A lot of stuff many people here thought would be impossible even just 20 years ago has happened this year alone as we wrap up a historic year in 2024. Here's just some of the highlights Detroit has seen this year:
- For the first time since 1957, Detroit's population grows, adding just under 2,000 new residents.
- Once one of Detroit's most notorious ruins, Michigan Central Station reopens as the centerpiece of a new tech hub.
- The Gordie Howe Bridge becomes connected on both ends and will open in the fall of 2025.
- Hudson's tops off at just under 700 feet to become the new second tallest building in Detroit and Michigan.
- Henry Ford Health breaks ground on a new $2 billion expansion of its New Center hospital campus.
- Detroit City FC announces plans to build a new 14,000-seat stadium on the site of the long-abandoned Southwest Hospital near Michigan Central Station.
- Marriott breaks ground on a new $400 million riverfront hotel complex, including restoring 2nd Avenue to the river and a connection to Huntington Place.
- 17,000 homes across Detroit that were vacant in 2019 are now occupied, mostly by Detroit residents.
- Michigan State University breaks ground on a new advanced medical research campus in New Center.
- The University of Michigan pushes ahead with its new downtown research campus, including a startup incubator and residential tower.
- The Michigan Legislature passes a bill that eliminates SMART opt-outs in Wayne County, which could finally completely unify transit service across Metro Detroit.
- Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Park makes great progress and will open in the fall of 2025.
- The Detroit Lions clinch their most successful season in franchise history and are considered favorites to reach Super Bowl LIX.
- Detroit shatters NFL Draft attendance records with 740,000 attendees over a three-day period.
- Dan Gilbert announces a new life sciences research hub on the Fail Jail site, in partnership with Ferris State University and Tech Town incubators.
- The Joe Louis Greenway approaches the halfway point of completion as more new segments make progress.
- Detroit's homicide and violent crime rates continue falling to their lowest rates in decades.
And here's some stuff to look forward to in 2025:
- The historic Belle Isle Boathouse might see restoration work begin.
- The Music Hall will begin work on an expanded performance center this spring.
- The historic Fisher Body 21 plant, another former notorious ruin, will be redeveloped into 400+ housing units in the largest Black-led development project Detroit has ever seen.
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