  Rrl Member Username: Rrl Post Number: 421 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 71.213.227.199 |
It's nice to see that something is being done with the vacated Kmart HQ, but will this just be a repeat of Novi's attempt to build a "walk-able" town? Nice guote from the Troy city manager.
I guess he's just doing his job selling and promoting his city. Enjoy. http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.d ll/article?AID=/20051222/BIZ/5 12220386 | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 1097 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 141.213.173.94 |
Asshole. They really think too highly of themselves. | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 9624 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 64.118.137.226 |
LMAO! Why does that sound like a term Gamblingman would toss out there? | ||
Gambling_man Member Username: Gambling_man Post Number: 606 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 199.178.193.5 |
I do everything I can to avoid a Big Beaver corridor......Much prefer the leff often-visited Little Beaver corridor. | ||
Gambling_man Member Username: Gambling_man Post Number: 607 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 199.178.193.5 |
....meant less, not leff.... | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 1235 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.250.205.35 |
Hey folks, take a step back and think about it. Big Beaver around there draws a lot more people than downtown Detroit, has vibrant and very nice residential areas nearby, the best shopping in the region, tons of businesses, is safe and attracts development without subsidy or tax breaks. So, why wouldn't it be considered downtown SE Michigan? Don't give me the architecture line or the history line, downtowns are defined by their function not their design. Look, success is success, why shouldn't they be proud? Griping about it sounds like sour grapes to me. As for the development, it sounds like a great plan but for some reason when I heard it on the news last night I thought they were going to do some adaptive re-use of the place or incorporate the current building into the plan(which I am sure makes zero sense) but I thought that would look *really* cool. I was actually shocked when they wrote the building would be razed. | ||
Registeredguest Member Username: Registeredguest Post Number: 344 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.79.102.42 |
Wait - I thought the M-59 corridor was the downtown of Southeast Michigan. I'm confused... Ridiculous. | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 9625 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 64.118.137.226 |
Hey man, if you're into the Big Beaver then more power to ya. Don't go trying to convince us that the "Big Beaver" is the new cool/hip thing to hit up. To me, visiting the Big Beaver is like riding a moped, its fun until your friends see you doing it. | ||
Chris_rohn Member Username: Chris_rohn Post Number: 152 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 71.144.84.66 |
When I think about a vibrant downtown with lots of closely-knit shopping, restaurants, and nice places to live, where I can leave the car at home and walk where I need to go, the first place I think of is Big Beaver Road in Troy. /sarcasm In fact, I'm going to forget about the sarcasm here. The way Troy has developed itself should be the #1 urban planning example of what NOT to do. The entire city is the ultimate in bad development. (Message edited by chris_rohn on December 22, 2005) | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 1098 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 141.213.173.94 |
Dialh, what about function? Is it walkable? Even where there are sidewalks, can you walk from your house to a practical grocery store? Can you walk between stores? Only within the closed confines of Somerset. Is there dense residential development? From an urban planning standpoint, does it resemble anybody's downtown?...let's look at satelite picture. And I will play the history and architecture card. Downtowns are made, not born out of someone's proclamation. I seriously doubt more people work in and visit Big Beaver than downtown (although it probably beats the rest of MI in terms of shopping, but only because of one mall). No one thinks of Big Beaver as a place to hold special events or do something cultural, and I fear the day when someone undoubtedly tries to make it that. | ||
Lt_tom Member Username: Lt_tom Post Number: 50 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 24.208.255.171 |
They should make it like Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga, CA | ||
Jsmyers Member Username: Jsmyers Post Number: 1327 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 209.131.7.68 |
As we talked about many times on the forum. The population centroid for the metropolis is in Southfield (maybe NW Detroit if you add in Canada). It is not in Troy. Troy is just another one of the many edge cities. | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 1099 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 141.213.173.94 |
With the pace of subsidized sprawl, though, it looks more and more like the center everyday, at least from an Oakland-centric viewpoint. I really wouldn't mind if they called it downtown Oakland county. | ||
Fishtoes2000 Member Username: Fishtoes2000 Post Number: 65 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 66.238.130.148 |
"Troy planners" is an oxymoron. Big Beaver is not walkable unless you're in a mall. When the road was being rebuilt I formally requested sidewalks, mid-block crossings, and bike lanes, the latter because it's a designated bike route. They said they were satisfied having one sidewalk on one side of the road. In my eyes, Troy's only redeeming quality is its excellent Indian restaurants. (Message edited by fishtoes2000 on December 22, 2005) | ||
