Yes, Virginia, the economic meltdown that eradicated Mommy's 401K is affecting development in the city. How could it not?
"Even good business deals are having problems getting financing, not just marginal or weak deals," says George Jackson, head of the
Detroit Economic Growth Corp. "It's definitely hurt us, and other cities too."
But local economic development leaders like Jackson and
Detroit Renaissance president Doug Rothwell also want to get another point across, and their purpose is clear: to get the word out that Detroit is still making development happen.
Bring in new bloodRothwell says Detroit Renaissance is focusing a lot of attention on diversification of the economy. He explains that, because Detroit is so manufacturing-heavy when it comes to its capital, the credit crunch can hurt us even more than other, less homogenous towns. So the focus is on bringing in new blood.
"We've done an awful lot of work to identify and target … businesses that have a reason to be here," says Rothwell. Rather than a "shotgun" approach to nurturing relationships with any and all businesses that are potentially relocating, spinning off or starting up, a "targeted" approach is being used.
Life sciences, creative industries, alternative energy, business services (think legal, financial) and advanced manufacturing have been selected because of relative imperviousness to the current economic conditions, site needs and relationship to Detroit's talent base.
While the economy makes their work all the more difficult, Jackson says, "This is not a time to withdraw." DEGC is using approximately $1.3 million – up from just $200,000 two years ago – to go on trade missions, meet with companies one on one, engage in a marketing and public perception campaign and to better interact with trade groups like Automation Alley and the Detroit Regional Chamber. "No one is going to sell Detroit better that we can," he says.
DEGC is engaging in a proactive, rather than reactive campaign, building relationships years out from when a company might actually be looking for space. "The economy will not always be this way, not in every sector," he says.
Initiatives designed to help in this regard are the Detroit Neighborhood Market DrillDown, which develops demographics in a manner much more urban-friendly than traditional census methods; the Office of Foreclosures, which coordinates resources that can help minimize that particular problem; and the Fresh Food Initiative, which will soon release a study designed to draw in new grocers and improve existing ones.
None of this would be possible without the increased role that foundation support is playing. The success of the
Lower Woodward Initiative that helped shape up downtown for the Super Bowl is now being used as a template for other such collaborations like the
East Jefferson Retail-Readiness Program.
"There is a growing comfort level there," says Jackson. "From a fiduciary standpoint, we've been very successful, with a low overhead."
What's happeningJackson and Rothwell want to be clear that development has continued through the recent mayoral scandal and ensuing City Hall shake-up. "We never stopped working," says Jackson. "Things did not grind to a halt." He has a laundry list to prove his point.
The scope of Eastern Market's recently-completed district plan calls for $50 million of investment – up from the originally-estimated $20 million. Jackson calls it "ambitious" and says that the expanded scope is due in part to the market's new director,
Dan Carmody.
Jackson says that he was initially wary about the
Dequindre Cut – which has apparently been renamed the Dequindre Greenway – but now admits it "looks pretty nice." The first phase – Woodbridge to Gratiot – is almost finished and negotiations with property owners continue on the second phase that will extend the trail north to Mack.
The
Paradise Valley cultural and entertainment district in the Harmonie Park area is progressing nicely according to Jackson, with infrastructure improvements are underway who and "three deals nearing" for new businesses to locate there.
The
Rosa Parks Transit Center will open in the spring, after some roof design issues delayed construction by a few months. Then, Capitol Park can revel in some much-needed attention; when RPTC opens, buses will cease to clutter the area, allowing for a re-consideration of traffic flow and infrastructure. The Book-Cadillac as a neighbor should help matters some.
When it comes to Cobo Hall, Jackson became coy, stating only that the relevant parties were "still talking." He had a bit more to say about
Quicken Loans' downtown relocation. "We're plugging along on the development agreement," he says, citing site selection and parking issues as current topics of conversation, but insists that the current economic climate is not putting the deal in jeopardy. "[The discussion is] not about whether they are coming or not."
As the East Riverfront continues to evolve – construction recently began on the expansion of
Tricentennial Park – Jackson had a bit to say about three of the district's residential condo developments. In the current climate, the agency understands that high-end residential units are not being snapped up like free loaves of bread.
Part of the problem is that potential buyers of high-end riverfront units are going to have houses of their own to sell. But Jackson isn't ready to chuck in the current plan for the district in favor of more affordable plan for the area. "We only have one river – the riverfront should be pretty high end," he says. "If it takes more time, so be it, but I don't think we should force a fit and be reactive."
But they do want to see the developers making visible efforts. On the one hand
Watermark is still listed as a go. Jackson cited the fact that the developers are making a concerted effort to sell the units and that they have continued to invest their own funds into the project. On the other, @Water Lofts are dead in the, um, water. Jackson says the development agreement has been terminated due to lack of progress.
The third residential riverfront development at the Uniroyal site, because of its high level of contamination, has been problematic since well before the current financial crisis. Jackson says the state has adopted an approved remediation plan that names the polluting parties, but that their level of responsibility is still being negotiated.
Following the strait back downtown, Jackson is scheduled to meet with Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. this week about plans for Hart Plaza. The concept calls for the demolition of Ford Auditorium; the construction of a new, larger amphitheater; and an overall softening and greening of the park. Plan A, as he characterizes it, focuses on landscaping and infrastructure while Plan B would also expand the underground parking structure from 400 to 800 spaces. Financing remains a question.
Kelli B. Kavanaugh writes about Development News for Model D. Send feedback and tips
here.
photos:
Dequindre Cut
The new facade on Eastern Market's Shed 2 serves as a backdrop for local film crew.
Rosa Parks Terminal
Harmonie Park
Westin Book Cadillac
All photographs by Marvin Shaouni
Marvin Shaouni is the managing photographer for Metromode & Model D.