Itsjeff
Member Username: Itsjeff
Post Number: 5495 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.42.168.211
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 12:39 am: | |
Six years of planning, $1 billion in construction and infrastructure upgrades, significant razing of abandoned buildings... In hindsight, what did we do right, what did we get wrong? Did it matter that the casino hotels weren't up? Or that Motown, Statler and the M/L came down? |
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026
Post Number: 451 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 71.10.63.140
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 12:42 am: | |
Im almost glad the casinos werent ready, i think they will be done better now instead of a rush job to put something together, plus it gives me something to look forward to. This will be the first time in a long time that 3 hotels go up in detroit, and 3 new 15 story buildings will make a bit of a change to the skyline. |
Pipdid Member Username: Pipdid
Post Number: 2 Registered: 01-2006 Posted From: 24.91.234.162
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 12:51 am: | |
As a old Detroiter from 25 years ago, my attention was drawn to this site as I watched the Superbowl. Now that it's over, what are you all looking forward to now? |
Jimelnino Member Username: Jimelnino
Post Number: 348 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 68.61.118.126
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 12:56 am: | |
Think of it this way Not only did we get a lot of surprisingly good press from the national media, but we brought back a lot of suburbanites to the city. With the 3 casino hotels going up, I'm willing to bet that people in this area will plan a night at a casino, followed by a morning with breakfast downtown and lounging around the city, and all because they were so impressed with it in this last week. Lets hope we can keep this momentum going! |
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell
Post Number: 2259 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.167.210.66
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 12:56 am: | |
I think Detroit looked fabulous and came off splendidly. The night shots from the zepplin and the street shots during the SB were awesome. The life and vigor on the streets would have been totally unthinkable five years ago. I think a lot of local people rediscovered downtown and the experience will add positively to the upward momentum that has been building. No, it's not the answer to everything and there are sure to be setbacks, but it was a very pleasant highlight on the long road back. Take it for what it is and savor it. |
Shark Member Username: Shark
Post Number: 183 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 68.255.114.69
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 1:01 am: | |
2009 Final Four is coming! |
Jimelnino Member Username: Jimelnino
Post Number: 350 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 68.61.118.126
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 1:05 am: | |
"2009 Final Four is coming!" With a regional this year or next |
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026
Post Number: 453 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 71.10.63.140
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 1:11 am: | |
Thats right, and the regionals in 2008, Frozen Four as well!! Fireworks and Auto show yearly!!! New casinos!! new hotels!! new buildings on the riverfront!! New lofts downtown!! probably a new hockey arena!! something on the hudsons site (rock financial i hope)!!! I am sure Detroit will make a STRONG bid for the 08 Dem. Convention, even stronger than the one they made for this past year. I expect detroit to land it this time. Downtown will continue to be reborn, and soon it will be time to take it to the neighborhoods. Already, some neighborhoods are being affected as well (7000 new homes), and the riverwalk will make those eastside neighborhoods and harbortown/rivertown even a little more attractive already! I see some brighter days ahead for Detroit City! |
Itsjeff
Member Username: Itsjeff
Post Number: 5496 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.42.168.211
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 1:17 am: | |
We gave up quite a bit of our architectural heritage for this game. We thought we were removing eyesores so that the world press wouldn't write about them. So what happened? They just wrote about the buildings we didn't demolish yet, like Tiger Stadium and MCS. Still, downtown looks better than it has in my lifetime. We crammed 25 years worth of progress in six years. Road and sewerage upgrades, sidewalks and streetlights, improved greenspace. |
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936
Post Number: 255 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 207.200.116.139
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 1:21 am: | |
Got invited to a friends house for a super bowl party here in Vegas, and he had a new Mitsubishi HDTV. Wow, it was great. The shots of downtown Detroit were nothing short of spectacular! I pointed out to my Vegas friends areas of interest with pride. The Campus Martius skating rink looked great. I noticed they even had the lights on in Comerica Park...most interesting. Over all, I give the telecast a firm 10. And my wife won the squares chart for the final score, so we even went home with a hundred bucks we didn't expect! Great night for Detroit. |
