 24 miles away. The largest clothing within a 0 to 5 mile radius. recipients of River Rouge workers • General Merchandise/ 47% shopped at a convenience are Lincoln Park and Wyandotte. Department stores store in the last 6 months within a The next biggest employment • Full Service restaurant 0 to 5 mile radius. Knowing that locations are Melvindale, Allen These findings are validated by the there are no grocery stores in River Park, Southgate, and Romulus. This community engagement survey Rouge explains why there is such helps to explain some of the survey where respondents reported that a high percentage of convenience respondents answers for shopping they would like to see clothing store purchases, and goes hand and seeking entertainment in these stores, department stores, and in hand with demand for an cities; they are already familiar with general merchandise in River adequately sized and priced grocery them from working there. Rouge. store. When it comes to necessity, people don’t want to have to travel far, and it becomes a quality of life issue if forced to do so.

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 69 BARRIERS28: Barriers to Economic TO Growth ECONOMIC in Michigan GROWTH IN MICHIGAN JOB GROWTH With a historically accurate track record, the University of Michigan TALENT PIPELINE Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics estimates there will According to the 2013 be almost 42,000 jobs created in 2017 and another 50,000 jobs in 2018. However, this job growth rate projection falls short of Governor’s Economic reaching residents who often remain chronically unemployed. In Summit, 85% of projected 2016, according to the Current Population Survey, there were jobs will likely require a 237,600 unemployed workers in Michigan— a figure that does bachelor’s degree between not include discouraged workers, or those who have stopped actively looking for work because they believe there are no jobs 2012-2021. Yet, Michigan has available. In 2016, the Bureau of Labor of Statistics estimated the the highest rate of educated discouraged workers to be around 18,300 in Michigan. This leaves youth leaving the state; at a gap of over 163,000 jobless Michiganders. That is to say, that about 4% per year that’s job growth in itself is not a comprehensive enough indicator to more than double other describe a person’s economic opportunity. Regardless of the type of occupation, there is some truth to the statement that “there are Midwestern states. Michigan no jobs.” In fact, the poverty status of families in River Rouge ranks in the bottom five has increased between 2010 to 2015, from 34.5% to 38.5%, states for the percentage of respectively, despite 5 years of job growth. Job growth has 25-34 year olds. River Rouge either not reached vulnerable populations yet, or worse, even as workers they continue to live in poverty. In either case, job growth sees the largest drop off of alone has not improve the quality of life of a considerable amount residents between the ages of families in River Rouge. of 20-39. Transportation Transportation plays a major role in job accessibility. In 2015, the Michigan Works! for Region 9 interviewed 400 of its clients, former job-seekers. Almost half (48%) of the interviewees reported that transportation is a problem for finding and keeping a job; those with reliable access to a vehicle are more likely to be employed. Transportation by automobile is most household’s second largest expense ( up to $15,000 per year), leaving those in poverty without a reliable way to connect to employment. Furthermore, in Region 9, 56% of workers with cars cannot necessarily afford repairs. The need for improved transportation networks is affirmed by the high demand for transportation services requested through other MiWorks! agencies, 76-92% of all requests are for transportation assistance. If this happens where there is arguably some of the best transportation networks in Michigan, imagine the impact on rural areas! While River Rouge has two separate bus lines, the lines do not follow routes to major employment hubs such as Lincoln Park, Allen Park, Southgate, etc.

Housing Many communities are dealing with the complicated relationship surrounding housing values, vacancy rates, and changing tenure, and how this affects a city’s prospects for attracting and retaining talent. Some MiWorks representatives working on the ground with employers also report that when companies find qualified candidates, there may not be homes available for him/her to live within the community. This is due in large part not only to a shortage post-recession, but also to a lack of housing options. Housing formats that lie

70 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN along the spectrum of single-family detached homes, and large apartment complexes, are missing. For those who wish to live in a condo, townhome, loft, or midrise apartment complex downtown, they are out of luck.

As median housing values fell in River Rouge over $30,000 between 2010 and 2015, residents who could no longer afford their homes or turned to the rental market. With increased demand for rental units, rents nearly doubled from 2000-2015. As of 2015, two-thirds of renters were cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing costs. The rental market has become unaffordable to its current residents, and unattractive to newcomers. By tracking the demographic changes in the city, there is evidence that there is a gap between what new households prefer and what exists. That is to say, even if River Rouge could expand its job opportunities, it still may not be able to house new and current residents.

Education and Training STIGMA The largest labor mismatch comes from middle-skilled jobs. Over the past few decades, manufacturing decline has had devastating effects to Michigan’s economy. With a rebounding economy, Well-intentioned parents are manufacturing and construction have seen an uptick in activity, often at the forefront of steering but are hindered by an untrained workforce. Middle-skilled jobs children away from working in refer to jobs that require more than a high school degree but factories with claims that the not necessarily a bachelor’s degree, typically an associates degree or some technical training. In 2015, 54% of jobs were middle- work is dangerous, unstable, skilled, but only 48% of workers were trained for these jobs. A and low-paying. Some of their 6% difference equates thousands of workers out of work. trepidation stems from images Below, are some shortcomings in both the public and private of polluting factories, jobs sector that have contributed to this gap. being shipped offshore, and Public stagnating wages. According • Federal cuts to career, technical and adults education in to a survey conducted by the 2012 that are only recently filled non profit organization, SME, • Michigan state funding tied to ratio of college-bound 20% of parents surveyed students think manufacturing is outdated • Little effort to teach soft skills and nearly 25% think it is not well-paying, half of all Private respondents do not think it is • Drop in the amount of apprenticeship programs through employers eroding a pathway to middle-skilled jobs exciting or challenging. • Less money spent employee on training and education • Stagnating wages

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 71 Barriers legislation that created a new ranked among the top ten in the industry with several positions: country. Statewide, a common and salesmen, retail, agriculture, seemingly contradictory issue Wayne County has agreed to transportation, etc. Many has been identified regarding sell the state’s second-largest communities will forbid this type the economic plight of PRT wastewater treatment facility of industry due to a historic stigma communities. From the worker’s for $57.5 to 13 downriver on drug use. However, if zoned perspective there are no jobs, communities. The transfer from appropriately by location and and from employers expanding Wayne County to the Downriver design, this could also be used their operations, there are not Utility Wastewater Authority may as an economic development enough qualified workers to fill have a financial benefit to the tool, in terms of filling vacant new positions. This problem, communities, who will no longer buildings, providing jobs, and of not being able to match have to pay surging prices to the becoming a tourist destination. It workers to job opportunities county. With under 80 employees, is recommended that River Rouge within a given geography, is sewage from River Rouge is treated stay updated on changes to the called labor mismatch, and the in this plant located in Wyandotte legislation and consider the costs consequences are steep. When and transported through the and benefits to expanding the workers and employers cannot Riverdrive Interceptor along with Green Mile. connect, unemployment and Ecorse, Lincoln Park, and about underemployment rise, labor PUBLIC 90% of wastewater from Allen force participation shrinks, and Park. poverty becomes more prevalent. FACILITIES AND The sewage system’s current The factors that contribute to this SERVICES capacity can treat 225 million mismatch are complicated and gallons per day of raw sewage. The intertwined but there is a role for Public facilities are an important average annual flow is 65 million both the public and private sector part of assessing a city’s potential to gallons per day which indicates that in alleviating the heartache many grow, both in terms of population there is sufficient capacity should families in Michigan face. and economics A city’s economic the communities grow, especially as prosperity can be limited if it the population shrinks. Vacancy does not have the infrastructure or services necessary to develop The treatment facility has Combined, there are 92 vacant suitable housing or grow undergone about $300 million industrial and commercial parcels commercial capacity. of investment. A state of the art that amount to 104.5 acres. That ultra-violet disinfection treatment makes up 2.7% of the City’s Water Supply and process occurs before discharging it total acreage. Depending on the back into the Trenton Channel. No owner’s willingness to sell, the site’s Capacity water can bypass the disinfection existing infrastructure, and the The City of River Rouge’s water process prior to discharge. community’s input, these can be is purchased from the City of evaluated as redevelopment sites. Detroit and comes from Detroit Stormwater Department of Water and Sewer’s Management Alternative Economy Southwest Plant located in the City of Gibraltar. The water at this Large portions of the stormwater River Rouge is already home and sewer systems are combined. to three medical marihuana plant comes from the Detroit River No water is stored in River Rouge. This type of system can have dispensaries, known as the Green seriously negative consequences Mile. The state has approved As of 2015, Detroit’s water quality

72 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN Industrial Cottrell Crossley Springwells Powell WestendSpringwells Riverside Harbaugh Melville South Erie Yale Dill Stone Gould Dix Dearborn Kaier Sire Miller Sloan Rouge South

29: FordsonTree Canopy Cover Map Gerisch Cary Denmark Vanderbilt Reisener Heidt Barron Zug Island Carbon

Flora Melville BurdenoUnknown Aggregate Forman Thaddeus Luther Powell Graham Lyon Crown Dey Barnes Norway Gates N I 75/DearbornLeigh Keller Sanders Colonial Herkimer Copland Edwin Gale

Oakwood Bayside

Stocker S I 75 Dumfries

Waring Fort Cullen

Greyfriars N I 75 Voss Sanders Brennan

Tractor Patricia Northampton

Deacon Liddesdale Pleasant

Fort Patricia Leonard

Victoria

Liebold Gilroy Ethel Deacon Bassett N Fort/N I 75 Anchor Toronto Hart Cicotte Dwight Charles Division James Beatrice Myrtle Linden Frazier Delisle Schaefer Brownlee Coolidge Henry Le Roy Harris Electric Bromley Henry Liddesdale Campbell Le Roy Miami Annabelle Coolidge Melvin Henry Oak Batavia Pine Beatrice Byron Belanger Park Ruloff Maple DowningDeacon Bassett Goodell Frazier Richter Morrow Elm Genesee Polk Haltiner Beechwood Burke Chestnut Walnut Hall Kleinow Great Lakes Omaha

Great Lakes Campbell Marion Industrial

Holford Palmerston Ethel Carlston Fairmont Summit Eaton Catherine Cora Perrin Stoner Abbott Elizabeth Stoner Le Blanc 19th Lenoir Forest Hill Florence 18th Auburn Superior Ironton

17th Rockwood Visger 16th Glenwood Alexander Rockwood Ruth Glenwood Hyacinthe 15th Francis

14th Marie High Ironton

Jefferson Bell Quality 10th Union 12th 11th G R Fink 13th Ridge 8th Knox

9th Elton Salliotte 13th Charlotte Agnes Joseph 7th Alexis

Alexis 10th 9th DrennanJosephine Cherrygrove Eliza Outer Outer Broadway

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 0 0.5 1 Miles Tree Canopy Cover Data Sources: State of Michigan Geographic Data Library, Wayne County GIS, National Land Cover Dataset 2011 City Boundary Percent of Tree Canopy: State Roads All Roads Railroads

