Centennial Park

Matthew Cullen, chairman of JACK Entertainment and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, was the driving force behind bringing this park to life. The idea actually started more than 20 years ago when he was working at GM. He helped build the partnership between the City of Detroit, GM, and the Kresge Foundation, which eventually became the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy in 2003. Since purchasing the 22-acre site in 2007, the Conservancy and several charitable partners have invested roughly $80 million into developing the space. A major contributor was the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, which honored the Detroit native with a $50 million gift dedicated to building and maintaining the park.

Centennial Park is the latest addition to Detroit’s revitalized riverfront, transforming a former industrial site into a welcoming public green space. The park’s signature pavilion and handrail systems were galvanized to ensure a clean, durable finish built to withstand decades of Michigan weather. With nearly 25 tons of exposed structural and miscellaneous steel, long-term corrosion protection was critical. Hot-dip galvanizing provided the ideal solution, offering a maintenance-free coating that will hold up against moisture, salt, and freeze-thaw cycles along the Detroit River. The decision to galvanize also aligned with the project’s sustainability goals, reducing future maintenance costs and environmental impact while extending the steel’s service life. The result is a modern public space that connects Detroiters to the waterfront and highlights how galvanized steel can serve both form and function in civic design. The park itself is divided into four distinct zones, each supported by a local business and offering its own mix of activities and attractions. There are plenty of places to relax too, 80 benches, 900 trees, and wide-open riverfront views. A large open-air pavilion, built utilizing hot dip galvanized steel, includes two full-size basketball courts, providing a shaded spot for year-round recreation The park will also tie into larger mobility projects, connecting directly to the newly restored Michigan Central Station via the half-mile Southwest Greenway. This walking and biking path is part of the 27.5-mile Joe Louis Greenway, which will ultimately link 23 neighborhoods to downtown Detroit.