Metro Detroit-Windsor 2014 Predictions

For historical purposes, below are links to the previous new year prediction threads:

2012
2013

And here we go:

1. With the bankruptcy still fresh in the minds of millions, more international and national events start avoiding Detroit due to this.
2. MDOT announces a $48 billion project to build a freeway that starts at the new international bridge and merges with I-96 at Grand River Avenue. It will contain a total of 12 lanes and have a speed limit of 85 MPH.
3. MDOT also reveals that the widenings of I-94 between I-96 and Conner and I-75 between 8 Mile Road and M-59 will each contain a total of 12 lanes and also have 85 MPH speed limits.
4. Tolls are added to the Belle Isle Bridge, now that Belle Isle is a state park.
5. The Heidelberg Project becomes history as the last remaining buildings are burned down by arson, even with increased security.
6. Unexpectedly, Macy's shutters their Northland and Eastland stores, citing very low traffic.
7. By the end of the year, SMART has slowly started to replace their entire fixed-route fleet.
8. The Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter rail project suddenly stops for good and the existing railcars are sold to other commuter agencies across North America.
9. Pistons continue their slow rebuilding, even after a gunman storms into Tom Gores' house and assassinates him.
10. 25% of the city of Detroit gets working street lights.

Well, that was really a depressing read! I'm expecting a much more positive year. I'm expecting construction to begin on the Hudson site, I'm expecting many more renovations downtown and midtown to begin to be completed and more to be announced. I'm expecting Belle Isle to be cleaned and well organized. And I'm expecting that Detroit's bankruptcy will be much farther along and people will know what to expect rather than being shrouded in mystery like today.

Well here's a less depressing list...

1) DIA emerges unscathed in the city bankruptcy... Richard Manoogian donates his "largest American private collection" to the now totally independent DIA.
2) City Council nixes Ilitch plans for demo of Eddystone and Harbor Lights buildings for part of the Arena District, after Midtown groups and The National Trust cement opposition.
3) MENSA convention announce a return to Detroit in spite of city bankruptcy with the slogan "It doesn't take a genius to figure out you can still have a good time in Detroit".
4) Cobo expansion receives national award from AIA for Adaptive Reuse of Cobo Arena and riverfront renovations.
5) Gilbert and Ilitch announce a United Artists Building redevelopment that includes a Quicken Center for the Performing Arts [[UA Theatre) restoration.
6) Buildings around West Grand Circus Park get special Federal aid for renovations into a historic residential district.
7) Rackham Building in Cultural Center will be converted to a Museum for Automotive History... automakers donate their collections.
8) E. Ferry Historic District will start last of the infill housing development.
9) Packard Plant owner taps into EPA Superfund cleanup money.
10) City 911 response time beats DMC's 29 minutes guarantee by half...

The August 2014 SMART Property Tax Renewal will pass with the strongest support ever of around 85 percent.

There will be a strong push for SMART to return to Livonia, which will succeed.

Gov. Snyder will approve a State grant for the new Regional Transportation Authority for Southeast Michigan to hire more staff. There will be strong voter support to pass a Wayne, Oakland and Macomb County car registration tax to pay for a permanent operating subsidy for this. This will raise about $100 Million per year which will pay for regional rail and bus lines. They will have high ridership.

DDOT will improve bus service with the RTA agreement

My predictions for 2014:
1) In the spring, Olympia displays arena rendering. New arena will be called "Little Caesar's Palace" and will bear a striking external resemblance to original Olympia.
2) Detroit Lions hire Kliff Kingsbury as coach. Competition between Kingsbury and Tiger manager Brad Ausmus develops for MikeyinBrooklyn's affections. Competition is won by Mikey.
3) Active construction begins on new bridge to Canada. It will be named "Jim Blanchard Bridge" to recognize his vital role in preserving the peace between US & Canada.
4) Bill Bonds will return to TV as the newest "Bachelor".
5) Sick of life in the big city, Hamtramck will move to Grand Traverse County to enjoy the fishing, sailing and quaint shops.
6) Former site of Hamtramck will become world's largest Cheesecake Factory & Expo Center.
7) Dan Gilbert will buy Detroit River, redirect water up Webward Ave. It will then serve as the corridor for M1 Gondola service.
8) Crazy lady Dr. from Texas and Bill Hults will form a real estate consulting company. Duggan will hire that firm to manage all city-owned property.
9) Detroit News will be sold to Charlie LeDuff who will revamp into a tabloid with the slogan, "Fighting to be the Greatest F*****g Paper in Detroit."
10) Michigan State Football announces it will play one "home game" per season at The Big House in Ann Arbor, so people there can still see Div 1 football.

