Crains: Dan Gilbert to Roll Out Retail Plan

**Gistok** · November-12-12, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by gthomas

Well, maybe we can get something much taller on the Monroe, Statler and Tuller Site. No less than 30-stories, it should make a statement. We have to think outside the box a little, design wise.

You mean like Quinn's old idea for a new Quickens HQ for the Statler? lol...

**gthomas** · November-12-12, 02:53 PM

Lol, I love it!! Yes something similar to that, it kind of fit with the other surrounding architecture.

**401don** · November-12-12, 02:58 PM

It's all relative. In Toronto there's an announcement for another 80 storey building every week and everybody's bitching about it.

**DetroitPlanner** · November-12-12, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

No wig shop?

Thats crazy talk! Detroit can't handle wig shops right now. Maybe in another few years once the dime stores and beauty supplies come back we can talk about the wig shops.

Regarding Quinn's building. A builing of that size would empty out many of the existing skysrapers, better be careful what ya ask for.

**gthomas** · November-12-12, 03:46 PM

Speaking of retail plans!! Lets welcome 7-Eleven to Detroit! They looking to open several stores Downtown, Midtown and Cass area very soon, 6 is planned in city limits. http://blog.thedetroithub.com/tag/7-eleven/

**DetroitPlanner** · November-12-12, 03:58 PM

The neighborhood I grew up in you could not swing a dead cat without hitting a Seven-11. [[Franklin Park). They were everywhere.

I've noticed 7-11s coming in around the State and being co-run with gas stations. While this is not new, they all used to be Citgos. Now they seem to be all different types of brands.

**Spartan** · November-12-12, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by gthomas

Speaking of retail plans!! Lets welcome 7-Eleven to Detroit! They looking to open several stores Downtown, Midtown and Cass area very soon, 6 is planned in city limits. http://blog.thedetroithub.com/tag/7-eleven/

Awesome news. I hope they plan to be open late like other 7-Elevens. This is the kind of the thing that can cater as much to city-dwellers as to workers/visitors, which is a great step in the right direction.

**gthomas** · November-12-12, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by Spartan

Awesome news. I hope they plan to be open late like other 7-Elevens. This is the kind of the thing that can cater as much to city-dwellers as to workers/visitors, which is a great step in the right direction.

Naysayer's are piss right now, especially in 2013. Sooo looking forward to 2013 in Detroit, we're on the roll with many more to come. Lots of investment going on, I can't list all the things off the top of my head. So many is planned...that's a good thing to forget all of the development happening.

**syrett4** · November-12-12, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by gthomas

Naysayer's are piss right now, especially in 2013. Sooo looking forward to 2013 in Detroit, we're on the roll with many more to come. Lots of investment going on, I can't list all the things off the top of my head. So many is planned...that's a good thing to forget all of the development happening.

I know! I've wanted to move down there for 3 years now and finally can in April, and I feel like I've already missed out on a lot! Can't wait to get down there and be a positive force in the area and to maybe influence others to follow my lead.

Shollin · November-12-12, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by gthomas

Naysayer's are piss right now, especially in 2013. Sooo looking forward to 2013 in Detroit, we're on the roll with many more to come. Lots of investment going on, I can't list all the things off the top of my head. So many is planned...that's a good thing to forget all of the development happening.

I don't think naysayers are pissed because a 711 really isn't progress. We're talking about getting things that every major city has already had for decades. Honestly, I didn't know Detroit didn't have any 711's. I just assumed a city with more liquor stores than grocery stores would already have a few 711's.

**Spartan** · November-12-12, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Shollin

We're talking about getting things that every major city has already had for decades.

you don't consider that progress? That's a big part of the problem, Detroit doesn't have things that other cities have had for decades.

**gthomas** · November-12-12, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by Shollin

I don't think naysayers are pissed because a 711 really isn't progress. We're talking about getting things that every major city has already had for decades. Honestly, I didn't know Detroit didn't have any 711's. I just assumed a city with more liquor stores than grocery stores would already have a few 711's.

Like I said, it's more than just "7-Elevens", we are experiencing more than I can remember right now. Did you not read what I said, "There is plenty of development going around, 7-Eleven is just another part of it". You must not live in Detroit proper..did you read what Gilbert has in store for downtown, 2-dozen planned retail. Not to mention, two Meijers, Whole Foods, BWW, Moosejaw, Somerset...I mean I go on and on. NOW that's progress...

