It is less than a month away. Detroit has said it is expecting around 500,000 visitors from all over the world. Are you going?
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It is less than a month away. Detroit has said it is expecting around 500,000 visitors from all over the world. Are you going?
I'm definitely not going but where do they come up with these numbers? I've mostly read 300,000 not 5. Most people attending will be locals, not visitors to the area. There are about 5,000 hotel rooms downtown and 40-45,000 in the burbs. Most of the suburban hotels have lots of rooms available at their regular rates so if they are from elsewhere they must be camping.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cincinnati_Kid
Oh, I agree with you. The news media was forecasting those numbers. They are just hyped up promoting the city, I guess because Detroit is in the sporting world spotlight these next couple of months, because of the NCAA Tournament games this weekend here, and the draft. And to your point, while they have added a few new hotels recently, I don't think they have enough space downtown to accomodate all those people.Quote:
Originally Posted by 401don
Don't forget the gazillions of dollars they will bring~!
I'm going. So what the numbers were missing calculated. That's not going to stop me from enjoying a once in a lifetime event in my own city
My spouse has a management job at one of the major hotels downtown, they have been told that there are no rooms available during this time between here and Flint and Windsor is also booked up, their hotel has been booked for months, who knows for sure?Quote:
Originally Posted by 401don
The closures for the draft have really crippled downtown walkability. Many downtown restaurants now have an extra 10 minutes of walking time from my office [20 minutes round-trip] because you must walk around the perimeter of the "draft zone" that keeps expanding each week.
I've also heard complaints from my coworkers that driving to their downtown jobs is much more difficult. I'm an early riser and work a 7a-4p shift, so I haven't had any issues.
It's neat to see so much of the area getting fixed, streets, sidewalks, and things getting tidied up. I wish it could be done on a regular schedule instead of in response to people that will visit here for a day or two.
I just searched Troy again on Priceline and there are still lots of hotels April 24-26.Quote:
Originally Posted by DetBill
I work at Woodward and Jefferson. Our building is just outside of the perimeter of the draft zone, but access will still be difficult. I plan to park in the vicinity of a People Mover stop and ride it to the Financial District stop and walk to the office.
I attended a meeting regarding the draft and the draft zone will go into lockdown on Tuesday evening, April 24th. You will not be allowed into the draft zone unless you pre-register [[no cost). Security will be very tight.
Doubtful that I will make it downtown during the NFL Draft event, but I'm hoping to drive/walk by to see how it's shaping up. And maybe see and photograph some of the artful Cleats that are placed around town!
https://detroitmi.gov/news/city-detr...2024-nfl-draft
I've seen one Cleat but there are 20 of them, so would love to see a few in situ.
I've been downtown getting some drone videos of the setup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8jkDQ7cEWQ
The Qline will probably be not running into downtown during the draft. I had taken it this past Saturday and it only traveled to Little Ceasars Arena.
I have tix for each of the 3 days. I'm unsure of what day I will actually go, but I'm all set as far as entrance to everything. I will take the bus into the area. SMART has a draft express.
As a downtown office worker, I can only say it is getting more confusing to walk and drive around downtown daily, much worse than the Grand Prix. Oh well, it's only for a few days.
The amount of activity in the Woodward/Jefferson/Hart Plaza area is unreal. From my office window it's as if someone kicked over an ant hill.
In case anyone here is planning on attending, or just watching tv, the Tigers game Friday is a 1:00 start because of the draft. Bonus for Chris - he gets to sell those parking spots twice.
A preview for how the NFL Draft Detroit 2024 stage is going to look like...
A closer look at the NFL draft theater built in downtown Detroit [[msn.com)
Wow... love the new lighting of the People Mover columns... in all the different colors. Supposedly this is permanent. Will add a nice touch to downtown at night!! :o
How the city of Detroit is literally lighting up for the NFL Draft | Watch [[msn.com)
If anyone is wondering how the Renaissance Center will be lit up for the NFL Draft....
Okay, who's the wiseguy that kicked over the ant hill? :D
Screen snap of Cadillac Square and Campus Martius from Around 6 PM.
https://detroityes.com/webisodes/2024/nflDraft.jpg
Screen snap from start of draft. Gates closed after 100,000+ fans pack into the draft arena.
https://detroityes.com/webisodes/2024/nflDraft2.jpg
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lowell
Hey, that does look like fun.
The news is saying over 250000 fans in the "footprint". Go Deee Troit!!!
I was in that crowd and it was a little bit of a sh*t show for sure. There were masses of people trying to get into the area after it hit capacity. At one point the crowd knocked over small fence and rushed closer to the stage before being stopped by mounted police. I know because I was inadvertently part of that crowd! No incidents of violence or anything of that sort were witnessed though.
If you're planning to go, GO EARLY! If you want to see the stage and don't have special tickets, camp out close to it at like 3:00 and be prepared to wait.
Very happy to see Detroit pulling off this event smoothly so far, fingers crossed the next 2 days go well!
I could care less about the draft, other than the Lion's pick, but I was held spellbound watching the shots of the massive crowds amid the restored and booming heart of our city towered over by the crane atop the Hudson site building.
My mind drifted back to the tumble-weed days of the abandoned and crumbling downtown. What a joy it is to watch this. The more I consider it, the more I believe the now 25-years-ago implosion of the Hudson's Department store was the turning point for Downtown Detroit.
http://DetroitYES.com/webisodes/2018...nstruction.jpg
Whenever I see a crowd this big I always wonder where are the bathrooms and if they have enough? 🤔
Good thing this wasn't a 3rd world country... then there would be news headlines of people being fatally trampled!! :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by K-slice
I think that next years hosts... Green Bay... is probably shitting themselves right now. Detroit will be some act to follow! :o
Attachment 43133Quote:
Originally Posted by Pam
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Originally Posted by Pam
Even if there were enough, and you knew where they were, how would you get there?
And do you really want to be next in line after Bubba no. 264?Quote:
Originally Posted by Honky Tonk
Would definitely want to use one of those paper "ass-gaskets"! :oQuote:
Originally Posted by 401don
I had caught DDOT Jefferson line down to the draft. Sadly after 7pm it didnt run every 15 minutes during the event as was announced by DDOT a few months ago. One or two busses never showed and passengers had to wait almost another hour for the next one to arrive
I wonder if an NBA draft is in the making to be held in Detroit. Just imagine the crowd an NBA Draft would draw and the money generated for Detroit. I think that the city would be more prepared for it especially DDOT and SMART
NBA drafts are tiny compared to the NFL. They are held in the arena so expect 20,000, almost all locals.Quote:
Originally Posted by stasu1213
I went on Thursday & Saturday. I had an enjoyable time. I saw no one misbehaving, fighting, being drunk in the street, etc. The only tenacious moment I had was on Thursday when some people were leaving the overly crowded draft stage area, & I got pinned against a fence. The only flaw I saw was how barricades were set up. It was made like a maze getting in from Randolph. Otherwise, it was an awesome event, plenty of the feelgood factor going on, & I think everyone was impressed even the local folks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stasu1213
I don't see why not. Especially after the NFL draft was such a huge success. The NBA is pretty popular these days. ratings and attendance are up, with the exception of our Pistons. They're lousy and have no direction. The success of the draft clearly should have put Detroit on the map to host more major events, such as the Final Four in the NCAA's
Only draft I crave is Coors Extra Light De-mineralized, unfizzed, non-alcoholic type draft.