|
Post by mooseguy1 on Aug 31, 2015 16:11:26 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Rogobob77 on Sept 1, 2015 16:17:23 GMT -5
There is a long thread concerning UDM neighborhood development issues on the DetroitTitans message board. Hey, what ever happened to that board?
|
|
|
Post by motorcitysam on Sept 1, 2015 17:39:12 GMT -5
I am really glad to see an effort like this, especially with U of D playing such a prominent role. I have always wanted to see us have a greater partnership with the surrounding areas.
|
|
|
Post by hyperion on Sept 1, 2015 20:40:36 GMT -5
Live6 is catchy and $700,000 is a great start.
|
|
|
Post by motorcitysam on Sept 1, 2015 20:51:50 GMT -5
Live6 is catchy and $700,000 is a great start. Yes, I was impressed by the financial commitment. Seems like a great idea all the way around.
|
|
|
Post by Rogobob77 on Sept 1, 2015 22:11:35 GMT -5
I think there is more than a little bit of pressure on the Duggan administration and other city movers-and-shakers to show a significant successful neighborhood development outside of Midtown/Downtown. Even with all the urban challenges in the UDM vicinity, it is probably still the prime area to target for a turnaround. You've got the largest pocket of decent housing in Detroit extending for two miles north of campus and stretching east to Woodward. You have the second and third largest four-year colleges in the city to anchor the neighborhood. There is good leadership in place with Dr. Garibaldi involved and the deep-pocketed Kresge Foundation is on board. You have a bounty of students available to assist on projects, providing a platform for service-learning education. There is a history of a viable commercial district in the "Avenue of Fashion," and the recent infusion of newer retail establishments including some nicer restaurants. Although some folks have complained about the medians recently installed on Livernois, now that they have been landscaped I think it definitely creates a better look for the thoroughfare, and new light posts are on reportedly the horizon. Yes, there are a lot of abandoned buildings, blight, and big-city crime issues, but if any neighborhood outside the main city core is poised for a turnaround, "Live6" is probably it.
$700,000 by itself won't go far, but I think that should probably just be considered seed money. It would be nice to see Dan Gilbert or other investor make a giant out-of-the-box statement by helping to develop the stretch on Livernois just west of the UDM campus. There is a long parcel of land already cleared. The lot is not very deep and it would be challenging to build in parking, but it would be so significant if something decent could be developed at that location. Perhaps retail. But what I would really like to see is professional office space that would link to programs offered on the UDM McNichols campus, e.g., an urban-focused architectural firm, a small engineering company, medical offices, a tutoring center, accounting or marketing business, etc. The companies located there would benefit immensely by being able to partner with UDM faculty for consulting and also conveniently draw from the student population to fill internships and co-op positions.
|
|