Rivers / Streams Low (1%) Lakes / Ponds High (100%)

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 73 in the event of a large storm. For example, in August 2014, when southeast Michigan received around 5 to 6 inches of rain in one day, exceeding the systems capacity to treat water. Ten billion gallons of untreated water were consequently discharged into Lake St. Claire and its tributaries. According to Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, 44 million gallons of raw sewage from sanitary sewers, and 3 billion from combined systems, were discharged. Contaminating the water supply with sewage spreads bacteria such as E. coli, becoming a major public health issue and a threat to the quality of the region’s drinking water. View of Detroit River From Belanger Park

Green Infrastructure Aside from trees, there are no examples of green infrastructure air quality as their number one handling a storm is for the Water within the city limits. SEMCOG priority in regard to industrial uses, and Sewer Department to inspect produced a Green Infrastructure improving tree canopy cover is a all of the catch basins and repair Vision that inventories the region logical next step. Depending on any that have been damaged. for tree canopy, parks, agricultural the tree type and density, trees However, the department has land, wetland, riparian corridors, can make residents healthier. also reported that like all of the and access to greenery. One According to a study conducted by communities in the region, River critical area for improvement is U.S. Forest Service (in conjunction Rouge is not equipped to handle a tree canopy coverage. Within with the Davey Institute) there is larger storm, meaning 2 to 3 inches the region, Wayne County has a link between the reduction of of rain in a short period of time. the lowest tree canopy coverage, particulate matter through tree Flooding is likely to become a larger and River Rouge mirrors the canopy coverage to saving people’s problem for the Midwest because lowest percentage range from lives! It also finds that trees can storms are predicted to become 0.01-20% of coverage. American remove up to 64.5 metric tons of more severe due to climate change. Forest, a non-profit conservation particulate matter from the air. organization recommends tree Fire Protection coverage of 40%, and this has Upgrades become the standard the region Flooding strives to meet. This vision serves River Rouge received a $400,000 a framework for considering the During a typical sized storm, the grant from the State’s Treasurer benefits of greenery as a network. streets pond but there is not much Department met with a $150,000 flooding. Currently the strategy for Given that residents ranked local match to purchase a new

74 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN fire truck. The current truck was 17 years old, and while kept in excellent condition, the City was in need of updated equipment. The City is set to receive the new truck in December 2017. The River Rouge Fire Department is actively involved in the Downriver Mutual Aid Association; members of this group are the participating downriver communities and make up a hazardous materials response team. Also, River Rouge is a part of the Automatic Aid agreement with the neighboring City of Ecorse Fire Department who provide mutual assistance to each other in time of need.

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 75 POTENTIAL REDEVELOPMENT SITES

From a land-use planning the MEDC’s Redevelopment Ready market these areas for denser perspective as well as an economic Communities Program is to identify residential development. development perspective, it is redevelopment ready sites and For any potential redevelopment important to take stock of the strategies associated with each opportunities, it is important to areas in the community that are site. River Rouge has several sites collect basic data on the sites such ripe for redevelopment. This that could be redeveloped. These as square footage, lot size, years section provides an overview of the sites include vacant buildings for vacant, available infrastructure, redevelopment ready sites sale, vacant land, site with space nearby amenities, and building in River Rouge as well as some of available for rent, or publicly characteristics. With this data, the the strategies the City is using owned land. City can approach developers and and plans to use to attract The “Redevelopment Ready Sites” work to guide development that redevelopment. River Rouge fosters map shows vacant residential, aligns with the city’s vision. a supportive redevelopment culture commercial, and industrial sites, in and offers ample space for such addition to two properties owned Priority Sites ventures. by the City of River Rouge. The First, it is up to the community yellow areas represent residentially to determine what type of zoned parcels where two or DEVELOPMENT development it would like to more vacant sites lay adjacent. see, and from there determine OPPORTUNITY Because River Rouge has a side lot its development priorities. Those The Michigan Economic program, that encourages residents priorities should be the guiding Development Corporation (MEDC) to purchase an adjacent vacant framework for pursuing and/ encourages communities to take a lot for a low fee, those parcels or approving new development. proactive approach to identifying were removed from this map. However, it is best to start with and preparing properties to be By identifying larger or adjoining what is under the City’s control. redeveloped. A key element of parcels, the City can package and Property that is already owned by

76 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN Wyoming Industrial Ferney Distel Harrington Woodmere Post Bacon SouthSolvay Dearborn Crossley Bland GouldGreen Cottrell Melville Springwells WestendSpringwells Powell Harbaugh South Riverside Yale Anderson Erie Dill Dix Dearborn Kaier Stone Sire Miller Sloan Rouge South Fordson Gerisch Cary Denma Vanderbilt 30: Redevelopment OpportunitiesReisen Zug Is Heidt Barron Carbon Flora Melville Burdeno Aggregate rk U er Forman Thaddeus land Luther Powell Graham 75/Dearborn Lyon nknown rnes Crown Dey Ba Norway Gates N I Leigh Keller Sanders Colonial Herkimer Copland Edwin Gale

Oakwood Bayside

Stocker S I 75 Dumfries

Waring Fort Cullen Dunkirk Patricia Greyfriars N I 75 Voss Sanders Brennan

Patricia

Northampton Fort Deacon Liddesdale Pleasant

Patricia Leonard

Victoria

POTENTIAL REDEVELOPMENT Liebold Gilroy Ethel Deacon Bassett N Fort/N I 75 Anchor Toronto Hart Cicotte Dwight Charles Division James Beatrice Myrtle Linden Frazier Delisle SITES Schaefer Brownlee Henry Coolidge Le Roy Harris Electric Bromley Henry Liddesdale Campbell Annabelle Le Roy Miami Coolidge Melvin Henry Oak Batavia

Beatrice Pine

Byron Belanger Park Deacon Ruloff Maple Downing

Goodell Frazier Richter Morrow Elm Genesee Polk Haltiner Beechwood Burke Chestnut Walnut Hall Kleinow Great Lakes Omaha Great Lakes Campbell Marion Industrial

Holford Palmerston Ethel Carlston Fairmont Bassett Summit Eaton Catherine Cora Perrin Stoner Abbott Elizabeth Stoner Le Blanc 19th Lenoir Forest Hill Florence

18th Auburn Superior Ironton

17th Rockwood

16th Glenwood Alexander Rockwood Visger Ruth

15th Glenwood Hyacinthe Francis

14th High Marie Jefferson Ironton

Bell Quality 10th 12th Union

11th G R Fink 13th Ridge 8th Knox

9th Elton 3th 1 Salliotte Charlotte Agnes 7th 10th Joseph 9th Alexis

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 0 0.5 1 Miles Redevelopment Opportunities Data Sources: State of Michigan Geographic Data Library, ESRI Basemap, Wayne County GIS, City of River Rouge City Boundary Large, Vacant Residential Properties, many with Multiple Adjacent Vacant Lots State Roads Redevelopment Sites as Identified by the City All Roads Vacant Commercial Properties Railroads Vacant Industrial Properties Rivers / Streams Lakes / Ponds

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 77 the city can reduce the time line for converting land into a productive use, and help to spur private investment where development is lagging. Despite the community’s financial situation, a publicly held building provides greater impetus than an absentee property owner. Next, a city should develop relationships with private property owners who are interested in disposing their property and willing to work in alignment with the city’s redevelopment goals. Second, upon reaching out to property owners, there are several questions to consider in addition to Daniel D. Riney Hall the community’s priorities. Below is a list of some data points a city should explore if it wants to remain proactive in the development process. • Does the owner want to sell? • Does the property have financial restrictions (back taxes, liens) that prevent the site’s redevelopment? • Are there governmental incentives available to assist the property owner, or to bring a new owner to the table? • Is there data on the environmental conditions of the site? • Have market studies been conducted that inform how Former Post Office this property could successfully be developed?

78 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN Public Properties Vacant Sites of transit. For example, adding bike paths and a landscaped Daniel D. Riney Hall, located at 141 In the mean time, while vacant median to give pedestrians a brief E. Great Lakes Street. It is a former parcels remain without structures respite when crossing the street ice arena that is owned by the City. and awaiting redevelopment, offers a more pleasant experience There is a parking lot in front, and there are several temporary ways downtown. Slowing down cars the building sits at the rear of the to use the site to enrich the and boosting foot traffic benefits parcel. To the west of the property neighborhood. Depending on the storefronts. is John Bilak Park. The estimated amount of space, zoning, and input size of the building is 50,200 from residents this space could be square feet and crosses three parcel converted into the following uses: Artist Tours boundaries. The site is currently • Dog park The City of River Rouge has taken zoned R-1, which permits primarily a proactive approach to finding single-family homes. • Community garden artists to move into downtown. Post Office • An outdoor art gallery On a semi-regular basis, the • Outdoor movie theatre City organizes bus tours of River The site is located at 235 Burke Rouge, shuttling displaced artists Street, on the corner of Burke and • Small obstacle course through the downtown and to Oak. It was formerly a US Post • Food truck circle sites that can become artist lofts Office and is owned by the City. • Pop-up events and/or workspace. Attracting The site features a ramp up to the people to the city is another front door and a rear parking lot. All of these uses require minimal important step towards spurring The estimated size of building is set up and take-down and are development projects, as retail about 5,065 square feet, on an good ways to occupy a space and entertainment tend to follow approximately 16,944 square foot so that it becomes an asset as people. parcel. It is zoned B-1, Central opposed to an eyesore. Business District. The City has proposed that the Placemaking Efforts building be re-used as a boxing River Rouge has recently made gym. During the Great Recession, some placemaking efforts to the city of River Rouge had to sell beautify the downtown. The DDA some of its properties that were has ordered and hung banners with geared towards youth activities. River Rouge’s new logo, installed The goal is to bring some of those planter boxes by storefronts, and spaces back. This idea was tested hung lights to create not only through the community survey and ambiance but a layer of safety. was highly supported by residents. Combined, these downtown additions enliven the area and signal to potential businesses that River Rouge supports the business community. Other recommended placemaking efforts are to reduce the width of Jefferson Avenue so that it’s more accessible to other modes

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 79 FUTUREFuture LANDLand Use USE and & Zoning ZONING

