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SITE ANALYSIS
History
Historic Fort Wayne is the last remaining fort on the Detroit River.
Built between 1843 and 1849 to guard Detroit from British threats
in Canada, the site has played a role in most major military efforts
since the Civil War, when it served as mustering post for Michigan's
volunteer regiment. In World War I, Fort Wayne housed troops including
construction battalions and an aero-squadron. It was later used
as a motor supply depot and parts warehouse for the armed forces
during the Second World War.
The fort itself was transferred to the Detroit Historic Commission
for the development of a military museum in 1949. The City of Detroit
acquired the remainder of the property as the Army slowly withdrew
its operations from the property throughout the 60's and 70's. In
1971, the entire base was placed on the National Register of Historic
Places.
In addition to its military importance, the grounds of Historic
Fort Wayne are also significant in Native American history. The
last remaining Indian Burial Mound in southeastern Michigan, dating
back to 750 A.D, is adjacent to the parade grounds of the fort.
Detroit's Native American community feels a strong connection to
Fort Wayne and supports use of the land for educational purposes.
Surrounding Conditions
Fort Wayne is located in the southwest corner of the City of Detroit
on the edge of the West Riverfront. Delray, the community immediately
surrounding the fort, has historically been dominated by industrial
uses with patches of residential development. Most of the community's
4,164 residents live in low-income households; thirty-two percent
of the households earn less than $10, 000 per year. Much of the
land in this region is vacant, abandoned, or underutilized.
In 1997, the City of Detroit released a Community Reinvestment
Strategy for the entire city to document community conditions and
outline strategies for future land uses. Fort Wayne and the Delray
community were included in the Cluster 5 community analysis. Further
detailed plans for the area were released in the 2001 Master Plan
for the West Riverfront. Also included in Cluster 5 are the fast-growing
communities of Southwest Detroit, Corktown, and Mexicantown. These
latter communities are home to large concentrations of recent immigrants,
mixed-use development, and relatively vibrant business communities.
The City hopes to encourage environmentally responsible light industrial
development in Delray, while protecting existing residents from
environmental hazards and providing them with additional social
and economic resources. As an alternative to waterfront industrial
development, the plan suggests that waterfront residential development
be considered between Fort Wayne and Riverside Park.
A number of other organizations are looking at ways of linking
Fort Wayne to the City in connection with greenbelt projects. The
proposed Rouge River Gateway and Downriver Linked Greenway are two
such efforts.
Physical Characteristics
Historic Fort Wayne can be conceptually divided into three sections:
the fort, the garrisons, and the riverfront. The star-shaped perimeter
of the old fort is outlined by a moat and formidable, twenty-foot
brick wall, within which lies the military barracks and the first
of two parade grounds. According to the Historic American Buildings
Survey, the military barracks are the most outstanding example of
original military architecture west of the Alleghenies. The Detroit
Historic Museums (DHM) has operated a museum within the barracks
in the past. It is currently closed and in disrepair.
The garrison area contains a representative group of homes and
service facilities spanning generations of officers, senior enlisted
men, and families who have lived on site. These buildings have periodically
been leased to nonprofit organizations, but most are in need of
restoration. The recently restored Commanding Officer's House is
home of the National Museum of the Tuskegee Airmen.
In 1976, the City's Historical Department successfully campaigned
to acquire the 12 acre parade grounds along the riverfront for recreational
purposes under the Land to Parks Program. Large warehouses were
removed and the grounds were graded and landscaped for public uses.
The only remaining structure on this land is a storage facility
for the Historic Museum's exhibition collections. These lands are
currently underutilized due to the park's limited hours; however,
just south of the parade grounds, on the outskirts of the site,
Detroit Edison constructed a public boat launch and fishing pier,
which have been well received and used by the public. Detroit Edison
has expressed an interest in transferring this property to the City.
CURRENT USES
Historic Fort Wayne was closed to the general public in 1992 due
to lack of funding. The site was reopened last summer from Memorial
Day to Labor Day thanks to individual and non-profit donations.
Guided tours and special events are offered throughout the summer.
For the duration of the year, the site grounds are used for youth
soccer and various activities outside of historic programming. According
to the Detroit Historical Society, over 80,000 people visited Fort
Wayne from June 2002-June 2003.
The few inhabitable garrison buildings that remain have periodically
been leased or donated for public and non-profit use. The National
Museum of the Tuskegee Airmen located at the entrance of the fort
grounds but not affiliated with Historic Fort Wayne, occupies the
renovated Commanding Officers House. The Department of Health and
Human Services is utilizing a garrison building as well for Head
Start teacher training. Until last year, this same building housed
a Native American school operated by the Detroit Public Schools;
however, the school closed due to low enrollment. All rentals and
events are coordinated by the Detroit Historic Museums, a branch
of the City government.
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
PLAN AND SERVICES
The proposed plan for Historic Fort Wayne transforms the underutilized
site to a vibrant, year-round, regional destination and community
resource. Deteriorating structures will be repaired for public recreation
and educational purposes and private commercial and residential
uses. Through a partnership between the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan
Authority (HCMA), the City of Detroit, and Wayne County, the proposed
master plan promises to strengthen surrounding neighborhoods and
Detroit's urban core, preserve a national historic landmark, and
provide entertainment and education for the region.
