Detroit's Innovation District
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Detroit's Innovation District

507
Detroit's Innovation District
Downtown Detroit Partnership

"I'm born and raised in Detroit, and it's different than it's ever been."
-Gerry Phillips
Co-founder and CFO of Prism Plastics


TechTown: Creating Opportunities

From robust to ruin, bailout to revival, Detroit has seen an indescribable roller coaster of evolution and regression that has changed the business industry of the unyielding city. Since 2014, Detroit has pushed through it's prolonged climb out of economic disaster—including its $18 billion debt brought on by the city's bankruptcy—into a period of rebirth with small businesses taking back the city that was once theirs.

Downtown colleges, attractions, and previously established Motor City businesses have begun the battle to reclaim the city by building a network of industries and business professions dedicated to the growth of hometown businesses and education. Hoping to recover lost jobs and to improve the diminished employment rate, these organizations plan to encourage local citizens to establish businesses, support their local community, and create a safer, inspired, and connected community.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F08%2F13%2F636066563502477638-1943400696_32538.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=938&h=bd90f19e0d26215d9fe596d2c93143a33e03e38dbe8b4821aaeeab630899cee8&size=980x&c=2895733211 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F08%252F13%252F636066563502477638-1943400696_32538.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D938%26h%3Dbd90f19e0d26215d9fe596d2c93143a33e03e38dbe8b4821aaeeab630899cee8%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2895733211%22%7D" expand=1]


This 'innovation district' stretching up Woodward Avenue from the riverfront to New Center is essentially Detroit's 'new beginning'. Inspiring millennials with its shell of previously-existing Motor City companies and businesses, TechTown, an innovation district in metro Detroit, is sparking business potential. TechTown provides entrepreneurs and start-ups in Southeast Michigan with programs and partnering opportunities to flourish, including Wayne State University, a nearby university. The area has its own unique infrastructure that has played an important role in Detroit's making and has the potential for extensive growth and development. Rich in opportunities, the area's legacy is to be passed on to the booming design, research and development hub.

With several programs supporting the creative effort to re-establish the innovative industry, Detroit's innovative-network of connections is sparking hope for its revival. Organizations including: Wayne State University, University of Detroit Mercy, Henry Ford Health System, Next Energy, the College of Creative Studies and many others are changing the way students and business leaders view Detroit's business industry.

See the Full List of Partnerships

By collecting the industrial momentum of the city and redistributing it to the rest of the world, creative thinkers and innovators are seeing a potential for massive growth in the city's open-ended possibilities. Changing old into new, small business owners and local metro-Detroiters are giving back to the city, bringing new life to the broken pieces left behind by the economic downfall that had Detroit in shambles.


The Future of Detroit

Environmental, economic and cultural sustainability are foundational elements of the TechTown game-changing plan devised by group forums and strategic planning by the organization, which involved outside input from local citizens. Not only does the plan contains an exercise circuit and integrated bicycle network to promote health and wellness, but public open-space improvements that will create a walkable district that reduces demand for parking and provides access to new light rail transit. Landscape strategies include bioswales to enhance infiltration and reduce surface run off, while streetscape improvements increase pervious surfaces. The economy of the district focuses on local production of goods and services, and job creation around innovation. Techtown's new plan for Detroit preserves the district’s history and character through adaptive reuse of the city's historic buildings.



Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

6 Things Owning A Cat Has Taught Me

This one's for you, Spock.

412
6 Things Owning A Cat Has Taught Me
Liz Abere

Owning a pet can get difficult and expensive. Sometimes, their vet bills cost hundreds of dollars just for one visit. On top of that, pets also need food, a wee wee pad for a dog, a litter box with litter for a cat, toys, and treats. Besides having to spend hundreds of dollars on them, they provide a great companion and are almost always there when you need to talk to someone. For the past six years, I have been the proud owner of my purebred Bengal cat named Spock. Although he's only seven years and four months old, he's taught me so much. Here's a few of the things that he has taught me.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Kinder Self - Eyes

You're Your Own Best Friend

1311
Kinder Self - Eyes
Pexels

It's fun to see all of the selfies on social media, they are everywhere. I see pictures with pouty lips, duck lips and pucker lips. I see smokey eyes, huge fake lashes and nicely done nose jobs, boob jobs and butt lifts. Women working out in spandex, tiny tops and flip flops. I see tight abs and firm butts, manicured nails and toes, up dos and flowing hair. "Wow", I think to myself," I could apply tons of make-up, spend an hour on my hair, pose all day and not look like that. Maybe I need a longer stick!"

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Rap Songs With A Deeper Meaning

Rap is more than the F-bomb and a beat. Read what artists like Fetty, Schoolboy Q, Drake, and 2Pac can teach you.

22013
Rap artist delivers performance on stage
Photo by Chase Fade on Unsplash

On the surface, rap songs may carry a surface perception of negativity. However, exploring their lyrics reveals profound hidden depth.Despite occasional profanity, it's crucial to look beyond it. Rap transcends mere wordplay; these 25 song lyrics impart valuable life lessons, offering insights that extend beyond the conventional perception of rap music.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

21 Drinks For Your 21st Birthday

Maybe don't try them all in one day...

2456
21 Drinks For Your 21st Birthday

My 21st birthday is finally almost here. In honor of finally turning 21, I thought I'd share 21 fun drinks since it's finally legal for me to drink them.

Some of these drinks are basic, but some of them are a little more interesting. I thought they all looked pretty good and worth trying, so choose your favorites to enjoy at your big birthday bash!

Keep Reading...Show less
Politics

Ancient Roman Kings: 7 Leaders of Early Rome

The names and dates of the reigns of the first four kings, as well as the alternation of Sabin and Latin names, are more legendary than historical. The last three kings, of Etruscan origin, have an existence which seems less uncertain.

4565
inside ancient roman building
Photo by Chad Greiter on Unsplash

It is evident that all this is only a legend although archeology shows us little by little that these kings if they did not exist as the ancient history, describes them, have at least in the very Outlines were real as chief of a shepherd’s tribe. The period when kings ruled Rome could estimate at 245 years.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments