Discuss Detroit » Archives - July 2008 » Athlete's Foot on Woodward Closed « Previous Next »
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Sean_of_detroit
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Username: Sean_of_detroit

Post Number: 2188
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Thursday, February 05, 2009 - 9:21 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I know this was rumored earlier, but thought it deserved it's own thread. I went by there today, and it is in fact completely empty. I really can't believe that I was shopping there a week or two ago.

Seeing this place closed and Sweet Georgia Brown being cleaned out was just *plain depressing.

*Edit: Spelling

(Message edited by Sean_of_Detroit on February 05, 2009)
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Bobl
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Post Number: 465
Registered: 07-2008
Posted on Thursday, February 05, 2009 - 9:24 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Great Depression II.
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Mayor_sekou
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Username: Mayor_sekou

Post Number: 2630
Registered: 09-2006
Posted on Thursday, February 05, 2009 - 9:33 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah Detroit's taken about 10 years/steps back in terms of retail downtown which figures seeing as how I live down here now.
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Urban_shocker
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Post Number: 74
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Posted on Thursday, February 05, 2009 - 10:32 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

And what was the expiration date on that store's sweetheart deal with the DDA?

Maybe it's true that it's been a great depression in Athlete's Foot since the day it opened but starting today the Detroit taxpayer is no longer paying for that old Asian guy to sit on that stool and not carry basketball shorts at a sporting goods store.
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Viziondetroit
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Username: Viziondetroit

Post Number: 1665
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 12:05 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If he were black/white/Indian/ Arab make it any better? Just wondering why point out his was Asian as if that added to the reason it failed, lol.
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Atwater
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Post Number: 368
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 12:10 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well, you know what they say about old Asian guys who don't carry basketball shorts at sporting goods stores...
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Viziondetroit
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Username: Viziondetroit

Post Number: 1666
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 12:12 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

LOL LOL...
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Tetsua
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Post Number: 1537
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 12:43 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It's ashame how the majority of Woodward retail has packed it up over the last month.
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Eric_c
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Post Number: 713
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 12:45 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Heh. A "majority" of Woodward retail has packed it up when three businesses close.

It's funny cuz it's true.
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Registeredguest
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Username: Registeredguest

Post Number: 130
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 1:19 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Did any of you every shop there on a regular basis? Did this add any value to anyone living downtown or around downtown, other than the gratification of knowing that Woodward isn't totally vacant? If not, then why the loss. Really, crying over a lackluster sporting goods store mooching off the public trough?

Will there be this same outpouring of grief when the bail bonds place that recently set up shop on Woodward closes? The Cell Phone place? They add just about as much value to downtown residents as these sporting goods stores... In fact, they may add more. At least they're not getting some sweetheart hookup from the DDA. At least we can assume they may be paying some sort of taxes.
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Wordonthestreet
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Username: Wordonthestreet

Post Number: 46
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 1:41 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Downtown businesses need to focus more on customer service, especially if they want to survive in the current economic climate.

The Athletes Foot on Woodward had the worst customer service. I went in a few times when they first opened and never returned after being followed each time.

Many friends had the same experience. Race did not play a factor. They followed everyone.

There are lots of businesses surviving right now. It is not going to be easy. If you want your business to survive in this climate, you have to be creative, work hard and focus on the customers.
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Sean_of_detroit
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Username: Sean_of_detroit

Post Number: 2190
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 1:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

No it's not. In the past twelve months we lost three, but gained six other businesses on Woodward Avenue. That brings the total of active businesses on Woodward to sixteen or seventeen. Not counting the three in question. We were at twenty!

It wasn't that long ago that there were only five shops on Woodward; Tall-Eez Shoes, the Wig Shop, A Beauty/dollar/urban apparel/used nick-knacks store in the Fowler, Bleu (in 2000 or 2001, right?) and Tavern-on-the-Park in the Broderick.
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Professorscott
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Post Number: 1767
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 2:00 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What Woodward needs most is people to shop in these stores. Of course it doesn't help matters any that right now nobody is buying anything whatever. You all are aware that the entire Circuit City chain is closing up shop, right? I could give you about fifteen other examples from the last three months.

For lower Woodward to lose three stores in the current economic climate is not a disaster for Woodward. We are just mirroring what's happening everywhere.