Boss_hogg Member Username: Boss_hogg Post Number: 24 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 66.178.225.98 |
This thread is confusing me. It seems like a bunch of guys trying to avoid getting to close to the "big beaver" or debating what type shopping is better: walkable or suburban. Not that there's anything wrong with that... | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 1237 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.250.205.35 |
Look, I think it's a travesty that Troy is such a hub of economic activity. But seriously, it's doing much better than downtown Detroit has done in the last 25 years, and Detroit has got a long way to go before it matches that level of growth. I just think this thread is an example of a certain level of hypocrisy found on this forum, specifically the "divisive regionalist" variety. Followed closely by the "blind but they can't see" variant. | ||
Citylover Member Username: Citylover Post Number: 1466 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 4.229.126.138 |
Often it is difficult to face the truth Dialh4....but you do speak it here. | ||
Track75 Member Username: Track75 Post Number: 2171 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 12.75.21.134 |
Absolutely right, Dialh. Even a Detroit-loving urbanophile ought to easily be able to see that the KMart parcel is prime property (~$1MM/acre for 40 acres). It may not be your cup of tea but does anyone doubt that a mixed use development on Big Beaver near I-75 and Somerset will be a big success? Non-descript new ugly look-a-like vinyl box houses just east of that area sold out quickly at $350K - $400K. Even I was surprised at that, and I've always understood quite well that some people just want to live in a non-descript suburban subdivision. Many folks on this forum wouldn't be caught dead shopping in Troy, much less living there with their 2.5 kids. But since 80% of region is composed of suburbanites it shouldn't be surprising that many will pay big money to live in a place like Troy with excellent schools, a plethora of shopping, low crime and a convenient location. No it's not walkable or unique or character-laden but face it, those attributes are pretty low on most people's priority lists. If the development is done well it could be a very attractive place for many. And given the draw of a place like Troy for many (seriously, it's true even though it breaks your heart), even a pretty ho-hum development will sell quickly at premium prices. Szerlag's comment about Big Beaver being SEMI's "downtown" is certainly an exaggeration but Troy does have a major commercial and retail corridor near the economic (not population) center of SEMI. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 6288 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.251.23 |
Now the question is: Will this have a negative impact on the other shopping corridors. Metro Detroit does not have a single area that is a destination for people to come from other cities on a regular basis. The 4.5 MM people in SE Michigan have a celing of disposable income and many of those folks are already maxed out on second mortgages. This will not bring in new residents to SE Mich, just replace them from other areas and will not result in more (or noticeably) more sales of consumer goods. So who will suffer from this. Will it be Somerset, M-59, 'downtown' Rochester. I really do not think that SE Michigan has a need for another upscale retail corridor and the money to support these businesses will come at the expense of others. Will local businesses that move into this area abandon other storefronts in Troy. Sterling Heights, etc and leave more 'for lease' signs that are already amassing on nearly every strip mall in SE Michigan? Until SE Michigan can create more well paying jobs or bring in new residents all of these new upscale corridors will be very cannibalistic in nature and when the bottom falls out on all of the interest only mortgages and GM, Delphi, EDS continue to cut jobs the stores will simply close shop after their lease and move on to greener pastures. Maybe I'm wrong and my scenario is very exagerrated but this area has got to be at the tipping point of disposable income. $8-10/hour retail and restaurant jobs aren't going to keep SE michigan afloat and new construction is only a band aid since it will come at the expense of existing retail areas. Done with my rant. Yay for Troy, boo for the rest of SE Michigan but of course we are only a collection of cities, not a region with a viable plan. | ||
1953 Member Username: 1953 Post Number: 652 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 209.104.146.146 |
I like Troy, but even I laughed at this comment. | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 9631 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 64.118.137.226 |
Big Beaver....exit 69....nuff said. Seriously, I'd love to shave the person's hand responsible for THAT planning. | ||
Ndavies Member Username: Ndavies Post Number: 1460 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 129.9.163.106 |
Why, Do you think he has hairy palms? | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 1239 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.250.205.35 |
MAN that was good! | ||
Rrl Member Username: Rrl Post Number: 422 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 71.213.227.199 |
somebody should open a party store on that street and call it... Big Beaver Liquors | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 6291 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.251.23 |
Big Beaver hors........d'oevrs (Sp?) Or a sandwich place called Big Beaver wraps. | ||
Rrl Member Username: Rrl Post Number: 423 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 71.213.227.199 |
