L's Bistro's might not open in Greektown

**stasu1213** · February-16-12, 05:47 PM

I was in one of my favorite restaurants in Greektown when a waitress who worked there had informed me that the owner of the soon not to come L's Bistro is changing his mind about opening a restaurant in Greektown. She said that his reason for back out is the lack of police protection and the trouble other restaurants in Greektown are having with vagrants, drunks, and other undesirables. He is trying to get out of the contract he had made with Greektown. I don't blame him. The Mayor and council had been anal when it comes to the decision of cutting police officers and minimalizing the presence downtown and through Greektown I see why restaurants refuses to open after 6pm Many had tried during special events only to have troublemakers come into ther restaurant to cause trouble. Police response time had been slow to none at all. Why are the Mayor and council so anti small business and Detroit?

**Meddle** · February-16-12, 06:00 PM

Would you rather have Cops downtown rousting drunks and schmoozing business owners or out in the neighborhoods where the real problems are?

**Flintoid** · February-16-12, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by Meddle

Would you rather have Cops downtown rousting drunks and schmoozing business owners or out in the neighborhoods where the real problems are?

Exactly. The residents need protection, and Downtown crime is so low [[statistics prove it time and again) the cops need to be where homicides and home invasions are common. Also, when I'm downtown I see cops all over the place, where does this person look? Hell I cant remember the last time I ate in Greektown and DIDNT see a cop stroll by. If this business owner thinks Greektown is too high crime, best of luck to him finding anywhere to suit his standards. Businesses are pouring into downtown currently [[boy isnt that nice to say!) and they do not seem to share these same concerns. The loss of a potential business is sad, but when the owner is being so illogical, there's not much you can do.

**MidTownMs** · February-16-12, 06:24 PM

Does anyone know what is happening with the spot where Hellas was? For a long time it was just a big hole. A few months ago it was leveled off. Maybe I missed the thread. What if anything is being planned for this spot

**stasu1213** · February-16-12, 06:28 PM

I would rather have them in both places. Neighborhoods first. I had figured the more businesses that are downtown the more revenue could be generated. Flintoid, I had seen trouble happened in restaurants in Greektown. The lady who work at one of the restaurants is not lying. When was the last time you had eaten in Greektown Flintoid? Was it at one of the bar and grills or a place such as Fishbones who has it's own bouncer like waiters. I go to these restaurants in the morning and early afternoon. Not at night, at the time that you probably went, where police presence is low. What makes you think that the incompetent Mayor and Council care about the neighborhood when they can't make downtown safe.

**DTFellow** · February-16-12, 06:40 PM

Flintoid, while I totally understand where you are coming from, something I think is also worth thinking about is WHY crime has been so low downtown... Might it be because of the increased police presence?

If Greektown becomes a haven for vagrants, people won't go. I don't think those who forsake Greektown are going to start going to Brightmoor instead...

**BrushStart** · February-16-12, 06:50 PM

The real root of the problem is an awful economy and a failing society that has produced an unnatural and disturbing number of vagrants, drunks, and other undesirables. These people have been de facto quarantined in the City of Detroit and they tend to congregate where some life still remains to beg for money, i.e. Greektown.

More police presence will not solve this problem unless the police are physically removing the growing hoard of destitute people whom we consider to be undesirable. The reality check here is that this situation is likely going to get worse and worse unless there are major systemic changes in our economy and society.

Downtown Detroit is a relative island of prosperity surrounded by many areas of total or near total destitution. Many people in these areas are physically or mentally sick, have drug addictions, handicaps, are undereducated, are conditioned to a life of criminal enterprise, have little to no economic opportunity or legitimate income, or have lost respect for themselves and others through extreme trauma during their lifetimes. No amount of police can fix this.

In terms of a deterrent, added police presence might have some marginal effect. But, the issues that concern this business owner are not easily solved and will probably get worse as time goes on. Either we must accept these things and live with the fact that we are surrounded by a growing wasteland for human beings, or we must fight to make major changes that result in a society that does not result in such catastrophe of human life.

