On Sunday (4/4/10) the Detroit Free Press featured an awesome editorial spread that highlighted all of the major proposals and plans that have been discussed for the city over the past few months.  It seems that people are finally getting serious about rebuilding and while it may seem like a far-fetched pipe dream to some, the vision for a vibrant Detroit in little more than just ten years actually seems fairly realistic in the greater scheme of things.  But then again, I do apparently come from a long line of eternal optimists, so I could be way off on this.  Sure, its going to take a hell of a lot of money, millions if not billions of dollars, and time to get most of these plans up and running, I realize that, but I also realize that we’ve already got some serious investors, Illitch and company, to name just one, that are ready and willing to unleash their dollars to kick-start Detroit redevelopment.  

It’s also worth noting that, as of late, some mysterious, unknown individuals have been buying up cheap property like there’s no tomorrow in and around the downtown area for a project that very well may turn out to be the new sports arena that will house the Wings and possibly the Pistons.  We’ll keep you posted on that!

A second thing worth noting, and one that probably won’t be too seriously discussed for at least another 4-5 years, is the possibility of Detroit hosting the summer olympic games in 2020.  The plan is actually to have, for the first time, two countries host the games at the same time.  Both Detroit and Windsor would act as duel hosts.  Now if you thought the aforementioned stuff was an insane pipe-dream, then I must obviously be off my rocker on this one.  But here me out.  It almost seems like a ‘perfect storm’ type opportunity here.  By 2020, if things go relatively as planned, Detroit will undoubtedly be the biggest comeback story of the past century and what better way to top it all off than to have the winning bid for the 2020 summer games.

I realize it may seem like a long shot now, but by the time the 2020 games roll around it will have been nearly 25 years since a city in North America hosted the summer games, not to mention the fact that Detroit’s 2020 bid will be their 8th overall bid for the games, the most of any other unsuccessful city.  It sounds to me like Detroit is due for a win.

But anyways, back on topic, heres a few of the highlights from the Free Press spread for convenience sake:

• Probably one of the most important aspects of Detroit’s rebirth: Education is HUGE! We’re talking a complete overall of DPS with smaller, more modernized facilities and a 90% graduation rate by 2020.
• The M1 light rail project connecting Downtown to the New Center Area.
• Demolition of nearly 80,000 vacant houses.
• The latest and greatest in the green movement: Urban farming.
• $280 million renovation and expansion of Cobo Hall.
• In the end, its all about a smaller, smarter, more efficient Detroit

See the complete list plus all the maps and diagrams your heart desires here: http://www.freep.com/article/20100404/NEWS01/4040517/1318

Indulge yourselves, if you so choose, in the links below to the various Free Press articles that discuss the proposed plans and investments in schools, mass transit and a second bridge to Canada, among other things, plus some thoughts from Mitch Albom and the like.

What Detroit could be in 10 years: http://www.freep.com/article/20100404/OPINION01/4040518/1318/Looking-at-Detroit-in-2020

Mitch Albom Editorial: http://www.freep.com/article/20100404/COL01/4040471/1318/

The Detroit that could be Editorial: http://www.freep.com/article/20100404/OPINION01/4040423/1318/