Woodward Avenue, which runs from Detroit to Pontiac, has been designated a National Scenic Byway. The designation means Woodward area communities have access to $1 million in federal funds for physical improvements, marketing and business development initiatives. Federal officials also say at a short ceremony along the road that more money may be on the way in the 2004 federal transportation budget.
Woodward has long been a key thoroughfare in downtown Detroit and in Oakland County. In recent years, the road has been the site of the Woodward Dream Cruise, which draws more than 100,000 classic car fans from around the nation.
"This street has meant a lot to millions of people," US Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak says. "If there is any road in the country that can be a network to our future, as well as a link to our past, it's Woodward."
Woodward is the first roadway in Michigan to be named a National Scenic Byway. Other roads to earn that distinction include the Las Vegas Strip, the Santa Fe Trail and the Pacific Coast Highway.
The current Woodward Avenue, part of which has been determined by federal historical agencies to be the first mile of paved road in America, follows a path used hundreds of years ago by local Native American tribes as trading routes.
Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.
Once you are an ALM Digital Member, you’ll receive:
- Breaking commercial real estate news and analysis, on-site and via our newsletters and custom alerts
- Educational webcasts, white papers, and ebooks from industry thought leaders
- Critical coverage of the property casualty insurance and financial advisory markets on our other ALM sites, PropertyCasualty360 and ThinkAdvisor
Already have an account? Sign In Now
*May exclude premium content© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