**Meddle** · February-16-12, 06:55 PM

It's not the vagrants keeping people out of Greektown, it's the lack of Greektown keeping people away. There's nothing unique about it any more. It's just another street of bars and restaurants. Is the Old Shillelagh even still open?

I remember times when you could hardly walk down Monroe street there were so many people. Sometimes it took 20 minutes or more to drive the block if you could even turn onto it. Restaurants had lines and waiting lists. About the only place you could just walk into was The International. It may have been the ugliest, but it had some of the best food.

No Greektown, no people.

**Flintoid** · February-16-12, 08:57 PM

When police focused on Downtown, people complained that the city didn't care about the neighborhoods. When the police are refocused to the neighborhoods, people complain that police are forgetting Downtown. You can't win in that discussion. The solution to getting a more friendly Greektown is more white collar workers downtown during the day, more college educated residents in the CBD, more foot traffic and eyes on the street. Jane Jacobs knew what she was talking about when she described what makes urbanity safe. And if panhandling and drunks are the biggest of Greektown's problems, they'd best count their lucky stars. All urban areas suffer from panhandlers and drunks. Its what happens in a city, always has. And I would say that on most nights when there is an event downtown, Greektown is still packed to the brim with cars and pedestrians I was there last Saturday evening and after failing to find a restaurant without a wait [[and most of them with lines to the door), I walked over to Small Plates. I think we are over dramatizing anything going on in Greektown. I am upset that there has been a demolition trend as of late thanks to the casino, but overall it's a pretty healthy urban district with a mix of shops and restaurants [[regardless of their authentic Greek-ness).

**stasu1213** · February-17-12, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by Meddle

It's not the vagrants keeping people out of Greektown, it's the lack of Greektown keeping people away. There's nothing unique about it any more. It's just another street of bars and restaurants. Is the Old Shillelagh even still open?

I remember times when you could hardly walk down Monroe street there were so many people. Sometimes it took 20 minutes or more to drive the block if you could even turn onto it. Restaurants had lines and waiting lists. About the only place you could just walk into was The International. It may have been the ugliest, but it had some of the best food.

No Greektown, no people.

When Archer had awarded Greektown the rights to build a casino Greektown ban to lose it's appeal.

**stasu1213** · February-17-12, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by Flintoid

When police focused on Downtown, people complained that the city didn't care about the neighborhoods. When the police are refocused to the neighborhoods, people complain that police are forgetting Downtown. You can't win in that discussion. The solution to getting a more friendly Greektown is more white collar workers downtown during the day, more college educated residents in the CBD, more foot traffic and eyes on the street. Jane Jacobs knew what she was talking about when she described what makes urbanity safe. And if panhandling and drunks are the biggest of Greektown's problems, they'd best count their lucky stars. All urban areas suffer from panhandlers and drunks. Its what happens in a city, always has. And I would say that on most nights when there is an event downtown, Greektown is still packed to the brim with cars and pedestrians I was there last Saturday evening and after failing to find a restaurant without a wait [[and most of them with lines to the door), I walked over to Small Plates. I think we are over dramatizing anything going on in Greektown. I am upset that there has been a demolition trend as of late thanks to the casino, but overall it's a pretty healthy urban district with a mix of shops and restaurants [[regardless of their authentic Greek-ness).

Wrong! New York had banned panhandling in Midtown Manhattan. Chicago had done the same. They are thanking their lucky stars for it. Don't get me wrong; I am not above panhandling. One never knows his/her's fate in life. I had given money or bought a meal for a couple of them. There should be a time and place for everything. I consider an agressive panhandler, pick pocketer, muggers, and armed robbers thee vagrant. You don't have trouble with them in Downtown Royal Oak, Ferndale, Grosse Pointe, Birmingham, Dearborn Heights and sometimes Ann Arbor. You could have many white collar workers, college students, etc and the city leaders still would not be bright enough to have a more police present downtown during the daytime. Removing vagrants and panhandlers from the area during a major event such as The Winter Blast, The Jazz Festival, and playoffs is just putting a band aid on the problem. It is being decieving and hyprocrital too