This section details potential use districts may be seen on the Central Business District and almost future land use and a plan for adjacent page. the entire length of West Jefferson zoning changes for River Rouge to The “Future Land Use Map” is not Avenue to allow for a gradual undertake in order to implement intended to be used to identify transition between downtown the City’s vision for the future. future land use on a parcel-by- and surrounding neighborhoods. parcel basis, but rather to identify While these areas will still be FUTURE LAND districts that may evolve within the predominately commercial, the City. The Future Land Use Map, district allows for residential units USE shows the preferred locations for as well. Mixed use offers closer proximity between residences and The Michigan Planning Enabling future development in River Rouge. services in the commercial areas, Act of 2008 requires the inclusion In general, residential districts are often in walking distances. of a future land use map and expected to retain their existing zoning plan in the master plan. The character, with the integration of future land use map and districts R-1 and R-2 into one zone. While ZONING PLAN identify a generalized, preferred R-2 is a slightly higher density According to Section 2(d) of the organization of future land uses zone, zoning ordinances can be Michigan Planning Enabling Act (PA in the City of River Rouge. It is a developed to ensure that duplexes 33 of 2008), the Master Plan shall general framework intended to maintain the same scale and include a Zoning Plan depicting the guide land use and policy decisions appearance as single-family home. various zoning districts and their within the City over the next 15 to use, as well as standards for height, 20 years. It guides the development Second, a mixed-use district has bulk, location, and use of buildings of a Zoning Plan and ultimately been added to the perimeter of the and premises. The Zoning Plan influences changes that may be serves as the basis for the Zoning made to the zoning ordinance. A Ordinance. table summarizing the future land

80 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN Salina Waterman Wyoming Schroeder

Industrial Ferney Witt Olivet Unknown Harrington Woodmere Fulton South Post Distel Green Crossley Bacon Solvay Cottrell Dearborn 31: Future Land UseBland Map Melville

W Springwells Gould verside Powell Harbaugh South estend Riverside Ri Yale Anderson Erie Dill Kaier Stone Sire Dix Dearborn Miller Sloan Rouge South

Gerisch Cary Fordson Denmark Vanderbilt Reisener Heidt Barron Zug Island Carbon Aggregate Flora Melville BurdenoUnknown Forman Thaddeus Luther Powell Graham Lyon Crown Dey Barnes Norway Gates N I 75/DearbornLeigh Keller Sanders Colonial Herkimer Copland Springwells Edwin Gale

Oakwood Bayside

Stocker S I 75 Dumfries

Waring Fort Cullen

Greyfriars N I 75 Voss Sanders Brennan

Tractor Patricia Northampton

Deacon Liddesdale

Fort Patricia Leonard

Victoria

Liebold Gilroy Ethel Deacon Bassett N Fort/N I 75 Anchor Toronto Hart Cicotte Dwight Charles Division James Beatrice Myrtle Linden Frazier Delisle Schaefer Brownlee Coolidge Henry Pleasant Le Roy Harris Electric Bromley Henry Liddesdale Campbell Le Roy Miami Annabelle Melvin Henry Oak Coolidge Batavia Pine Beatrice Belanger Park Ruloff MapleByron DowningDeacon Bassett Goodell Frazier Richter Morrow Elm Genesee Polk Haltiner Beechwood Burke Chestnut Walnut Hall Kleinow Omaha Great Lakes

Great Lakes Campbell Marion Industrial

Holford Palmerston Ethel Carlston Fairmont Summit Eaton Catherine Cora Perrin Stoner Abbott Elizabeth Stoner Le Blanc

19th Lenoir Forest Hill Florence

18th Auburn Superior Ironton Rockwood 17th 16th Glenwood Alexander Rockwood Visger Ruth Glenwood Hyacinthe 15th Francis

14th High Marie Jefferson Ironton

Bell Quality 10th 12th Union 11th G R Fink 13th Ridge 8th Knox

9th Elton

13th Salliotte Agnes 7th Charlotte

10th 9th

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 0 0.5 1 Future Land Use Map Miles Data Sources: State of Michigan Geographic Data Library, ESRI Basemap, Wayne County GIS, City of River Rouge City Boundary Low Density Residential General Business State Roads High Density Residential Industrial All Roads Mixed Use Railroads Redevelopment Area Rivers / Streams Recreation Conservation Lakes / Ponds

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 81 32: Future Land Use Districts

DISTRICT INTENT USES

The primary uses are single-family The intent of the Low Density Future and two-family residential. Other Land Use District is to provide for Low Density complementary uses such as single-family and two-family homes in cemeteries, churches, and schools residential neighborhoods. would be permitted. The intent of the High Density Future The primary uses are multiple-family Land Use District is to provide for dwelling units such as town homes, High Density denser housing options in residential apartments, condominiums, lofts, flats, neighborhoods. etc. This new district would be to provide an opportunity for neighborhood Developments may include a mix of services located within walking and housing types, including multiple-family Mixed Use Neighborhood biking distance to residences, while units, and complementary, essential retaining the primary land use as neighborhood services residential. The downtown is encompassed by This district should include an the mixed use neighborhood but the appropriate mixture of commercial, DDA Overlay overlay district can be applied to the office, residential, entertainment, downtown to maintain different design institutional, and public uses. standards The intent of the General Commercial District is to provide for general retail This district can accommodate a mix and commercial uses with pedestrian- General Commercial of businesses, such as restaurants and oriented nodes compatible with grocery stores. surrounding residential areas, but also require more parking. The intent of the Recreation Conservation District is to identify and protect parkland, open ppropriate uses include City, County, space, conservation areas, and and State parkland, privately-owned Recreation Conservation environmentally sensitive areas. This forested areas, passive recreational includes land not currently owned by areas, and open space. the City identified for land acquisition or future recreation easements. The intent of the Industrial District Appropriate uses include small is to provide an exclusive area for and medium plants that involve Industrial light industrial uses dependent on manufacturing, stamping, and machine transportation to and from the site. operations.

82 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN Relationship to the Master Plan As a key component of the Master Plan, the Zoning Plan is based on the recommendations of the Master Plan and is intended to identify areas where existing zoning is inconsistent with the objectives and strategies of the Master Plan, and to guide the development of the Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Ordinance is the primary implementation tool for the future development of River Rouge. The With flexible zoning, a residential zone with vacant parcels could become a following sections detail existing redeveloped site with new housing types zoning regulations in the City.

Current Zoning and offer convenient pedestrian Parking District Districts circulation. Vehicular Parking-The P-1 District Residential Districts General Commercial District- is intended to accommodate off- The B-2 District provides retail for street parking for non-residential Residential 1- The R-1 District businesses with a larger footprint. uses, where there is not adequate provides areas for low density This district permits a wide range of space within its district. residential development. Desired commercial uses, generates more development includes single-family traffic, and is located towards the Zoning Changes dwellings. edges of the City. The following section reflects Residential 2- The R-2 District proposed changes to the existing encourages the use of single-family Industrial Districts Zoning Ordinance. Proposed and two-family dwellings. This Light Industrial- The M-1 changes are based on the Future district is still designed to be low District primarily accommodates Land Use Map as well as input density. wholesale operations, along with gathered throughout the master Multiple-Family Residential manufacturing. There are mean to planning process. District- The RM-1 District permits be no physical effects experienced higher density housing. Some of by surrounding districts. Parking the desired developments are row Heavy Industrial- The M-2 District houses and apartments. The “Future Land Use Map” is intended for manufacturing, recommends eliminating a parking assembling, and fabrication. zone. In order to encourage Commercial Districts This district can include large- other modes of transit, the City Central Business District- The scale operations that affect the can instead address new parking B-1 District is intended to support surrounding districts. In addition requirements by zoning district retail, services, public, and to uses permitted in M-1, this that consider how to reduce the limited residential development. district permits processing and presence of parking while still Development should be compact compounding products from raw accommodating vehicles. As materials. noted by RRC, right-sizing parking

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 83 33: Current Land Use Districts SETBACKS LOT SIZE DISTRICT USES (GENERAL) HEIGHT (MINIMUM) (MINIMUM) Front-20 ft Single-family R-1 One Family Side- 3 ft* 5,000 sq ft 30 ft dwellings Rear-25 Front-20 ft Single-family R-2 Two Family Side- 3 ft* 7,000 sq ft 35 ft dwellings; duplexes Rear-35 Front-20 ft Multiple-family RM-1 Multi-family Side- 3 ft* 8,000 sq ft 25 ft dwellings Rear-25

Retail, services, B-1 Central Business N/A N/A 50 ft offices, restaurants

Front-15 ft B-2 General Retail, services, Side** 6,000 sq ft 30 ft Commercial offices, restaurants Rear-15

P-1 Vehicular Off-street parking *** 4,000 sq ft 15 ft Parking Front-25 ft Manufacturing, M-1 Light Industrial Side-20 ft 20,000 sq ft 30 ft. wholesale Rear-****

Same as M-1, Front-60 ft M-2 Heavy transportation, Side- ***** 30,000 sq ft 80 ft. Industrial storage Rear-50 ft

* In residential zones, side yard setbacks are required to be a minimum of 3 feet on one side, and a total of 10 feet for both sides, unless otherwise specified ** No side yard is required along an interior side lot line, except as specified in the Building Code. If the exterior side yard borders a residential district there shall be provided a side yard setback of not less than fifteen (15) feet. The openings (windows and doors) side or other side of the lot shall have a side yard of not less than fifteen (15) feet. Corner lots’ side yards must equal the setback required for the front yards on the street to which they side. *** Where the P-1 District is contiguous to side lot lines of premises within a residentially zoned district, the required wall shall be located at least ten (101 feet from the side lot line opposite the residential unit or vacant residential. Where the P-1 District is contiguous to a residentially zoned district which has a common frontage on the same block with residential structures, or wherein no residential structures have been yet erected, there shall be a setback equal to the required residential setback for said residential district. The required wall shall be located on this minimum setback line. **** No side yard is required along one of the two interior side lot lines, except as otherwise specified in the Building Code. The openings (windows and doors) side or other side of the lot shall have a side yard of not less than twenty (20) feet. Corner lot side yards must equal the setback required for the front yards on the street to which they side. Where an authorized use is located on a lot contiguous to a residential district, there shall be provided on such lot a yard setback along such residential district of not less than one hundred (100) feet. Whenever there is an apparent conflict in the application of these provisions, the requirement providing the greater separation shall apply. ***** Twenty (20) linear feet. Corner lot side yards must equal the setback required for the front yards on the street to which they side. Where an authorized use is located on a lot contiguous to a residential district, there shall be provided on such lot a yard setback along such residential district of not less than one hundred ( 100) feet. Whenever there is an apparent conflict in the application of these provisions, the requirement providing the greater separation shall apply.