The 146 acre site will be managed primarily by HCMA staff under
the leadership of six-member Board of Directors including two representatives
each from the HCMA, the City of Detroit, and Wayne County. The City
of Detroit will maintain ownership of the site as mandated by the
federal government when control of the fort was originally transferred
to the City. In addition, the City will acquire land to the west
and east of the parade grounds from the Detroit Edison (50 acres)
and the Army Corps of Engineers (15 acres), who have both already
expressed a willingness to negotiate use of this land for a public
park. These acquisitions will nearly double the river frontage on
the site and provide space for more expansive natural and recreational
areas. Once land has been acquired, management responsibilities
and land-use will be coordinated follows:
HCMA: Site Maintenance & Management
Entrance & Parking: The entrance to the park will be located
on the northeast corner of the Historic Fort Wayne. A visitors'
center, run by the HCMA, will sit at the entrance of the park complemented
by a 400 car parking lot. The visitor center will provide information
about the park free-of-charge, and will offer opportunities for
patrons to purchase entrance passes for special programs or museums.
In order to increase pedestrian flow in the garrison area, there
will be no general admission fee; however, for security purposes
all visitors must register at the visitor center.
The Riverfront Promenade & Parade Grounds: This section includes
all riverfront property, the 12 acres encompassing the parade grounds,
and the Indian Mounds adjacent to the parade grounds. The HCMA will
develop and maintain an urban park in this area providing opportunities
for strolling along the river, listening to music, picnicking, sunbathing,
and viewing public performances. The masterplan calls for the development
of a boardwalk along the riverfront, a small tot lot, and an outdoor
educational exhibit surrounding the Indian Burial Mounds. In addition,
an open air venue will be constructed for special events including
a summer concert series similar to those offered in other Metroparks.
The venue may also be rented for family reunions, non-profit activities,
or other special occasions. Proceeds from these events will go towards
the summer concert series and other HCMA programs. For larger events,
there is space for a temporary festival stage to be erected along
the riverfront with plenty of lawn seating on the parade grounds.
The HCMA will be responsible for programming and maintenance of
the land in this area with the exception of the DHM exhibition warehouses
on the far west of the site, which will remain intact and under
the management of the Detroit Historic Museums.
Marina: As stated above, the Detroit Edison Boat Launch and Fishing
Pier to the west of the current site will be acquired by the City
under the proposed masterplan. The HCMA will manage the boat launch
and upgrade the marina to improve the fishing pier and accommodate
more diverse activities. A marine education center will be constructed
and run by HCMA staff to teach students and visitors about the history
of the Detroit River, watershed management, and aquatic life.
Athletic Fields & Campground: To the north of the marina, the
land acquired from Detroit Edison will be upgraded for use as athletic
fields and a camping area. The HCMA will maintain and manage activities
on this land. Six soccer fields will consume the majority of the
property. The proposed campground, a smaller wooded area to the
west of the fields, will provide a much needed camping and outdoor
recreation site for city youth groups. League and site fees will
provide revenues for HCMA projects on-site.
City of Detroit: Site Maintenance & Management
The Historic Fort Wayne Center: This area includes the military
barracks and all the land within the star-shaped fort. The Detroit
Historic Museums will operate an interactive museum in the military
barracks. Interpretative tours of the fort and special events including
historic reenactments will be offered by the DHM to attract and
educate visitors about Michigan's rich military history. In addition,
the site may be rented for private events to generate revenues for
the museum.
The Garrison: Under the supervision of the Detroit Historic Museums,
the buildings in the garrison area will be refurbished and leased
for office space, live/work lofts, and nonprofit and commercial
uses. Streetscape improvements will be made to complement the historic
district and stimulate private investment. Non-profit organizations
will be given the option to rehabilitate a building in exchange
for rents. The DHM will handle the leasing of properties and use
the proceeds to upgrade the garrison and run the fort museum. Through
TIF financing and bonding, the city will raise funds to cover much
of the initial investment in this area.
School grounds: To the east of the star-fort, the masterplan proposes
restoring current structures for a small public or charter school.
Grounds would be independently accessible and managed by the City
of Detroit. Exact facilities and amenities will be negotiated by
the City with either Detroit Public Schools or another education
provider.
Wayne County: Financial Support
First in 1996 and again in 2001, the residents of Wayne County
passed a parks millage increase to raise funds to improve and restore
Fort Wayne. Over two million dollars remain unspent, partially due
to the failure of the City of Detroit and Wayne County to reach
an agreement on how the funds should be allocated. The proposed
plan allocates these dollars for the construction of public restrooms
throughout the site and facilities to support the athletic fields.
Any additional funds will be used for materials needed for the restoration
of historic buildings. Wayne County's seat on the Board of Directors
is dependent on future millage dedications of equal or greater value.
RESOURCES
1. Historic Fort Wayne Map
2. Detroit Community Reinvestment Strategy: Cluster 5
3. 2001 Masterplan for Policies: West Riverfront
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