175 replies to this topic

[Lmichigan]

Allan's last sentence is key.  There is a preference in when each block gets developed, but if a excellent proposal were to come by for the Monroe Block (i.e. one that didn't require a whole lot of city participation (tax breaks)), I'm sure the city would be more than happy to break the order of development.  It's not set in stone; it's a suggestion.  It wouldn't even be legal, anyway, to deny development based solely on the fact that a city wants an order to developing the blocks.

Also, Jason, it has been hinted that having put off the idea for a new construction, for now, Gilbert is considering simply moving into a test spot in Compuware, anyway, and it would be much cheaper for them to expand along the back of Compuware in the long run.  I'm not under the impression, any longer, that Quicken is definitely looking for their own space, downtown.  I think, right now, simply moving into Compuware is probably just as likely, if not more, than them deciding to start back up talks for a new site.

[detwaa84]

This develpment has been removed from Rossetti's website!
What have I done!?!

[Michi]

lol!  Well, I'll at least give you a delicious cookie for keeping us inspired!

[hudkina]

Can I have that second one!

[detwaa84]

hudkina, on Feb 17 2007, 07:53 PM, said:

Can I have that second one!

No! sorry.

[Jasoncw]

Does anyone know how many square feet of office space they want?  And how much hotel and residential space they want?

[statedude3]

Jasoncw, on Feb 28 2007, 03:33 PM, said:

Does anyone know how many square feet of office space they want?  And how much hotel and residential space they want?

No idea but it sure would be neat if they built on the Statler site and turned the Whitney Bldg into their res/hotel space.

[Lmichigan]

They never released any of that to the public, if they even knew, themselves.  What we do know is that a few sites and concepts were shopped around for them, though.  It was speculated on the net that with the number of employees they had they'd need around 500,000 square feet of office space.  The residential/entertainment component was kind of an after-thought or loosely-conceived add-on, from what I understand.  So, I'm not sure if they'd even got that far in the planning.  I get the feeling that we thought they (Quicken and the City) were doing much more behind the scenes then they probably really were.

[Jasoncw]

Thanks!  

That's exactly what I needed.

[Michi]

I'm kinda loosing any real hope that this is going to happen anytime soon.  I still think it may happen, but considering all the media talk over the last few years and the most recent tone of uncertainty, really makes me think that this was nothing more than a dream of capitalizing on Detroit and putting the company on a high-profile pedistal.  The company will still prosper as one of the best in the USA, but I don't think the leadership, aside from Mr. Gilbert really cares that passionately about raising the profile of the company like Compuware did, or GM with its sign 725 feet above the US and Canada.

[detwaa84]

My first cousin works at Quicken Loans and she said many are against the idea of the move, including her. I told her that I dont' think this will stop the move if Gilbert really want to come here. Every boss would say he'll take the opinions of his workers, but if this makes good economic sense, then these "opinions" will not stop him. I have a strong feeling that this company will be coming here, but I think it will be dragged on much farther than 2009. They are not on a hurry for anything. Let'em take their time, and let us further redevelop before they come.

[Michi]

Dan Gilbert is not the boss though, and supposedly that is where the resistance is coming from...the boss.  Bill Emerson is CEO of Quicken.  Other than commuting, I don't understand why so many employees are against the downtown move.  Say these people got a job in another major metro and their offices were in that city's downtown.  How resistant would they be?  Probably very little.  If they didn't live in that major city, they would probably live somewhere in a sphere of influence that kept their commute reasonable.  Point being, corporate responsibility is a HUGE factor in curbing wasteful sprawl.  By moving the company downtown, ZERO of your employees have to live in the city, but I bet a good chunk of them would consider living in a nice neighborhood in an inner ring or middle-ring suburb.  They can commute from norther Macomb/Oakland or southern Lapeer/Genesee too, but then they would be accountable for making that quality of life choice, saying they value their home location more than a 3 hour-a-day commute.

Corporate decisions such as these have very important implications on regional issues.  The role of suburbs is to provide low density housing for those that left the city after WWII.  It was by default that the people moving there understood that their commute to the worksite would be into the city and back out at the end of the day.  But the downfall came when the jobs followed.  The suburban behavior was and still is to "not live near where you work".  So if the concentration of jobs is in the suburbs, guess where the people are going to live?  Right: Washington/Independence/Holly/Milford/Canton Townships.

This is fine and dandy up to a point.  The line should be drawn when the other demographic of your workforce is considered.  Those who WANT to live and work in a big, vibrant, talented, diverse city.  By refocusing on putting jobs back in the center city you can have both.

Edited by Michi, 04 March 2007 - 02:06 PM.

[Lmichigan]

Again, I think we as the public began to assume that Quicken and the City were doing much more behind the scenes than they actually were.  I don't really see this as a loss, because it was nothing ever more than a rumor fed by a lot of heresay and needless media speculation.  This isn't a loss or a gain.  Quickens came downtown to windowshop, that's all.  It's quite a leap to assume just because you see someone looking in the window that that must mean they are going to buy something, if you want to follow the analogy.

Edited by Lmichigan, 04 March 2007 - 02:32 PM.

[Michi]

Yah, that's the mentality that I took at first too.  I still do, but when I started seeing Crain's in the mix, I took it a little more seriously.  While it isn't necessarily a loss, the dialogue is extremely important to keep a strong grip on because downtown corporate moves is what we need here.

[Lmichigan]

Believe me; if anyone can get Quicken downtown it will be Kilpatrick.  I'm sure he put in a very good word for the city, now, the ball is in Quickens court.  Quicken still has some years in their current HQ, they don't have to rush.  But, when the time comes for them to make a decision, I'm sure they'll remember Detroit's hospitality in wanting to host their company.  Contrary to popular belief, Kilpatrick's got a pretty strong and extensive suburban network in the business community.

[Michi]

Yah, I believe that.  It's not something that people out there want to believe though.  They will tell you everthing negative about him and when it comes to telling you the good, silence falls.

One thing that concerns me is that even though Karmanos will always be around, he's retiring soon.

[Lmichigan]

Yeah, hopefully, someone will fill that gap.  The way things are going (strong as ever), philanthropically, I don't have much doubt someone will fill his place.  I actually think Roger Penske is taking on that role, though.

Some had the same kind of feelings on the public sector side of things when Ed McNamara, Democratic political wizard of Southeast Michigan, died a little over a year ago, but those he mentored (including but not limited to Granholm, Kilpatrick, and Fianco) have stepped up and have filled the gap pretty well.

[hudkina]

Isn't Quicken sending a "test group" of workers into the Compuware building to guage how a move would affect them?  I would say that's a good start, considering they could just as easily build a suburban campus in Auburn Hills.

[Lmichigan]

I think that was a proposal,  but I don't ever remember them formally announcing that the proposal was a done deal.

[detwaa84]

From what I remember, and I read it in the Det freep, not Dan nor spoksperson for the company ever said that. The "reporter" only mentioned it as a possibility. Of course someone in the company had to suggest it to him, but it was not stated that way. I think if they will move here, they will come all at once. Compuware should have been a test for them. If Dan wants to come here (and I think he does), he will do it. They have plenty of time, no need to rush.