A scuba shop called... Big Beaver Divers Ahh,how we have regressed. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 6292 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.251.23 |
An accesory store called Big Beaver muffs A carpet cleaning place - Big Beaver stain removers A meat shop called 'Fresh Big Beaver Meat' | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 9633 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 64.118.137.226 |
NDavies, I'd go back and edit that if it wasn't so damn funny! | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 9634 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 64.118.137.226 |
Plus, since the hotfudgers often lack substance it'll give them something to talk about. hahaha | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1654 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.72.223 |
I guess someone forgot to tell the OAKLAND COUNTY Pistons that they passed downtown on their way down to Woodward near the river to celebrate their victory a few years back.... Ditto for the Thanksgiving Day Parade. And Dialh4hipster, I am kinda surprised you're not that upset about the razing of the modern style Kmart HQ. It could be the finest modern building built in the 1970's in southeast Michigan. Even I am upset over that one. In the future when people see it in old architecture books they will be saying... wow what were they thinking when they ripped it down. Such a nice complex, and it lasted only about 35 years. Somehow I believe that whatever they build there at Big Beaver/Coolidge, will not be as architecturally stunning as what is there now. Troy may get more retail, but architecturally it will be a diminished city without that complex. (Message edited by gistok on December 22, 2005) | ||
Ray Member Username: Ray Post Number: 613 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 69.208.112.152 |
Does he really believe that or is it just posturing? Memo to John Szerlag, Troy City Planner (quoted in article): I work on Big Beaver and I can tell you, categorically, that Big Beaver is not a downtown. It is a wretched, soulless, dehumanizing, architecturally bankrupt strip of ugly suburban office buildings that makes me want to vomit every morning as I drive into work. And, should you discount my lone opinion, I can say with certainty that this view would be emphatically shared by the many hundreds of thousands of former Detroiters so happily ensconced in Chicago, New York, SF, Boston and the other great cities of America that have siphoned off two entire generations of our region's best human capital. The only thing remarkable about Big Beaver is its name, which I must admit has given Troy somewhat of a national reputation among business travellers. More than once in distant cities I have heard consultants or sales guys titering in the hotel bar about the fact that "some city in Michigan" actually named a major commercial street "Big Beaver" and then, as if that joke alone might be too subtle, placed it off exit 69. If this suburban strip development is your answer to the loss of downtown Detroit, I hope you're resume is up to date, because, you, Troy and our entire region are on the express train to economic oblivion. Oh, hey... how's your vacancy rate? (Message edited by ray on December 22, 2005) | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1657 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.90.224 |
Ray, who are you talking to? In case it is me, I only like the Kmart HQ as a nice example of modern architecture (of which I am not a really big fan of). I too used to work in Troy, and I basically agree with your assessment, although a few buildings are not that bad. | ||
Bussey Member Username: Bussey Post Number: 106 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 69.212.46.167 |
Amen Ray, I couldn't have said it better myself. I work in Birmingham and shutter every time I have to drive through Troy on Big Beaver road. It is almost as bad as where I grew up. Just north of M-59 in Macomb Twp! Now that is truly a suburban strip of hell. | ||
Ray Member Username: Ray Post Number: 615 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 69.208.112.152 |
Gistok, Hey, you talkin' to me! I would never direct such venom at you or anyone else in the forum! The rest of the world is a fair target. I was writing to the person quoted in the article, John Szerlag. I was being rhetorical, but secretly, I always suspect that, with the ubiquity of the Internet, when a person of modest public stature (like John Szerlag) generates a stir on our board, somebody on the forum who knows him will send him a link. Then, intoxicated by his modest celebrity, he will be unable to resist the temptation to read it, and thus will he arrive here to face my pious wrath. (Message edited by ray on December 22, 2005) | ||
Clark1mt Member Username: Clark1mt Post Number: 30 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 4.229.99.143 |
The Kmart building might be nice architecture, but it's a bad setup for good business. The building lent itself to a cellular culture, where there wasn't that much interaction between departments beyond what was necassary. That didn't help productivity, and in its own way contributed a bit to Kmart's financial problems. Having been in there a lot (my father STILL works there), it's easy to get lost. It's a building poorly suited to it's purpose. The remaining employees there will either move to Illinois or to a building across Big Beaver, or so I'm told. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1660 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.90.224 |
Thanks Ray! I was confused!  Clark, good point. It is a stunning sight along Big Beaver, and very much a product of the 1970's when that kind of environment must have been in vogue. Today however, even cubicle walls are no longer "in". | ||
