Is it time for George Jackson to pursue other interests?
Well George Jackson is in the limelight again... and it isn't good....
After reading the articles in Detroit Crain's Magazine, I think that Mr. Jackson is not the right person to move Detroit development into the future.
The city [[and Mr. Jackson) were very patient and took plenty of time in getting all their tax credits, zone designations, etc. for the Book-Cadillac and the Fort Shelby.
So now why the great impatience with Tiger Stadium? As the Conservancy spokesmen [[who works for Miller Canfield) said these things [[getting tax credits, etc) take time. Mr. Jackson should know that better than anyone.
It appears that Mr. Jackson's inconsistency in Detroit development has come thru loud and clear. And now he's in the national spotlight, and not in a positive way [[Keith Olbermann).
He and his staff ignored downtown business owner Mr. Raffner's contacts. And I've also heard an earful from other downtown business owners as well.
He seems to have trouble with contacts with Senator Carl Levin.
He jumped the gun on the Lafayette Building, and had to defend himself when temp Mayor Cockrel overruled him.
Maybe Mayor Bing should ask some of the Detroit business owners what they think? And for Mr. Jackson... rather than solving Detroits problems, maybe he's become a part of the problem.
What do you think?
Kathy Wendler is NOT on the EDC board
In fact, she's on the board of the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy.
My sources tell me that THESE are the actual members of the EDC board:
David Bing
Mayor of Detroit
Mulugetta Birru
Wayne County Economic Development Dept.
Linda Forte
Comerica Bank
Joseph Harris
City of Detroit
Conrad Mallett
Detroit Medical Center and Sinai Grace Hospital
Stephen Palmer
Palmer Development Group, LLC
Douglas Diggs
Director of Community and Economic Development at Detroit Renaissance
William Ritsema
From what I can tell, Palmer's was the lone voice who voted against demolition last Tuesday.