**gthomas** · November-12-12, 05:25 PM

Naysayer's said awhile back that these type of retails and developments won't happen anytime soon in Detroit, that's my point here. It's progress in my book..maybe not to you...

**mikeg19** · November-12-12, 05:42 PM

I'm always waiting to see a new 50-70 story tower announcement for Detroit. Maybe in the next decade something of that magnitude will come along. In the mean time, and leading up to something like that, fill in the Book Tower. PLEASE.

Shollin · November-12-12, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by gthomas

Like I said, it's more than just "7-Elevens", we are experiencing more than I can remember right now. Did you not read what I said, "There is plenty of development going around, 7-Eleven is just another part of it". You must not live in Detroit proper..did you read what Gilbert has in store for downtown, 2-dozen planned retail. Not to mention, two Meijers, Whole Foods, BWW, Moosejaw, Somerset...I mean I go on and on. NOW that's progress...

I haven't lived in the city proper since 1993. Since then I've seen the neighborhood go downhill and cops getting shot and killed on my former block. I saw the rise and fall of BellAire center and the grand opening of Kroger on 7 and Gratiot. So many neighborhoods have been destroyed in the last 15-20 years but because some yuppies have moved into small areas of the city i'm suppose to view that as progress? The city is in worse shape then when I left in 93. I've seen these grand retail plans come and go. I give the downtown ones more of a chance to survive. I can't see the Gateway shoppes surviving. I would be thrilled if a major retailer like Target or Macy's opened a permanent store downtown.

**gthomas** · November-12-12, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by mikeg19

I'm always waiting to see a new 50-70 story tower announcement for Detroit. Maybe in the next decade something of that magnitude will come along. In the mean time, and leading up to something like that, fill in the Book Tower. PLEASE.

This can become the Book Tower :
The Ritz-Carlton Residences

**gthomas** · November-12-12, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by Shollin

I haven't lived in the city proper since 1993. Since then I've seen the neighborhood go downhill and cops getting shot and killed on my former block. I saw the rise and fall of BellAire center and the grand opening of Kroger on 7 and Gratiot. So many neighborhoods have been destroyed in the last 15-20 years but because some yuppies have moved into small areas of the city i'm suppose to view that as progress? The city is in worse shape then when I left in 93. I've seen these grand retail plans come and go. I give the downtown ones more of a chance to survive. I can't see the Gateway shoppes surviving. I would be thrilled if a major retailer like Target or Macy's opened a permanent store downtown.

If you think it's just a "small" number of yuppies moving here, think again. Not to mention thousands living, working and playing here..and I'm not a yuppie. Yes, several neighborhoods has been destroyed but lets talk about the neighborhoods that are experiencing growth despite that. Was any of these retail here in 93, and these type of development downtown and surrounding neighborhoods? The Belle Air Center and Krogers on 7mile area were in poverty, high crime areas which caused it to be destroyed. The current development plans are in areas where people have money and aesthetically in nice neighborhoods, Palmer Woods-Green Acre, Midtown, Downtown, Grandmont-Rosedale districts..etc.

Yes, we have ways to go but it's progressing. More development overall is happening now than in 93, we are growing despite population decreasing in some areas. Lots of changes are on its way and we have to embrace it. We all know crime is ridiculous, but what city doesn't have it...are you going to let that "make or break you" or move forward with whats happening now?

Shollin · November-12-12, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by gthomas

If you think it's just a "small" number of yuppies moving here, think again. Not to mention thousands living, working and playing here..and I'm not a yuppie. Yes, several neighborhoods has been destroyed but lets talk about the neighborhoods that are experiencing growth despite that. Was any of these retail here in 93, and these type of development downtown and surrounding neighborhoods? The Belle Air Center and Krogers on 7mile area were in poverty, high crime areas which caused it to be destroyed. The current development plans are in areas where people have money and aesthetically in nice neighborhoods, Palmer Woods-Green Acre, Midtown, Downtown, Grandmont-Rosedale districts..etc.