84 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN Wyoming Industrial Ferney Distel Harrington Woodmere Post Bacon SouthSolvay Dearborn Crossley Bland GouldGreen Cottrell Melville Springw Westen Spring Powell Harb South 34: Zoning MapRiv Ya An Erie x erside Dill aier re augh le d wells derson ells Di Dearborn K Stone Si Miller Sloan Rouge South Fordson Gerisch Cary Denmark Vanderbilt Reisener Heidt Barron Zug Island Carbon

Flora Melville BurdenoUnknown Aggregate Forman Thaddeus Luther Powell Graham Lyon Crown Dey Barnes Norway Gates N I 75/DearbornLeigh Keller Sanders Colonial Herkimer Copland Edwin Gale

Oakwood Bayside

Stocker S I 75 Dumfries

Waring Fort Cullen Dunkirk Patricia Greyfriars N I 75 Voss Sanders Brennan

Patricia

Northampton Fort Deacon Liddesdale Pleasant

Patricia Leonard

Victoria

Liebold Gilroy Ethel Deacon Bassett N Fort/N I 75 Anchor Toronto Hart Cicotte Dwight Charles Division James Beatrice Myrtle Linden Frazier Delisle Schaefer Brownlee Henry Coolidge Le Roy Harris Electric Bromley Henry Liddesdale Campbell Annabelle Le Roy Miami Coolidge Melvin Henry Oak Batavia

Beatrice Pine

Byron Belanger Park Deacon Ruloff Maple Downing

Goodell Frazier Richter Morrow Elm Genesee Polk Haltiner Beechwood Burke Chestnut Walnut Hall Kleinow Great Lakes Omaha Great Lakes Campbell Marion Industrial

Holford Palmerston Ethel Carlston Fairmont Bassett Summit Eaton Catherine Cora Perrin Stoner Abbott Elizabeth Stoner Le Blanc 19th Lenoir Forest Hill Florence

18th Auburn Superior Ironton

17th Rockwood

16th Glenwood Alexander Rockwood Visger Ruth

15th Glenwood Hyacinthe Francis

14th High Marie Jefferson Ironton

Bell Quality 10th 12th Union

11th G R Fink 13th Ridge 8th Knox

9th Elton 3th 1 Salliotte Charlotte Agnes 7th 10th Joseph 9th Alexis

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 0 0.5 1 Zoning Map Miles Data Sources: State of Michigan Geographic Data Library, ESRI Basemap, Wayne County GIS, City of River Rouge City Boundary R-1: One Family M-1: Light Industrial State Roads R-2: Two Family M-2: Heavy Industrial

All Roads RM-1: Multiple Family Disclaimer: This map was created following the districts of the 1996 Zoning Map. Parcel boundaries have, however, changed during the following 30 years, and Railroads B-1: Central Business District therefore this map is meant to be used as a guide and any specific zoning information Rivers / Streams B-2: General Commercial must be confirmed with the City of River Rouge. Lakes / Ponds

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 85 Example of a property in a residential zone that could redeveloped into a community asset

infrastructure has the added review process, especially in flood- is recommended to preserve benefits of increasing pedestrian prone areas. Green infrastructure downtown’s unique design. friendlessness and creating more provides needed greenery in urban An overlay district is a set of available space for development. settings and helps to control land development requirements Another type of standard for stormwater on-site. that are required in the zoning new developments that can be district for the area in question. added are for green infrastructure DDA Overlay District Overlay districts have a defined requirements. Currently, there River Rouge, like many physical boundary and may add or are few instances of greenery in communities, has different decrease regulations, depending the City. The City should consider design and dimension standards on the desired outcome. In this incentives or requirements of for the Central Business District. case, it would align with the DDA developers to include added green Because the downtown is now boundaries. The DDA overlay infrastructure like rain gardens encompassed by the mixed-use is superimposed on the mixed- and trees as a part of the site plan district, a DDA overlay district use district in order to maintain

86 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 35: Corresponding Future Land Uses is allowing for Planned Unit Development (PUD) as a tool which can provide more flexibility and MASTER PLAN FUTURE LAND USE CURRENT ZONES innovation for development. Many DISTRICTS communities allow PUD as way to facilitate mixed-use and clustered R-1 Single Family development, and variable parcel Low Density Residential sizes in a single development. R-2 Two Family The Michigan Zoning Enabling Act provides local governments with RM Multiple Family two different options for how they High Density Residential Residential can facilitate a PUD. Communities can elect to handle a PUD as a zoning amendment which requires RM Multiple Family approval from elected officials, Mixed Use CBD Central Business District or as a special use permit which DDA Overlay would be approved by the planning commission after reviewing a set of standards. River Rouge will RM Multiple Family Redevelopment Areas (PUD) need to decide which of these B-1 Central Business District options is most appropriate for the community’s redevelopment goals. This type of district could be General Business B-2 General Commercial applied to the DTE site.

Corresponding Future M-1 Light Industrial Industrial Land Uses M-2 Heavy Industrial The “Corresponding Future Land Uses” table above shows how the proposed land use districts are a combination, with some the downtown’s established housing units in single-family modifications, of the current zones. characteristics. districts. Also, using mixed-use and When juxtaposed, it is clearer how planned unit developments as tools the proposed land uses correspond Housing to encourage the construction of to the current zones. These future alternative types of housing such designations and the current zones To promote a diversity of affordable as lofts, condominiums, and town do not always align given that the and accessible housing options that homes that provides options for some of the proposed land uses meet the changing demographics people in different life stages. are new entirely, for example, the of River Rouge, the City can expand Recreation Conservation District. the types of housing options in residential districts through its Planned Unit zoning code. Some way to increase Development (PUD) housing supply and housing Another opportunity the planning formats is to allow two-family commission plans to explore

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 87 ACTION PLAN & IMPLEMENTATION

Under the direction of the Planning each goal. River Rouge’s goals units downtown, and allowing Commission and City Council, fall into six major themes as listed accessory dwelling units for with citizen and stakeholder below: residents will help to expand the input, River Rouge has identified 1. Housing variety of housing formats and six overarching goals, each with therefore options for incoming and a series of action steps to take 2. Redevelopment incumbent residents. in order to achieve these goals. 3. Health and Environment Because this master plan takes a 15 4. Communication Redevelopment to 20 year approach to planning, The redevelopment actions are it is anticipated that these goals 5. Transportation tied to the Redevelopment Ready and corresponding actions could 6. Economic Development Certification program. The goal take up to that amount of time is for River Rouge to become its to be realized. The tables on the Housing own champion for redevelopment following pages outline a planned With a central goal of providing through a city-led process, as implementation schedule for each housing that meets a variety of opposed to waiting for developers action and includes a general income and life stage needs, all to approach the City. In order time-frame for implementation, the of the actions listed are designed to get in front of development, party responsible for implementing, to increase housing supply. In the city must take steps towards and priority level. addition to housing supply, the identifying sites, documenting hope is to increasing the types of their current characteristics, and housing format to alternatives to providing this data online as a way GOALS & single-family, detached homes. to market to a wider audience. ACTION STEPS For example, loosening the single- The City can also look for state family zoning restrictions to allow and county incentives that assist in This section discusses the following duplexes, restoring second-story expediting redevelopment. actions that are associated with

88 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN Health, Environment, of responsible energy consumption. Communication & Energy As demographics and technology Due to River Rouge’s location Transportation change, it is essential that a amongst industrial uses, there A lack of reliable modes of city re-evaluates its outreach is concern about the health of transportation can be a huge methods. There are two goals its residents. With the goals of barrier to economic opportunity. under this theme that address improving the residents physical This is a difficult area to improve how River Rouge can improve health, and the city’s natural because the bus lines running communication to non residents, assets, action items are geared through the city are managed such as potential business owners, towards increasing opportunities by outside entities: DDOT and and to its residents. Improving for exercise, and opportunities to SMART. With the goal of providing communication to outsiders is a improve the city’s air and water safe, accessible, and reliable matter of changing marketing quality. transportation to its residents, tactics to spread the City’s new In collaboration with Ecoworks, River Rouge can focus on non branding, using varied media River Rouge has created extensive motorized transit options. In sources, and expanding tours to a goals for improving energy addition to voicing its concerns wider audience. efficiency among municipal for improved frequency of bus To improve communication with its buildings. The goal is to continue routes to the respective agencies, residents, the City should consider to build off the momentum created River Rouge can work to provide attending more events and group by this partnership and to use its a bicycle network, cross walks for meetings that take place in the successes as a way to teach future pedestrians, and a safe route for community. Being present in generations about the importance those who do not have a car. already established events outside

Vision: River Rouge residents envision a growing city that maintains its small town feel, with state-of-the art facilities, bustling sidewalks, and a family-friendly atmosphere. River Rouge will have housing formats that support all stages of life, clean, high- paying jobs, and a reliable and efficient transportation system.

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 89 of City Hall shows the community There are several steps to take ideas for making downtown more the City’s dedication and provides to improve the appearance and walkable, transit-oriented, and additional outlets for information enthusiasm towards downtown. beautiful. In addition, the physical exchange. First, to enact real change, the City structures can be updated and of River Rouge should consider made uniform to strengthen River Economic Development hiring a part-time Community Rouge’s image to its residents and Development staff person who visitors. The goals in this section are three- can dedicate time to improving fold. This holistic approach to Increasing the number of local downtown’s prospects. Without economic development focuses business owners will take time. additional attention, it will remain on improving the vibrancy of If the City and the DDA are at difficult to build momentum and downtown, cultivating local the forefront of supporting and advance these goals. business, and training the next encouraging hesitant business generation to be successful The recently completed 2017 owners, River Rouge will begin to professionals in a variety of fields. Corridor Plan holds many design cultivate and retain its talented residents. 36: Housing Goals

PRIORITY RESPONSIBLE GOAL ACTION TIME FRAME LEVEL PARTNERS Use the TMA as a guideline for Low City, developers, DDA 1 year 1. Provide high quality the type of tenure, number, and housing options housing format to build (2). throughout the City Create more flexible zoning that Medium City 1 year that meet the housing allows for two-family residential needs of all ages, units in R-1 zones (6). income levels, and levels Apply for MEDC funds to High City, DDA, MEDC 1-5 years of disability. rehabilitate 2nd story housing units. Target West Jefferson Avenue (9). Change the definition for Medium City 1 year Accessory Use to include residential uses (4). Reduce the minimum floor area Low City 1-5 year for studios and one-bedroom units (2). Continue to inventory the High City, Building Ongoing 2. Reduce the presence condition of homes every Department of blighted structures six months to target Hardest within the community Hit Funds towards any to improve the overall concentration of blight (15). attractiveness of Institute a year-round rental High City, Building Ongoing neighborhoods. inspection program to help Department reduce the number of blighted structures (8). Increase both natural and built Medium City, Building 1-2 years buffering standards to reduce Department, Parks the negative effects of industry and Recreation on residential zones (4).

90 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 37: Redevelopment Goals

PRIORITY RESPONSIBLE GOAL ACTION TIME FRAME LEVEL PARTNERS Inventory potential High City, DDA, EDC Ongoing 1. Take a proactive, redevelopment sites according city-led approach to to the Redevelopment Ready redevelopment. criteria (8). Prioritize sites that serve the High City, DDA, EDC Tied to immediate needs of residents, development (i.e. grocery store, credit union). (6) Create an online directory Medium City, DDA, EDC 1-2 years with the redevelopment site’s basic information to market to developers (2). Apply for brownfield Low Downriver 1-3 years redevelopment funds to Community make more sites available for Conference redevelopment (0). Consider a community benefits Medium City, DDA, Employers Contingent agreement for incoming upon businesses (3). incoming business Consider an Obsolete Property Low City, EDC, MEDC 2-5 years Rehabilitation District for vacant industrial properties (0). Contact small-scale developers Low City, DDA, MSHDA, 2-5 years using MSHDA’s approved list MEDC and invite them to tour sites identified for housing and mixed-use development (0). Develop an ordinance that Low City 1-3 years regulates the expansion of fast food and liquor stores (0). Continue to follow RRC best Medium City, DDA Ongoing practices (4). Create a Capital Improvement Medium All City departments 1 year Plan (3). Maintain relationship with Medium City, DDA, Wayne Wayne County to promote County redevelopment sites (3).

