Community Invited to Help Shape the Future of Benton Harbor's Riverfront
Local Partnership To Launch Planning And Community Engagement Effort To Guide Riverfront and Downtown Redevelopment
Community Invited to Help Shape the Future of Benton Harbor's Riverfront
Cornerstone Alliance, in partnership with the City of Benton Harbor, the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, and the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture's Housing and Community Regeneration Initiative, is launching a community-driven planning process to create a shared vision for the future of Benton Harbor's riverfront.
Beginning Monday, August 3rd, residents, business owners, and community stakeholders are invited to help shape a long-term vision for one of Benton Harbor's most important assets. Through a series of public engagement opportunities, the community will help guide future investments in housing, recreation, public spaces, connectivity, and economic development along the riverfront. The first community listening session will be held at 510 W. Main Street, dubbed the Benton Harbor Urban Innovation Lab, August 3rd at 5:30PM. See the map below for study area details.
"Our community's waterfront represents our shared future, a future where neighbors come together to enjoy world-class public spaces, programming, and recreation, where new housing and investment will flourish, and a place we can all be proud of for generations to come," said Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad. "This process gives our community the opportunity to move from ideas to action, transforming vacant spaces into vibrant places."
Public Engagement Schedule
Community engagement begins Monday, August 3, and everyone who lives, works, or invests in Benton Harbor is encouraged to participate. All sessions are free and open to the public and will be held at the Benton Harbor Urban Innovation Lab, 510 W. Main Street, Benton Harbor.
Listening Sessions
- Monday, August 3 | 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 5 | 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Design Charrette
- Monday, August 17 | Opening Presentation | 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 18 | Design Review Presentation | 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, August 20 | Final Presentation | 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The community engagement process marks the next phase of a long-term effort to revitalize Benton Harbor's riverfront. The Riverview Drive corridor has long been identified as a redevelopment priority, appearing in community planning efforts since the 1980s and in successive City of Benton Harbor Master Plans. This initiative marks the first time the corridor will receive a dedicated implementation-focused plan supported by funding to move projects from vision to reality. It also builds upon previous planning efforts, including the 2016 Twin Cities Harbor Vision and the 2020 Twin Cities Sustainable Small Harbors Plan.
The planning process represents the next phase of an ongoing partnership among the City of Benton Harbor, Cornerstone Alliance, and the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission. This effort builds on a 2023 grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy that helped address high-water infrastructure challenges and laid the foundation for long-term riverfront planning. The plan will focus on resilient infrastructure, improved public access to the waterfront, stronger pedestrian connections, and long-term flood resilience.
The initiative is further supported by the recently awarded $22 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Riverfront Redevelopment – Improving Mobility and Addressing High Water Project. The grant will fund the design, engineering, and construction of a comprehensive redevelopment of the riverfront corridor along Riverview Drive, transforming a flood-prone transportation route into a safer, more resilient corridor for residents, businesses, and visitors.
"Combined with the recently announced BUILD Grant, this planning effort creates an important foundation for Benton Harbor's riverfront," said Andrew Haan, Senior Vice President of Cornerstone Alliance. "The community's ideas will drive this vision. By bringing together residents, local partners, and technical expertise, we have an opportunity to create a riverfront that is welcoming, resilient, and positioned to support future housing, investment, and economic opportunity."
The partnership has engaged the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture's Housing and Community Regeneration Initiative to lead the planning and design process. Known for its collaborative "Think-and-Do Tank" approach, the initiative works alongside communities to develop practical, community-informed solutions that strengthen neighborhoods and local economies.
The project also includes a complementary downtown Benton Harbor master planning effort that will identify redevelopment opportunities for key sites while developing strategies for activation, beautification, and long-term place management.
Click to view Study Area Map.
About Cornerstone Alliance
Cornerstone Alliance is the economic development organization dedicated to fostering growth and prosperity in Michigan’s Great Southwest. Through strategic initiatives and collaborative partnerships, Cornerstone Alliance drives innovation and opportunity, positioning the region for sustainable economic success. As the leading advocate for the local business and development sector, Cornerstone Alliance delivers tailored business assistance across Berrien County.