Yes, we have ways to go but it's progressing. More development overall is happening now than in 93, we are growing despite population decreasing in some areas. Lots of changes are on its way and we have to embrace it. We all know crime is ridiculous, but what city doesn't have it...are you going to let that "make or break you" or move forward with whats happening now?

That's false. The area around BellAire was not in poverty and high crime areas. I lived at 8 Mile and Schoenherr the time BellAire opened and that was middle class with low crime and steadily increasing property values. 8 Mile from Kelly all the way down to Van Dyke was middle class. The problem is people came from down in the city, ruined the store, and prevented people from wanting to shop there. In 93 we were talking about building casinos and stadiums and the Comerica Tower just opened and the Fox Theater was recently rennovated so yea there was development. It wasn't one person buying abandoned buildings. Even more ironic is the east side of Downtown where Gilbert has done most of his work, has lost population between 2000-2010 and most of Midtown lost population.

Also, do you even know where the Gateway Shoppes are going? Have you looked at the neighborhood between Woodward and John R?

**gthomas** · November-12-12, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by Shollin

Also, do you even know where the Gateway Shoppes are going? Have you looked at the neighborhood between Woodward and John R?

Yes, sure do.. 8mile and Woodward. Do you know what's planned in that area? New housing is planned in the area, ask Magic Johnson. Eventually the whole neighborhood will be developed surrounding his plans. Palmer Park area is renovating numerous residential buildings and houses around there...which is PROGRESS. Yes, it's not perfect but we are progressing, which is the whole point here. That area will be very attractive when finally done...

**Wheels** · November-12-12, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by gthomas

Yes, sure do.. 8mile and Woodward. Do you know what's planned in that area? New housing is planned in the area, ask Magic Johnson. Eventually the whole neighborhood will be developed surrounding his plans. Palmer Park area is renovating numerous residential buildings and houses around there...which is PROGRESS. Yes, it's not perfect but we are progressing, which is the whole point here. That area will be very attractive when finally done...

Take a drive around Robinwood. Someone needs to tell those people that the Calvary is coming. It's a war zone right now.

**dtowncitylover** · November-12-12, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by Shollin

Also, do you even know where the Gateway Shoppes are going? Have you looked at the neighborhood between Woodward and John R?

Yeah and the residents of Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Oak Park, Huntington Woods, south Royal Oak, RO Township, and Hazel Park don't matter either I guess. My sister lives in Ferndale and is thrilled about this.

**Hermod** · November-12-12, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

No wig shop?

No, I was thinking of a fine wine store which stocked such Detroit favorites as Thunderbird, Ripple, and TJ Swann.

Shollin · November-12-12, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by dtowncitylover

Yeah and the residents of Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Oak Park, Huntington Woods, south Royal Oak, RO Township, and Hazel Park don't matter either I guess. My sister lives in Ferndale and is thrilled about this.

Most of those you mentioned are closer to Meijer in Madison Heights or Royal Oak. I live in Sterling Heights and people don't want to shop at the Walmart at 14 and Van Dyke because of the Detroiters who destroy the store.

LOL people from Huntington Woods and Pleasant Ridge shopping in Detroit. That's as silly as Grosse Pointers shopping at Eastland.

**Hermod** · November-12-12, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Wheels

Take a drive around Robinwood. Someone needs to tell those people that the Calvary is coming. It's a war zone right now.

Calvary coming for Detroit is far more likely than the Cavalry coming!

**gthomas** · November-12-12, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by Shollin

Most of those you mentioned are closer to Meijer in Madison Heights or Royal Oak. I live in Sterling Heights and people don't want to shop at the Walmart at 14 and Van Dyke because of the Detroiters who destroy the store.

LOL people from Huntington Woods and Pleasant Ridge shopping in Detroit. That's as silly as Grosse Pointers shopping at Eastland.

^^^Your one of those naysayers I was mentioning about, SMH! So, I guess people from the suburbs aren't shopping in Detroit. You are totally lost, I have plenty of friends and others who shops in Detroit rather than in the suburbs and they're from the suburbs. Just accept the fact, its very much possible..keep in mind Detroiter's spend hundreds in millions of dollars in the suburbs. So, its fine if one or two naysayers won't shop here in Detroit due to the self-centered mentality. We will be ok...