Northwest Wayne News

The City of Detroit is gearing up to host the NFL Draft in Downtown Detroit from April 25 to 27, and preparations have been underway to ensure a smooth experience for visitors. Mayor Mike Duggan expressed the city's readiness, stating, “We want to make sure anyone who wants to celebrate with us can get Downtown to the event as easily as possible."

Visit Detroit has also been actively involved in providing information to local fans and out-of-town visitors. Claude Molinari, president and CEO of Visit Detroit, emphasized the importance of ensuring everyone has the necessary details to plan their journey to Detroit for the Draft.

To facilitate transportation during the event, various options have been made available, including park and ride shuttles operated by SMART, QLINE, and Visit Detroit. SMART General Manager Dwight Ferrell highlighted the accessibility of the event, stating, “SMART is focused on the people who live right here in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne Counties."

The city has also coordinated with public transportation services such as DDOT, Detroit People Mover, and QLINE to provide free and convenient modes of travel around Detroit during the NFL Draft. Robert Cramer, DTC General Manager, emphasized the People Mover's role in transporting visitors, stating, “The People Mover was built for this – transporting Detroiters and football fans by the thousands."

Additionally, partnerships with rideshare operators, Uber and Lyft, have been established to facilitate navigation around road closures in downtown Detroit. The City of Detroit has worked to create designated rideshare pick-up and drop-off locations for visitors' convenience.

For visitors requiring mobility assistance, services are available, including the NFL Mobility Assistance Program and DDOT Paratransit services. Wheelchairs will also be available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the venue.

Furthermore, efforts have been made to ensure a seamless experience for fans traveling to Detroit from Windsor. Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex, expressed gratitude for the collaboration between the cities, stating, “We thank the City of Detroit and our counterparts at Visit Detroit for recognizing this opportunity to help make the 2024 NFL Draft truly a Two Nation Destination collaboration welcoming visitors from both of our great countries."

As the excitement builds for the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, the city and its partners are committed to providing comprehensive transportation options to ensure a memorable experience for all attendees.