Detroit’s riverfront safety law increased inspections. Now comes a push for transparency.

August 17, 2026

Following a 2019 dock collapse that dumped 40,000 tons of limestone into the Detroit River, the city implemented its Waterbody Protection Ordinance in 2022 to regulate properties along the waterway. The law requires 42 registered waterfront property owners to undergo regular inspections, submit engineering reports, and maintain compliance with safety standards administered by the city's Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department. While violations have decreased significantly from over 1,000 before the ordinance to 239 since implementation, environmental advocates and some state lawmakers are pushing for greater transparency and more accessible public data about enforcement.

Who is affected

42 property owners along the Detroit River registered with BSEED
River Terrace Apartments/Beach Club Detroit Apartments (70 violations, $15,460 in outstanding fines)
Alden Towers Apartments (43 violations issued)
Detroit residents and business owners along the shoreline
Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision and other environmental advocacy groups
Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority
Former Revere Copper site property owners
State Senator Stephanie Chang
City's Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED)

What action is being taken

BSEED is conducting inspections of the 42 registered waterfront properties
The city is issuing blight violations and correction orders to non-compliant property owners
BSEED is enforcing registration requirements, compliance certificates, and maintenance standards under the Waterbody Protection Ordinance
Environmental advocacy groups are planning to lobby the City Council for more transparent data and frequent public updates
Raquel Garcia and colleagues are planning to communicate with City Council to restart dialogue about the ordinance

Why it matters

This ordinance addresses a critical regulatory gap that was exposed when the 2019 dock collapse revealed no existing regulations for monitoring riverfront industries, despite the handling of potentially dangerous materials including uranium at some sites. The legislation ensures safer conditions for Detroit residents and businesses along the shoreline through systematic monitoring and accountability measures. The significant reduction in violations—from over 1,000 before the ordinance to 239 since implementation—demonstrates the law's effectiveness, while ongoing debates about transparency and requirements reflect the challenge of balancing public safety with reasonable regulatory burdens on property owners.

What's next

Environmental advocacy groups plan to lobby City Council for quarterly updates, more accessible information, and increased accountability for businesses with outstanding fines
State Senator Stephanie Chang plans to revisit the idea of creating a statewide publicly transparent database of waterfront properties
The City Council will be approached to restart dialogue surrounding the ordinance implementation and transparency

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com