Silverbeauty Member Username: Silverbeauty
Post Number: 15 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 69.133.93.33
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 1:27 am: | |
I look at is this way, if half of the people who came to the city this weekend left with a good impression, they will be back. This is important especially for suburbanites that haven't been to the city in years. We need them to come down and enjoy the city often. Also it is important for the out of towners. Perhaps when the permanent casinos get up and running, out of towners will be even more excited to come back because they had so much fun during Super Bowl weekend, and the new casino hotels will be enticing. |
Tonym Member Username: Tonym
Post Number: 121 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.54.43.10
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 1:30 am: | |
I watched from Naples, FL and I agree Ray 1936- the city looked SPECTACULAR! |
Arab_guyumich Member Username: Arab_guyumich
Post Number: 738 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 69.14.179.212
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 1:34 am: | |
Walking around Campus Martius during the Winter Blast, I almost shed tears. I'm 22 years old...I've never seen this town look so alive. From the throngs of actual tourists downtown, to the gorgeous spotlights on the Rencen, to the unbelievable spectacle of tens of thousands of suburbanites using MASS TRANSIT to get downtown...it was like a dream come true. I have no beef whatsoever. The city exceeded all of my already high expectations. I never imagined that the view from Campus Martius would literally take my breath away...but it happened, again and again. Is it ok for me to be so sentimental right now? I feel like I'm losing a lot of cool points... (Message edited by Arab_guyumich on February 06, 2006) |
Neilr Member Username: Neilr
Post Number: 184 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.242.215.65
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 1:38 am: | |
quote:Not only did we get a lot of surprisingly good press from the national media, but we brought back a lot of suburbanites to the city.
Equally important, I believe, is that a great, huge number of Detroiters (not only those of us who live downtown) came downtown for the Winter Blast and SuperBowl. Collectively, we made it fun and something for our youngsters to remember for years to come. |
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026
Post Number: 455 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 71.10.63.140
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 1:41 am: | |
Arab_guy, i feel the same way as you do right now. Absolutely amazing. Detroit won my heart yet again! |
Jasoncw Member Username: Jasoncw
Post Number: 110 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 148.61.248.29
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 1:47 am: | |
Yea, those downtown shots were great! I had to do a report for one of my classes tonight, but I kept it on and tried to catch all of the shots at the end of the commercial break. I wish I could be there! As I type write now, one of the grand rapids news shows asked someone off the street what they thought of Detroits superbowl hosting, and he gave an A+, and the news reporter echoed it. As for the effects of the superbowl, I think it's too soon to say. I'm sure within the next few days there will be some summary styled articles, but right now, no one has even gotten home yet, but I'm sure it will have a positive impact. Even if only half of the people get a good impression, that's still a lot of people, and I'm sure almost everyone got a good impression. And I think now we have gradual improvement to look foward too. How exiting! But let's not forget about the rest of the cities problems. Balancing the budget and improving city services is definatly harder than hosting a super bowl, but for now, woo-hoo! It's too bad I'm stuck at school in Grand Rapids. If there was anywhere I want to be right now, it's downtown Detroit. I'm looking foward to lots and lots of pictures from Detroit's online communitys wonderful photographers! |
Psip
Member Username: Psip
Post Number: 1022 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 1:57 am: | |
Does anyone know what time the Penske presser is tomorrow? |
Mind_field Member Username: Mind_field
Post Number: 487 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.240.205.61
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 2:16 am: | |
I too almost cried at the site of a burgeoning downtown Friday night, lit up like a super nova, bustling like the busiest neighborhoods in Manhattan. We can still look forward to the gradual improvement of downtown Detroit, and it becoming one of the premier urban centers in the midwest, if not the entire nation. |
Eric Member Username: Eric
Post Number: 323 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 35.8.141.112
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 2:37 am: | |
Detroit did far more things right than it did wrong. Sure still having Motown or the M-L would great. It'd been even better to show off the new casino's or a renovated B-C. But these are minor Detroit pulled this off far better than most people thought we would. The fact that we proved so many in the nation and in our backyard wrong outweighs any uncompleted project or demolished buildings. |
