Priorities

[rbdetsport]

I was just wondering what people would choose if they had a chose between all of the developments with only 1 or 2 choses.

[Allan]

A new light rail system. Unlike these other projects, a new light rail system would benefit the entire city, not just downtown. Having a revitalized downtown is great, but the city needs to concentrate on where the real problems are...the neighborhoods. The city will not keep people from leaving if they continue to ignore the neighborhoods.

[rbdetsport]

A new light rail system.  Unlike these other projects, a new light rail system would benefit the entire city, not just downtown.  Having a revitalized downtown is great, but the city needs to concentrate on where the real problems are...the neighborhoods.  The city will not keep people from leaving if they continue to ignore the neighborhoods.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thats logical.....

[bobliocatt]

I'd also choose a new light rail system. Not only would it be great for the city, but it would make downtown boom more rapidly and anything else planned for the area.

[SNWEB]

GCP for me. My fav part of the city!

[Allan]

GCP for me. My fav part of the city!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Haha, how did I know you were going to say that?

[detroitfan]

I gotta go with light-rail too because it would benefit the city and region as a whole

[Allan]

It appears that most people feel that Light Rail is one of the most important priorities among Detroiters here. It would bring transit-oriented development to the city, and improve our horrible transit system. Unfortunately, it is also the most expensive out of all the projects listed on the poll.

[rbdetsport]

Unfortunately, it is also the most expensive out of all the projects listed on the poll.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What about Grand Circus Park? Thats very expensive and could be alot better?

[Allan]

It is very expensive, but not nearly as expensive as a light rail system. And a renovated Grand Circus only improves downtown, not large areas of the city. Light Rail is better for the whole city, while a renovated park improves only the areas right by it. Light Rail would improve the lives of more Detroiters than any other project listed in the poll.

[jsmyers]

How is a LRT system more expensive? Considering the benefits to the region, it almost makes money.

[Allan]

I was talking about the initial cost, without taking into account the various economic advantages such a system would provide to the region.

[rbdetsport]

People are really supporting the light-rail development.

[Allan]

People are really supporting the light-rail development.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Surveys have shown that 2/3 of residents in the metro area favor expanded mass transit. When it comes to paying for it though, the tone changes completely.

Of all the developments you listed, light rail would have the biggest economic impact. Light rail is proven to stimulate development in the areas where it is built. So instead of renovating two or three buildings downtown, you greatly increase the chances for the redevelopment of every single vacant building near the line's stations. Light rail is clearly the best investment on the list. The other projects are all nice, but just wouldn't have the economic impact anywhere near the impact light rail would have.

Take, for example, the permanent casinos. The economic impact of the casinos on their respective areas thus far has been minimal. If the permanent locations are ever built this would not change much. And the Cobo expansion? The only show Cobo has that even uses the whole space is the Auto Show. Is the economic impact for that one show enough to justify $600+ million of additions to the building?

[rbdetsport]

You made many good points Allan.

[rbdetsport]

Maybe the Michigan Central Station could be a new transportation center/terminal with a connection to the people mover and let the people mover expand into the suburbs. If the people mover extended into Midtown, Corktown, Mexicantown, Rivertown, and Eastern Market the areas would have an economic boom. Residential and Commercial projects everywhere near the people mover. The new terminal could be a bus, train, and light rail station. It could be connected to the smaller terminal being built in New Center.

[rbdetsport]

Im sure Amtrak would be willing to move to the station.

[jsmyers]

Amtrak moved out of the station in the late 80s.

They moved for 2 reasons. The building was too big and expensive for them, and they wanted to extend the Detroit-Chicago trains north to Pontiac.

I think that the state should be spending money on creating a rail system to both connect to major nearby cities such as Clevelend, Chicago, and Toronto, and travel within the state. MCS is the natural center of such as system, as well as the center hub of a regional commuter system. The tower would make a great hotel on top of a station.

They could leverage some private preservation money, but it would still be extremely expensive. Since most of the "free-market" republicans in the state want to subsidize a lot of roads, but not fund transit, it seems unlikely at this time.

[rbdetsport]

I know amtrak was there before and they know the magnificents of the building so they would be willing to come back.

[Allan]

I know amtrak was there before and they know the magnificents of the building so they would be willing to come back.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Amtrak could care less about how magnificant the building is. They are all about money. Businesses are all about the bottom line.

[rbdetsport]

I know that but many things attract people. If the station reopened many people would come to see it and many people would use it just like many people flew Northwest to see the new terminal. I know I did!

[Allan]

I wouldn't ride Amtrak just to see a renovated MCS. If I was taking the train for whatever reason, then ok, but it wouldn't make me any more likely to ride Amtrak.

It would be cheaper to build a really nice, new Amtrak station than to renovate MCS. It wouldn't be the same, I know, but it could still be very impressive & architecturally innovative.

[rbdetsport]

true..... I was just making an example.

[wolverine]

I couldn't imagine Amtrak moving back into that building, it's so freakin huge! There are many other purposes well suited to that building. MCS isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Therefore, I don't think it needs to be at the top of our priorities list right now. There are plenty of other endangered buildings that need our attention.

[rbdetsport]

Like the BC. And the Madison Lenox.