How the Gordie Howe Bridge is putting a historic Detroit landmark back on the map
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 — 9/19/2026
The opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge has led to a significant increase in foot traffic at Historic Fort Wayne, a long-overlooked military and Indigenous landmark. Visitors are using the bridge's new pedestrian path to access the site, prompting city officials to prioritize its revitalization. Detroit's director of General Services, Crystal Perkins, noted that federal grants and new studies are being used to stabilize decaying buildings on the property. City Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero envisions expanding the site's accessibility and adding amenities like cafes and cultural programming. The historic site, which includes a sacred burial mound returned to the Potawatomi, will launch guided tours this fall. Future plans also include connecting the landmark to the Joe Louis Greenway.