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 91 38: Health, Environment, and Energy

PRIORITY RESPONSIBLE GOAL ACTION TIME FRAME LEVEL PARTNERS Build a partnership with the local High City, Southwest Ongoing 1. Improve the physical hospital to increase awareness Service Center health of River Rouge’s about health insurance options residents. and programs that support healthy lifestyles (6). Create non motorized transit Medium City, MDOT, 1-3 years options to encourage residents to SEMCOG walk or use their bicycles (4). Bring exercise classes to Medium Parks and 1 year neighborhood parks and Recreation community centers in the Department summer (3). Apply for a grant to build a High Parks and 1-3 years kayak launch in Belanger Park Recreation to encourage residents to Department, DTE participate in water sports (6). Test ground water regularly Low DEQ, Wayne 1 year 2. Improve and expand surrounding industrial land uses County Health the city’s natural assets. for contamination (1). Department Apply for grants to expand tree High Parks and 3-5 years canopy coverage to improve air Recreation quality and reduce instances of Department, DNR, flooding (6). USDA Continue to work with Ecoworks High EcoWorks, Ongoing to meet energy management Michigan Energy goals (9). Office Promote successes of energy Medium City, EcoWorks, 3-5 years savings to teach municipal staff Energy Commission and residents about energy efficiency (4).

92 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 39: Transportation

PRIORITY RESPONSIBLE GOAL ACTION TIME FRAME LEVEL PARTNERS 1. Provide a variety Work with SMART and DDOT to High City, SMART, DDOT Ongoing of safe, accessible, expand the time schedule and and affordable frequency of the bus service (17). transportation options. Build a bicycle lane network and Medium City, MDOT 1-3 years amenities to encourage ridership (8). Continue working with SEMCAs Low City, SEMCA 3-5 years transportation assistance to workers (5). Plan a meeting with SMART, Medium SMART, SEMCA Ongoing SEMCA, and resident to discuss how to spend annual budget (8). Complete sidewalk network. High City, MDOT 3-5 years Prioritize sidewalks in front of schools (13). Consider a volunteer-based Medium City 1-2 years ride service to assist residents in getting to appointments (9).

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 93 40: Communication

PRIORITY RESPONSIBLE GOAL ACTION TIME FRAME LEVEL PARTNERS Use new branding to Medium Southern Wayne Ongoing 1. Increase awareness communicate with County Regional of River Rouge as a businesses that River Rouge Chamber place of economic is a supportive business opportunity. environment (4). Expand the media outlets Low Southern Wayne <1 year used to include radio, County Regional travel magazines, regional Chamber newspapers, and social media (3). Expand tours of River Rouge Low City, DDA Ongoing to perspective residents and/ or entrepreneurs (2). Use social media consistently High City 1 year 2. Improve to share information with the communication with residents (7). residents about their Set up kiosks at city events Medium City Ongoing vision for the city. to disseminate current information and listen to resident’s feedback (5). Plan an annual meeting with Medium School Board 1 year High School students for community engagement (4). Promote River Rouge as a High Planning 1 year place of unity, diversity, and Commission, City inclusiveness (8). Council Work with School Board High School Board, City 1-2 years to incentivize students to volunteer for the City (10).

94 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 41: Economic Development

PRIORITY RESPONSIBLE GOAL ACTION TIME FRAME LEVEL PARTNERS Foster a healthy and Use the data from the 2017 Corridor Medium DDA 1-2 years vibrant downtown. Plan to engage entrepreneurs who manage the type of retail needed in River Rouge (4). Update zoning to reflect desired Low City 1-2 years aesthetic standards for buildings related to medical marijuana (3). Follow Complete Street guidelines Low DDA 1-3 years that improve the safety, accessibility, and beauty of the downtown (2). Create a Facade Improvement High DDA, EDC 1-3 years Program for downtown buildings (8). Create a vacant storefront program High DDA, artists 1 year with local artists (8). Hire a part-time Community High City, DDA 2-3 years Developer with a relevant degree (9). Consider MMLs PlacePop as a way Low DDA, MML 1-2 years to temporarily gauge the impact of design interventions on underutilized space. Monitor impacts (2). Increase the number of Host classes that teach residents Medium DDA, DCC 1-3 years local business owners. how to develop a business plan (4).

Introduce the idea of worker co- Low U.S. Federation 3-5 years operatives and provide resources for of Worker Co- residents to learn more. operatives Identify and create a worker co- Medium DDA, EDC 3-5 years rental space. Promote the city as supportive Low DDA 1-3 years to medical marijuana-related businesses. Create a workforce that Continue to host job fairs with High SEMCA Ongoing is trained for a variety of varying locations within River Rouge. occupations. Teach soft jobs skills as a part of the Low School Board, Ongoing school curriculum (0). SEMCA, United Way Promote SEMCAs Skilled Trades Medium SEMCA, Regional 1-3 years Training Fund and Business Services Chamber of (5). Commerce, Community Colleges Continue to build a relationship with Medium City, WDBA, SEMCA Ongoing the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) (4).

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 95 APPENDIX

42: River Rouge Master Plan Survey Results River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q1 What is ONE WORD you would use to describe the City of River Rouge?

Answered: 21 Skipped: 6

# Responses Date

1 Inexpensive 4/19/2017 5:16 AM

2 Fun 4/19/2017 5:10 AM

3 Industrial 4/19/2017 5:06 AM

4 Family 4/19/2017 4:26 AM

5 Resilient 4/19/2017 4:22 AM

6 Precious 4/19/2017 4:18 AM

7 Avrage 4/19/2017 4:05 AM

8 Community 4/19/2017 3:59 AM

9 Boring 4/19/2017 3:53 AM

10 The Geto 4/19/2017 3:49 AM

11 Family 4/19/2017 3:43 AM

12 Empty or stagnant 4/19/2017 3:37 AM

13 Close friends 4/19/2017 3:33 AM

14 Fluster cluck 4/19/2017 3:27 AM

15 Family 4/19/2017 3:23 AM

16 Progressive 4/19/2017 3:22 AM

17 Home 4/19/2017 3:17 AM

18 Strong 4/19/2017 2:40 AM

19 Ok 4/19/2017 2:35 AM

20 Quiet 4/19/2017 2:31 AM

21 Like 4/19/2017 2:27 AM

96 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN

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Q2 What is ONE WORD you WOULD LIKE to use to describe the City of River Rouge?

Answered: 20 Skipped: 7

# Responses Date

1 Bustling 4/19/2017 5:16 AM

2 Artis 4/19/2017 5:06 AM

3 Unity 4/19/2017 4:26 AM

4 Fantastic 4/19/2017 4:22 AM

5 Concerned 4/19/2017 4:18 AM

6 Depressed 4/19/2017 4:07 AM

7 Avrage 4/19/2017 4:05 AM

8 Safe 4/19/2017 3:59 AM

9 Lively 4/19/2017 3:53 AM

10 State of the Art 4/19/2017 3:49 AM

11 Family 4/19/2017 3:43 AM

12 Mnoder 4/19/2017 3:37 AM

13 Unique 4/19/2017 3:33 AM

14 Livable 4/19/2017 3:27 AM

15 Family 4/19/2017 3:23 AM

16 Successful 4/19/2017 3:22 AM

17 Growing 4/19/2017 2:40 AM

18 Ok 4/19/2017 2:35 AM

19 Recreational 4/19/2017 2:31 AM

20 Good 4/19/2017 2:27 AM

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 97

2 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q3 How do you think the City of River Rouge should prioritize the following issues? (1-top priority, 5- lowest priority)

Answered: 21 Skipped: 6

Housing

Commercial

Industry

Parks and Recreation

Transportation

012345678910

1 2 3 4 5 Total Score

Housing 71.43% 14.29% 4.76% 0.00% 9.52% 15 3 1 0 2 21 4.38

Commercial 9.52% 23.81% 28.57% 28.57% 9.52% 2 5 6 6 2 21 2.95

Industry 0.00% 4.76% 42.86% 19.05% 33.33% 0 1 9 4 7 21 2.19

Parks and Recreation 0.00% 33.33% 4.76% 33.33% 28.57% 0 7 1 7 6 21 2.43

Transportation 19.05% 23.81% 19.05% 19.05% 19.05% 4 5 4 4 4 21 3.05

98 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN

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Q4 How should the City of River Rouge prioritize the following HOUSING issues? (1-top priority, 4-lowest priority)

Answered: 20 Skipped: 7

Removing blighted...

Code enforcement

New construction...

Convert 2nd floor space...

012345678910

1 2 3 4 Total Score

Removing blighted structures 50.00% 10.00% 25.00% 15.00% 10 2 5 3 20 2.95

Code enforcement 15.00% 35.00% 25.00% 25.00% 3 7 5 5 20 2.40

New construction of alternatives to single-family housing 10.00% 40.00% 20.00% 30.00% 2 8 4 6 20 2.30

Convert 2nd floor space into apartments on Jefferson Avenue 25.00% 15.00% 30.00% 30.00% 5 3 6 6 20 2.35

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 99

4 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q5 How should the City of River Rouge prioritize the following COMMERCIAL issues? (1-top priority, 5-lowest priority)

Answered: 20 Skipped: 7

Business recruitment

Business retention

Physical improvements...

Collective marketing

Business training...

012345678910

1 2 3 4 5 Total Score

Business recruitment 35.00% 30.00% 15.00% 20.00% 0.00% 7 6 3 4 0 20 3.80

Business retention 25.00% 25.00% 25.00% 15.00% 10.00% 5 5 5 3 2 20 3.40

Physical improvements to commercial corridor 25.00% 20.00% 30.00% 10.00% 15.00% 5 4 6 2 3 20 3.30

Collective marketing 5.00% 20.00% 15.00% 40.00% 20.00% 1 4 3 8 4 20 2.50

Business training programs 10.00% 5.00% 15.00% 15.00% 55.00% 2 1 3 3 11 20 2.00

100 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN

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Q6 How should the City of River Rouge prioritize the following INDUSTRIAL issues? (1-top priority, 6-lowest priority)

Answered: 20 Skipped: 7

Air quality

Soil quality

Water quality

Encroachment on residenti...

