In Economics, public funds for private businesses almost never are worth it. They can talk all they want but the money is always better spent for the public good rather than to line their own pockets.
Nobody will ever talk about “The District” the way they’re talking about it. That said, there is a lot of slow, incremental development throughout Midtown/Cass Corridor and there has been for years. The neighborhoods surrounding “The District” will continue to rebuild; look at Brush Park right across Woodward, look at Corktown. The area immediately surrounding LCA will be developed whenever it’s profitable for the Ilitch Family to develop it. They don’t take any risks. Don’t give them any money.
Agreed. I've been in D.C. for 14 years, where we have Chinatown area with MCI-Verizon Center, now Capitol One Arena, with Caps and Wizards. It's losing commercial tenants quickly, retail and dining and office obviously with WFH. I grew up in Macomb County. The slow progress you mention in Detroit is real. But, District Detroit is not the way forward for Detroit. We need more people to live, work, and raise kids in Detroit -- not come in from Novi for a sports event. D.C.'s SW Waterfront (Nats Park, Audi Field) works because TONS of people are moving there (from other parts of D.C. area) and there it was a legit waterfront opportunity.
We're lucky to have that here in Memphis. With games at FedEx Forum or AutoZone Park, Beale Street is right there. Memphis has hosted the American conference tournament twice (2014 and 2019) and Beale Street was a blast. Same thing when we got the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight in 2017 when Kentucky, North Carolina, UCLA, and Butler came to town. Grizzlies playoff games always make for a buzz. And there's even days where FedEx Forum will host Tigers/Grizzlies doubleheaders with college ball at 11 and NBA ball at 8 - those are long fun days
Detroit needs to get over it’s boner for parking lots, that’s for sure. They’re a distinctly American eyesore and Detroit doesn’t need any more eyesores.
Unfortunately, sports stadiums are one of the worst investments that can be made using public funds. You almost never get the return on the investment that is put in. Detroit is begging for somewhere to go before lions/pistons/wings games to have some form of tailgating.
