Detroit Tourism Plans..

**gthomas** · January-19-12, 10:29 PM

I know Detroit seen some rise in tourism last year. What were the reason for that? How can we expand and grow that industry here? I know there's a down-side to it, [[ Poor Weather, Mass transit, lack of urban destinations etc...BROKE). What should the city do to increase the tourism industry here in Detroit? We have alot of things going for us here, we are the "Motor City, Motown, Sports town, International waterfront, Historic assets etc.)...Here's my list[[ Downtown Proper);

Motown-theme retail, restaurants, Motown walk-of-fame, etc.
Car-theme shops, restaurants, art sculpture's, etc.
Faygo & Bettermade Interactive Museum/Factory, similarly to [[ Coco-Cola Factory in Atlanta)
Veiwing Skyscraper's [[Toronto CN Tower), Michigan-theme [[waterfalls, evergreen's, native-landscape etc.)
National Theme Park [[Six Flags, Busch Garden's)
International Cruises
Historic Model-T car Downtown Tour [[During summer months, a guided tour drive to historic destinations, local restaurants and entertainment..etc.)
Motown Music installed in utilities pole Downtown and along West Grand Boulevard near Motown Musuem.
Detroit-theme "Permanent" Drop-the-D structure/skyscraper. [[Old Lafayette Building location)

Note* In designing and building these things required "Bold and Striking" design. Really bright, pedestrian-friendly, creative, and fun.

This is just for conversation purposes, PLEASE don't jump down my throat about what will work or not. I don't want to hear that, I hear it too much in here enough. My purpose of this is to get people talking. What's your ideal, if any..?

**DetroitPlanner** · January-19-12, 11:37 PM

visitdetroit.com

No reason to go to the current museums? Not even world class ones like the DIA, Henry Ford or Cranbrook?

No mention of casinos?

No mention of ruin porn or stalking Eminem, Kid Rock, or ICP?

No mention of concerts in an amazing group of historic and modern venues?

Amusement Parks are costly endevours with lots of failures. Recent Failures include the Hard Rock Amusement Park. Detroit not being able to support Boblo, and its proximity to Cedar Point and Michigan's Adventure may be detrimental to anyone looking to locate a park here.

**Modusvivendi** · January-19-12, 11:53 PM

Fix up some of the ruins to the point where they are safe for guided tours. A tour of ruins like the old train station and some of the theaters would be really interesting. It could be done in a tasteful and educational way too. It wouldn't have to be straight up ruin porn. In all honesty, if done right that could be a really big and totally unique attraction for the city.

**stasu1213** · January-20-12, 05:21 AM

Give homeowners in some of Detroit's older neighborhoods where homes are still in good condition grants to fix up their homes. Make the empty lots in these neighborhoods small quaint parks or green fields. The reason; when tourist tour Detroit in that "Model T" or chauffered driven 59 Cadillac they could drive through what made Detroit attractive in the past; It's neighborhoods. The Gratiot corridor is rich with homes that were built around the late 1800s to early 1900s. From the Eastern Markt to McCellan, Gratiot, with the razing of dilapidated homes, could be a nice touriest area.

**Kathleen** · January-20-12, 06:32 AM

Originally Posted by Modusvivendi

A tour of ...some of the theaters would be really interesting.

Preservation Wayne's Annual Theatre tour is held in August. Always a Saturday. Date to be determined for 2012.
http://preservationwayne.org/45-2/de...eritage-tours/

FYI...The Woodward Avenue Action Association [[WA3) launches their new In The Steps of Henry Ford bus tour this year. Details to be announced.

**Richard** · January-20-12, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by Kathleen

Preservation Wayne's Annual Theatre tour is held in August. Always a Saturday. Date to be determined for 2012.
http://preservationwayne.org/45-2/de...eritage-tours/

FYI...The Woodward Avenue Action Association [[WA3) launches their new In The Steps of Henry Ford bus tour this year. Details to be announced.

There are some double Decker UK style buses available that could add a little extra draw to that .

But I would agree that adding and promoting tourism as another form of diversity would help with the exception of the ruin porn tour which would be somewhat depressing .

Bob Snow has just finished a project in Las Vegas he may be up to doing something like this in
Detroit .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_..._%28Orlando%29

**ghettopalmetto** · January-20-12, 09:25 AM

I don't think that problem is that there aren't any reasons to visit Detroit. In other words, it's not necessary to build some kind of gimmicky attraction.

IMHO, tourism in Detroit would improve greatly if it enhanced what already exists. Things that I think would help tourism:

1. Convenient, affordable transportation to and from DTW that does not involve renting a car.
2. Some sort of transit system with regular, frequent service that connects activity nodes, i.e. downtown, midtown, Birmingham, Dearborn, etc.

3. Making downtown [[and other areas) pedestrian-friendly: street lights, well-marked crosswalks, wayfinding signage, streetscaping, promoting development [[instead of demolition).

Those three are the very *basic* requirements. Sure, you can go further, but without these, you're not going to get anywhere, no matter how many Theme Attractions you throw money at.

