A Successful 2025
What would make 2025 a great year for Detroit Development?
Many news outlets put out a list of things to look out for in the new year, and there’s plenty of that going around with regards to new development projects. Similarly, I’d like to take a moment and identify some things that would make 2025 a very successful year in terms of development around the City.
Hudson Activation
While it’s on everyone’s list for things to watch for in 2025, the opening of the block portion of Bedrock’s Hudson’s Detroit will not reach its full potential and promise by simply opening its doors, there needs to be more. Detroiters have waited years and years for something to take the place of the famous JL Hudson Department Store, and while it’s commendable what Bedrock did with the space so far, they cannot allow for all of this waiting to simply culminate with some office workers walking in and out every day, they need to deliver with a bang.
While some office tenants have been announced, there’s been very little talk about what types of stores, restaurants, and other commercial operations will take up the first floor and beyond. There’s been plenty of speculation, but Bedrock has only mentioned stores that may be in the works, such as LEGO and Levi, and there’s always talks of an Apple Store (although that seems to be down the street).
Not only do we need some specifics, and soon, they need to be something that is truly worth the wait. Some higher end stores would be nice, and things for all ages like LEGO could be a great addition to downtown, but I’m really hoping we see great food and restaurant options, as well as consistent use of the event space. With Parkers Alley, the Belt, and Campus Martius surrounding the site, there’s going to be no shortage of foot traffic and Bedrock needs to take advantage of it in a similar way Ford did with Michigan Central, consistent public access and activation to ensure it’s more than just an office building and commercial space.
District Detroit Groundbreakings
While it seems like the Detroit Development Groundhogs Day, there are some indications that we will see some progress from the District Detroit this year, and it could be a truly great year if we see some of the extensive plan take shape. On Grand River, we should start to see the University of Michigan Center for Innovation rising up and filling in one of the largest parking lots Downtown. Behind LCA, there is restoration work taking place on the Henry Street Apartments after years and years of delays. Olympia, with their partnership with Related Companies and the University of Michigan, had said there would be at least one other building breaking ground this year, that being the residential building next to the UMCI. Based on their brownfield agreement, they are obligated to start by March. It’s also been suggested that the hotel next to Little Caesars Arena (at one time rumor to be Equinox Branded) could break ground by the end of the year, per Keith Bradford at the latest Community Benefits Agreement meeting.
Now if, and it’s a big if, both the residential building for the UMCI and the hotel next to LCA start to take shape in 2025, we could legitimately start to say the District Detroit is making progress, which would be huge for the city. Like it or not, Olympia owns a huge swath of land that needs to be developed so whether it’s by themselves, or with partners, we need that land to get built on to have a better connection from Downtown to Midtown. The residential building is planned to be 18-storys and have 261 residential units, while the hotel is planned to be 14-storys and have 290 rooms. Both of those buildings would be the tallest built in that area in some time and add some hugely needed residential and hospitably around the stadiums and concert venues. I’m not saying it will happen, but 2025 would undoubtably be a more successful year if they did.
Plans for the Ren Cen
Long story short, both private and public parties need to come together and figure out a plan for the Ren Cen and they need to do it in 2025, no later. I am no fan of Bedrock and GM asking for public money if they are going to tear down part of the building, I’d much rather have them put dollars towards renovation and repurposing, but whatever the solution is, the City can’t afford to allow that building to sit there and become a talking point against the City and its growth. Chad Livengood of the Detroit News put it succinctly, we cannot allow the Ren Cen to become the new Packard Plant.
According to recent reports, the plan is still to tear down two of the surrounding towers, leaving one standing as office and converting the other to residential, while modifying the middle tower to include residential on upper floors of what is now hotel. Overall, I think the concept of this idea is the right direction, making the complex more mixed use than just relying on office. Still, I’m not convinced there couldn’t be a use for the two building that are planned to be torn down, but it seems we’re headed that way.
Regardless of what the plan ultimately is, and frankly, what the funding source is (although I’m not in favor of public money for just demolition), the plan needs to be sorted out because more than just the Ren Cen is resting on its resolution. The entire riverfront east of the Ren Cen has been used as parking for the complex for decades, and a redevelopment plan could finally push those lots to be built on. Cutting down on office space would certainly cut down on the need for parking, and including residential would increase the marketability of those lots as you’d have hundreds of new residents right nearby.
Over the past few decades, the City has shown what an asset the waterfront and riverwalk can be. A successful 2025, led by a solid plan for the Ren Cen, will activate an area that’s been waiting for its chance for years.
Park Openings and Activation
Detroit has made great strides over the past decade in improving their park and recreation infrastructure. To complete rebuilds of old and aging recreation centers, to simple fixes like replacing fencing with boulders at parks, it’s clearly been a priority of the City to improve the recreation options and make the parks safer, more accessible, and more inviting. A few years back, the City dedicated $45 million to renovating and reopening 12 rec centers around the City, with many of these projects currently being undertaken or nearing completion.
Some of the largest projects are underway or close to wrapping up, such as the $12 million Chandler Park sports dome and indoor rec center, the $8.5 million Helen Moore (formerly Dexter-Elmurst) Rec Center, and the $4.2 million renovation to the Adams Butzel rec center. Additionally, over $10 million has been spent on renovations and upgrades to multiple existing rec centers around the City.
Beyond the existing parks and rec centers, 2025 should be a huge year for new outdoor amenities such as the new greenways and riverwalk areas. This year will mark the completion and full opening of nearly 6 miles of trail circling Belle Isle, as well as new bike and walking paths around the island’s roads. The Joe Louis Greenway will continue to take shape, with new segments opening to join the existing 7 miles, as well as more construction taking place to add to the planned 29.5-mile pathway. To compliment the now open Michigan Central, the Southwest Greenway was recently completed and will eventually connect the train station to the river, where visitors will be able to enjoy one of the newest sections of riverfront park.
The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park is slated to open in 2025, marking one of the largest park and riverfront projects in Detroit in recent history. Along with the park itself, a new segment of riverwalk will finally be opened that will connect the area to the downtown portion of the riverwalk, again expanding the famed Riverwalk that now goes all the way to Belle Isle. The Wilson Centennial Park was marked with a bit of controversy, but the Riverfront Conservancy is looking to put that behind them and finally welcome the public the newest addition along the river.
The City has spent years investing in parks and recreational options for Detroiters, and 2025 is a year where everyone should start to really see those investments pay off. I’m hoping the opening of some of these bigger projects are met with large celebrations, and we see more dollars put towards improvements for years to come. While new buildings and businesses are great, Detroit has made a choice to invest massively in the wellbeing of its residents and I’m excited to see some of it come to fruition in 2025.
A Productive Election
Last but not least, Detroit needs to have a productive and positive 2025 election, where we’ll see a new mayor for the first time in a decade and potentially several new city council members. With his successes and faults, Mayor Mike Duggan has seen the city through some tough times and has given a lot of people a more positive image and thought of Detroit. We need the next mayor to build off some of the successes, correct some of the faults, and work with the City council to keep things moving in a positive direction.