If this site were a solid bet for retail, the developers wouldn't be dependent on millions in taxpayer subsidies to move forward.
I don't see how we "move forward" as a region by directing scarce resources to more empty retail space. You have the Northland area, just to the west [[and a much better location in terms of local demographics and traffic counts) as a totally failed retail location. There are very significant amounts of empty retail all along 8 Mile.
If I were Emporer of All, I might direct tax dollars to revitalazation of smaller-scale, neighborhood-oriented retail along Livernois. The areas just to the east of Livernois are the most affluent in Detroit, and could support improved neighborhood retail. A stronger Livernois would likely result in significant improvements in neighborhood retail and residential values.
In contrast, the region doesn't need more giant big box centers, especially if we're talking corridors with tons of empty big box retail. If Target wants a store along 8 Mile, they already have a large number of [[non-taxpayer subsidized) options.
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