New Detroit residents, workers speed downtown revival

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By John Gallagher andGreta Guest

Detroit Free Press Business Writers


Public relations professional David Lilly left New York City two years ago for a downtown Detroit neighborhood that was "a pretty lonely place," he recalls.

Since then, more than 10,000 workers have descended on downtown, with hundreds snatching up available rental housing or buying properties as their new home address.

With the windfall of employed people, there's a palpable difference in the look, feel and culture in the greater downtown district. Restaurants buzz at lunchtime. Clubs hop at night. Small-store owners are expanding operations, adding space and employees to meet greater demand for yoga, house wares, dry cleaning, food and more.

There are traffic jams in the morning -- and after work on streets that were once abandoned after dark. New residents walk their dogs, buy coffee, get haircuts.

Outlanders have always come to the casinos and on game days flooded the streets as they hit bars and restaurants or visited Greektown. But now, there's also something steadier, something more regular.

Full story: http://www.freep.com/article/2012081...wntown-revival

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See also:

Downtown Gems- http://www.freep.com/article/2012081...-Downtown-gems

[Richard]

The Jems one is a nice public service , but why the need to specify Mr Gilberts buildings and not name the owners of the other points of interest?

[Lowell]

One of the big differences I notice downtown is during lunchtimes and after work. Overall there is much more liveliness and people walking the streets. The Campus Marius / Cadillac Square is particularly humming. The idea and fulfillment of that space has been a dramatic success.

No, I'm not saying downtown is jammed sidewalks around Hudson's at Christmas time, but there certainly aren't tumbleweeds rolling down the streets anymore.

Another noticeable thing is the youthfulness of those I see downtown. It's hard to describe, but the the 'feel' has changed. There's a feeling of freshness and energy. And that momentum is gaining.

[mikeg19]

There are a lot of good things happening downtown and some surrounding areas, but it's still too often that the reports of murders and burglaries are front page headlines. What is most alarming to me are the reasons for them happening [[arguments, someone looked at someone's girlfriend, etc). These things won't stop me from going downtown and enjoying myself, as you have just as much chance getting car jacked at 12 & Dequindre as you do parking next to the Masonic Temple. More cops on the street=safer city=more people working and living downtown. It's already happening, but just imagine the rate at which people would migrate downtown if it were viewed as "truly" safe.

[poobert]

Getting haircuts? What? Be still my soul. People are getting haricuts and - what is that you say - drinking coffee and walking their dogs downtown?

While downtown IS positively bustling these days, many of us have been drinking coffee, walking our dogs, and getting haircuts in the city for years. We've even been clipping our toenails, getting oil changes, and pooping in toilets. It was just never written about by some tool.

[Hamtragedy]

I wouldn't classify John Gallagher as some tool. He's been writing about the better stories of Detroit for years.

But I think some perspective is needed here. After 40 years of urban policy concentrating on downtown and the environs, and after a million people have left, now downtown is making a revival?

[royce]

Downtown is overrated. Gratiot and McNichols/Six-Mile is the place to be.

[kenp]

It is cool to see the weekday activity downtown. Weekends are still lonely.
Hopefully more people will decide to move downtown were they work.

[poobert]

I wouldn't classify John Gallagher as some tool. He's been writing about the better stories of Detroit for years.

But I think some perspective is needed here. After 40 years of urban policy concentrating on downtown and the environs, and after a million people have left, now downtown is making a revival?

Well, for example, you just added more depth to the discussion than his entire article.

He was always okay by me till he wrote that article a few months back lauding George Jackson himself as a big savior of downtown. The fact that nothing could be further from the truth aside, It became pretty clear to me then that Gallagher has become just another member of the decadent, atrophied Detroit establishment.

[Pcm]

Getting haircuts? What? Be still my soul. People are getting haricuts and - what is that you say - drinking coffee and walking their dogs downtown?

While downtown IS positively bustling these days, many of us have been drinking coffee, walking our dogs, and getting haircuts in the city for years. We've even been clipping our toenails, getting oil changes, and pooping in toilets. It was just never written about by some tool.

I've pooped here for six years. Before that, I pooped in mid-Michigan.