GM and Daimler Chrysler both working on new Detroit developments
According to Channel 4 News, There are two new developments planned for Detroit.
The first is a Middle Eastern community. The Arab American and Chaldean Council have received $100,000 from DaimlerChrysler for development such as new restaurants and bakeries. The community is set to be located between Woodward and John R, along 7 Mile.
Secondly, more news on the riverfront development. GM has decided to move forward on a 13-acre ‘mixed-use urban village along the river between Beaubien and Rivard. Hopes are set for a move-in-date of late 2007.
An artist’s concept drawing can be found here. I enjoy the flood of pedestrians shown in the drawing.
$100,000 for redevelopment of a whole new community? What will that money do? Buy a bunch of tents? Even one small business would require $250,000 to START! I think it is a bunch of talk, without any reality to it.
-C.T.
I’m pretty sure the $100,000 isn’t going to be used to directly fund these businesses. But it costs the council money to plan for development and to recruit businesses.
I think its a decent amount of money for one company to donate as a boost to start something.
i wish they’d move the Middle Eastern Community further downtown, but something is better than nothing…
Baliad, I was thinking the same thing, but then I realized it would be a great midpoint between RO and Downtown along Woodward. Maybe this could be a step closer to the much rumored mass transit system along that route.
i see your point… i guess since i’m a Midtowner/Downtowner, i just wanna hear about more development goin’ into my ‘hood…
I too wish that Chaldean Town was closer to downtown but moving it from where it exists now would probably be as successful as the Chinatown move when it was replaced with freeways. At least it is at Woodward, they can be proponents for light rail along that corridor. That area can definitely use some investment, it has the people and the energy and the business.
I would rather see the Arab/Chaldean town in southwest Detroit–near East Dearborn and the large Arab population. Downtown development is important, but the surrounding areas need a lot of work, and the 7 Mile area is no exception.
Hooray!