Tax abatement

Redevelopment of DTE site

012345678910

1 2 3 4 5 6 Total Score

Air quality 70.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 14 4 2 0 0 0 20 5.60

Soil quality 0.00% 20.00% 20.00% 20.00% 10.00% 30.00% 0 4 4 4 2 6 20 2.90

Water quality 10.00% 40.00% 40.00% 5.00% 5.00% 0.00% 2 8 8 1 1 0 20 4.45

Encroachment on residential neighborhoods 5.00% 15.00% 10.00% 25.00% 35.00% 10.00% 1 3 2 5 7 2 20 3.00

Tax abatement 5.00% 5.00% 15.00% 25.00% 35.00% 15.00% 1 1 3 5 7 3 20 2.75

Redevelopment of DTE site 10.00% 0.00% 5.00% 25.00% 15.00% 45.00% 2 0 1 5 3 9 20 2.30

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 101

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Q7 How should the City of River Rouge prioritize the following RECREATION issues? (1-top priority, 4-lowest priority)

Answered: 19 Skipped: 8

Maintain exisiting...

Upgrade existing...

Develop new facilities

Acquire new land for par...

012345678910

1 2 3 4 Total Score

Maintain exisiting facilities 52.63% 10.53% 26.32% 10.53% 10 2 5 2 19 3.05

Upgrade existing facilities 36.84% 52.63% 10.53% 0.00% 7 10 2 0 19 3.26

Develop new facilities 10.53% 31.58% 36.84% 21.05% 2 6 7 4 19 2.32

Acquire new land for parks and recreation 0.00% 5.26% 26.32% 68.42% 0 1 5 13 19 1.37

102 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN

7 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q8 How should the City of River Rouge prioritize the following transportation issues? (1-top priority, 4-lowest priority)

Answered: 19 Skipped: 8

Add bicycle lanes

Increase bus frequency

Improve walkability

Improve quality of...

012345678910

1 2 3 4 Total Score

Add bicycle lanes 15.79% 10.53% 26.32% 47.37% 3 2 5 9 19 1.95

Increase bus frequency 47.37% 15.79% 10.53% 26.32% 9 3 2 5 19 2.84

Improve walkability 0.00% 52.63% 47.37% 0.00% 0 10 9 0 19 2.53

Improve quality of roads 36.84% 21.05% 15.79% 26.32% 7 4 3 5 19 2.68

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 103

8 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q9 How often do you use the recreation facilities in River Rouge?

Answered: 26 Skipped: 1

Memorial Park

Belanger Park

Great Lakes field 104 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN

9 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Harris mini park

Elm Street mini park

Cora Street mini park RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 105

10 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Anchor Street mini park

Bromley Street mini park

Activity/Senior 106 RIVER ROUGE MASTERCenter PLAN

11 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Bicycle/pedestr ian trails

School facilities...

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Never More than once a week A few times a month Once a month

A few times per year I use recreational facilities outside of River Rouge

I do not use recreational facilities anywhere

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 107

12 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Never More than A few Once a A few I use recreational facilities I do not use Total once a times a month times per outside of River Rouge recreational facilities week month year anywhere

Memorial Park 3.85% 3.85% 23.08% 15.38% 42.31% 0.00% 11.54% 1 1 6 4 11 0 3 26

Belanger Park 0.00% 12.50% 37.50% 8.33% 33.33% 0.00% 8.33% 0 3 9 2 8 0 2 24

Great Lakes field 36.36% 4.55% 9.09% 0.00% 31.82% 4.55% 13.64% 8 1 2 0 7 1 3 22

Harris mini park 63.64% 0.00% 9.09% 0.00% 13.64% 0.00% 13.64% 14 0 2 0 3 0 3 22

Elm Street mini park 68.42% 0.00% 5.26% 0.00% 10.53% 0.00% 15.79% 13 0 1 0 2 0 3 19

Cora Street mi ni park 65.00% 5.00% 5.00% 0.00% 10.00% 0.00% 15.00% 13 1 1 0 2 0 3 20

Anchor Street mini 73.68% 0.00% 5.26% 0.00% 5.26% 0.00% 15.79% park 14 0 1 0 1 0 3 19

Bromley Street mini 61.90% 0.00% 9.52% 0.00% 14.29% 0.00% 14.29% park 13 0 2 0 3 0 3 21

Activity/Senior 23.81% 42.86% 4.76% 4.76% 19.05% 0.00% 4.76% Center 5 9 1 1 4 0 1 21

Bicycle/pedestrian 45.00% 0.00% 10.00% 5.00% 10.00% 10.00% 20.00% trails 9 0 2 1 2 2 4 20

School facilities 47.62% 9.52% 4.76% 4.76% 14.29% 4.76% 14.29% (outside of school 10 2 1 1 3 1 3 21 hours)

108 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN

13 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q10 To what extent do you support using the vacant post office building on West Jefferson as a community boxing center?

Answered: 26 Skipped: 1

Strongly support

Support

Indifferent

Oppose

Strongly oppose

Other (please specify)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

Strongly support 26.92% 7

Support 46.15% 12

Indifferent 11.54% 3

Oppose 0.00% 0

Strongly oppose 11.54% 3

Other (please specify) 3.85% 1

Total 26

# Other (please specify) Date

1 No extent 4/19/2017 4:07 AM

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 109

14 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q11 As a River Rouge resident, what prevents you from using recreation facilities more frequently? Please check all that apply.

Answered: 17 Skipped: 10

Too busy or uninterested

Lack of facilities

Poorly maintained...

My recreational...

I go elsewhere to enjoy...

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

Too busy or uninterested 11.76% 2

Lack of facilities 35.29% 6

Poorly maintained facilities 17.65% 3

My recreational needs are met 35.29% 6

I go elsewhere to enjoy recreational facilities 17.65% 3

Total Respondents: 17

# Other (please specify) Date

1 Health 4/19/2017 4:05 AM

2 I walk daily to the bridge 4/19/2017 3:53 AM

3 I am elderly and don't drive anymore. 4/19/2017 3:37 AM

4 Health reason-not too ambulatory 4/19/2017 3:33 AM

5 Need recreational provisions for adults 4/19/2017 3:22 AM

6 Transportation 4/19/2017 2:44 AM

7 not into recreation 4/19/2017 2:16 AM

110 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN

15 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q12 If you use recreation facilities outside of River Rouge, where are they located? Please check all that apply.

Answered: 24 Skipped: 3

Lincoln Park

Melvindale

Detroit

Wyandotte

Allen Park

I don't use recreation...

Other (please specify)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

Lincoln Park 29.17% 7

Melvindale 4.17% 1

Detroit 16.67% 4

Wyandotte 16.67% 4

Allen Park 12.50% 3

I don't use recreation facilities outside of River Rouge 33.33% 8

Other (please specify) 25.00% 6

Total Respondents: 24

# Other (please specify) Date

1 Southgate 4/19/2017 4:26 AM

2 Flat Rock- Woodhaven 4/19/2017 4:22 AM

3 Taylor- Heritage Park-They allow my dogs 4/19/2017 3:49 AM

4 visit Belanger Park occasionally 4/19/2017 3:33 AM

5 swimming and exercise facilities elsewhere 4/19/2017 3:22 AM

6 not into recreation 4/19/2017 2:16 AM RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 111

16 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q13 What types of activities do you regularly use recreational parks and facilities for? Please check all that apply.

Answered: 21 Skipped: 6

Rollerblading

Basketball courts

Volleyball courts

Senior citizen recreation...

Ball fields

Soccer fields

Playgrounds

Ice rink

Jogging and exercise trail

Hiking and cross-countr...

Bicycle paths

Botanical gardens

Football fields

Picnic shelters

Walking paths

Sledding hill

Skate park

11 2 RIVER ROUGE MASTERFishing PLAN

17 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Boat launch

Private parties/events

Swimming

Other (please specify)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

Rollerblading 9.52% 2

Basketball courts 23.81% 5

Volleyball courts 19.05% 4

Senior citizen recreation center 33.33% 7

Ball fields 23.81% 5

Soccer fields 9.52% 2

Playgrounds 23.81% 5

Ice rink 4.76% 1

Jogging and exercise trail 19.05% 4

Hiking and cross-country ski trail 9.52% 2

Bicycle paths 38.10% 8

Botanical gardens 4.76% 1

Football fields 19.05% 4

Picnic shelters 33.33% 7

Walking paths 47.62% 10

Sledding hill 4.76% 1

Skate park 14.29% 3

Fishing 47.62% 10

Boat launch 19.05% 4

Private parties/events 38.10% 8

23.81% 5 Swimming

Other (please specify) 0.00% 0

Total Respondents: 21

# Other (please specify) RIVER ROUGEDate MASTER PLAN 11 3

18 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q14 Please indicate which of the following facilities and activities River Rouge should plan for and/or develop further. Please check all that apply.

Answered: 24 Skipped: 3

Rollerblading

Basketball courts

Volleyball courts

Senior citizen recreation...

Ball fields

Soccer fields

Racquetball courts

Shuffleball courts

Playgrounds

Ice rink

Jogging and exercise trail

Hiking and cross-countr...

Bicycle paths

Botanical gardens

Football fields

Picnic shelters

Walking paths

11 4 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN Sledding hill 20 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey Sledding hill

Skate park

Fishing

Boat launch

Private parties/events

Swimming

Ampitheater

Other (please specify)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

Rollerblading 8.33% 2

Basketball courts 0.00% 0

Volleyball courts 4.17% 1

Senior citizen recreation center 45.83% 11

Ball fields 12.50% 3

Soccer fields 8.33% 2

Racquetball courts 4.17% 1

Shuffleball courts 0.00% 0

Playgrounds 20.83% 5

Ice rink 33.33% 8

Jogging and exercise trail 12.50% 3

Hiking and cross-country ski trail 0.00% 0

Bicycle paths 29.17% 7

Botanical gardens 12.50% 3

0.00% 0 Football fields

Picnic shelters 45.83% 11

Walking paths 37.50% 9

Sledding hill 4.17% 1 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 11 5

21 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Skate park 0.00% 0

Fishing 12.50% 3

Boat launch 12.50% 3

Private parties/events 8.33% 2

Swimming 25.00% 6

Ampitheater 25.00% 6

Other (please specify) 4.17% 1

Total Respondents: 24

# Other (please specify) Date

1 Do to a disability,I don't get out much 4/19/2017 3:33 AM

11 6 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN

22 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q15 What type of housing development would you support in River Rouge? Please check all that apply.

Answered: 21 Skipped: 6

Detached, single-famil...

Townhomes

Duplexes

Multiplexes (more than t...

Condos (more than two uni...

Subdivided homes (one h...

Lofts and flats (one...

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

Detached, single-family homes 76.19% 16

Townhomes 23.81% 5

Duplexes 28.57% 6

Multiplexes (more than two units in a single building, mostly for lease) 14.29% 3

Condos (more than two units in a single building, for sale) 4.76% 1

Subdivided homes (one home retrofitted into a multiple dwelling unit) 4.76% 1

Lofts and flats (one floor of a building, often part of a mixed-use development; for sale or lease) 38.10% 8

Total Respondents: 21

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 11 7

23 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q16 You were given $100 for housing demolition. Please indicate using the map below how you would divide these funds.

