• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

CONFERENCE CIRCUIT Detroit: Expect a lot It’s more than just the Motor City by W illiam P. Kane The city of Detroit, Woodward Avenue (the middle spoke and Michigan will serve the east-west dividing line of the metropoli­ as the proud host of tan area), where you’ll find the Renaissance ACRL’s 9th National Center (RenCen, for short), a towering com­ Conference in April plex of offices, shops, and a 71-story hotel 1999- Anyone who along the Detroit River. From high atop the knows Detroit knows RenCen, visitors are treated to a spectacular that the city’s renais­ 360 degree view of the city and of Windsor, sance has been going strong— pleasantly sur­ Ontario— Detroit’s Canadian (though south­ prising unsuspecting visitors—for quite some ern) neighbor. You’ll also see that downtown time, thanks to billions of dollars in new in­ Detroit’s hexagonal grid soon gives way to a vestment and the accompanying renewed more straightforward east-west, north-south sense of civic vitality and confidence. Unless grid, easily understood by even the most you’ve been to Motown lately, you may not directionally impaired among us. expect a bustling downtown, complete with Naturally enough for the center of the busy corporate offices, trendy shops and res­ world’s automotive industry, the city is circled taurants, packed hotels, exciting major league and crisscrossed by an efficient system of free­ sports contests, a historic theater district, ways, mostly named after automobile pio­ world-class schools, museums and libraries, neers—the Ford Freeway, the Fisher Free­ and casino gambling. way, the Chrysler Freeway, the Reuther Free­ Detroit has always had a great reputation way, etc. In any case, drivers are thus af­ as a place to build cars, to conduct business, forded easy access to any Detroit vicinity in to get things done, to work; these days, no time. But, perhaps contrary to conven­ though, people are as likely to come to De­ tional wisdom, you won’t need a car to ap­ troit to relax, to enjoy delicious meals, to be preciate what Detroit has to offer. entertained by terrific actors and athletes, to Right along the riverfront downtown, you hear some great music, and to appreciate an can enjoy the scenery in Hart Plaza, where uncommon cultural diversity. office workers spend their lunch hours en­ joying the sunshine in the summer, jazz con­ Downtown Motown certs in the fall, ice skating in the winter, Those visiting Detroit for the first time are and watching the ocean-bound barge traffic naturally drawn to its hectic downtown, year round. Be sure to look on the city side which is laid out like few other cities— di­ of Hart Plaza and check out “the fist”—a agonal spokes of a wheel emanating from a unique sculpture and local landmark honor­ central hub. This central hub is the foot of ing boxing’s longtime world heavyweight About the author William P. Kane is co-chair of the ACRL National Conference Local Arrangements Subcommittee and regional manager at Blackwell’s Book Services; e-mail: [email protected] C&RL News m January 1998 / 23 champion Joe Louis, Detroit’s own Brown Bomber. toohP :tiderc illB onailguP Another famous (and some say much bet­ ter) statue of Louis is in Detroit’s convention center, the Cobo Conference/Exhibition Cen­ ter (named after former Detroit Mayor Al­ bert E. Cobo), also right downtown. Known more commonly simply as Cobo, the huge hall houses the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame and is home to numerous yearly events and The Detroit People Mover is an elevated, computer-operated trans­ trade shows such as the North American In­ portation system that connects hotels, ternational Auto Show. offices, restaurants, shops, and Cobo Cobo will serve as the ACRL 9th National Conference/Exhibition Center in the Conference’s main meeting space. Cobo is central business district. linked directly to downtown’s major hotels, restaurants, theaters, and shopping districts with a Chicago-born franchise) is just across via the People Mover, Detroit’s mini-transit the street from the Fox. system. This 13-station elevated rail system Just a few blocks away from the Theater is an attraction in itself, offering a bird’s eye District proper are the Fisher Theater, the view of the city and the river—and each sta­ Masonic Temple Theater, 1515 Broadway tion along its 2.9 mile loop is adorned with Theater, Orchestra Hall, and Wayne State commissioned artwork reflecting the char­ University’s Hilberry and Bonstelle The­ acter of that station’s neighborhood. For just aters— all offering lots of national and local a couple quarters, and with trains leaving entertainment choices. every three or four minutes, the People Mover In addition, there are big (and financially is great way to get around downtown, and secured) plans underway for an expanded an efficient