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LID - Left _NONE CDB.qxp 10/13/2014 4:16 PM Page 1 CDB Living In The D_New CD Magazine sized 10/6/2014 3:18 PM Page 1 Let’s do this together... We couldn’t be more excited about The District Detroit, a project that engages the entire city, has a far reaching impact for our community, its people, workers and businesses from every corner of the state. We can, and we are, changing the conversation about Detroit. It’s an incredible comeback story in the making. Learn more at DistrictDetroit.com 20141020-SUPP--0001-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 10/15/2014 5:12 PM Page 1 FALL 2014 Page 1 FALL 2006 doing business in our bilities and future of Detroit.” Publisher’s note state. The research is clear: Billionaire/philanthropist Eli Broad spoke Metro areas with strong on the opening night about opportunities in ake no mistake, there is a big bet on core cities do better eco- Detroit and how improving education was key. Detroit. nomically than those that Nicole Curtis, host of “Rehab Addict” on ca- M In this special annual Detroit-fo- don’t. Everybody has a ble TV, announced she would focus the sixth cused supplement, we outline just a few: stake in Detroit’s financial season of her popular show on homes in De- ■ Gov. Rick Snyder bet his political capi- well-being. troit. tal that bankruptcy was Detroit’s best path But to become truly sus- Or this from a top executive in the head- to a sustainable future. tainable, Detroit needs investments to create hunting world: “It felt good to be back in ■ Mayor Mike Duggan, a Democrat, jobs for lower-income — and lower-skilled — Detroit and welcomed by the city that raised took a calculated risk that working with Detroiters, and better schools to attract and me,” wrote Billy Dexter, a Chadsey High Snyder’s Republican team and Emergency keep residents. You can find evidence of the School alumus now a managing partner of Manager Kevyn Orr was his best bet until work at the neighborhood level in this report, Heidrick & Struggles. “I feel that I owe De- political power was restored to him. on Pages 38 to 62. troit back for the amazing experiences that I ■ Business and civic leaders are betting For years, Detroit made headlines nationally had as a youth and the foundation that I that Detroit’s cleaner balance sheet will for dysfunction. But the negative buzz seems to bring enough new invest- have as a man.” be turning around. We saw it firsthand in Sep- ment that the city’s George “Iceman” Gervin returned to De- tember, when 160 successful “expatriates” re- population slide troit with his sister Barbara, who writes will end. turned to Detroit for the first Detroit Home- about their experience on Page 43. That should coming, an initiative created by Crain’s Detroit You can find more from “expats” like matter to anyone Business. Gervin, Reid, Curtis and Dexter throughout The “expats” noticed a greater sense of co- this special supplement, which was edited hesion than they remembered. “The Detroit by Amy Haimerl, herself a Detroit trans- Homecoming brought together a group of plant via Brooklyn and a soon-to-be-pub- civic and business leaders, all of whom are lished author of a book about her own De- aligned around the revitalization of a great troit project, the renovation of a home built American city,” wrote Al Reid, a divisional in 1914 in Detroit’s West Village. vice president at Abbott Labs and an “expat.” You see, there is this vibe about Detroit … “The event left me energized about the possi- — Mary Kramer DETROIT 2.0 CONTENTS 6 The Odd Couple: Gov. Rick Snyder Redesigning Detroit 31 Patrick Thompson Design: Patrick and Mayor Mike Duggan — a Republi- Thompson has been in business for can and a Democrat — transcend labels to These four firms are designing only five years, but he’s already become turn around Detroit. the face of the city. the go-to interior designer for Detroit’s creative businesses. His biggest commis- Hamilton Anderson Associates: 9 Billionaire Buddies: Legendary in- 27 sion was making over the DIA’s Kresge vestor Warren Buffett and Detroit’s own Architect Rainy Hamilton never left De- Court. Dan Gilbert are fast friends. Here’s how they troit. He drafted the master plan for Belle met. Isle and is now designing the $60 million 32 Barton Malow: Construction manage- mixed-use project Orleans Landing on the ment firm Barton Malow may be based waterfront. 