Answered: 8 Skipped: 19

Neighborhood 1

Neighborhood 2

Neighborhood 3

Neighborhood 4

Neighborhood 5

0 10 20 30 40 50

Answer Choices Average Number Total Number Responses

Neighborhood 1 14 100 7

Neighborhood 2 24 188 8

Neighborhood 3 24 165 7

Neighborhood 4 22 172 8

Neighborhood 5 25 175 7

Total Respondents: 8

# Neighborhood 1 Date

1 15 4/19/2017 5:16 AM

2 20 4/19/2017 5:06 AM

3 10 4/19/2017 4:26 AM

4 20 4/19/2017 4:22 AM

5 0 4/19/2017 3:27 AM

6 15 4/19/2017 3:22 AM

7 20 4/19/2017 2:40 AM

# Neighborhood 2 Date

1 40 4/19/2017 5:16 AM

2 10 4/19/2017 5:06 AM

311 8 RIVER ROUGE20 MASTER PLAN 4/19/2017 4:26 AM

24 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

4 18 4/19/2017 4:22 AM

5 50 4/19/2017 3:43 AM

6 5 4/19/2017 3:27 AM

7 15 4/19/2017 3:22 AM

8 30 4/19/2017 2:40 AM

# Neighborhood 3 Date

1 15 4/19/2017 5:16 AM

2 30 4/19/2017 5:06 AM

3 50 4/19/2017 4:26 AM

4 15 4/19/2017 4:22 AM

5 10 4/19/2017 3:27 AM

6 15 4/19/2017 3:22 AM

7 30 4/19/2017 2:40 AM

# Neighborhood 4 Date

1 10 4/19/2017 5:16 AM

2 15 4/19/2017 5:06 AM

3 10 4/19/2017 4:26 AM

4 22 4/19/2017 4:22 AM

5 50 4/19/2017 3:43 AM

6 40 4/19/2017 3:27 AM

7 15 4/19/2017 3:22 AM

8 10 4/19/2017 2:40 AM

# Neighborhood 5 Date

1 20 4/19/2017 5:16 AM

2 25 4/19/2017 5:06 AM

3 10 4/19/2017 4:26 AM

4 25 4/19/2017 4:22 AM

5 45 4/19/2017 3:27 AM

6 40 4/19/2017 3:22 AM

7 10 4/19/2017 2:40 AM

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 11 9

25 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q17 What is the top criterion you used to decide where to demolish homes? Please check one box.

Answered: 21 Skipped: 6

Condition of home

High visibility i...

Amount of unwanted...

Severity of unwanted...

Concentration of blighted...

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

Condition of home 42.86% 9

High visibility in the community 9.52% 2

Amount of unwanted activity taking place in the home 9.52% 2

Severity of unwanted activity taking place in the home 4.76% 1

Concentration of blighted homes 33.33% 7

Total 21

120 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN

26 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q18 What type of retail would you like to see in River Rouge? Please check all that apply.

Answered: 25 Skipped: 2

Clothing stores

Department stores

Auto parts store

Electronics and applianc...

General merchandise

Sporting good stores

Grocery store

Specialty food store

Other (please specify)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

Clothing stores 44.00% 11

Department stores 56.00% 14

Auto parts store 16.00% 4

Electronics and appliance store 12.00% 3

General merchandise 56.00% 14

Sporting good stores 20.00% 5

Grocery store 16.00% 4

Specialty food store 0.00% 0

Other (please specify) 4.00% 1

Total Respondents: 25

# Other (please specify) Date RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 121

27 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q19 If you cannot find the retail option you are looking for in River Rouge, where do you go to shop? Please check all that apply.

Answered: 23 Skipped: 4

Lincoln Park

Melvindale

Detroit

Wyandotte

Allen Park

Other (please specify)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

Lincoln Park 69.57% 16

Melvindale 13.04% 3

Detroit 13.04% 3

Wyandotte 4.35% 1

Allen Park 47.83% 11

Other (please specify) 39.13% 9

Total Respondents: 23

# Other (please specify) Date

1 Taylor 4/19/2017 4:26 AM

2 Taylor 4/19/2017 4:22 AM

3 Taylor 4/19/2017 4:11 AM

4 Southgate, Wal-mart 4/19/2017 3:53 AM

5 Taylor, Southgate- it's on the bus route 4/19/2017 3:49 AM

6 Groceries 4/19/2017 3:37 AM

7 Southgate 4/19/2017 3:22 AM 122 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN

29 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q20 What type of entertainment options would you like to see come to River Rouge? Please check all that apply.

Answered: 25 Skipped: 2

Full service restaurant

Bar

Music hall

Gallery space

Movie theatre

Museum

Other (please specify)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

Full service restaurant 60.00% 15

Bar 0.00% 0

Music hall 32.00% 8

Gallery space 8.00% 2

Movie theatre 80.00% 20

Museum 16.00% 4

Other (please specify) 4.00% 1

Total Respondents: 25

# Other (please specify) Date

1 Grocery stores 4/19/2017 3:37 AM

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 123

31 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q21 If you cannot find an entertainment option you are looking for in River Rouge, where do you go? Please check all that apply.

Answered: 23 Skipped: 4

Lincoln Park

Melvindale

Detroit

Wyandotte

Allen Park

Other (please specify)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

Lincoln Park 21.74% 5

Melvindale 0.00% 0

Detroit 39.13% 9

Wyandotte 21.74% 5

Allen Park 30.43% 7

Other (please specify) 43.48% 10

Total Respondents: 23

# Other (please specify) Date

1 Southgate 4/19/2017 4:26 AM

2 Taylor, Woodhaven 4/19/2017 4:22 AM

3 Monroe, Dearborn 4/19/2017 4:14 AM

4 Southgate 4/19/2017 3:59 AM

5 Taylor, Southgate 4/19/2017 3:49 AM

6 I watch TV 4/19/2017 3:33 AM 124 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN

32 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

7 Southgate 4/19/2017 3:22 AM

8 Trenton 4/19/2017 2:31 AM

9 Ecorse 4/19/2017 2:27 AM

10 Southgate 4/19/2017 2:16 AM

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 125

33 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q22 What is an event in River Rouge that you consider fun?

Answered: 20 Skipped: 7

# Responses Date

1 Block parties 4/19/2017 5:16 AM

2 Concerts 4/19/2017 5:10 AM

3 Music Fest 4/19/2017 5:06 AM

4 Music in the park 4/19/2017 4:26 AM

5 Rouge Days for all 4/19/2017 4:22 AM

6 Rouge Days 4/19/2017 4:18 AM

7 River Rouge Days 4/19/2017 4:11 AM

8 Rouge Days 4/19/2017 4:05 AM

9 Rouge Days 4/19/2017 3:59 AM

10 Flea Mkt at the park 4/19/2017 3:49 AM

11 Rouge Days 4/19/2017 3:43 AM

12 Rouge Days 4/19/2017 3:37 AM

13 Rouge Days 4/19/2017 3:33 AM

14 House fires that are beyond needed to clean up the city 4/19/2017 3:27 AM

15 Rouge Days 4/19/2017 3:17 AM

16 Rouge Days 4/19/2017 2:40 AM

17 Fishing 4/19/2017 2:35 AM

18 Rouge Days 4/19/2017 2:31 AM

19 Parade, Rouge Days 4/19/2017 2:27 AM

20 Nothing 4/19/2017 2:16 AM

126 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN

34 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q23 What are some of your favorite places in River Rouge (in no particular order)?

Answered: 17 Skipped: 10

# Responses Date

1 The Avenue 4/19/2017 5:16 AM

2 N/A 4/19/2017 5:10 AM

3 Belanger Park, Memorial Park 4/19/2017 5:06 AM

4 RR Museum, Memorial Park 4/19/2017 4:26 AM

5 Parks and museum 4/19/2017 4:22 AM

6 City Hall, Senior Center 4/19/2017 4:18 AM

7 Senior center, Zenith, Belanger 4/19/2017 4:05 AM

8 Belanger Park 4/19/2017 3:59 AM

9 Home 4/19/2017 3:53 AM

10 Senior Citizen Center 4/19/2017 3:49 AM

11 Senior Club, Zenth, MD 4/19/2017 3:43 AM

12 Belanger Park-City Hall-Bank 4/19/2017 3:33 AM

13 Sports, games, music in parks, Rouge Days 4/19/2017 3:22 AM

14 Belanger Park, Rouge Bar & Grill, the Avenue 4/19/2017 2:40 AM

15 Park 4/19/2017 2:31 AM

16 Parks 4/19/2017 2:27 AM

17 Nowhere 4/19/2017 2:16 AM

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 127

35 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q24 How long have you lived in River Rouge?

Answered: 23 Skipped: 4

Less than 1 year

1-5 years

6-10 years

10-20 years

20-40 years

40+ years

I do not live in River Rouge

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

Less than 1 year 4.35% 1

1-5 years 8.70% 2

6-10 years 8.70% 2

10-20 years 26.09% 6

20-40 years 21.74% 5

40+ years 30.43% 7

I do not live in River Rouge 0.00% 0

Total 23

128 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN

36 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q25 If you do not live in River Rouge, please provide your ZIP code.

Answered: 1 Skipped: 26

# Responses Date

1 48183 4/19/2017 4:22 AM

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 129

37 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q26 Please select, by age group, the number of individuals currently living in your household.

Answered: 23 Skipped: 4

Under 5

5-17

18-24

130 RIVER ROUGE MASTER24-44 PLAN

38 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

44-64

65-85

85+

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

YOURSELF 2nd person 3rd person 4th person 5th person

YOURSELF 2nd person 3rd person 4th person 5th person Total

Under 5 0.00% 100.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0 1 0 RIVER0 ROUGE MASTER0 PLAN 1311

39 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

5-17 0.00% 0.00% 75.00% 25.00% 0.00% 0 0 3 1 0 4

18-24 0.00% 0.00% 66.67% 0.00% 33.33% 0 0 2 0 1 3

24-44 80.00% 20.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 4 1 0 0 0 5

44-64 66.67% 16.67% 0.00% 16.67% 0.00% 4 1 0 1 0 6

65-85 85.71% 14.29% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 12 2 0 0 0 14

85+ 100.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 3 0 0 0 0 3

# Other (please specify) Date

There are no responses.

132 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 40 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q27 With which race and/or ethnicity do you identify?

