  Harmonie Member Username: Harmonie Post Number: 740 Registered: 08-2004 |
FYI everybody! Downtown Welcome Center Opens on Woodward Visitors and locals finally have a spot to get maps and other Detroit info DETROIT – It’s been more than a decade since Detroit has had a Welcome Center. More than a decade since there’s been a place where out-of-towners and locals could go to ask questions, find out about museums or nightlife or just pick up a map. Now there is a place they can go to do just that, and more. Inside Detroit opened the Downtown Welcome Center on August 28th just in time for the Labor Day weekend. Located at 1253 Woodward in the Lofts at Merchants Row, the Downtown Welcome Center will provide information on all that Detroit has to offer, including museums, bars and restaurants, city living options, shopping, services, bus routes and much more. It will be staffed by an Inside Detroit specialist who lives, works and plays in Detroit and will be able to give the Insider’s perspective to each inquiry. Inside Detroit is a non profit whose mission is to educate the public about Detroit’s history, culture and livability through customized tours that promote Detroit as a preferred destination to live, work and play. Founded in 2005 by Detroiters Jeanette Pierce and Maureen Kearns, Inside Detroit is aimed at giving everyone an opportunity to really know and appreciate Detroit “I was born and raised in Detroit, and I love it. I’ve always noticed that the people who get to know Detroit can’t help but love it too. I want everyone to have that chance,” said Pierce. “Inside Detroit helps people experience the friendliness and vitality of the city from an insider’s perspective.” The Welcome Center is also going to be an incubator for local creative talent by giving them a place to sell their Detroit creations in a retail setting on Woodward Avenue. Visitors to the Welcome Center will be able to purchase unique items made by Detroiters in Detroit. The Downtown Welcome Center will be open 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday. “Detroit was the only major city in the country without a Welcome Center,” said Pierce. “We thought that Detroit should have a Welcome Center downtown, so we decided to open one. It’s not fancy, but it’s got a lot to offer…kind of like Detroit.” For additional information on scheduled, or personalized tours, or to see the 100+ Bars & Restaurants List — please visit www.insidedetroit.org. | ||
Andylinn Member Username: Andylinn Post Number: 997 Registered: 04-2006 |
SWEET! I believe that detroit actually had the USA's first Visitors and Convention Bureau... Interesting fact... | ||
401don Member Username: 401don Post Number: 747 Registered: 11-2007 |
Unfortunately, I don't think there's much visitor pedestrian traffic up Woodward, our main thoroughfare. The old location I recall was on Jefferson, by the Hart Plaza sign. While it was basically just a kiosk, it did capture visitor traffic from Ren Cen to Hart Plaza and Cobo. | ||
Harmonie Member Username: Harmonie Post Number: 741 Registered: 08-2004 |
It's only a block from Campus Martius so there is a good amount of pedestrian traffic, and it's easy to find for Visitors too. | ||
Digitalvision Member Username: Digitalvision Post Number: 1200 Registered: 11-2003 |
I think it should have some sort of signage that "sticks out" so you can see it's location from a couple blocks away. It's a very cool block with a lot of potential - and I'm very excited for it coming back to Detroit. | ||
Harmonie Member Username: Harmonie Post Number: 742 Registered: 08-2004 |
We're working on better signage. We're just a small non profit on an even smaller budget but we're working on it. | ||
Terryh Member Username: Terryh Post Number: 943 Registered: 11-2006 |
There is a big welcome center underconstruction(it appears to be almost finished) several blocks from the foot of the bridge near Mexicantown. Hope they are as kept clean nice and friendly like the welcome center in Windsor. | ||
Harmonie Member Username: Harmonie Post Number: 743 Registered: 08-2004 |
yes...the Welcome Center in Southwest is very nice and is now open. We're a Downtown Center of the walk-up variety that will also support local artists by giving them a place to sell their items on Woodward. | ||
Mrsjdaniels Member Username: Mrsjdaniels Post Number: 1314 Registered: 08-2005 |
good. I am pleased. i felt the same way when we obtained those way finders Downtown | ||
Dtowncitylover Member Username: Dtowncitylover Post Number: 280 Registered: 02-2008 |
