Jump to content

Chicago International Auto Show


detwaa84

Recommended Posts

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...ESS01/705060638

International Auto show in Chicago! Why don't they just suggest that all automakers and suppliers also relocate to Chicago. We need more of this kind of news coming from both Chicago and Detroit, cuz our politicians are still sleeping regarding the rush needed to expand cobo. They also need to make sure we have cleaner stores, better steaks and wines. One can only hope that our beloved automakers will not allow this day to come for Chicago.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Replies 37
  • Created
  • Last Reply

McCormick is comprised of multiple buildings though. I can't remember, isn't the largest space 1 Mil squft? This doesn't mean the Autoshow would be in every building, rather their largest exhibition space. It also doesn't mean Cobo is a lost cause, but I do think our leaders will only respond when the suitation becomes urgent.

But you're absolutely right. The steak and wine issue is by far the biggest obstacle. Once that is resolved Detroit will be the premier convention hub of the US.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Maybe Chicago will have another great fire. Then we would keep it for sure. Then maybe London... omg! Detroit Olympics!!

Chicago is such a strong city, that if they really wanted the auto show, they could have it.

I hope whatever needs to happen to Cobo happens. I just hope that a new cobo isn't really ugly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oakland just laughed down Fianco's Cobo expansion plan, which would have extend the hotel tax. So until some billonaire(s) comes along, don't bet on this region supporting an expanded Cobo, or an expanded anything in Detroit.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Patterson doesn't have a plan for Cobo, outside of the "find another partner" plan, which is essentially saying that the county has no interest in helping to expand Cobo. And, I can't currently think of anything that Patterson wants, that Granholm has. They already did the SBT/Minimum Wage Increase exchange.

The only other partner plan being put forth is to allow for another casino, but would another casino survive in the current market?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Patterson doesn't have a plan for Cobo, outside of the "find another partner" plan, which is essentially saying that the county has no interest in helping to expand Cobo. And, I can't currently think of anything that Patterson wants, that Granholm has. They already did the SBT/Minimum Wage Increase exchange.

The only other partner plan being put forth is to allow for another casino, but would another casino survive in the current market?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Huh? The hotel tax gets passed onto the outstate visitors who have come regardless of the tax, and who will continue to come if its extended.

The casino partnering idea isn't a bad one, but it's one beholden to whether another casino will be formed, which I think is a long shot. Even if another casino is formed (and who really knows who's looking to build a casino, at the moment), it would be years away from getting the necessary permits, and then construction. If Detroit is waiting for a casino to expand Cobo, then they might as well start waving goodbye to the NAIAS, now. lol

Go Patterson? For what? For giving a perpetually raised middle finger to the region for the years he's been in office? Yeah, Go Patterson. Go home.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does anyone know why the Sands Casino negotiations fell through. I was reading through the last of the articles, and none state that the deal was called off. I remember the CEO came in and met with local politicians and the governor. What exactly happened?

Oakland County rejected Ficano's plans, but the comissioners did vote to continue negotiations. We're not that ignorant, but I do agree that the entire region cannot afford to lose the Auto Show. If Patterson officially says that he will not be a partner in the expansion plans, then I will instanlty join you to say Patterson Go Home, But he is not saying or showing that at this point. He spent a great amount of time during the the state of the county address discussing Cobo plans and how he is devoted to Detroit and the Auto Show. Aside from the casinos and horse racing ideas, he presented an airport and cigarette tax. I don't understand why that shouldn't be considered and Ficano's plan should. There could be behind the scenes negotiations going on right now. At this point, let us wait and see. You never know what'll happen tomorrow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Patterson has already ruled out an Oakland County partnership is extending the hotel tax. Patterson has always been more than crystal clear when he doesn't support a regional plan, and he doesn't have to officially say "I'm don't joining" to get his point across. There is nothing to wait and see for. The idea that Patterson is meeting in the backroom with Wayne County officials is about as far-fetched as one can get.

