Can Technology Redefine Detroit? • Hacker News Board

Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?

#11

Post by mgkimsal » Tue, Aug 28, 2012, 3:18 PM UTC

growdetroit wrote: post #9

mgkimsal wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

what will make more difference is grocery stores and other amenities people need to live in an area. tech campuses that bring people to work, then drive back to the suburbs... not enough to build sustainable changes. everything will be at the whim of the people deciding to place businesses there (for charitable reasons, or other), instead of any locals having any say or needs to fulfill.

Agreed, but you're missing an important point. An influx of workers who move into the community will ultimately yield an increase in grocery stores and amenities. Companies like Quicken (mentioned in the article) provide significant incentives to get their 4k+ employees to relocate downtown. And it's working...

i've worked at quickenloans, have lived in the metro detroit area, and have worked in downtown detroit. It needs more lifestyle infrastructure than one or two companies can provide incentives for.

The state needs to take over the city, incent multiple neighborhood businesses (grocery stores, shopping malls, etc) to be relocating within a moderate radius of the downtown area, and incent families to move there (tax breaks, land redistribution, etc). Pull eminent domain on dozens of square miles of abandoned houses, relocate people if necessary, etc. Businesses grow around people, but people have way too many choices as to where to live. If Detroit is going to even moderately survive again, drastic action needs to be taken on multiple fronts - legal/govt, individuals and private businesses.

I applaud the steps QL and others have taken, but it tends to be not enough - Compuware 15(?) years ago moved there and it didn't do much, for example.

Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?

#12

Post by growdetroit » Tue, Aug 28, 2012, 3:21 PM UTC

mgkimsal wrote: post #11

growdetroit wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed, but you're missing an important point. An influx of workers who move into the community will ultimately yield an increase in grocery stores and amenities. Companies like Quicken (mentioned in the article) provide significant incentives to get their 4k+ employees to relocate downtown. And it's working...

i've worked at quickenloans, have lived in the metro detroit area, and have worked in downtown detroit. It needs more lifestyle infrastructure than one or two companies can provide incentives for. The state needs to take over the city, incent multiple neighborhood businesses (grocery stores, shopping malls, etc) to be relocating within a moderate radius of the downtown area, and incent families to move there (tax bre…

Upvoted :) You nailed it, couldn't agree more.

Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?

#13

Post by growdetroit » Tue, Aug 28, 2012, 3:24 PM UTC

rglover wrote: post #10

growdetroit wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One, thanks for reading (and whoever posted, thank you). I agree with you, personally I think it's a combination of needing more local success stories, as well as recognition by the Nat'l Startup community that we have something to bring to the dance. Folks like Steve Blank seem to be taking note of the region's efforts. We hosted him last month and his investment into the Michigan eLab (Venture Fund) in your neck of…

Impressive. I wasn't aware of his visit, wish I could have made it out. What's a good way to get in touch with you? I'd love to have a more formal discussion about where you see the area going and if there's any way I can participate.

Would be great to chat over a coffee. alex@growdetroit.com Here's a nice highlight of the event (and a snapshot of Steve and I):

http://www.xconomy.com/detroit/2012/07/18/steve-blank-on-det...

Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?

#14

Post by smurph » Tue, Aug 28, 2012, 3:25 PM UTC

mgkimsal wrote: post #8

smurph wrote: post #4

I think one or two big time tech company campuses would make a world of difference in downtown Detroit. Open a big dev shop, recruit underpaid people from local companies and best and brightest from Big 10 schools. Just please, don't feel obligated to focus on automotive customers just because you're in Detroit.

what will make more difference is grocery stores and other amenities people need to live in an area. tech campuses that bring people to work, then drive back to the suburbs... not enough to build sustainable changes. everything will be at the whim of the people deciding to place businesses there (for charitable reasons, or other), instead of any locals having any say or needs to fulfill.

You're right, the grocery store problem needs to be solved in order for it to make sense for most companies to do business there. But major software companies like Google and Facebook can bypass it by building their own amenities for employees. These companies tend to do this even if the local area has amenities.

Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?

#15

Post by BallinBige » Tue, Aug 28, 2012, 3:26 PM UTC

smurph wrote: post #4

I think one or two big time tech company campuses would make a world of difference in downtown Detroit. Open a big dev shop, recruit underpaid people from local companies and best and brightest from Big 10 schools. Just please, don't feel obligated to focus on automotive customers just because you're in Detroit.

Anyone know if Twitter moved into the Madison yet? and if so - how many people?? http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/04/04/twitter-opens-detroit...

Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?

#16

Post by MSM » Tue, Aug 28, 2012, 3:31 PM UTC

growdetroit wrote: post #9

mgkimsal wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

what will make more difference is grocery stores and other amenities people need to live in an area. tech campuses that bring people to work, then drive back to the suburbs... not enough to build sustainable changes. everything will be at the whim of the people deciding to place businesses there (for charitable reasons, or other), instead of any locals having any say or needs to fulfill.