**Atticus** · January-20-12, 09:30 AM

A few ideas:

1. Develop connections between the downtown hotels and the people mover. While I love the downtown street plan, visitors do find it very confusing. Encouraging them to ride the people mover provides them with a nice downtown tour, takes them to different areas without getting them lost, and boosts the ridership numbers on the DPM. Simple things like on the people mover map indicating that "Michigan" is the stop for the HI Express & Westin Book Cadillac could go a long way.

2. Use one of the many downtown theaters as a permanent Motown revue/musical venue with a daily [[or 5x weekly) show of just Motown songs from the Motown heyday. Las Vegas has an Elvis show every night, Detroit should have a Motown show. The key would be to get the quality vocalists who can really get the songs down good. But if you were able to get a good show going, this could easily be a staple attraction for out of town visitors as a must do when in Detroit.

3. Expand the number of days that tours are given of JLA and Comerica Park. Detroit is known for its sports teams, but tours are only given two days a week. A lot of other stadiums and arenas around the country give multiple tours daily of their venues.

**Zackdog** · January-20-12, 09:47 AM

Having an actual police presence would go a long ways in making people feel safe as well as ensure their cars would be where they left them in the same condition. Maybe if the thugs would quit murdering people for $50 would help as well.

**Gistok** · January-20-12, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by Atticus

A few ideas:

2. Use one of the many downtown theaters as a permanent Motown revue/musical venue with a daily [[or 5x weekly) show of just Motown songs from the Motown heyday. Las Vegas has an Elvis show every night, Detroit should have a Motown show. The key would be to get the quality vocalists who can really get the songs down good. But if you were able to get a good show going, this could easily be a staple attraction for out of town visitors as a must do when in Detroit.

I had always thought that a restored United Artists Theatre would make for a nice "niche" venue for just such a use. Although it originally had 2,070 seats, it was later reconfigured to a more roomy 1,488 seats... not a bad size for such a venture. And because it is so unlike any other of the downtown historic theatres [[non-European and non-Oriental style), it's exotic mix of details would be a match made in heaven for a Motown theme.

And maybe Dan Gilbert can use the 18 story office block for residential....

**pkbroch** · January-20-12, 11:57 AM

Turn on some streetlights!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you enter Detroit on Woodward going south from Ferndale the first thing is the Eight Mile Bridge. At the top of the bridge you can see all the way Downtown to the GM building.

Enter Detroit on the same road at might, same view except starting at the top of the bridge south all the way to Seven Mile sometimes Six Mile lights on Woodward are out. This is not a one time occurrence they have been out for at least a year.

Ferndale/Oakland county half of Woodward bridge lights, Detroit/Wayne county no lights.

Many activities are in the evening no streetlights give tourists an unsafe feeling, especially the ones near the "WELCOME TO DETROIT " sign.

**iheartthed** · January-20-12, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by Atticus

2. Use one of the many downtown theaters as a permanent Motown revue/musical venue with a daily [[or 5x weekly) show of just Motown songs from the Motown heyday. Las Vegas has an Elvis show every night, Detroit should have a Motown show. The key would be to get the quality vocalists who can really get the songs down good. But if you were able to get a good show going, this could easily be a staple attraction for out of town visitors as a must do when in Detroit.

That's a good idea. Maybe it could be the foundation for a true Motown Museum.

For a city with as much history as Detroit it is astounding how far behind the curve it is for attracting tourists [[and I'm not just talking about gamblers from Toledo) when compared to other American cities.

**Atticus** · January-21-12, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by Gistok

I had always thought that a restored United Artists Theatre would make for a nice "niche" venue for just such a use. Although it originally had 2,070 seats, it was later reconfigured to a more roomy 1,488 seats... not a bad size for such a venture. And because it is so unlike any other of the downtown historic theatres [[non-European and non-Oriental style), it's exotic mix of details would be a match made in heaven for a Motown theme.

And maybe Dan Gilbert can use the 18 story office block for residential....

That would be a great re-use for the UA theatre. I almost think it would have to be a smaller venue, as you probably wouldn't draw huge crowds regularly if it were the same show running continually. I also think that over time most of the audience would become out of town visitors wanting to do something "motown", just like most Bourbon Street Jazz Clubs are not filled with New Orleans locals.

However, I really do believe there would be a market for a Motown show that parents could bring their kids to and say "this is what Motown music is" or someone who just loves the motown sound and wants to hear it live. I also agree with the comment that it could be incorporated with a musical history museum. But I really believe this is a unique show that, if done well, could thirve in Detroit, and offer an experience that becomes a must do for anyone visiting the city.

**DetroitPlanner** · January-22-12, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by iheartthed

That's a good idea. Maybe it could be the foundation for a true Motown Museum.

For a city with as much history as Detroit it is astounding how far behind the curve it is for attracting tourists [[and I'm not just talking about gamblers from Toledo) when compared to other American cities.

