As we usher in Labor Day Weekend 2017, I wanted to share a few impressions of what’s been happening in my hometown of Detroit, the city that is synonymous with the working stiff. The above photo is part of Diego Rivera’s famous Detroit Industry murals, displayed proudly at the Detroit Insititute of Arts. They were painted in the early 1930s and symbolize the working class ethic of the city and its people.
My travels take me all over the country – and sometimes the world – and in the last year or so, I’m hearing many questions about Detroit. What’s really going on? Are things really getting better? And is the city (and the metro area) finally turning the corner?
So I’m pleased to tell you – yes, conditions on the ground here have improved – considerably. For the first time in my life (and I’ve lived her for six decades), I can tell you that Detroit is on the right track. It has a long way to go, of course, but there is a palpable sense of electricity and optimism in the air when you head into the city, marked by new restaurants and name brand stores, actual tourist destinations, and a vibrant sports scene.
In just a couple weeks, the much-anticipated Little Caesars Arena will open, kicked off by a 6-pack of Kid Rock concerts. (Will Stroh’s Beer be on sale?) And soon, both the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Pistons will occupy this amazing venue. For the Pistons, it’s a return to Detroit after decades of playing hoops in the suburbs. And you may not know that Detroit is one of only two cities (Denver is the other) with all four sports teams playing their games in the downtown area.
On the far upper left is Ford Field, to its right Comerica Park, and in the center, the new Little Caesars Arena, part of a much larger District Detroit development project that will turbocharge downtown development for years to come.
It takes a combination of smart politics, solid civic and financial support, and perhaps some good fortune to achieve a turnaround of this magnitude. Detroit has been able to make good on all three.
A great article in Politico Magazine earlier this week by Edward-Isaac Dovere provides a fascinating analysis of Mayor Mike Duggan, and what he’s meant to Detroit’s recovery. The political environment here in Detroit was toxic for many years, and Duggan has achieved a 180° shift.
And then there are Detroit’s two major developers and visionaries – Dan Gilbert (Quicken Loans) and the Illitch family (Little Caesars Pizza, the Red Wings, and the Tigers). Both have been key drivers in shaping and financing Detroit’s resurgence.
Of course, the automotive industry has enjoyed a sustained period of health and stability these past few years.
While there was some disagreement about whether the Feds should have bailed out GM and Chrysler nearly a decade ago, the reality is that Detroit (along with Michigan) would have experienced nuclear winter had both companies not been financially rescued.
While Detroit no longer is a car manufacturing hub, every automaker, their Tier 1 suppliers, and other companies (Pandora, Google) that interface with the industry have facilities or offices in Metro Detroit. I foresee the day when the NAB will follow suit, helping radio stay connected to the movers and shakers in the automotive sector.
And as many of us get ready to make the trek to Austin for this year’s Radio Show, my sincere hope is that in the not-so-distant future, Detroit will be in consideration as a host city for our industry’s biggest and most important get-together. It would send an important message to both the automotive community, as well as everyone in radio, about the radio industry’s renewed commitment to the car.
As you celebrate Labor Day with friends and family this weekend, share this Detroit story with them.
It’s a good one.
I’ll be co-presenting “Radio’s New Strategies & New Platforms” with AmplifiMedia’s Steve Goldstein at The Radio Show, Wednesday at 4pm. I’ll have new data to share about how radio stations are displayed in car dashboards, and why the radio industry needs to raise its game.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
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Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Great comeback read about my hometown city! BUT WHAT ABOUT THE JV TRADE? 🙂
Enjoy the weekend!
DP
Thanks, Dave. We are excited about the Motor City and its comeback. As for the Tigers… 🙁
Wonderful home town endorsement. Looking foward to your session and continued insights! Thank you, Fred. Clark, Boston. http://www.broadcastideas.com
Many thanks, Clark. See you at the Radio Show.
My wife is from Detroit and I always love my visits there. Great city, great article Fred!
Appreciate that, Don.
Fred, You are spot on about DTW. It started when they renovated the airport. After visiting recently, there is a sense of pride and clear momentum. Totally agree about the NAB making a statement by choosing Detroit as a regular conference destination. Needs to be sooner than later with the lack of manufacturer dollars diminishing daily to our industry.
m2
Milt, you are correct about the airport. I walked through last night and marveled at how much better our airport is than so many others I visit – especially in major markets. And thanks for reinforcing the notion that Detroit would make a great host for an upcoming Radio Show – for all the right reasons. Appreciate the comment.
My mom is from Detroit, I was born there, and I still have a lot of relatives there. I haven’t been there since I was 11, but I still remember my trips there fondly (and listening to CKLW while riding around with my uncles). It’s good to know the city is turning around.
How do you NOT love a city who’s nickname is “Rock City”?!!
So glad to hear about the Turn around.
In 1997, when I moved the family to Manchester NH to work with Saga, the area was not looking pretty. Our Millyard area was barren. Its buildings had broken windows and a low occupancy rate.
But then a turnaround began…soon after our local 10,000 seat arena was built downtown. Restaurants popped up, businesses moved in, and the tech industry followed by remodeling these Mill buildings and renting space.
20 years later…Manchester is one of the great spots in New England for business, and industry…and some pretty cool concerts too.
There’s nothing like seeing The Eagles in your hometown…along with a 10 minute ride home!!
Happy for you AND Detroit city!
Thanks, JC. Always great to hear urban success stories. Have a great weekend.
Fantastic to see the development in Downtown Detroit! Detroit has a special place in my heart due to the 13 great years I spent with 89X in DETROIT ROCK CITY!!! We must have loved it…the slogan, for a station with studios in Windsor Ontario, was “Detroit’s Only New Rock Alternative”.
Murray, good to hear you. Come home and visit. Thanks for the comment.
O.K….That’s just plain impressive…thanks and enjoy
Thanks, Tom. Hope it was a great weekend.
Was just there for the Tribe-Tigers game on 9/3. Have always been a fan of Detroit & you can definitely feel the good vibes shooting thru downtown. ‘CSX sounded great, had a great presence for the U2 show. Go get em!
Thanks, Tim. I think you can feel the difference in downtown Detroit. Appreciate the comment and glad you had a great time. As for those Tigers…