Focus Areas
Despite city hall's propensity to knock down historic structures, Detroit's building stock remains pretty remarkable for a city of its size. From humble Victorians in Corktown to sprawling mansions in Indian Village, from Yamasaki's sleek and calm McGregor Conference Center to the jaw-dropping deco design on display at the Guardian Building, the city's got enough in the bricks-'n'-mortar department to keep those tourist cameras snapping.
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It's been proven that bleak times bring out the best in creative minds.
The acronyms -- MOCAD, DSO, MOT, DAM, and DIA -- provide the foundation
for a healthy scene. Plus there's little venues, tiny galleries and
obscure performance spaces. Art is bursting from the city's seams.
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One thing about Detroiters: When they see a need for something in their city, they are likely to take action to fill the void. From clothing boutiques to acupuncture clinics, from bike shops to restaurants, from dance studios to book stores, locals are thinking small ... in a big way.
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Lured by tax incentives, Hollywood has discovered the Mitten State in a big way ... and Detroit's architecture and talent keeps 'em coming back. Not that locals aren't playing a role in the boom as well: comedy, noir, sci-fi, blaxploitation ... you name the genre and guaranteed, someone around here is shooting a scene.
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There are lots of hopeful signs that Detroit is taking sustainability seriously, with bicycling, recycling, urban agriculture, green architecture and renewable energy each at the forefront of serious conversations about the city's future. A long time coming, but well worth the wait.
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Wayne State University is one of the state's largest universities and, with its role as a partner with TechTown and NextEnergy, its research reach and national stature continues to grow. Add in the College for Creative Studies, which just opened a second campus, University of Detroit Mercy, which has Michigan's only Division 1 lacrosse team, and Marygrove College's impressive urban leadership work. All in all, not too shabby in the knowledge department for a blue-collar town.
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Despite a slow and steady population loss, Detroit is attracting new residents and welcoming back wayward sons and daughters. The lure of cheap real estate is part of it, but many speak also of possibility, potential and room for creativity. And cheap real estate.
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What's old is new again…and brownfield and historic preservation tax credits available to careful and diligent developers mean that old is more than just aesthetically pleasing, it's economically viable. Add in the inherent sustainability of reuse, and the triple-bottom-line survey says: redevelopment is the way to go.
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Dollars spent in the D are likely to be re-spent here: an estimated $68 out of every $100 versus just $43 from that same hundo dropped at a national chain. With indie retailers popping up all around town, spreading -- and keeping -- wealth inside the city limits is getting easier and easier.
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An improved bus system and light rail are top priorities for many in this region. It seems that, as most of the country's thriving metropolises boast impressive transit, everyone agrees that the time has come to get Detroit moving.
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