This is the map that I think of when anyone has a grand plan for Detroit, like demolishing part of the Renaissance Center. Imagine what $2.2 Billion could do for regional transit and economic activity.
“I think every major city in America has some form of regional transportation but us, which is a shame.” – Dan Gilbert
(Detroit Economic Club, September 2024)
The single most effective strategy for bolster economic growth and social mobility for Detroiters and the entire metro region would be to build reliable regional transit. There are less than 7 bus routes in Detroit that are “reliable” with less than 10 minute frequency. The Connect 10 routes were an important concept from DDOT to improve frequency and reliability, but we really need to do more and the regional leaders who hold the power know it.
“Why do I care about transit? Just ask young people.” – Dan Gilbert
(Citing a survey where 73% of millennials ranked regional transit as their No. 1 community priority)
- Mothball the RenCen, good luck to the private interests that now own it. The regional priority should not be a possible ferris wheel Downtown, but getting 4 million to and from economic opportunities across the region that are accessible and affordable.
- Invest in regional transit. I would willing ride a Dan Gilbert financed “Rocket” branded bus that shows up on time, frequently.
- Encourage other corporate entities to invest in specific bus routes (Rocket line from the airport, GM line along Van Dyke, LEAR line along Gratiot, Penske line on Grand River, etc.)
- Universities setting up downtown should offer regional bus rapid transit that also connects to their facilities across the city (UM line along I-94 connecting Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Downtown Detroit, MSU line along I-96 connecting East Lansing, Flint, and their campuses in NW Detroit, Fisher Building, and Henry Ford Health)
The alternative could also be requiring every data center to invest in bus rapid transit that connects two communities in the region. The hyperscale developments along with the size of the RenCen project are wildly out of proportion to the basic economic drivers missing in our region. Workers need to get to and from employers easily and efficiently, businesses need to know that the 4 million people in the region are connected – not dependent on the number of parking garages, and young people need to know that opportunity exists in a place where transportation costs don’t break the budget.
“Imagine if you have regional transportation going to the airport, back from the airport, east to west, north to south, it would completely change the region. The economic boom would be the biggest one we’ve ever seen in this area.” – Dan Gilbert
(Detroit Economic Club, September 2024)