Now, we should be able to make some money downtown from the hordes who will attend the NCAA Men's Final Four this spring. That, at least, will be a bright spot.
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Registeredguest
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Post Number: 131
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 2:15 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You're not going to get any shoppers on Woodward so long as the following conditions remain in place:

(1) There are aggressive bums assaulting and following and cussing at shoppers for 41 cents to Pontiac, or wherever;
(2) Alleys reek of pee, poo and every other sort of bodily excretment imaginable;
(3) Windows continue to get broken and storefronts continue to get tagged;
(4) People continue to spit, litter, fornicate in public, illegally park on sidewalks;
(5) Stores are dirty, inaccessible, have no signage, offer poor products or provide nothing of any real value to either visitors or residents; and
(6) Taxes remain high and services remain spotty.

Seriously, let's not kid ourselves: is it really that enjoyable to shop in Downtown Detroit right now?
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Sstashmoo
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Post Number: 3257
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 2:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

With a name like "Athlete's foot" no wonder. Disgusting. Why didn't they call it "Jock itch"?
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Digitalvision
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Username: Digitalvision

Post Number: 1347
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 2:35 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I've showed people the woodward corridor. But they don't come back. And it's because it's practically inaccessible.

Not only do they not know where to go (poorly signed), but when they DO find it, there's no interest in paying $5-$20, which constantly changes depending on the day.

The city needs to take it's garage on Woodward across from Inside Detroit and make it free for three hours with validation. And afterward, $5 max. If the city is going to own all these assets in a semi-socialist manner, they may as well use them in such a way that actually helps the people. And be consistent about it - the results will pay off in six months to a year when shoppers get into a pattern.

So many folks try stuff (mainly because they can only fund it for this long) for a couple weeks and say it doesn't work; when in reality, shopping patterns take a long time to develop. This is one positive that chains sometimes bring to the table, and that's cash to be able to withstand some ups and downs.

But the parking thing is the best, easy, and inexpensive thing the city can do to address this corridor. Oh, and get prominent, easy signs purchased with the ObamaDollars coming.

This would be wonderfully timed with the spring, and use it as a pivotal garage to also serve Campus Martius, the Library street row (where the Cuban place is), et all.

The city could also make money by encouraging folks like Urban Grounds (I think that's the coffee truck in Eastern Market) to set up shop on that stupidly wide sidewalk to serve folks and sort of "fill in" that blank area over there and create some pedestrian value.

p.s. - Athlete's Foot was a HORRIBLE name. I kept expecting John Madden to walk up with Tough-Actin' Tinactin.
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Professorscott
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Post Number: 1768
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 2:44 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Actually, Digitalvision, parking in most central cities is MUCH more expensive than parking in downtown Detroit, but other cities can get away with that because most people don't bring a car with them.
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Viziondetroit
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Username: Viziondetroit

Post Number: 1667
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 2:47 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

^Or they don't mind paying because they get more bang for their buck.
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Huraporta
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Username: Huraporta

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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 3:10 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The retail scene is hurting everywhere. As for the parking fees; those of you that complain need a trip to New York or San Francisco. Or better yet London where you have to pay to bring your car into the city! If you want free parking try go to the nearest Mall and enjoy the blandness!
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Professorscott
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Post Number: 1769
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 3:18 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

But, Huraporta, in other cities you can go downtown easily and quickly without a car.
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Buckster1986
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 3:40 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

How were the prices at Athlete's Foot? I went in there afew times when it first open but never went back.
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Sean_of_detroit
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Username: Sean_of_detroit

Post Number: 2193
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 3:51 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Prices were so, so. They never seemed to charge sales tax.

The gentleman that followed everyone, use to come up behind you while looking at an item, and whisper "hey, if you buy that right now we wont charge you any sales tax".
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Professorscott
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Post Number: 1770
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 4:06 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

That just means they were discounting things 9.5%, which is not all that great of a discount. Stores aren't required to collect sales tax; they have to pay it and so mostly they collect it from you.

Gardner-White is constantly shouting at you on TV that they will pay your sales tax. It's not that unusual; it's a common and fairly chintzy promotion.
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Detourdetroit
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Post Number: 343
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 4:14 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

i go downtown very easily almost everyday on the 16, 23, 53, 450/460, etc. so very liberating not worrying about the evil parking spectre...
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Professorscott
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Post Number: 1771
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 4:28 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Agree, Detour, but we don't seem to be able to convince many of our fellow bloggers to give it a try. Perhaps if we eventually get one of these light rail things going on, people will be more amenable to that.

Lots of people are on the bus; the 560 is crowded just about any time of day I'm on it. Just not, apparently, many of our fellow DYers.
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Digitalvision
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Username: Digitalvision

Post Number: 1349
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 5:10 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It's not forumers we have to convince to shop downtown.

It's everyone else.

Frankly, most mass transit takers in *this* region do not have the disposable income to help out the businesses in question on a large scale.

