Downtown Detroit

Detroit’s investment in rapid transit would bring jobs, developments

A report released by Transportation Riders United details rapid transit's effect on Detroit. It would be thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in new development.Excerpt:“The greater Detroit area could achieve billions of dollars in new development and thousands of jobs just like dozens of other cities have, by investing in light rail transit,” said TRU Executive Director Megan Owens.  “By making major investments in rapid transit, Michigan could jumpstart its economy and plant the seeds for long-term economic growth.”Because many people want to live, work, shop and play near convenient rapid transit, developers in many cities choose to build near transit stations.  Research by the American Public Transit Association has found that property values near transit stations are generally 25% higher than similar property elsewhere.   Rapid transit systems in the four metro regions examined in the report have sparked massive investments in retail stores, grocery stores, restaurants, residential and other housing units, office buildings, movie theaters, cafes, and more.  Many developers point to the rail station as a major factor in deciding to build, a very attractive feature to buyers, and a key to their success.Read the entire release here.

Three-county transit plan to be unveiled Wednesday

A draft of a regional, three-county transit plan will be unveiled Wednesday. It will highlight suggested improvements, such as light rail, and how to fund them.Excerpt:The plan is the product of the Regional Transportation Coordinating Council. Hertel’s job as CEO of Detroit Regional Mass Transit, the parent of the council, is to develop the plan and drum up regional consensus for it, and he reports to the executives of the three counties and the mayor of Detroit.Forming the background of the plan is a $400,000 regional transit study by Kansas City-based transportation consulting firm TranSystems Corp.The new-construction aspect of the plan is expected to revolve around a light-rail line on Woodward Avenue, which would feed into other proposed routes, such as a Detroit-Ann Arbor line in the works by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments regional planning agency.Read the entire article here.

Postal workers convention coming to Cobo

A lot of mailmen and women will be in town. The postal workers convention will be swinging into town bringing 3,300 delegates and shooting several million dollars into the local economy.Excerpt:The convention will span five nights in August 2010 and bring 3,300 delegates to town, said Renee Monforton, spokeswoman for the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau.With more than 15,000 hotel room nights to be booked for the convention, the event is expected to pump several million dollars into the local economy.Read the entire article here.

Model D TV: Cafe D’Mongo’s

Cafe D'Mongo's Speakeasy is one-of-a-kind. With a soul food menu, great cocktails and the looks of a lounge singer's estate sale, it draws a clientele that includes hipsters, politicians and neighborhood residents.

Revisiting Portland, Thinking of Detroit Regionalism

Portland looks better than ever. As Detroiter Francis Grunow revisits the Rose City, he contemplates how the regional cooperation that's worked for Portland could could make the Motor City a better place, too.

DSO offers deal to those under 37: $11 tickets

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra is broadening what used to be its student discount deal to allow anybody under age 37 to purchase tickets for its shows for just $11, and as early as 1-3 weeks before a performance. And it's not just for tickets in the balcony (although, the balcony actually offers the best sound); the deal is for the best seats available. You must register online to purchase tickets under the program. Get more information here.

DDOT launches trial run of Bikes on Buses, new stop signage to be introduced

Forum on predatory lending Sept. 16 at MotorCity Casino

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is sponsoring an event to educate about predatory lending and the mortgage crisis. The event, held at the MotorCity Casino between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., will have a number of expert speakers and a variety of workshops exploring and educating on the topic... and it's free to the public.To register for the forum, call (800) 871-9012, ext. 70948 or (800) 77-8339 for TTY.  Individuals can also register by sending an e-mail to HUD2008MediaCampaign@gmail.com.

Initiatives look to find, promote creatives in Detroit

They are here, the creatives. However, Detroit has to find them, spotlight them, and keep them in the city. There are several initiatives in the city to do just that.Excerpt:There is no question that Detroit has a great creative community, and cultivating and expanding it is more important than ever. There are several pieces of a larger initiative designed to achieve this. The first is a creative sector asset map that was launched June 11 on our "Detroit Make It Here" Web site to find resources in the area for the arts and other creative industries. Another effort is the Creative Corridor development strategy for Woodward Avenue -- from the New Center to the river. Using public art, facade improvements, lighting of historic buildings and pulling together several projects -- including a Creative Business Accelerator -- we hope to keep that area dense with creative energy. An important part of that will be connecting the corridor with transit. Attracting target companies from key industries outside the region is important. Offering tax incentives will encourage investors to come and stay here. Read the entire article here.