Answered: 23 Skipped: 4

African-America n or black

Arab-American

Asian/Pacific Islander

Hispanic/Latino

Native American

White

More than one race

Other (please specify)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

African-American or black 34.78% 8

Arab-American 0.00% 0

Asian/Pacific Islander 0.00% 0

Hispanic/Latino 4.35% 1

Native American 0.00% 0

White 52.17% 12

More than one race 4.35% 1

Other (please specify) 4.35% 1

Total Respondents: 23

# Other (please specify) Date

1 what does that matter 4/19/2017 4:14 AM

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 133

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Q28 What range does your household income fall into?

Answered: 23 Skipped: 4

Under $15,000

$15,001-$25,000

$25,001-$45,000

$45,001-$65,000

$65,001-$85,000

$85,001-$100,00 0

$100,000+

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

Under $15,000 34.78% 8

$15,001-$25,000 34.78% 8

$25,001-$45,000 13.04% 3

$45,001-$65,000 8.70% 2

$65,001-$85,000 4.35% 1

$85,001-$100,000 0.00% 0

$100,000+ 4.35% 1

Total 23

134 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN

42 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q29 If you are willing to take a follow-up survey, please enter your email address in the box below.

Answered: 3 Skipped: 24

# Responses Date

1 [email protected] 4/19/2017 4:18 AM

2 [email protected] 4/19/2017 4:07 AM

3 [email protected] 4/19/2017 3:27 AM

RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN 135

43 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q30 Are you a...? Please check all that apply.

Answered: 23 Skipped: 4

Homeowner in River Rouge

Renter in River Rouge

Business owner in River Rouge

Employee in River Rouge

Non-resident property own...

Visitor to River Rouge

Other (please specify)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Answer Choices Responses

Homeowner in River Rouge 65.22% 15

Renter in River Rouge 26.09% 6

Business owner in River Rouge 0.00% 0

Employee in River Rouge 17.39% 4

Non-resident property owner (own property but do not live or conduct business in River Rouge) 0.00% 0

Visitor to River Rouge 0.00% 0

Other (please specify) 0.00% 0

Total Respondents: 23

# Other (please specify) Date

There are no responses.

136 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN

44 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

Q31 Based on your responses from the previous question, use the map below to indicate what neighborhood each of the following are located. Please use the neighborhood number for the places that apply to you.

Answered: 18 Skipped: 9

Answer Choices Responses

Home 83.33% 15

Rental unit 5.56% 1

Business 5.56% 1

Place of employment 22.22% 4

Investment property 0.00% 0

# Home Date

1 3 4/19/2017 5:16 AM

2 4 4/19/2017 5:06 AM

3 5 4/19/2017 4:26 AM

4 1 4/19/2017 4:18 AM

5 2 4/19/2017 4:14 AM

6 2 4/19/2017 4:05 AM

7 4 4/19/2017 3:59 AM

8 4 4/19/2017 3:49 AM

9 4 4/19/2017 3:43 AM

10 4 4/19/2017 3:37 AM

11 2 4/19/2017 3:33 AM

12 4 4/19/2017 3:27 AM

13 1 4/19/2017 3:22 AM

14 4 4/19/2017 3:17 AM

15 1 4/19/2017 2:27 AM

# Rental unit Date

1 1 4/19/2017 2:35 AM

# Business Date

1 4 4/19/2017 3:27 AM

# Place of employment Date

1 2 4/19/2017 4:26 AM

2 2 4/19/2017 4:22 AM

3 4 4/19/2017 3:27 AM

4 4 RIVER ROUGE4/19/2017 MASTER 2:40 PLANAM 137

45 / 46 River Rouge Master Plan Survey

# Investment property Date

There are no responses.

138 RIVER ROUGE MASTER PLAN

46 / 46 43: Pathway to Becoming a Redevelopment Ready Community Annually review successes & Encourage elected & appointed PATHWAY TO BECOMING A REDEVELOPMENT READY COMMUNITY challenges with the development officials to attend trainings & share SIX COMMUNITY PROSPERITY review process information ◌ Notify elected & appointed officials ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Six Best Practice Steps ◌ Obtain customer feedback & STRATEGY integrate changes & staff about training opportunities ◌ Hold collaborative work sessions & An approved economic development COMMUNITY PLANS & ◌ Proactive practices: Individual Include flexible parking standards and Joint site plan review team ◌ Capture lessons learned from joint site plan review team joint trainings strategy ONE PUBLIC OUTREACH mailings, charrettes, focus groups, improves nonmotorized transportation ◌ Define the joint site plan team, workshops, canvassing, crowd- ◌ Prepare annual report May be part of the master plan or ◌ Includes bicycle parking, include multiple disciplines ◌ THE PLANS sourcing, social networking, annual budget pedestrian-scale lighting, traffic GUIDE TO DEVELOPMENT REDEVELOPMENT interviews A clearly documented internal staff Connects to the master plan Adopted a master plan in the past calming, public realm standards FIVE READY SITES ◌ review policy Annually review the fee schedule & capital improvements plan five years, and must achieve: Share outcomes of the public where appropriate Identify & prioritizes redevelopment Identify opportunities & challenges participation processes ◌ Includes pedestrian connectivity ◌ Define clear roles, responsibilities, ◌ Cover the community’s true cost ◌ ◌ Reflects a desired future direction sites within the community ordinance & timelines ◌ Accept credit card payment ◌ Identify priority redevelopment area ◌ Track outreach methods Incorporate recommendations for ◌ Requires two or more: parking ◌ Define development review ◌ Maintain updated list of sites ◌ ◌ Communicate outcomes implementation off street requirements, parking standards ◌ Coordinate with a regional ZONING REGULATIONS lot connectivity, shared parking, TWO parking max, parking waivers, economic development strategy ◌ Available online Alignment with the goals of the master electric vehicle charging, bicycle parking, payment in lieu of Annually review the economic COMMUNITY plan parking, complementary use development strategy PLANS & ◌ Evaluate master plan accommodation recommendations ◌ Report progress on economic PUBLIC Include standards for green RECRUITMENT development strategies annually Provide for areas of infrastructure REDEVELOPMENT OUTREACH concentrated development ◌ Requires one or more: low impact & EDUCATION Maintains guide to development, READY SITES MARKETING & PROMOTION in appropriate locations & development techniques, green explaining policies, procedures & Develop a marketing strategy encourages the type & form roofs, pervious pavement, native steps to obtain approvals of development desired species, existing tree protection ◌ Identify opportunities & steps to ◌ Provide: contact information, attract businesses, consumers ◌ Allow mixed-use by right ◌ Requires street trees & parking lot meeting schedules & procedures, Identify land use, infrastructure, & & real estate development ◌ in development landscaping flowcharts of development complete streets elements ◌ Creates or strengthens the ◌ Consider form-based Creating a user-friendly ordinance processes, relevant ordinances, Gather basic information Includes zoning plan community image ◌ code site plan review requirements for prioritized ◌ Implementation recommendations ◌ Portrays clear definitions & ◌ Identify approach to market priority ◌ Requires one or more: requirements & application, administrative redevelopment sites ◌ Progress annually reported approval requirements, process development sites build-to lines, open store Provide electronic format ◌ Available online ◌ & applications for rezoning, ◌ Require photo/ ◌ Coordinate marketing efforts with fronts, outdoor dining, ◌ Convenient hard copies local, regional, & state partners Adopted a downtown plan & corridor variances, & special uses, fee rendering, desired ground floor ◌ Accessible online outcomes, owner plan transparency, schedule, financial assistance DEVELOPMENT tools, design guidelines & contact, community ◌ Identify projects, costs, & timeline streetscaping, THREE REVIEW PROCESS processes, building permit contact, zoning, lot & ◌ Identify development boundaries preservation of historic requirements & applications building sizes, SEV, & ◌ Includes mixed-uses & pedestrian & environmentally DEVELOPMENT REVIEW ◌ Available online utilities oriented development sensitive features PROCEDURES Create a vision for priority ◌ Includes transit oriented RECRUITMENT development Zoning articulates a thorough site plan redevelopment sites review process FOUR & EDUCATION ◌ Coordinates with master plan & ◌ Include desired capital improvements plan ◌ Provide clear roles & RECRUITMENT & ORIENTATION development outcomes ◌ Available online responsibilities for all bodies ◌ Identify community Set expectations for board & DEVELOPMENT champions Adopted a capital improvements plan Define & offer conceptual site plan commission positions ◌ Require public engagement with ◌ Details a minimum of a six year ZONING review meetings for applicants REVIEW ◌ Outline expectations & desired skill high controversy sites projection with annual review ◌ Defined expectations online REGULATION PROCESS sets defined Identify potential resources & COMMUNITY ◌ Coordinates with other projects to ◌ Available online minimize construction costs incentives for prioritized PROSPERITY ◌ Coordinates with master plan & Provide orientation packets to all redevelopment sites appointed & elected members of budget ◌ Identify negotiable development development related boards & ◌ Available online tools, financial incentives and/or Promptly act on development requests commissions in-kind support linked to desired PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ◌ Allow permitted uses to be ◌ Include all relevant planning, zoning outcomes & development information Public participation strategy for Include flexible tools to encourage administratively reviewed Assemble property information engaging a diverse set of community An updated, user-friendly municipal development & redevelopment Qualified intake professional ◌ Adhere to procedures & timelines packages for prioritized sites stakeholders EDUCATION & TRAINING website ◌ Identify a point person for receiving ◌ Provide development process ◌ Include financial incentives, deed ◌ Define special land use & A dedicated source of funding for ◌ Identify key stakeholders applications, documenting contact, flowchart with timeline restrictions, tax assessment, ◌ Link to master plan, downtown plan, conditional rezoning requirements training ◌ Identify public participation methods explaining procedures, facilitating ◌ Coordinate among community survey, past uses, existing corridor plan, capital improvements & venues ◌ Allow for compatible uses that development, permitting, & serve new economy businesses in meetings, processing approvals, & ◌ Allocate budget for elected & conditions, known environmental plan, zoning ordinance, ◌ Any third party adheres to strategy inspections and/or contamination conditions, commercial and industrial districts excellent customer service appointed officials & staff development guide, online soils, demographics, amenities, payment, partner organizations, Public participation efforts go beyond Encourage developers to seek input Create method to track development Identify training needs & track Allow for a variety of housing options projects planned infrastructure board & commission applications, the basic methods from neighboring residents & busi- attendance for elected & appointed ◌ Requires two or more: accessory improvements, GIS, natural property information packages, & ◌ Basic practices: Open Meetings Act, ◌ Develop a tracking mechanism officials & staff dwelling units, attached single nesses at the onset of the application features, traffic studies, target economic development strategy newspaper, website, community process for projects during development, ◌ Manage tracking mechanisms: market analysis, feasibility studies family units, stacked flats, live/ permitting, and inspection process ◌ Easy to navigate hall door, postcards, water bills training needs & attendance work, co-housing, corporate temp ◌ Assist the developer in soliciting Prioritize redevelopment sites and inserts, local cable access, ◌ Identify trainings which relate to housing, cluster, micro units input from the public actively market announcements stated goals & objectives ◌ Available online