Just to be clear, I don't think the casino partnering idea is the worst I've ever heard, rather my beef/frustration lies with the incredible predictability of Patterson. I'm searching my memory to remember the last time Patterson partnered with the rest of the region in a meaningful way for anything. The answer has always been "go find someone else to partner with" be it Cobo, rapid transit, or any kind of regional partnership on any issue. He's going to pay for his unwavering isolationist and obstructionist ideology, down the road, and, in fact, it can already be seen in the reduction of the role OC is beginning to play in the region with the rise of Macomb and Livingston counties, and the significant slowdown in growth of the county population-wise and economically.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Okay Lmich, maybe you're right. You know better than I do, you're in Lansing. ;)

But I still don't understand this...and I didn't get your opinion/reponse on it.

Ficano presented a Hotel tax increase extension that was rejected by OC. Patterson on the other hand proposed an airport and cigaratte tax increase that has not even been considered. What is the diffrance between the two. I would think that since L presented his idea, that if the rest went along with it, he would have to be in the game. Let's forget about the casino though, someone should have bought one of the three casinos from the begining. I kind of put the blame on Kilpatrick for that though, he wasn't agressive with the Las Vegas Sands folks. I remember him saying that waiting for a casino developer to expand cobo is like waiting for santa clause. Well Vegas was in Detroit, and he didn't bring them closer to the table.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He proposed an increase in airport and cigeratte taxes? I don't recall that; can you find the article? It's really odd for a Republican to openly impose a tax increase, especially when a Democrat was only proposing the an extension of a tax that hits out-of-staters more than anyone else.

BTW, born in Detroit, have lots of family in Detroit, with what I'd call a pretty deeper-than-shallow understanding of the dynamics and history of the region, so my current home doesn't much factor into my understanding of the region and its colorful politics, Ok? :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...NEWS03/70426028

Did we miss this? Lmich, for a minute I really believed you that Patterson would not negotiate with anybody behind the scenes, but this article re-raised my hopes. It's almost two weeks. We'll see.

Also, this is what I found on Patterson's plan. The first is a long a$$ presentation on his position on Cobo. The second very briefly explains the cigarette and airport tax. Can't find anything else at this point.

http://www.oakgov.com/exec/assets/docs/cobo_soc_feb_2007.pdf

http://www.wdetfm.org/article.php?id=1518

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks. I'll read up on this.

BTW, you did bring up something (knowingly or not) that is often overlooked (myself included), and that's that Oakland County is just as much Patterson as it is its commission, who has the real legislative power, here. Patterson is often just the lightening rod for criticism, and fairly so.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it's actually more than that, Ram. Quite frankly, Cobo is nothing without the NAIAS. The NAIAS is really the only thing that continues to keep Cobo going, allowing it to market itself to large conventions. If NAIAS vacates for another facility, this is a huge vote of no-confidence for the region's convention business, and you better believe it will reverberate throughout the convention world. I don't think people really realize how much is riding on an expansion/reconstruction of Cobo.

BTW, the Cobo situation reminds me a lot of the situation with Capital City Airport, here in Lansing. The only regional groups in the tri-county area subsidizing the airport are the city of Lansing and Ingham County. Ironically, the county the airport sits in doesn't offer any help, at all, yet, their citizens use it just as much as anyone else. Lansing city and Ingham County have tried everyway they can to get Clinton and Eaton to help them pay for this regional asset, but they are blocked at every turn. It seems the only times suburbs want to talk regionalism is when they are pushing for hostile takeover of city-owned assets.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Now I kinda want the Auto show to leave. That will prove to ALL of our leaders that they cannot do anything good for their region. I don't know, but sometimes I get excited when I hear a corporation decided to leave or not enter Michigan. I can't explain it, really, but their just wake up calls, and they are still asleep. After all, I always wanted to move to Dallas.

Am I the only one?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Detwaa,

You're right; it appears that OC is leaving room for negotions, a rare move:

Oakland commissioners leave door open on Cobo talks

Oakland County's Board of Commissioners wants to keep the dialogue open about a proposed $968 million plan to expand Detroit's Cobo Center, though some commissioners still think the plan is too expensive and lacks specifics.

The GOP-dominated commission voted 13-9 today to reject a resolution opposing Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano's plan. Most of the board's Republicans voted to support the measure while the board's Democrats voted against it.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic.../705100493/1003

It's a start.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.