Rivertown Property Owners Approve Business Improvement Zone
New BIZ launches April 1 to fund enhanced safety and maintenance services
DETROIT – Rivertown property owners recently voted to establish the Rivertown Business Improvement Zone (Rivertown BIZ). The effort is led by Rivertown stakeholders and three neighborhood nonprofits: Jefferson East Inc., the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and the Rivertown Detroit Association. The Downtown Detroit Partnership serves as the technical lead, providing expertise garnered through its management of the Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone (Downtown Detroit BIZ) on behalf of its Board of Directors.
The Detroit City Council voted to allow the vote of property owners, and the election was administered by Hon. Janice M. Winfrey, Detroit city clerk and chief of elections officer and her team. The Rivertown BIZ officially launches April 1, when its board-elect will be seated.
A Business Improvement Zone creates a vibrant community that is clean, safe and welcoming through services provided to property owners for the benefit of their properties and tenants and all neighborhood stakeholders. A BIZ is intended to preserve and enhance property values.
The Rivertown BIZ includes 297 assessable commercial parcels and is expected to generate approximately $850,000 annually and nearly $10 million over 10 years. The Rivertown BIZ includes the area between the Detroit Riverfront and Larned and between Rivard Street and Grand Boulevard (map below).
“This BIZ is a tremendous win for Rivertown and shows how committed stakeholders and strong collaboration between business and nonprofit leaders and elected officials can set and deliver a higher standard of care for their neighborhood and make a real difference in our city,” said Gina Cavaliere, chief community impact officer for the Downtown Detroit Partnership and executive director of the Downtown Detroit BIZ.
This is the third BIZ in Detroit, following the West Vernor & Springwells Business Improvement District – Michigan’s first BIZ – managed by the Southwest Detroit Business Association, and the Downtown Detroit BIZ, established in 2014 and managed by the Downtown Detroit Partnership. Rivertown joins more than 1,500 other U.S. cities and commercial districts that use similar programs to ensure and maintain high-quality urban environments.
The Downtown Detroit BIZ has delivered measurable results. In 2025, Downtown Detroit BIZ Ambassadors removed more than 429 tons of trash, assisted more than 38,000 pedestrians and completed nearly 3,500 maintenance reports, including graffiti, weed and blight removal and the relocation of scooters from walkways. In a 2024 perceptions survey, more than 80% of respondents said Downtown sidewalks are clean and free of litter and described Downtown as a safe place to visit. Currently, 93% of the BIZ Ambassadors are Detroit residents, and their pride for the city is reflected in their work.
“The creation of the BIZ is a major milestone for Rivertown,” said Joshua R. Elling, CEO of Jefferson East, Inc. “This vote reflects years of meaningful engagement across Rivertown’s diverse community. Together, we’re building a cleaner, safer neighborhood—and giving small businesses and property owners a stronger, collective voice to move Rivertown forward.”
The Rivertown BIZ board slate comprised of property owners and other neighborhood leaders was elected by owners of assessable property with their approval of the BIZ plan. The members of the board-elect will spend the coming months developing an implementation strategy, while continuing engagement to assess and determine optimal complement of services for the community. All official acts of the Rivertown BIZ will be made by vote of the board of directors on or after April 1. All board meetings are open to the public.
“The approval of the Rivertown BIZ is a real testament to the commitment stakeholders have made to sustain and improve the quality of life in the area,” said Ryan Sullivan, CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. “This vote reflects the optimism Rivertown property owners have in their investments and in the area’s future.”
“With the Rivertown BIZ in operation, small businesses will have a reliable partner supporting a clean, safe and welcoming environment sure to attract customers and allow for thoughtful, incremental improvements over time,” said Chip Rohde, president of the Rivertown Detroit Association and of Arthur J. Rohde and Co., one of Detroit’s legacy businesses. “My family business has been a part of Rivertown for 75 years, and I’m excited to see how this investment will help us look back in the years ahead and clearly see progress and growth the Rivertown BIZ made possible.”
For more information about the Rivertown BIZ, please visit DetroitRivertownBIZ.org.
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About the Downtown Detroit Partnership
Since 1922, the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) has worked to cultivate social and economic impact in Downtown Detroit. As a member-based nonprofit, the DDP convenes civic, corporate, community, and philanthropic partners to create a vibrant and world-class urban core. As a leader in Downtown urban innovation, the organization also provides small business support and manages, programs, and stewards 18 parks and public spaces throughout Downtown Detroit. Learn more at DowntownDetroit.org and engage on social media @DowntownDet.
About Jefferson East, Inc.
Jefferson East, Inc. (JEI) advances inclusive, neighborhood-led revitalization along Detroit’s east Jefferson corridor and its surrounding neighborhoods. Working alongside residents, small businesses, and public and philanthropic partners, JEI delivers housing stabilization and home repair services, small business support and economic development, clean-and-safe programming, disaster preparedness and recovery, digital inclusion, and civic engagement—ensuring local investment translates into lasting community benefits for longtime residents and businesses. Visit jeffersoneast.org for more information.
About the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 with the mission to develop public access to Detroit’s riverfront and serve as an anchor for economic development. As the permanent stewards of the Riverwalk and associated greenways, the Conservancy is responsible for raising the funds needed for construction, operation, maintenance, security and programming of the public spaces located along the riverfront. The ultimate vision is for the Conservancy to develop five-and-a-half miles of riverfront from the Ambassador Bridge on the west to Gabriel Richard Park, just east of the MacArthur Bridge to Belle Isle. Visit detroitriverfront.org for more information.
About the Rivertown Detroit Association
Established in May of 2010, the Rivertown Detroit Association is focused on making the Rivertown Detroit area a better place to work and live. We are honored to have received the “Spirit of Detroit” Award in our first year as an association for our efforts, and again in 2022. No cost to be a member – just looking for your time, talent and interest in supporting and improving Rivertown Detroit. Visit rivertowndetroit.org for more information.
