Greenway project gets initial congressional financial backing

Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (middle) was joined by local, Detroit, and county officials in a press conference last week to announce a federal infrastructure package that will be partly used to construct the Joe Louis Greenway project.

By Charles Sercombe
The long-awaited bike path that connects Hamtramck to Detroit – and beyond – just got a financial shot in the arm.
Sort of.
Last Friday morning, US Representative Brenda Lawrence and a host of local, Detroit, Wayne County and state officials held a press conference, announcing a multi-million-dollar infrastructure package.
Out of a $16.2 million aid package for southeast Michigan, $3.9 million is targeted for completing the Joe Louis Greenway project, which includes the construction of a 27-mile bike path that connects to Hamtramck.
The project is named after Joe Louis, the famed Detroit boxer.
The aid package is part of what’s being called the “INVEST in America Act.”
But — there is a catch.
The bill now needs to get approval from the US Senate, where it is uncertain whether there are enough votes to support it. However, by Thursday when The Review went to press, it began to look like Senate Democrats were going to create their own infrastructure package.
Congressional Republicans have been resistant to the funding.
That lingering piece of the puzzle didn’t tamp down the high spirits among officials at the press conference, held outside at Jos. Campau and Hamtramck Dr.
“INVEST in America is a huge win,” said Lawrence, whose congressional district includes Hamtramck. “This is about a call to action.”
Mayor Karen Majewski said that the path, when completed, will open up the city to more visitors.
“It’s another opportunity to learn about Hamtramck,” Majewski said.
State Rep. Abraham Aiyash, who district includes Hamtramck, said the $3.9 million package “is an incredible start.”
He also came up with a new nickname for Hamtramck, calling it “Walktramck.”
After the press conference, the officials posed for a photo in front of a banner for the Greenway project.
Posted July 18, 2021