So, I see no problem in helping businesses out and get them more customers instead of letting them die while we hold onto some ridiculous dream that we're New York or Chicago that has served us oh so well the last twenty years.

We're not those cities, we never will be, even on the rebound.

We may grow our urbanist core, and I hope so, but we're not those cities. We SHOULD have our own thing and maybe we can be innovators in melding the needs of the car-driving public and urbanism.

Businesses cannot count on a car-focused region all of a sudden getting religion and becoming mass transit fans - if that's the case, don't count on anything sizable as far as traffic shift happening for another decade, and I have no interest in waiting that long when straight-forward solutions are right there staring at the city for little to no cost.

Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
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Professorscott
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Post Number: 1774
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 5:42 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Dig, there are only two types of retail centers in the world: auto-focused, like Oakland Mall, and pedestrian-focused, like downtown Toronto.

I've never seen a successful auto-focused urban core retail center. I'm almost certain none exist, and I'm pretty sure none ever will.
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Chitaku
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Post Number: 2095
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 5:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Houston has the galleria mall. I don't know if it is successful though. When i went there in 1999 it was pretty happenin'.
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Crawford
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 6:35 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Galleria mall is an auto-focused suburban center.
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Sean_of_detroit
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Username: Sean_of_detroit

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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 8:32 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Link to the City of Denver's 16th Street Mall: http://tinyurl.com/cqe28m
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Detx
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 10:31 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Galleria Mall in Houston is extremely successful. It is auto centered for the most part. However, there are tons of high rise luxury developments in the area now and many more planned for the future. It's common to see folks from these buildings walking to the Galleria... even in the sweltering summer heat.
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Wolverine
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Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 11:34 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"I've never seen a successful auto-focused urban core retail center. I'm almost certain none exist, and I'm pretty sure none ever will."

I can't think of any either unless you call the stacked big box concept a core retail center instead of a vertical strip mall. They've popped up all over Chicago, one them being just outside the loop. It's 3 levels of your typical suburban stores with parking lining the edges. Smaller stores and restaurants are usually on the ground level, and right up to the street. You park on whatever floor your store is, and you can take your grocery carts out into the structure with you. Parking is free with a minimum $1 purchase.

They seem to be pretty popular, but the street capacity is not there to properly serve these buildings. 1 block radius around these retail beasts are usually clogged with cars. No matter how "urban" you make auto-centric retail appear, you really can't bring the suburbs to the city without causing problems.
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Crawford
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Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 12:08 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Detx, there are also people walking to Somerset from the Somerset Inn; it doesn't make it an urban mall.
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Newlaster
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Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 1:09 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"The city needs to take it's garage on Woodward across from Inside Detroit and make it free for three hours with validation. And afterward, $5 max."

--

I agree with this. I believe the city-owned garages in the downtowns of Birmingham and Royal Oak do this.
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Digitalvision
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Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 11:43 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

PS - Having gone to Toronto with a car a few times, it's MUCH easier to find parking and more clearly marked than here. And, I can park once for days and not need a vehicle - simply not practical here.

However, Toronto has much larger draws and population density than we do. They have a population of about 170,000 people downtown - us, 8,000. Not even comparable or practical to emulate.

There's a study out there that lines up our tourist and shopping offerings as a direct competitor for travelers with Gary, Indiana. For god's sakes, downtown Royal Oak has a multiplier (I forgot how much) more retail business (in dollars) than downtown Detroit.

Pathetic, and it's because we don't do the simple stuff that can also keep the city urban and walkable WITH getting dollars.

I'm not saying we add a bunch of surface parking lots. Nor am I saying we stick Oakland Mall downtown. I'm not saying we stick a Target there, either.

All I'm saying is we use what we have effectively to create jobs that Detroiters can do.
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Sean_of_detroit
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Username: Sean_of_detroit

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Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 1:21 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

^Windsor isn't a bad example in terms of how easy it is to find parking outside the Tunnel. I pay around $2.50 after the first free hour.

Unfortunately, I'm thinking it would have to be coordinated with other groups and efforts to happen. Otherwise, fixing any one problem will not see any return on investment.
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Detx
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Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 4:56 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Crawford, I never implied that the Galleria is an "urban mall" or that it is such because people walk there. I don't even know what an "urban mall" is. I was only trying to point out the fact that Galleria patrons aren't just people who drive there.

