Comps
PPS - How to Create a Vibrant Waterfront
 

The well-respected Project for Public Spaces (PPS) offers this perspective on creating a vibrant waterfront:

"Throughout the world, cities are working to reinvigorate their waterfronts. A common challenge is how to revitalize places where the river, lake or sea has been cut off from the rest of town by wide roadways or hulking industrial facilities.

Unfortunately, in a number of cities these past problems are being repeated today by a new kind of waterfront development devoted to a single use—only this time it's upscale housing instead of factories, warehouses or freeways. When waterfront revitalization is driven by developers or designers with little attention paid to the community's vision, the final results end up pleasing no one. The promise of both community enrichment and economic development is sadly lost.

To avoid duplicating these mistakes, we offer two handy guides:

1. Qualities of Great Waterfront Destinations

2. 9 Steps to Creating a Great Waterfront

These are not hard and fast laws, but rules of thumb drawn from 34 years of experience working to improve waterfronts across the world. These ideas--which emphasize an asset and community-driven approach based on interdisciplinary collaboration--offer a framework for any project that seeks to create vibrant waterfront spaces, and, by extension, vibrant cities."

 
 
Successful Riverfront Projects Elsewhere

Cities around the country are competing to attract people, businesses, and money. To win – they’re polishing their image and rejuvenating their downtown. If they’ve got a waterfront, they’re finding it a good place to start. The spectacular successes seem to be those cities that have figured out who they are and what their citizens want. 

Many other communities face similar challenges with their waterfronts. How to unite public opinion behind projects? How to recover brownfields? How to best utilize undeveloped land? How to make a neglected resource into the crown jewel of the community?

Here are some successful projects from around the nation that can serve as inspiration for similar efforts in Lansing...

 
Denver, Colorado
The South Platte River Greenway in Denver is 30 miles of trails, parks, boat launches, and other attractions along the river once famously called "too thick to drink, too thin to plow."

The South Platte River was dumped in, neglected, and cut off from Denver until a major clean-up effort began in in June, 1974.  A model of efficiency, the committee divided into distinct teams, each assigned one section of riverfront. This method of "divide and conquer" quickly resulted in the creation of a number of distinct small parks or "nodes." Later, these nodes were joined together with a trail in the hopes of providing a springboard for additional improvements.  Unsightly businesses were encouraged to relocate, and railroad lines were rerouted.  With seed money from the Gates Foundation, the committee transformed itself into a tax-exempt, 501c3 organization, the South Platte River Greenway Foundation, Inc. In seven years, the Foundation raised $14 million, built 10.5 miles of concrete trails, four whitewater boat chutes, and 17 miniparks out of dumps where public agencies, and private businesses had been dumping trash for decades.

The formerly polluted and forgotten river is now a thriving ecological and recreation resource, a result of the development of one of the first greenway systems in America. With membership from four counties and nine municipalities, the South Platte River Greenway Foundation has served as a prototype organization for over a dozen greenways across the country.
 

 

 
 
Omaha, Nebraska
Back in 2001, the Project for Public Spaces, a world-renowned expert in developing public spaces, lead a public brainstorming workshop in Omaha. The workshop focus: how to develop a cohesive strategy to revitalize the riverfront, and transform it into a world-class destination, both for the region and the people of Omaha.

The longterm goal: to create a series of lively public spaces throughout Omaha -- starting at the waterfront, and the major developments taking place there, radiating outward to other downtown locations, and then moving westwards out to the neighborhoods - that will support public gathering and foster a greater appreciation of the city's cultural and ethnic diversity. To date, more than $1 billion of public and private investment is in progress in and around the waterfront. In the longer term, the opportunity is for these partners and others to work together to create a world-class waterfront for Omaha-one that is cohesive, lively, and highly desired as a workplace and destination.
 

Omaha Riverfront - Before
 

Omaha Riverfront - Concept Drawing
 

Omaha Riverfront - National Park Service HQ - Now
 

Omaha Riverfront - Riverfront Place - Now
 

Omaha Riverfront - 3000' Pedestrian Bridge - currently under construction across the Missouri River
 
Portland, Oregon
The citizens of Portland stopped an interstate along the city’s riverfront and instead insisted on a park to connect its historic city with the Willamette River. Extensive public involvement was a key to the entire project. Advisory committees with representatives from a variety of interests and expertise but without a direct financial stake in the park’s outcome were appointed to work with the consultant team and staff to prepare the plan.
 
 
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Like many cities, twenty years ago, Chattanooga was faced with a rusting industrial downtown. Determined to do something about it, the City began a true public process to identify public goals and values. That led to the creation of 8 miles of green space along their riverfront connecting to a 75-mile greenbelt. They’ve built new museums, improved old ones, and added an aquarium and river facilities for the public to use.
 

Chattanooga Riverfront - Green space, paths, fountains
 

Chattanooga Riverfront - Tennessee Aquarium
 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Located at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers, Point State Park, with its panoramic vista, has come to symbolize Pittsburgh. In the early 1950s, the area had become a neglected slum, but now the beautifully reclaimed Point State Park is a National Historic Landmark. The park's 36 acres are loaded with history, bike and skating paths, and plenty of green space. It gets constant use and is a place of pride for the residents of Pittsburgh.