**Gambling Man** · February-18-12, 03:56 AM

The original post in this message is virtually completely incorrect>>>other than the fact that this restaurant will never open. It was never really planned to open....but it is a long story. As for Greektown, there aren't any more vagrants than there were 14 years ago when I got here and have spent every day here since. Also, Greektown is becoming less "greek", by design. The Greek restaurants who have sold out, yes, sold out for large sums of money, did so because very few people want to eat Greek food anymore. As for demolition, what has the casino demolished in recent years exactly?? I can only name one in the past ten years, and it ended up filling in all of your precious "gaps in the streetwall". Everyone here needs to stop blaming everyone else for the problems of Detroit and its downtown. If you want to see it succeed you must actually come here and get all of your friends to do the same. YOU are the reason it isn't more than it is.............

**DetroitPlanner** · February-18-12, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by Gambling Man

The original post in this message is virtually completely incorrect>>>other than the fact that this restaurant will never open. It was never really planned to open....but it is a long story. As for Greektown, there aren't any more vagrants than there were 14 years ago when I got here and have spent every day here since. Also, Greektown is becoming less "greek", by design. The Greek restaurants who have sold out, yes, sold out for large sums of money, did so because very few people want to eat Greek food anymore. As for demolition, what has the casino demolished in recent years exactly?? I can only name one in the past ten years, and it ended up filling in all of your precious "gaps in the streetwall". Everyone here needs to stop blaming everyone else for the problems of Detroit and its downtown. If you want to see it succeed you must actually come here and get all of your friends to do the same. YOU are the reason it isn't more than it is.............

True!! Bravo! It takes a lot of money to run a greek restraunt properly. You think those belly dancers and bands play for free? If you take those away, all you have are glorified coney islands. Folks are not willing to pay for a decent meal with entertainment anymore. Thats why the Bazouki is now a nudie bar instead of a supper club and you got fast food places like Five Guys or Coldstone. Okay these are more expensive fast food places than McDonalds, but they are still not the same kind of experience you would get from a greek supper club of old.

Have your fast food and slot machines. Thats what you want. Be happy that is there and it don't look like Capitol Park.

**Danny** · February-18-12, 11:40 AM

Safety and security is business owners number one concern in the developing communities. L, Bistro's owner had made clear with its decision not to come to Greektown. If this owner thinks that DEAD [[C) KRAK HEADS, schizoblacks, mutants and po'folks running around Greektown like pigeon rats, that owner doesn't have to settle there. Greektown needs to boost up its image and fast. I don't want to see it dead like Detroit's Chinatown, Chaldeantown and Africantown. These owners are going to have be very vigilant since the Detroit police got other things on thier mind besides patroling your precious real estate. One day Greektown will come back to life and its Greekowned businesses will keep their traditiona alive.

**Flintoid** · February-18-12, 08:27 PM

This thread is becoming a joke. Greektown has tons of restaurants and places to go. When I pass through in the day, I hardly ever see panhandlers. At night, it's all suburbanites going to games or gambling. Where are these hordes of Greektown vagrants? And since when are there no panhandlers in Manhattan or Chicago to worry about? Last time I was in the Loop there were panhandlers galore, hell one man was just peeing on the sidewalk. I'm not sure where these fantastical illusions of a run down Greektown or Utopian Chicago are coming from, but they are both incredibly illogical. So the neighborhood isn't as Greek as it once was, and yes that is unfortunate, but that doesn't mean it's in decline. Five Guys and Endzone have moved into those spaces, and it's moreso becoming an interesting bar district with a decidedly less ethnic flair. This is ok though, and it does not mean that the neighborhood is declining. And I'd rather see the cops arresting home invaders and murderers than panhandlers who are harmless 9 times out of 10 [[and still whom I don't see many more of in Downtown Detroit than in any other major downtown). Prioritize.

**detroitpride313** · February-18-12, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by Flintoid

Also, when I'm downtown I see cops all over the place...I cant remember the last time I ate in Greektown and DIDNT see a cop stroll by.

That's the same thing that I was thinking. I always see police in Greektown and if I don't see the actual officers walking around I see a car parked on the street corner just to let people know that the police are in the area.