Tonym Member Username: Tonym
Post Number: 122 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.54.43.10
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 2:40 am: | |
My significant other and I watched from FL and he turned to me and said, "I want to move to the city." He is from San Diego (which he doesn't consider a city). I am ready to return to Downtown Detroit...: Actually, I have been looking for a couple of months. I want to return so badly!! |
Bagman Member Username: Bagman
Post Number: 13 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 68.252.125.69
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 2:40 am: | |
I for one am waiting to hear the great sucking sound. The guys who came around and kept our block clean for the last week are sure to be gone Monday morning. |
Sparty Member Username: Sparty
Post Number: 191 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 12.34.51.20
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 2:44 am: | |
Penske presser is at 10 a.m. |
Naturalsister Member Username: Naturalsister
Post Number: 469 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.42.169.65
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 2:46 am: | |
Bagman, This has been on my mind. We have to come together and stay cohesive in our efforts to show the world a positive Detroit. We need a campaign to stiffen the penalties for littering and trashing the city. We need city pride and it starts in the mirror. Detroiters have to come together and hold tight the reigns that keep us moving forward. later - naturalsister |
Jasoncw Member Username: Jasoncw
Post Number: 111 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 148.61.248.29
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 2:59 am: | |
On ABC there was just a commerical for nightline, about realestate in New York, a second city that I forgot, and Michigan, and they showed a picture of downtown for Michigan. I think the second city was one of those west coast cities, but Detroit usually isn't put with those cities in things like that. I bet more commercials for things will be shot in Detroit, like car commercials, and things like that. |
Tomoh Member Username: Tomoh
Post Number: 74 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.40.205.183
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 4:39 am: | |
I heard lots of oohs and ahhs from everybody downtown over the weekend and I think many suburban visitors were positively impressed, which is exactly what this needed to accomplish. These new local tourists will support the new restaurants that've popped up over the last 3 years as well as the bars and clubs (I had no idea just how many there were downtown since there's usually not lines waiting outside of them). But there should be more, and I'd like to see new clubs open to take back those who frequent Pontiac nightclubs. While I think the nice and expensive restaurants are the way to attract diners who have to drive a distance to make it worthwhile, I think there's also a good market for pre- and post-drinking restaurants downtown -- places to eat that aren't coney islands. Hopefully an increase in bar patrons will make this inevitable. By sometime in 2008, the 3 casinos are expected to have completed there permanent sites with hotels, adding thousands of jobs and even more peripheral jobs, hotel rooms, and capacity for people in or around downtown. Many new employees will be at One Kennedy and hopefully they will have found tenants for the offices not yet signed up for. The Book-Cadillac is supposed to be renovated by then. I think we'll see the streetscape improvements on Washington pay dividends in the filling up of storefronts, eventually making the People Mover stops on the west side of the loop usable destinations from those coming from, say, Greektown. The Broderick tower is supposed to be converted to residential by then, and by this time we should see hundreds of new residents downtown, hundreds more in Midtown (continued loft conversions, more phases of the Ellington and Brush Park who are the most within walking distance of downtown and will add foot traffic), and maybe a relatively significant increase in Eastern Market. If the Ann Arbor-Detroit rapid transit study, which should be studied by then, comes to conclude on commuter rail using existing track terminating in New Center, we could see New Center becoming a transit-oriented village. The River East development is supposed to be done by then too. I'd say downtown Detroit is still on track for an amazing amount of change at least up to 2008. I think we can expect some significant pleasant surprises by 2008 too, as well as a setback/delay or two. Also, as far as tourist events, we can't forget the annual Memorial Day weekend's Movement (Detroit electronic music festival) which attracts people from all over the world. |
Hamtramck_steve Member Username: Hamtramck_steve
Post Number: 2708 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 136.181.195.17
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 10:52 am: | |
The traffic cops need practice directing serious traffic. They seemed to be more skilled at creating gridlock in a few points than in relieving it. And, I think the city needs to tweak the road closure plan in the CBD a bit. Otherwise, I never saw anything at any time that struck me as ill-thought-out, lame-brained or just plain stupid. Coming out of this, I want the Host Committee to keep everybody at the table to set up high speed mass transit around here. The shuttle buses show we'll use it, and I think the committee is just the group of people to keep the politicians together. |