The Galleria and Somerset should never be compared. Yes, they may have SOME of the same vendors, but the Galleria is a bold palatial vision. It is also the center of what's called the "Galleria Area", a burgeoning business and luxury playground of Houston. Somerset isn't any of the above. While it's great for what it is, a nicely designed mall with lots of luxury stores, it ain't the Galleria. Furthermore, I believe the Galleria means more to Houstonians than Somerset means to Detroiters.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com /178/375596837_2ea96088ea.jpg? v=0

The distant skyline in the above photo is the "Galleria area" of Houston.
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French777
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Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 7:28 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

We ALWAYS go to Compuware! 5$ a Day everyday!
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Crawford
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Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 12:21 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

In Birmingham, the garages are all free (up to three hours, I think).

It would be tough to compete with that.
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Crawford
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Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 12:28 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Detx, I couldn't disagree more. Somerset is MUCH nicer and more upscale than the Galleria. The Galleria is very generic-looking and has a 70's feel. It seems absurd to call a 1970's mall a "bold palatial vision." I guess Twelve Oaks, Lakeside and Fairlane are "bold, palatial visions"?

As for the surrounding area, I don't see the difference. Both Troy and the Galleria area are Edge Cities. Admittedly the Galleria area is larger, but one doesn't appear to be more urban or walkable than the other.

And "business and luxury playground"? Again with the silly hyperbole. It's a crappy and generic edge city of strip malls and office parks; no different from Troy (or dozens of other Edge Cities around the nation.)
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Danny
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Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 11:08 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

YAY!

The Woodward business corridor is back to the way it was. Vacant and abandon Partheonic ruins since the late Coleman Young Era. Where's Dennis Archer when we need him?
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Danny
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Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 11:29 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Johny Rocket's, closed
Avis, closed
Mark England De Mode, closed or moved
Borders is about to closed.
and there goes NIKETOWN!and onle collapse storefront nest to the defunct Broadwick Tower.

We pick our leaders to reform goverment and save our ecomony. Instead we some folks that have a mind of a street gang person selling crack, weed, pimps women and packing heat. We have our leaders that are show horses by dressing up the manes and smile through the media cameras quoting " Everything is going to be Alright!" Then trying to hid behind the church like our congregation is save them. Think Again!

God doesn't want our leaders to be shyless crybabies who can't think for themselves, sloth and idling with their lives. He wants mankind to STAND and be mediators for the world. Did Jesus quote in the Beatitudes, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called Children of God." Therefore we Detroiters must make a STAND. We must became government instead of relying in show horses.

I'm Street Prophet memeber #174 Danny. I'm a City worker of city workers, city council of city councils, I'm a state Rep. of state Reps. I'm the police force of police forces and I'm a mediators or mediators.

Who are you formers? MAKE YOUR STAND TO SURVIVE OR MAKE YOUR STAND TO DIE!
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Detroitrise
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Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 11:42 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Avis closed?
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Tetsua
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Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 11:52 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Avis actually closed a couple months back I believe
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Detx
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Post Number: 260
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Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 3:25 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Crawford, the only thing the Galleria and Somerset have in common are SOME luxury vendors (the Galleria has many more). The Galleria is the 7th largest mall in the U.S., is the largest mall in its state, is more than double the size of Somerset, has three office towers, two hotels, a health club, is newer (recent expansion in 2003), is naturally lit and even has an ice rink (not bad for 1970, eh?). That's what I call bold and palatial. Last year it received over 24 million visitors. Silly is thinking Somerset could possibly compare…

You call it an Edge City and compare the area to Troy, but you are ignoring the fact that the Galleria is only 9 miles west of downtown Houston. It’s not a suburban outpost (ala Troy) but a genuine part of Houston’s urban fabric. And look at the link I posted above. Does that skyline even closely resemble the skyline of Troy, or any of Oakland County? Hell, there is probably more leased office space in the Galleria area than all of downtown Detroit (and possibly Oakland County).

Most importantly, Troy, or Somerset, aren't as culturally relevant to Detroit as the Galleria and surrounding area is to Houston. Troy is a capital and symbol of 20th century white flight. The whole area is the direct result of divestment in Detroit. It's actually embarrassing. Conversly, the Galleria is a symbol of Houston's growth, success, and long-term vision.
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Eastsideal
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Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 7:03 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I agree with Digital. Instead of trying to change the local population into something we all know they're not, why not do what's available to make the connection between them and downtown retail work as well as possible?

One of the biggest complaints about downtown Detroit for my entire life has been parking. If we can reduce the cost and difficulty of parking, while still preserving what's left of the urban fabric downtown, why the hell not do it? Realistically right now that's going to be one of the prime ways to attract people downtown, and to get them to make return visits.