I think we need to bring back bus tours. I remember seeing one in the 1970s video by the Detroit Convention Bureau; a red double decker, with an open top so people can see and a tour guide giving his Detroit speech to the tourist about the history, culture, and architecture of Detroit. | ||
French777 Member Username: French777 Post Number: 561 Registered: 10-2006 |
Thank YOU!! I have been wondering when there would be a Welcome Center built | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 1331 Registered: 01-2006 |
I just realized today that there is actually a bus route (No. 4) that servies all the cultural touristy stuff. Perhaps this should be marketed better. | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 1701 Registered: 03-2008 |
I think the location is great. It's central to most downtown hotels and attractions. It's also only three doors down from Avis Rent-A-Car. That location should also help people learn their city, too. Hopefully, it will draw the more timid employees who have yet to venture off into unknown CBD areas. It should also help new hires, and new residents. That will become much more important in the next five years, as 1001, Capitol Park, and the other small Lower Woodward buildings come on-line. That is not even to mention the possible construction projects being looked at for the Hudson's and Monroe sites. It's another brick paving the road to making Detroit even more walkable. I personally see that area as a real destination, locally and regionally, someday. This is a GREAT step. French777 said it best; "THANK YOU" Thinking in terms of shopping, entertaining, and visiting, this will serve as Lower Woodward's Information Center, the similar to how every mall has an info. kiosk. Hopefully, they will also spear head other possible opportunities, and coordinating business promotions. How about a Downtown Detroit Gift Certificate? That would be a great start! The location alone is nice, but clearly not good enough... especially when you talk about attracting larger retail tenants. We need a much longer list of benefits to convince businesses to locate on Woodward Avenue. Wait, scratch that. We really need a much longer list of benefits for customers, to attract them to Woodward. P.S. Edit: My only complaint is that is kind of far from a People Mover station. Not a real big deal, I know... (Message edited by Sean_of_Detroit on September 03, 2008) | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 1702 Registered: 03-2008 |
Here's a link to the layout of the 1200 Block of Merchant's Row. Link: http://www.loftsofmerchantsrow .com/1200leasingplans.pdf | ||
Harmonie Member Username: Harmonie Post Number: 744 Registered: 08-2004 |
Thanks for the support! We need every bit  We do offer bus tours, on request only right now, but eventually we'd like to be able to offer them on a regular basis. It's about one block from the Cadillac Square People Mover stop (on the back side of Compuware Parking at Farmer) | ||
Vivadetroit Member Username: Vivadetroit Post Number: 51 Registered: 04-2008 |
This is a fabulous idea. Kudos to your group, Harmonie. ONe question: do you need tour guides for your non-profit? I have experience as a tour guide & am trilingual. I would love to help. Let me know how, ok? | ||
Pixiedust Member Username: Pixiedust Post Number: 17 Registered: 08-2008 |
I would love to help out too. I'm not trilingual. I barely speak English, but I'm energetic, enthusiastic, and I love Detroit. So, keep us updated about volunteer opportunities, eh? | ||
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main Post Number: 1562 Registered: 06-2005 |
I, too, am willing to volunteer my time. Let me know if you need any help Harmonie | ||
Harmonie Member Username: Harmonie Post Number: 745 Registered: 08-2004 |
Thanks for the offer! We're always looking for folks to help out, whether it's giving tours, manning the Welcome Center or just talking up Detroit and our events. Email me at jpierce@insidedetroit.org for more info. Thanks!! Also, anyone who has a Detroit business or attraction can give us printed material and we'll promote them. | ||
Busterwmu Member Username: Busterwmu Post Number: 536 Registered: 09-2004 |
I see the address for this facility and that it is in Merchant's Row on the thread, but is there any kind of noticable exterior signage promoting it on Woodward? I drove down Woodward specifically looking for this place to drop in and check it out and didn't see any sign of it. Maybe I just missed something. Also, how has the Welcome Center been doing in it's first few weeks of operation? Are people stopping in to check things out? | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 1841 Registered: 03-2008 |
:::BUMP::: |
