en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) has announced the completion of a feasibility study for a proposal to build deck caps over a portion of I-75 just north of downtown Detroit, with the design estimated to cost $300 million. The proposed impact area spans less than a mile, from Third Avenue on the west to Brush Street on the east. Renderings show deck caps placed over the sunken freeway, creating new public spaces.

DDP, the Michigan Department of Transportation, and the City of Detroit jointly support the project, with additional backing from the Kresge Foundation. In a statement, DDP CEO Eric B. Larson said the deck cap proposal reflects nearly a year of community engagement input.

In 2024, DDP received $2 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to study the project. That same year, AECOM released a report outlining the project's goals, feasibility, and precedents, such as the planned capping of the Vine Street Expressway over Philadelphia's Chinatown. Since 2024, DDP has continuously gathered input from residents, business owners, and community groups to inform the design.

The proposal plans three deck caps—the West Cap, Central Cap, and East Cap—each costing approximately $100 million. The West Cap, located between Third Avenue and Cass Avenue, would feature athletic facilities and flexible spaces suitable for food trucks, recreation, community events, and educational programs. The Central Cap, spanning Cass Avenue to Woodward Avenue, would host "citywide celebrations," featuring a performance pavilion, event lawn, and outdoor café, all within walking distance of Little Caesars Arena. The East Cap, spanning Woodward Avenue to Brush Street, would offer "restorative landscapes," including gardens, walking trails, storytelling spaces, play areas, and public art.

James Fidler, DDP's urban innovation strategist, stated that completing the feasibility study marks a significant milestone for the project but is only the beginning of a new chapter. The proposal is tied to KPF's master plan for The District Detroit, a $1.5 billion project currently underway, backed by Olympia Development and Related Companies. The District Detroit will include substantial office, commercial, and entertainment space, as well as residential towers adjacent to the proposed I-75 deck cap sites. Olympia Development and Related Companies are participating as stakeholders in DDP's deck cap project.

With the feasibility study now complete, the project will move into the National Environmental Policy Act process, financing strategy, and implementation planning phases.