Development, Growth, and the Future- Choices To Be Made

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Ahh, Tiger Stadium-the old ballpark. So many memories for us all. That was certainly the place to go to see a game up close and get to know the players. It is in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Detroit and a neighborhood diverse in its people and businesses; unique in its feel. DetroitBazaar longs for the day when the stadium property is either rebuilt or adapted into the community. There's news! It looks as if some development might finally be coming.

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Good?

Crain's Detroit Business is reporting a mayoral trip to Las Vegas sponsored by the Detroit Economic Growth Corp., a quasi-public development agency that promotes Detroit development. This is a convention where folks from around the country gather to attract businesses.

From the article:
"Development officials are pitching retailers and retail developers development opportunities in Detroit including Tiger Stadium, Herman Gardens on the city’s west side, and Riverbend near the Grosse Pointes on East Jefferson."

So, what sort of company could likely be forever intertwined within the old Historic Corktown neighborhood?

WALMART, HOMEDEPOT, and other big box retailers promising prosperity and jobs. We don't think driving out local business and creating 7 dollar per hour jobs is quite what Corktown needs, but we cannot move mountains yet. We're counting on the residents and businesses to stand up and let their power be known. Shout loud and remember, the people and businesses control what happens in the city- not the other way around.

Just picture it!

Imagine, instead of seeing some nice housing, bike trails, storefronts full of shops, or even a renovated park, we could see a suburban style parking lot surrounding a Walmart completely fitted with all of the latest surveillance equipment and security forces. DetroitBazaar feels this does not mesh in a historic neighborhood that has given its soul in an effort to rebuild and we hope the residents stand together and push for another location. Our auto industry is a shambles and it is indeed hard to attract jobs and development in a city laying taxes that resemble the former Soviet Union when compared to the communities just across city limits.

As the pace of this sort of development picks up, let's try to find out exactly what will benefit us the most. Some higher paying jobs would serve the community much better than a store that will run what is left of the small business community out. Sure, we may see a Burger King or two open up, but is that what Detroit is about? Is that what Corktown needs in the long run? Perhaps, if lowering taxes is just not feasible, expanding or creating "empowerment" zones may help.

One of DetroitBazaar's owners recently talked with someone scouting locations for a business that would provide revenue and high paying jobs for the city it chose. The conversation was quite sad in many ways. This person chose a suburban location because they simply could not afford to locate in the city because of parking and taxes. Obviously this person does not have the clout Peter and Mike have. Beyond that, the red tape and run around the city "offers" potential businesses or developers is like going through a maze that really has no outlet-you go right back out the way you came in and nothing gets done unless you somehow have "connections". Is this a way to run a city budget problems or not? Perhaps it is time to shake out all of the redundant and hindering bureaucracy here.

How about something that integrates with the neighborhood around the old Tiger Stadium rather than something that takes it over and sends the money out of state. Even if a Walmart promises to provide Detroiter's jobs or promises some money to the community, it will be a drop in the bucket compared to what the community itself can do if we are united towards better goals. No one can stop the likes of Walmart except Wall Street, and for some, indeed they are a cheap place to shop. What we can do is firmly encourage the leadership of the city-who work for us by the way-and Walmart to locate in areas that are more suitable and that do not tear apart a neighborhood's integrity.

DetroitBazaar writes this as a member of the region that is centered in Detroit. Everything that happens in the city trickles into the suburbs and into Michigan. Even if one does not live there, it should not diminish the validity of making the city attractive.

Peace from Will and Shawn,
DetroitBazaar, LLC