Detroitduo Member Username: Detroitduo Post Number: 401 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 68.255.243.195 |
My personal opinion about Troy is summed up by Ray's comments. I work in Troy and refuse to drive down Big Beaver. Although, it is the premier mall / shopping in SE Michigan, I hate going to Sommerset. Overall, if Troy is our "downtown" for the region, it's no WONDER people hate living in the Detroit area. I also agree with JT1 that this will be a caniballistic development of the entire region. Also, Troy is not doing so well in the office market these days, either. I see more FOR LEASE signs in Troy now than ever! I still cannot believe the horrible development on Coolidge and 15 mile sold out as fast as it did. *shudder* Regardless, if this is what the people of the region want, good for them. I will continue to live in the real Downtown... in Detroit. It's much more comfortable... for me. | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 596 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 12.64.72.74 |
Some photos of K-mart HQ, from when it was built out in the wilds of Troy in the 70s, from WSU/VMC.    Might as well post some pics of it before it gets bulldozed. | ||
Quickdrawmcgraw Member Username: Quickdrawmcgraw Post Number: 30 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 63.77.247.130 |
Big Beaver in Troy on a paper and a cluster of buildings may seem like a "downtown"; however, it doesn't have the characterists of a "downtown" that most cities, villages and townships have developed over the years. Somerset and the area is a "shopper's destination" not a downtown. Pontiac has a "downtown" (even though not much). | ||
Ray Member Username: Ray Post Number: 617 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 68.41.160.200 |
Here's what really pisses me off, and then I promsise I will shut up. Why, why, why didn't they actually build a downtown when Troy was developed? They have enough square footage, great stores, decent restaurants. The could have actually created a nice downtown. I guess this is a stupid question. It's like asking why, why, why doesn't my dog play piano? Becaue he simply can't; and neither can the developers, politicians and citizens of suburan Detroit understand, appreciate, accept and demand an urban experience. | ||
Wolverine Member Username: Wolverine Post Number: 86 Registered: 04-2004 Posted From: 24.231.201.120 |
Because during those days, leaving the city meant leaving urbanism behind. Those folks wanted wide spread out shopping plazas so they could enjoy the pleasures of driving from one place to another. Of course, now people are realizing that this all kind of sucks. | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 703 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
Since it is so popular in Lansing to rename highways, how about a resolution to rename I75 as it passes thru Troy at the Big Wood Highway? | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 1240 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.250.205.35 |
Hey Gistok - don't get me wrong, I am definitely sad about the razing of the current structures. I seriously just assumed they would be incorporating it until I read that article. Some sort of re-use could have been EXTREMELY cool, and really set a benchmark for (a) preservation of modernist structures and (b) creating innovating and really contemporary live/work space in the area. I guess technically they haven't committed to tearing it down, but I feel it's only logical that they will and we can expect some more neo-traditional architecture in its place. I'm also a little worked up about the building that was Yamasaki's architecture studio being razed further down Big Beaver, to be replaced with a hotel (?) tower. There's no way that'll be saved though - it's a low wide building with a lot of green space on some seriously valuable real estate. Sad losses of significant structures that exemplify when the metro Detroit area contributed a bit more to contemporary culture. | ||
Fishtoes2000 Member Username: Fishtoes2000 Post Number: 66 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.14.26.135 |
From the Freep: "Troy officials will begin the new year looking for a new city manager. John Szerlag, who has had the job for seven years, is to be city manager for Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Szerlag could not be reached for comment." http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20051224/NEW S05/512240312/1007/NEWS | ||
Hooha Member Username: Hooha Post Number: 64 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.81.52.188 |
I like how the author of the article put "urban village" in quotes. | ||
Dougw Member Username: Dougw Post Number: 922 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 70.145.43.248 |
Wolverine nailed it with his post. | ||
Gmich99 Member Username: Gmich99 Post Number: 38 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 65.29.97.102 |
I thought Cabella's in Dundee was Michigan's downtown | ||
Citylover Member Username: Citylover Post Number: 1475 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 4.229.123.70 |
Not intending to have a "told you so" attitude but my guess is part of what is fueling this venom is the fact that downtown Detroit is not really the downtown it should be. I agree Troy is hardly a downtown the way it is traditionally thought.But as Dialh said in terms of activity, retail and diversity it functions more as a downtown that Detroit's downtown. Btw there is quite a lot of modern architecture within the city.So it is not the bldgs but the location.I happen to love the Lafayette pk Van Der roe(sp) complex, as well as the Mich-con(Yamasaki/Smith/Grylis etc)and even Ford aud. Who would not love to have the Somerset stores located in the city? Even in some modern style? As for Kmart and the demo of this particular bldg it is interesting that of the previous two Kmart/Kresge HQ's both are now in use.The Kales bldg very nicely restored and the Cass pk bldg a fine piece of architecture that won awards for it's design. | ||
Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 3142 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 65.222.10.3 |
Here is a little tidbit I bet nobody knows about. Back in the very late 60’s, planners had gotten together and designated the area on Van Dyke near 18 Mile Road as a possible location for a northern suburb business district. This area now has about 7 car dealerships and that annoying European traffic circle. I am not sure if the idea was shot down, or what, but that area would have looked similar to what the Somerset area looks like now. | ||
Mike Member Username: Mike Post Number: 546 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.41.109.36 |
Well, I guess some people are buying the hype. Read this. Morton's To Open Second Michigan Location By Amy Wolff Sorter Last updated: December 22, 2005 01:25pm (For more retail coverage, click GlobeSt.com/RETAIL.) TROY, MI-Morton's Restaurant Group, based in Chicago, has plans to open a new 7,400-sf location in the downtown area, at a cost of $1.6 million. The property will represent Morton's second Michigan location. The restaurant, to be located at 888 W. Big Beaver Rd., will have a different feel from the standard, more subdued décor featured in other Morton's throughout the country. Designed by Aumiller Youngquist, PC of Chicago, the restaurant, scheduled for opening in March, 2006, will have more of an open atmosphere, complete with a more spacious lounge, complete with hanging light fixtures as opposed to recessed illumination. In the dining area, the carpeting will change to leaf green from dark blue, and the room will have exposed light fixtures, with colored paint replacing the typical white. R.D. Olson in Irvine, CA, which has built six other steakhouses for the Morton's Restaurant Group throughout the US and Canada is the general contractor for the project. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1687 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.147.82 |
Ummmm Patrick, from several folks who drive thru that "annoying" traffic circle at Van Dyck and 18 1/2 Mile Rd.... that I have talked to.... they say that congestion has actually been relieved by it. | ||
Mike Member Username: Mike Post Number: 547 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.41.109.36 |
From the article that I posted, I had no clue where the "downtown area" would be. Then I read the next sentence. BIG BEAVER Road. BIG BEAVER road? What the fuck. Big Beaver road? This is downtown Troy? Ahh... This region kills me. I visited a downtown today. A real downtown, not a main street (Royal Oak) but a real downtown, not one with offices, parking lots and shopping malls, but a real downtown. With nice parks, wide sidewalks, skyscrappers, and many people going about their business, walking from place to place. I was on Woodward, Washington, Jefferson, Larned, Gratiot, Monroe... and others. Not one freaking street named after a woodland creature. Big Beaver road. Fuck big beaver. Fuck troy and this whole region. Go live in your parking lot oasis. | ||
Citylover Member Username: Citylover Post Number: 1481 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 4.229.123.156 |
I thought you were gonna say Chicago or New York or Pittsburgh or.........well you get the idea; Detroit is not a real downtown anymore Mike. | ||
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026 Post Number: 304 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 71.10.63.140 |
well, citylover, its not a FAKE downtown like Royal Oak, or Big Beaver Rd!! | ||
Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 3149 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 70.236.178.181 |
ummmmm, Gistok, no, it has made things worse. I too drive through it almost everyday, and I am one of the few that do actually know how to do it. the other 2/3rds do not. | ||
Dougw Member Username: Dougw Post Number: 930 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 70.145.43.248 |
Lighten up folks... Detroit and Royal Oak and Ann Arbor all have real downtowns. Troy does not. Royal Oak and Ann Arbor are simply smaller city downtowns. Detroit is the big city downtown with more density, restaurants and clubs, but with a problematic lack of retail, but also with more potential and visible improvement every day. | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 721 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
perhaps the folks on Big Beaver should try to De-Troy-it. /sorry | ||
Mike Member Username: Mike Post Number: 548 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.41.109.36 |
I would not call Royal Oak a Downtown. Its a main street. | ||
Erikd Member Username: Erikd Post Number: 477 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.242.214.106 |
Big Beaver road is not a downtown. If the criteria for a "downtown" is simply defined as a cluster of stores or offices, every shopping mall or office park qualifies as a "downtown". Sommerset mall has more stores than downtown Detroit , but that doesn't make it a downtown. The Mall of America has more stores than downtown Minneapolis, but it's not a downtown. The Hall road corridor has more stores and offices than Mt. Clemens, but Hall road isn't considered to be a "downtown". A shopping mall and a few office parks doesn't qualify as a downtown. | ||
Lt_tom Member Username: Lt_tom Post Number: 52 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 24.208.255.171 |
In keeping with the current topic of arguing over stupid shit, I'd say that Big Beaver is in fact, a downtown, because its geographically in the Southern half of Troy. |