It doesn't have to be Somerset or Oakland Mall, Downtown Birmingham certainly isn't like either of them, has largely maintained and even enhanced its character as an old-style street level shopping area, and as pointed out above offers several hours of free parking to make sure it remains viable.
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Crawford
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Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 7:21 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Detx, do you live in Houston or something? You sound like a total homer.

I make my living off the retail trade, so I know what I'm talking about.

Among retailers Somerset > Galleria. In fact, the only suburban malls in the U.S. that are more prestigious and desirable than Somerset are Short Hills in NJ (outside NYC), Tysons Corner in VA (outside DC), and South Coast Plaza in CA (outside LA). That's basically it.

Now there are some niche centers that are more desirable, like the Americana at Manhasset (outside NYC) or Shops at Bal Harbour (outside Miami), but I'm talking about the big malls.

I'm also not including desirable center cities (Manhattan, Chicago, SF) and desirable suburban main streets (Beverly Hills, Greenwich).

Back to Somerset vs. Galleria

1. The Galleria does NOT have more luxury vendors. If anything, Somerset has more. Somerset is more high-end than the Galleria, which tends to draw from a broader income category. You can get a Big Mac at the Galleria. Not at Somerset.

2. The Galleria is barely larger than Somerset. Somerset is two malls, which when combined, are barely smaller than the Galleria. And the Galleria statistics include non-retail spaces like the ice rink.

3. It's irrelevent whether the Galleria is somewhat closer to downtown Houston than Somserset is to downtown Detroit. Fairlaine Town Center is closer to downtown Detroit than the Galleria is to Houston; it doesn't make it a more urban environment.

4. The Galleria is NOT a part of Houston's urban fabric. Houston barely has an urban fabric, and the Galleria area isn't close to anything approaching urban. Very few sidewalks and almost no street-fronting retail.

5. Yes, the Galleria has a bigger skyline. What's your point? Tysons Corner, VA has a bigger Edge City skyline than the Galleria. So what? It's still an suburban sprawlburg.

And your last paragraph is just trolling. The Galleria killed downtown Houston, but you call it "a symbol of Houston's growth, success and long-term vision". The suburban malls in the Detroit area also killed downtown Detroit, but here, the exact same process is (according to you) "kind of embarrassing"...

The only thing that's "kind of embarrassing" is your ignorance. Ask a retailer or someone in commercial real estate. The Galleria is just another big suburban mall in a crappy Edge City environment.
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Sailor_rick
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Username: Sailor_rick

Post Number: 126
Registered: 02-2004
Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 11:56 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Unlike Somerset, the Galleria not only has McDonalds but also those swanky booths with flaming-skull keychains and T-Shirts. In Spanish too!
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Genesyxx
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Username: Genesyxx

Post Number: 620
Registered: 02-2004
Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 8:02 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This is horrible, but I have to be honest. I didn't really see them sticking it out this long. Retail just isn't in Downtown's cards.
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Krapug
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Username: Krapug

Post Number: 60
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 8:16 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The lower Woodward retail corridor has along way to go.
The shops at the Ren Center are far more appealing, and even there expect more vacancies and closings due to the economy.

Interesting comments on the Galleria Mall in Houston, but
downtown Houston still exists. That said, when you still have a major anchor store in your downtown, as Houston has with Macy's, BUT it closes at 6:00 every day (and barely later during the Christmas Season), to quote Toms Hanks, "Houston, we have a problem".

As this train wreck of an economy continues on the express track, a number of cities that have worked hard to maintain retail downtown will have problems. In those cities with "malls" downtown, a number are already dead (St. Louis Centre, Columbus Centre) and others are terminal.

Even some cities that have a huge tourist draw downtown, like Baltimore, still have not revived the tradtional downtown sector.
In the case of Baltimore, take a stroll down Lexington.

Ken
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Eastsidedog
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Username: Eastsidedog

Post Number: 969
Registered: 03-2006
Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 2:17 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

OK, I haven't posted here in a long time but I'm going to give it a go.

I've been living in the downtown area for almost 10 years now and I've seen retail fail over and over again downtown while more and more car-oriented retail has opened on East Jefferson just east of downtown. The retail on East Jefferson may not be glamorous but it is functional, is a real asset to the area, and has fared a lot better than the downtown shops. A lot of it has to do with plenty of free parking and very high visibility to area residents. IMO downtown should focus on what it does best - entertainment/bars/clubs/hotel s and let East Jefferson handle the retail needs for local residents. I think it has become apparent that when folks head downtown to attend sports/cultural events (be they urbanites or suburbanites) they will dine and get drinks downtown, but don't really shop downtown. There seems to be some psychological disconnect between entertainment and shopping - both are done at different times and different places.

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