The Corktown Mexicantown Greenlink (CMGL) made great strides in 2008.  The Greenlink project moved forward on September 8, 2008 when the City Council of Detroit approved the Non-Motorized Transportation Master Plan for the city.  The Master Plan was designed by Giffels Webster Engineering, who is also the consultant for the Corktown Mexicantown Greenlink.  Presentation of the plan at the council session presented an opportunity for CMGL to be brought to the attention of City Council and Mayor Ken Cockerel's Green Task Force.  the City Council and the Task Force took interest in the CMGL plan and requested the City of Detroit Traffic and Engineering Department (TED) reviewed the plans as soon as possible.  This request was followed up by Mr. Manlil Patel and Mr. Jose Abraham of the Traffic and Engineering Department.

On September 29, 2008 the Corktown Mexicantown Greenlink received a letter of support from the City of Detroit Traffic and Engineering Dept. (TED) which has been a major boost for the project.  In December 2009 a revised application was submitted to the Michigan Department of Transportation TEA Funds.  Vince Ranger of the Michigan Dept. of Transportation has moved the plan through its initial review by MDOT.  Discussions with Mr. Ranger regarding any necessary adjustments needed for the Greenlink route designations are underway.  The route consists of a combination of signed, off-road and on-road paths.

The project maintains its support from Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (estimated $333,000) and Michigan Department of Transportation (estimated 4667,000).  Greater Corktown Development Corporation has also joined the newly formed Greenway Coalition which is a collaborative effort of several planned GreenLink in the City of Detroit. The Coalition is committed to working  diligently to ensure that the Greenway Initiative of Southeastern Michigan is fulfilled.  Corktown Mexicantown Greenlink plays a major role in the completion o the Greenway Initiative and the Non-Motorized master Plan for the City of Detroit.  It is the final connection for bike paths arriving from Southwest Detroit, West Detroit, Dearborn and Downriver to the West Riverfront development, Campus Martius and Midtown

GreenWays Initiative is people and organizations connecting the regions communities through natural corridors resulting in:
Habitat and wildlife will increase
Barrier and division between neighborhoods and communities will decline
People will have more opportunities to meet their neighbors and to engage in positive
social interaction.
Recreational opportunities will increase
The beauty of our region will be enhanced
Southeast Michigan's quality of life will improve

Proposals to build greenways in Detroit are raising interest, hopes, and concerns
http://www.glrc.org/story.php3?story_id=2488

The Greenways Initiative of the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan
http://greenways.cfsem.org/

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
http://www.railtrails.org/

RTC Trails and Greenways Clearinghouse
http://www.trailsandgreenways.org/

The Conservation Fund—American Greenways Program
http://www.conservationfund.org/?article=2471&back=true

The Trust for Public Land
http://www.tpl.org/

League of American Bicyclists
http://www.bikeleague.org/index.cfm

League of Michigan Bicyclists
http://www.lmb.org/

Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/

Greater Corktown  & Southwest Detroit Recycles with Recycle Here!!

A project of the Greater Corktown Development Corporation

Corktown Recycles the 2nd Saturday of every month from 10:00 a.m. thru 2:00 p.m. in front of the Michigan Central Depot  - Michigan Avenue @ Roosevelt Park (14th & 16th Streets)

In 2008 the Corktown Recycling program processed over 56,213 pounds of recyclable items and had over 1,800 participants with a annual gross income of $2,500.

In conjunction with the Recycling Program there is the "Grown In Detroit" corktown Farmers Market....bring recycling.......take home produce!

The recycling process begins at home. There are simple steps that will help in making recycling become second nature. It is important that materials be rinsed and clean so pests do not become a problem. It is good to flatten cardboard, paperboard and tin cans for easier storing between drop-offs. Pull out the liners from pizza boxes so grease doesn’t attract pests or leach on to the box. Use plastic or cardboard boxes and paper bags to sort, store and transport materials. Place household batteries in plastic bags. At the drop-off sight, all of the presorting helps the volunteers who then can place materials in the appropriate bins efficiently. At the recycling center, the process helps because materials arrive clean and orderly so that the sorting and bundling can happen without extra labor and expense.