Agreed, but you're missing an important point. An influx of workers who move into the community will ultimately yield an increase in grocery stores and amenities. Companies like Quicken (mentioned in the article) provide significant incentives to get their 4k+ employees to relocate downtown. And it's working...

I also have worked for QL, and there are actually very few of the workers that live downtown. Most commute from the 'burbs. I considered it and did a lot of research and here were my thoughts:

-The income tax needs to go. 2.5% to live in a city with pretty bad crime and no amenities? No thanks.

-Car insurance is through the roof. If you park on the street it's assumed your car will get broken into occasionally.

-I don't feel entirely safe. If I were to walk home from a bar at 2:30am I would be concerned. 20 miles away in any direction and I wouldn't think twice about it (I'm a young guy and I will not drink and drive, so this is a legitimate issue)

-It's actually quite expensive considering the above. A "nice" apartment in a decent part of downtown will cost $1k+/mo. Go to Plymouth, Northville, Royal Oak (high demand, up-scale areas nearby), and you'll be able to get a reasonable apartment for this same price, sans all the above issues.

I really hope it turns around, but my realistic side is a little worried.

Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?

#17

Post by mgkimsal » Tue, Aug 28, 2012, 3:32 PM UTC

smurph wrote: post #14

mgkimsal wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

what will make more difference is grocery stores and other amenities people need to live in an area. tech campuses that bring people to work, then drive back to the suburbs... not enough to build sustainable changes. everything will be at the whim of the people deciding to place businesses there (for charitable reasons, or other), instead of any locals having any say or needs to fulfill.

You're right, the grocery store problem needs to be solved in order for it to make sense for most companies to do business there. But major software companies like Google and Facebook can bypass it by building their own amenities for employees. These companies tend to do this even if the local area has amenities.

so the big benefit to detroit is that a company moves in, has people drive to it, then work and eat in that building, then drive home? it's not enough. when the city wants to start taxing them (after maybe a 5 year amnesty), if the company doesn't like it, they'll move across the street to another zone with no taxes (a la walmart).

There needs to be more in a city for people to do than to work and eat office lunches. Grocery stores are a visible indicator of how many people make their home (families, kids, long term commitment to the area, etc) there, and Detroit has very few serving 700,000 people. Getting commitment from larger chains, as well as tax incentives to help the smaller mom-and-pops expand to serve more areas - both of these will serve to help attract more people - and this goes for dry cleaners, accountants, and other service businesses.

Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?

#18

Post by mgkimsal » Tue, Aug 28, 2012, 3:34 PM UTC

MSM wrote: post #16

growdetroit wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed, but you're missing an important point. An influx of workers who move into the community will ultimately yield an increase in grocery stores and amenities. Companies like Quicken (mentioned in the article) provide significant incentives to get their 4k+ employees to relocate downtown. And it's working...

I also have worked for QL, and there are actually very few of the workers that live downtown. Most commute from the 'burbs. I considered it and did a lot of research and here were my thoughts: -The income tax needs to go. 2.5% to live in a city with pretty bad crime and no amenities? No thanks. -Car insurance is through the roof. If you park on the street it's assumed your car will get broken into occasionally. -I do…

You could probably get a decent apartment for at least 20% less plus not as much crime, plus more amenities around town (whether walking or driving).

Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?

#19

Post by klous » Tue, Aug 28, 2012, 3:34 PM UTC

BallinBige wrote: post #15

smurph wrote: post #4

I think one or two big time tech company campuses would make a world of difference in downtown Detroit. Open a big dev shop, recruit underpaid people from local companies and best and brightest from Big 10 schools. Just please, don't feel obligated to focus on automotive customers just because you're in Detroit.

Anyone know if Twitter moved into the Madison yet? and if so - how many people?? http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/04/04/twitter-opens-detroit...

Yes, they did. When I was visiting the Madison last week Twitter had a mini office on the third floor with like 2 or 3 desks.

Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?

#20

Post by klous » Tue, Aug 28, 2012, 3:37 PM UTC

mgkimsal wrote: post #8

smurph wrote: post #4

I think one or two big time tech company campuses would make a world of difference in downtown Detroit. Open a big dev shop, recruit underpaid people from local companies and best and brightest from Big 10 schools. Just please, don't feel obligated to focus on automotive customers just because you're in Detroit.

what will make more difference is grocery stores and other amenities people need to live in an area. tech campuses that bring people to work, then drive back to the suburbs... not enough to build sustainable changes. everything will be at the whim of the people deciding to place businesses there (for charitable reasons, or other), instead of any locals having any say or needs to fulfill.

There is a "grocery store" myth related to Detroit, and it is just that, a myth. There a numerous markets and stores in Midtown and Downtown that supply fresh food to residents.

Edit: I lived downtown for nearly a year and a number of grocery stores opened in the downtown business district while I lived there, with plans for more. According to this article [1] from 5 days ago, there are 80 grocery stores in Detroit. Not to mention the awesome Eastern Market year-round farmer's market.

[1] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-walljasper/detroit-fresh-f...