and inexpensive alternative to arts and entertainment complex near and driving and parking and taxicabs. A required within the Theater District, which will ulti­ People Mover stop is the Greektown station, mately include two new side-by-side base­ one of downtown’s hopping nightlife dis­ ball (to be completed in time for the year tricts, where even frequent visitors can find 2000 season) and football (scheduled for a new favorite restaurant among the Greek completion in time for the 2001 season) sta­ (natch), Ethiopian, Cajun, Tex-Mex, and other diums, additional retail shops, glitzy movie ethnic flavors. If you’ve already had dinner, theaters, and restaurants. stop at Greektown anyway for some deli­ The stadiums’ complementary movie the­ cious desserts and coffee. Greektown is also aters and restaurants (including the requi­ home to Trapper’s Alley, a converted 1800s site Hard Rock Cafe) have already started to fur and leather processing plant, which now appear. If that’s not enough to attract your includes novelty shops, restaurants, fashion attention (or deplete your per diems), the stores, and the intimate Attic Theater offer­ city of Detroit has won approval to install ing a diverse schedule of plays and revues. three Vegas-style casinos in the downtown area. Entertainment Speaking of theaters, Detroit’s burgeoning The sporting life Theater District is rivaled by few cities. A As you can probably tell, Detroit takes its quick trip up Woodward Avenue and you’ll professional sports teams seriously. Sports spot the majestically restored Fox Theater, fans in Detroit in April can be faced with the State Theater, and the Gem Theater, all some difficult choices: catch some early sea­ offering a variety of national acts almost son baseball, some mid-season hockey, nighüy. Nearby is the recently renovated and some late-season hoops— or all three? The world-class Detroit Opera House, home to Detroit Tigers baseball team currently plays opera and ballet. major league ball at historic Tiger Stadium, If comedy is more your style, the Second about a mile west of the RenCen, on the same City comedy club (only the third metro area comer of Michigan and Trumbull where Ty 24 / C&RL News m January 1998 Cobb and countless other greats have played or cab ride from Cobo is an area known as for generations. the Cultural Center, home to a cluster of the Before they move to their new digs down­ city’s finest cultural enterprises, including the town, the Detroit Lions NFL football team Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Histori­ plays its schedule of NFL games at the cal Museum, the Detroit Science Center, the Silverdome, in Pontiac, Michigan, about an Detroit Children’s Museum, the Detroit Pub­ hour’s drive north of downtown. The NBA lic Library, the Center for Creative Studies, Detroit Pistons hoop it up in the Palace of and Wayne State University’s (WSU) main Auburn Hills, also in the northern suburbs. and medical campuses. Other museums of Meanwhile, the 1997 Stanley Cup champion note not far from the Cultural Center include Detroit Red Wings shave the ice at the luxu­ the Greystone International Hall of Fame and rious Joe Louis Arena, right downtown (and Jazz Museum and the Motown Historical Mu­ “the Joe” has its very own People Mover sta­ seum. From Diana Ross and the Supremes tion). In any case, even if it’s minor league to Madonna, from Martha and the Vandellas hockey or college basketball or indoor pro­ to Patti Smith, from Stevie Wonder to Bob fessional soccer or NASCAR, you’re bound Seger—there’s a lot of music history in De­ to find a spectator sport to your liking, and troit. tickets are not as hard to come by as you Another new and bright jewel among the might imagine. Cultural Center’s prestigious facilities is the Museum of African American History. The Nearby adventure MAAH opened in April 1997 as the largest If you’re more interested in participative (112,000 square feet) African American his­ sports, the downtown area offers easy ac­ tory museum in the world. Famous for its dome and rotunda larger than many state trawetS nasuS :tiderc toohP :tiderc nasuS trawetS capitol buildings, the MAAH reflects the vi­ brancy of the African American experience with permanent exhibits in the larger galler­ ies, smaller galleries dedicated to arts and technology, a 350-seat auditorium, mosaic walls, beautifully tiled floors, and massive, hand-sculpted doors, providing a gracious welcome to visitors of all cultures. Founded by Berry Gordy Jr. and home to Motown Record Corp., Hitsville Libraries, too USA can be found in its original state. Of particular interest to ACRL conference cess to Detroit’s Belle Isle, a beautiful is­ goers is the special combination of library land park in the Detroit River, about a ten- resources and facilities within and beyond minute ride east of downtown.

Load more

  4

Copy Link