Speaker Series follow-up: How Southwest Detroit Grows

Why Southwest Detroit?

"It's dense. It's diverse. It's exciting," Margaret Garry of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority told the crowd at Model D's April Speaker Series event last week at the Detroit Yacht Club.

"It's the one part of Detroit that's growing," added John Van Camp of Southwest Solutions, a nonprofit that works to build investment and housing opportunities in the neighborhoods there.

Kathy Wendler of the Southwest Detroit Business Association told the audience that a building the group developed in 1995 cost $80,000 then, plus $1.3 million to renovate. A similar property alone would cost about $1 million now, without the renovations. She talked about how the neighborhood has added 15 taquerias -- or restaurants -- in 5 years, and the demand for such services has outpaced her own expectations. "People are there for the opportunity," she said. She and others spoke of national retailers interested in the area, as well as successful locally owned enterprises that are expanding.

Audience members asked about plans for the Michigan Central Station structure and old Tiger Stadium. Panelists said what they'd like to see at the old station: Trains or a tourist attraction. As for Tiger Stadium, the crowd was directed to efforts to save part and redevelop the rest, and told to go to the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy's web site, which should be online soon: www.oldtigerstadiumconservancy.org/. They were also directed to the Greater Corktown Development Corp. for more info.

Tours of the neighborhood will be offered in May from Inside Detroit. Go to www.insidedetroit.org.

And read this week's FilterD for more on the Cinco de Mayo celebrations there, which are another great way to Explore the Detour.

Thanks to all on our panel for participating, and watch Model D for info on next month's event.

Writer: Clare Pfeiffer Ramsey, editor, Model D