Atl_runner
Member Username: Atl_runner
Post Number: 1806 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.41.137.9
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 2:13 pm: | |
I came in with high expectations. Detroit exceeded all of them this weekend. In the 5 years of planning and preparation, things went right and wrong, but in the end Detroit shined and celebrated like never before. I give the overall experience an easy A. I'd give it an A plus, but I have to blame this hangover on someone other than myself |
Fury13
Member Username: Fury13
Post Number: 868 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.222.11.226
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 2:20 pm: | |
Two and a half million people in southeastern Michigan will be talking about the weekend for years to come, and about how good it was for Detroit. The other two and a half million people in the area will be talking about the Saturday night shooting for years to come, and about how that incident reaffirms that Detroit is not safe to visit. Unfortunate, but true. |
Detroit_stylin Member Username: Detroit_stylin
Post Number: 2432 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.202.227.12
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 2:43 pm: | |
And yet the Chi town sports writers continue to hate on everything they can (in this case the teams themselves)... |
Bunny Member Username: Bunny
Post Number: 18 Registered: 01-2006 Posted From: 69.215.202.130
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 3:26 pm: | |
I just wonder why it is that only sporting events bring this much excitement and attention to the city. Isn't there anything else to grab people with? The Electronic Music Festival is a big one, but it gets hardly any backing by the city, it seems. |
Fury13
Member Username: Fury13
Post Number: 870 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.222.11.226
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 3:34 pm: | |
Well, there are a lot of people who just don't like that type of "music"... Sports -- especially football -- has a more universal appeal. |
Quickdrawmcgraw Member Username: Quickdrawmcgraw
Post Number: 39 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 63.77.247.130
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 6:31 pm: | |
From feedback as a volunteer: 1. Light rail to assist with airport customers and rail along Woodward. Having them along the major arteries will help people to get to their destinations and allow emergence of neighborhoods that are walkable and inviting. 2. Customer Service 101 for all Detroiters (in Southeast Michigan). We need to promote and encourage folks to take a second look. I do this anyway considering how cheap it is to live here compared to places such as San Francisco. We should be more knowledgeable about places to go and sites to see and give a fair and balanced view of our city & suburbs. (This include our local media) 3. Encourage entrepreneuralship and work with exisiting resources to help folks make their dreams come true. 4. Promote keeping our city clean and we should look into recycling all bottles. Maybe reduce the deposits to 5 cents to encourage such. 5. Need more neighborhood destinations and help those neighborhoods promote the physical, cultural and social aesthetics. 6. City government need to use tools to help them become efficient and we need to change the mindset of all people to learn how to do more than just one task. As a resident, I don't care who does the job as long as the job is done and done effectively. If the person is union, I expect a quality job. |
Czar Member Username: Czar
Post Number: 2895 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 129.137.173.227
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 6:36 pm: | |
I was in town last week for an unrelated reason. Didn't spend much time in the CBD as I'm not one for crowds and Super Bowl hoopla, but you could sense the energy in the surrounding neighborhoods as well. Was in Corktown for a little while on Thursday night. I'll give a plug to Slows. My wife and I had dinner there and we thought it was great. Also drinks at LJ's and one of the old standbys, Gaelic League. |
Ro_resident Member Username: Ro_resident
Post Number: 139 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 69.14.126.140
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 7:18 pm: | |
For a week, you could use the *ahem* unique architecture inside the Ren Cen to your advantage. There was plenty of space on all of the catwalks and skywalks to look down on Radio Row and the ESPN studio. There wasn't a bad seat in house, and there was mostly room for everyone, at least on Thursday and Friday when I was there. It would be nice if the Winter Fest continues. If it does continue, I would recommend more seating. My in-laws would have stayed longer on Friday afternoon, but got tired out. |
Supersport Member Username: Supersport
Post Number: 9879 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.246.37.236
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 7:37 pm: | |
quote:The night shots from the zepplin and the street shots during the SB were awesome.