What can make a better Motown Museum than what they have now??? What we should have is a localized R&R Hall of fame. Start with Uncle Jessie White, John Lee Hooker and bring it to modern times. We can keep ICP out of it though. Don't want to stink the place up with Faygo Spraying dirty haired slackers with fould mouths [[jugalloos).

**gthomas** · January-22-12, 06:13 PM

Faygo Pop, Better Made Chips, Sander's Icecream, and Morley Candy should come together and have a specialty shop/Musuem Downtown, called "Best of Detroit Shop". That will be cool for out of towner[[s) can enjoy, locals too.

**gthomas** · January-22-12, 08:01 PM

I can see a "Detroit LIVE" entertainment complex being included with the new Red Wing arena. Build the arena north of I-75/Downtown, on Woodward. Use the "Eddystone" as the premier Red Wings Hotel. Build the entertainment complex south of I-75, behind Fox Theater. Which included: Motown-theme retail, restaurants, Motown walk-of-fame, etc.
Car-theme shops, restaurants, art sculpture's, etc.
Faygo & Bettermade Interactive Museum/Factory, similarly to [[Coco-Cola Factory in Atlanta) Veiwing Skyscraper's [[Toronto CN Tower), Michigan-theme [[waterfalls, evergreen's, native-landscape etc.)
Detroit "Rock City" McDonald [[similiar to Downtown Chicago McDonald's)
Multiple Sports bars, restaurants, and shops.
Guitar-shaped skyscraper [[House of Blues)[[ Hyatt Hotel)
100 ft. tall old english "D", w/ water jets [[similiar to Belligio in Vegas)

Note: A plaza will be connecting both development over I-75, between Cass and Park Av.

z.about.com/.../1/0/j/8/5/philly_live_001a.jpg

**ghettopalmetto** · January-22-12, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by gthomas

I can see a "Detroit LIVE" entertainment complex being included with the new Red Wing arena. Build the arena north of I-75/Downtown, on Woodward. Use the "Eddystone" as the premier Red Wings Hotel. Build the entertainment complex south of I-75, behind Fox Theater. Which included: Motown-theme retail, restaurants, Motown walk-of-fame, etc.
Car-theme shops, restaurants, art sculpture's, etc.
Faygo & Bettermade Interactive Museum/Factory, similarly to [[ Coco-Cola Factory in Atlanta) Veiwing Skyscraper's [[Toronto CN Tower), Michigan-theme [[waterfalls, evergreen's, native-landscape etc.)
Detroit "Rock City" McDonald [[similiar to Downtown Chicago McDonald's)
Multiple Sports bars, restaurants, and shops.
Guitar-shaped skyscraper [[House of Blues)
100 ft. tall old english "D", w/ water jets [[similiar to Belligio in Vegas)

Note: A plaza will be connecting both development over I-75, between Cass and Park Av.

z.about.com/.../1/0/j/8/5/philly_live_001a.jpg

So your grand plan is to completely give up on Detroit the CITY, and replace it with "Detroit", the Theme Park???

**401don** · January-22-12, 08:09 PM

Something wacko happened between your posts at 6:13 and 8:01. Maybe it was something you ate?

**gthomas** · January-22-12, 08:12 PM

Its not a theme park? It's called entertainment, restaurants, bars, JOBS, excitement, somethnig to do and see after and before the game/theater shows..etc. It's so much better than walking around looking at vacant sea's of surface parking lots and homeless people. You have a better concept for the area?

GUSHI · January-22-12, 08:16 PM

How about a national coney island and a buddy's, I like gthomas I idea also, and move the pistons back also,

**gthomas** · January-22-12, 08:16 PM

You silly lol, yeah I ate something called " Creative Minds"..try it lol.

Originally Posted by 401don

Something wacko happened between your posts at 6:13 and 8:01. Maybe it was something you ate?

**gthomas** · January-22-12, 08:19 PM

philadelphia.about.com/od/arts/ss/philly_live.htm

Perfect example of what I'm talking about.

**gthomas** · January-22-12, 08:21 PM

Thanks GUSHI, yeah a National Coney Island or how about a Little Ceasar restaurant..? Of course to include the Pistons!

Originally Posted by GUSHI

How about a national coney island and a buddy's, I like gthomas I idea also, and move the pistons back also,

**ghettopalmetto** · January-22-12, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by gthomas

philadelphia.about.com/od/arts/ss/philly_live.htm

Perfect example of what I'm talking about.

So if I understand you correctly, the only thing Detroit needs is "entertainment"? No people, no businesses, just bread and circuses, right? If I'm not mistaken, that was the strategy Dennis Archer employed exclusively. You want more of the same?

What you fail to mention is that Philadelphia also has a fantastic downtown, where over 120,000 people reside. And it's far more interesting and exciting than the pre-fab plastic crap-plex shown in the image. Sure, that place will make money off sports fans [[i.e. people who were going to be in that area, anyway), but the city isn't banking its entire tourism industry on it. You can open as many "entertainment attractions" as you want, but who's going to keep all of them afloat???

Go ahead. Build Gatlinburg on the Detroit River. But it's not going to change a damned thing.