1. 66% of Detroit L.E.D. Streetlights are installed in Detroit's ghetto hoods.

2. Dan Gilbert buys the Penobscot Buildings.

3. Detroit's black population decreases to 83.3%

4. Detroit's white population is 12.8%

6. Detroit's hispanic population grew to 7.1%

7. John Varvatos underwear clothier store opens in Woodward Ave.

8. Plans for a Apple Store is in the works in Woodward Ave. and State St.

9. More black folks killing black folks in Detroit ghetto hoods few middle class black families are continuing to move to most inner ring suburbs.

10. Red Wings will not go the playoffs for the first time in over 20 years.

11. Detroit Pistons will not go the playoffs.

12. Detroit Lions lose to Dallas Cowboys 37 to 35. Tony Romo made throw a game winning touchdown at AT&T Stadium after a quick 67 year rush in three first downs. Suh got suspended for 6 games for the 2015 season for hitting Romo in the face during the shot formation play. The NFL may consider to have Suh suspended indefinitely for unsportsman-like conducts.

13. Detroit Tigers will not clinch the 2015 ALCS Championship title.

14. After 61 years in business. The historic Northland Mall is be closing its doors due to foreclosure.

15. Mayor Dan Gilbert lays his 5 year plan to have every last dangerous buildings in Detroit demolished.

16. The Woodward Ave. M-1 Rail Line is ahead of schedule.

17. The New Red Wings Stadium construction is full swing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Danny

1. 66% of Detroit L.E.D. Streetlights are installed in Detroit's ghetto hoods.

2. Dan Gilbert buys the Penobscot Buildings.

3. Detroit's black population decreases to 83.3%

4. Detroit's white population is 12.8%

6. Detroit's hispanic population grew to 7.1%

7. John Varvatos underwear clothier store opens in Woodward Ave.

8. Plans for a Apple Store is in the works in Woodward Ave. and State St.

9. More black folks killing black folks in Detroit ghetto hoods few middle class black families are continuing to move to most inner ring suburbs.

10. Red Wings will not go the playoffs for the first time in over 20 years.

11. Detroit Pistons will not go the playoffs.

12. Detroit Lions lose to Dallas Cowboys 37 to 35. Tony Romo made throw a game winning touchdown at AT&T Stadium after a quick 67 year rush in three first downs. Suh got suspended for 6 games for the 2015 season for hitting Romo in the face during the shot formation play. The NFL may consider to have Suh suspended indefinitely for unsportsman-like conducts.

13. Detroit Tigers will not clinch the 2015 ALCS Championship title.

14. After 61 years in business. The historic Northland Mall is be closing its doors due to foreclosure.

15. Mayor Dan Gilbert lays his 5 year plan to have every last dangerous buildings in Detroit demolished.

16. The Woodward Ave. M-1 Rail Line is ahead of schedule.

17. The New Red Wings Stadium construction is full swing.

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Wrong thread.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gistok

Well here's a less depressing list...

1) DIA emerges unscathed in the city bankruptcy... Richard Manoogian donates his "largest American private collection" to the now totally independent DIA.
2) City Council nixes Ilitch plans for demo of Eddystone and Harbor Lights buildings for part of the Arena District, after Midtown groups and The National Trust cement opposition.
3) MENSA convention announce a return to Detroit in spite of city bankruptcy with the slogan "It doesn't take a genius to figure out you can still have a good time in Detroit".
4) Cobo expansion receives national award from AIA for Adaptive Reuse of Cobo Arena and riverfront renovations.
5) Gilbert and Ilitch announce a United Artists Building redevelopment that includes a Quicken Center for the Performing Arts [[UA Theatre) restoration.
6) Buildings around West Grand Circus Park get special Federal aid for renovations into a historic residential district.
7) Rackham Building in Cultural Center will be converted to a Museum for Automotive History... automakers donate their collections.
8) E. Ferry Historic District will start last of the infill housing development.
9) Packard Plant owner taps into EPA Superfund cleanup money.
10) City 911 response time beats DMC's 29 minutes guarantee by half...

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Thank you Gistok, positive beats the negative all the time, at least in the end. I loved the Mensa quote cited.