Gov. Jennifer Granholm called it “our moment.”
With international media representatives crammed into one of the ballrooms at Detroit’s Renaissance Center, Kilpatrick, Granholm, Lewand, Super Bowl XL Host Committee Chairman Roger Penske and Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis welcomed the world to Detroit on Monday at a 2 p.m. press conference.
“This game has served as a catalyst to move Detroit in a way in economic development that we hadn’t moved in 50 years,” Kilpatrick said.
He pointed to developments in the past 3½ years as proof, citing development of Campus Martius, Washington Boulevard and the Woodward corridor as example. He also cited plans for redevelopment of the former Uniroyal site near Belle Isle by Pittsburgh-based Bettis/Betters Development.
Kilpatrick said it was the city’s goal to open 50 new businesses between the time it was announced the Super Bowl would be coming and the time of the game. Kilpatrick said 70 have opened, including 35 restaurants.
Granholm called it the state’s time to shine and challenged anyone who plans to tarnish Detroit’s image with cheap shots to come and experience it themselves.
“For those outside of Michigan who might look down their noses at the state or the city, this is our moment to welcome the world, and we invite David Letterman or Jimmy Kimmel or anyone to come and experience winter and sports and music. … This is our moment to begin to turn that perception, and we think we will.”
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