Condition of the Central Business District

::   Although several of the County's older cities have “Central Business Districts" such as Hamtramck, Dearborn, Plymouth, and Wayne, the Central Business District [CBD] in Detroit is by far the most significant. As the main port-of-entry to the state of Michigan, the Detroit Central Business District has historically served as the major office, retail and entertainment center for the region.

::   Bounded by Fisher 1-75 to the north, Chrysler 1-375 to the east, the Detroit River to the south and the Lodge Freeway [M-10] to the west, the Detroit CBD is easily accessed by both in-and-out travelers and Canadian traffic. Characterized as a district that grew from explosive development in the 1920s, the CBD development activity fell sharply following the economic depression in 1929, and the gradual shifting of employment, retail and entertainment to the suburbs in the 1960s. In recent years, the area has experienced increased activity both as an employment center and entertainment district. Several new developments guaranteed to strengthen the area are currently in the works.

General Motors Global Headquarters
::  General Motors is nearing completion of the $570 million renovation and improvement of the Renaissance Center for its new global headquarters. Investment includes the renovation of 2.2 million square feet of office space, upgrading the hotel facility, and the construction of a new winter garden and plaza on the Detroit River. Upon completion, the relocation will bring 8,000 employees to the site.

Campus Martius
::  Campus Martius is a 5 block, 2.5 million square foot, mixed-use development located in the lower Woodward Corridor of Detroit. The $1 billion, 9.2 acre development will restore downtown to a tree-lined office and entertainment district. The district will be a combination of brick, glass, decorative stone, fountains, atriums, and small city park delineated by a traditional traffic round-about. Compuware Corporation will serve as the centerpiece to the office building component of the project.

Compuware Corporation World Headquarters
::  Compuware Corporation is currently constructing a new $350 million facility within the Campus Martius development site. The 1.1 million square feet, 15-story facility will be the world headquarters for the fifth largest computer software company in the world. The facility will boast 60,000 square feet of retail, an employee fitness center and an attached 12 story parking structure.

Orchestra Place
::  The first phase of this two phase project in the Midtown Woodward Corridor was completed in 1998, and constructed the 175,000-sq. ft., $32 million office and retail building. The building serves as the new headquarters for the Detroit Medical Center and has a first-rate restaurant and a bank on the first floor. The second phase includes $60 million expansion of the symphony's home, Orchestra Hall.

Stadia Complex
::  The Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions have each constructed a new stadium on the north end of the CBD at a combined investment of $600 million. The Detroit Tigers relocated from their Corktown site just west of downtown Detroit in April of 2000 into the new 42,000 seat modern Comerica Park. The Detroit Lions will vacate the Pontiac Silverdome in 2002 as they relocate into the 65,000 seat Ford Field. The one million square feet facility will include suites and office and entertainment space partially built into an existing warehouse CBO building.

Gaming Casinos
::  Between 1999 and 2000, three gaming casinos were opened in the downtown area. Each was located in an existing building which the casino companies extensively rehabilitated for this new use. Originally the sites were meant to be temporary facilities, although at the time of printing, agreements had been set forth for each operator to select permanent siting. Each casino now proposes to develop a minimum of 400 hotel rooms connected to the facilities and currently employ approximately 6,500 employees.

Dime Building
::  Located in the heart of the central business district, Griswold Place offers class "A" office space within the grace of an historic skyscraper. $22 million is being invested to restore the historic, 23-story office building. A skywalk will connect the building to a parking deck.

Other Projects
::  A number of small-scale retail and office developments are occurring throughout the CBD area, including a dozen new restaurants and nightspots. Loft-style housing is being introduced into formerly vacant historic office buildings on the upper floors with retail uses on the street level.

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