Actually, those night shots were from Saturday night. Had they filmed them last night they would have filmed mostly vacant streets as people packed into every bar and restaurant they could find, the only thing out there was the tear down crews. Even the rink at Campus Martius was closed. Good call on filming those shots the night before though, as it was packed down there! I have to agree, the RenCen was the perfect spot for media central. Oh, one more thing, I heard that the final four crowds are insanely huge as well with followings from all over the country. While not as big as the super bowl, I'm guessing it'll only be a notch or two below. Remember, you'll have 4 teams from around the country in town for multiple days leading up to the finals. As for the Frozen Four, we can only hope that Boston is amongst them, as they have a huge following. |
Wmuchris Member Username: Wmuchris
Post Number: 187 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.58.36.2
| Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 7:57 pm: | |
Here's what the locals and the Out of Towners are saying. Keep a lookout for the Asshat from Trenton on the Second page. And the WOMAN WRITING IN ALL CAPS CRACKED ME UP TOO. http://info.detnews.com/feedba ck/lettersindex.cfm?topic=So_l ong_and_thanks&forum=dnletters |
Bongman Member Username: Bongman
Post Number: 925 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 198.111.56.128
| Posted on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 10:09 am: | |
I had a great time Downtown. I was there Thursday and Saturday nights. I only had one complaint...the tents that were selling Gibralter Trade Center type stuff should not have been there. I thought they were out of place considering the quality of other displays and setups. |
Jdkeepsmiling Member Username: Jdkeepsmiling
Post Number: 28 Registered: 01-2006 Posted From: 208.50.91.234
| Posted on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 12:49 pm: | |
Anyone out there find a picture of the skyline with all the searchlights going?? I want is a backdrop to my computer..... |
Islandman Member Username: Islandman
Post Number: 62 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 68.42.171.59
| Posted on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 2:26 pm: | |
Fury13 wrote: Well, there are a lot of people who just don't like that type of "music"... Sports -- especially football -- has a more universal appeal. ***** While you are right that many people may not like this type of "music" (must not be a fan), I challenge you to tell me of any other event in Detroit, other than the Auto Show, that has consistently brought in international/national visitors to this city in the last decade. Also, most of these visitors considered all of Detroit as a catalyst for this music, and were more apt to explore the city. Many of them want to see the good and bad parts of the city because they believe it's the main ingredient in the making of this "music". Granted, the demographic of travelers for the music festival don't have the deep pockets or jets the Super Bowl brought in, nor the silicone imported for all of the parties at temporary locations..but they still spend money while they're here. Don't get me wrong, the Super Bowl was great, but it won't be here next year. We need every event that the city has to offer tourists to be supported by the city and its people, be it the auto show, the Winter Blast, or our great festivals. |
Metrodetguy Member Username: Metrodetguy
Post Number: 2286 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 69.221.34.35
| Posted on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 6:08 pm: | |
Unfortunately I've heard some reports (from people inside the DPD) that there were several more murders, robberies, and assults than have been officially reported. I've also heard stories of price gouging by some cabbies (at the heights of the shuttle troubles...turning off the meters and demanding $20 before the trip even began). Also heard that rocker Tommy Lee was beaten up at a party after making disparaging remarks about Detroit. |
Ilovedetroit Member Username: Ilovedetroit
Post Number: 2052 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 63.149.5.130
| Posted on Thursday, February 09, 2006 - 3:15 pm: | |
Metro - Does your name start with a "B"...a friend of mine says they know you? |
Metrodetguy Member Username: Metrodetguy
Post Number: 2287 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 69.221.67.224
| Posted on Thursday, February 09, 2006 - 3:20 pm: | |
No it doesn't "Ilovedetroit"...and stop trying to get to know people from this forum. Your "a friend of mine" routine is as lame as all of your other nonsense. |
Ilovedetroit Member Username: Ilovedetroit
Post Number: 2054 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 63.149.5.130
| Posted on Thursday, February 09, 2006 - 3:30 pm: | |
HAHAHAHAHAHA you make me laugh. |
Ilovedetroit Member Username: Ilovedetroit
Post Number: 2055 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 63.149.5.130
| Posted on Thursday, February 09, 2006 - 3:31 pm: | |
I am looking forward to the Democratic National Convention when we (Detroit) are host to Hillary Clinton being nominated for President! |
Fnemecek
Member Username: Fnemecek
Post Number: 1497 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 69.212.63.6
| Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 12:28 am: | |
ILD: Are you that eager to keep the GOP in the White House? (With the Dem nominee, not the host city). |
Ilovedetroit Member Username: Ilovedetroit
Post Number: 2058 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 68.40.173.250
| Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 4:09 pm: | |
Fnemecek - Well who do you suggest? I happen to think that Hillary is great...and about time we had a woman running things. |