12 Spending Spree: Dan Gilbert and the in Southfield, but its roots are deep in De- Ilitch family have amassed Detroit troit. The company is actively finding ways property portfolios — but they have very 28 White Construction: If you’ve walked to get Detroiters and Detroit-based con- different development styles. through Detroit, you’ve likely walked tractor jobs on the upcoming arena pro- through the work of W. Bernard White. His ject. 18 (Re)Building on Up: It’s getting easier construction firm has been involved in Corktown to finance commercial real estate in De- Campus Martius, Eastern Market and now troit. the Detroit Red Wings arena. SEE PAGE 2 PIERRETTE DAGG/CDB 20141020-SUPP--0002,0003-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 10/15/2014 5:07 PM Page 1 Page 2 FALL 2014 FROM PAGE 1 CONTENTS ESSAYS FROM THE EXPATS rain’s Detroit Business created and convened the Detroit Homecoming, a C three-year initiative to re-engage suc- cessful Detroit expatriates in their hometown as it emerges from bankruptcy. It began with an inaugural Homecoming event, Sept. 17-19, that attracted 160 former metro Detroiters for tours, speaker sessions and networking. Speakers included Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, investor Warren Buffett and local investors and entrepreneurs. The goal: Encourage expats to re-engage through investment, philanthropy and re-connecting with leaders in their hometown. A few expats wrote essays about their ex- perience and the future of their hometown: Ron Fournier, editorial director of the nonpartisan political publication National Journal, reflects on growing up in Detroit and why even his mom thinks the city can re- bound, Page 4 Dan Doctoroff, New York City’s deputy mayor for economic development from 2002-2008, outlines how Detroit can enjoy a Harlem renaissance, Page 11 David Feehan, who consults with cities seeking to develop downtowns and strong neighborhoods, reflects on how far down- town Detroit has come since he helped form When the community works together, the Downtown Detroit Partnership, Page 36 Barbara Gervin-Hawkins and her brother, the community works NBA great George Gervin — both alums of Martin Luther King High School in Detroit — commit to investing in the city, Page 43 A healthy, vibrant community depends on the participation of its members. Vahe Tazian, a lawyer in Connecticut Bringing a neighborhood together to bring about positive change is no small with three degrees from metro Detroit-area accomplishment. universities, explains why he sees a strong ur- ban core and walkable districts as key to Bank of America is honored to support Crain’s and Detroit Homecoming which keeping recent grads from leaving, Page 65 helps create common goals and a long-term vision for the community. Adam Finkel of Orfin Ventures, reminds expats of the talent that never left, Page 69. Visit us at bankofamerica.com/Local Scott Sellers, from the local auto dealer family and a private equity investor in San Life’s better when we’re connected® Francisco, outlines the case for investing in Detroit, Page 85 ©2014 Bank of America Corporation | ARH46WCM Martha Boudreau, chief communica- tions and marketing officer at AARP, boosts the Detroit brand, Page 88 For more details and coverage of QQ the September events, visit detroithomecoming.com. 20141020-SUPP--0002,0003-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 10/15/2014 5:18 PM Page 2 FALL 2014 Page 3 Spreading the wealth Bringing investment to DETROIT 2.0 Detroit’s neighborhoods 35 The ‘G’ Word. Is gentrification all bad for Detroit? Corktown. There are challenges even CONTENTS 38 in Detroit’s most thriving, small-busi- ness-friendly district. 40 Osborn. Capers Steakhouse has turned out steak by the ounce for three decades, even as the neighborhood fell around it. 45 East Jefferson. Spanning from down- town to Alter Road, East Jefferson Av- enue spreads through five thriving dis- tricts. 49 Grandmont Rosedale. Pop-ups, co- working spaces and more open up on Grand River Avenue, bringing entrepre- neurship to one of Detroit’s most stable residential areas. 53 Southwest Detroit. A haven of small businesses, thanks to its mostly Latino and immigrant population. ing, King of Clubs; and the Spirit of De- On the cover troit, King of Hearts. The Detroit deck of cards brings out 57 Brightmoor. A new Meijer store is all the buzz in this northwest neighbor- some of the city’s highlights. From left to Cover illustration and layout: Pierrette hood, but there’s more happening than just right: Gov. Rick Snyder and Mayor Mike Dagg, senior producer, Crain’s Detroit groceries. Duggan share the Jack of Spades; the Business. Belle Isle fountain, Queen of Diamonds; Illustration: Gov. Rick Snyder and Mayor tiger sculpture outside Comerica Park, 61 Avenue of Fashion. This strip of Liver- Mike Duggan: Mark Kotila. nois Avenue between Seven and Eight Jack of Clubs; top of the Penobscot Build- Mile roads was once the height of luxury. Now, restaurants and retailers are returning. Ralph Bland, superintendent of the New 2012, lawyer and entrepreneur Kyle Smit- Making the Grade Paradigm for Education, which manages the ley started the DAA in Brightmoor.