Detroit City Council OKs Riverside Park land transfer deal with Moroun family

Moroun family will invest in park in exchange for 3 acres

Riverside Park

DETROIT – The Detroit City Council has approved a deal that would give the billionaire owners of the Ambassador Bridge three acres of city-owned land in exchange for improvements to Riverside Park.

In a vote Tuesday, the deal passed 7-2.

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The Moroun family, owners of the Ambassador Bridge, wants the land to build a second bridge across the Detroit River. In exchange, the Moroun family would agree to fix up Riverside Park -- investing millions of dollars in athletic fields and fishing areas.

Supporters of the deal think it will be good for the community.

"The children and families of southwest Detroit are going to get a beautiful waterfront park," said Mayor Mike Duggan. "Detroit City Council deserves great credit for conducting a very thorough and professional review process. We will start moving as quickly as possible to build the kind of Riverside Park the community is now expecting."

Opponents of the plan believe that the park would be given away to a billionaire without considering concessions for the citizens of Detroit.  

Opponents also have a problem with the plan because the family has spent millions trying to fight the building of the publicly-owned Gordy Howe Bridge farther downriver instead of investing money in the park to begin with.

Related story: Duggan supports 2nd Ambassador Bridge

The Moroun family released this statement after the City Council's vote:

"We are proud to partner with the City of Detroit to accomplish the rebirth of Riverside Park to its full potential. We've committed to a number of important things to the city including the opportunity to provide for a second span to the bridge. We look at this as an opportunity to demonstrate our ability to fulfill our commitments to the City in a way that greatly improves Riverside Park, our relationship with City government and our standing in the community. Now it's time to get to work!"

-- Matthew Moroun, vice-chairman Ambassador Bridge issued the following statement on behalf of the Moroun family