Detroit
is still the fascinating city of all things automotive, but it is also a
city transformed. Have you visited Detroit lately?
Arrival
at Detroit’s Metro Airport sets the stage for the new Detroit.
The Northwest Airlines World Gateway Terminal provides nearly 100
gates, an elevated tram, spacious walkways, unique
Detroit-themed shops and restaurants. A second terminal is under
construction. Detroit’s largest convention hotel recently
renovated its rooms and its over 100,000 square feet of meeting space.
The
Wintergarden, a new five story glass atrium overlooking the
Detroit River has opened with a wide selection of boutiques and shops.
Other hotels have upgraded and enhanced their facilities; early 20th
century office buildings have been restored and converted to trendy
condos in a remarkable revitalization effort throughout the whole city
of Detroit.
New side-by-side stadiums for the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions
anchor Detroit’s entertainment district. The world’s largest
Polar Bear exhibit, The Arctic Ring of Life, is now open at the
Detroit Zoo. The state-of-the-art, interactive facility encompasses over
four acres and features a 70-foot underwater glass tunnel for easy
viewing.
Campus
Martius, in the heart of the business district, includes
Compuware’s world headquarters. This software and technology giant
anchors the 10-block area. Its 15-story office building will overlook a
new city park with an ice-skating rink, band shells and outdoor cafes.
Fountains and public benches are plentiful. Up to 150 special events a
year are scheduled for Detroit’s newest public green space.
A
$500 million development project is underway along the Detroit River.
Tri-Centennial Park (the state's first urban state park to be opened in
more than 100 years) will be the first phase completed. Two other parks
will be connected with a network of bike and jogging trails. In addition
to the "greening" of the riverfront, a new harbor for cruise
ships and pleasure boats will open near GM World Headquarters. This
phase will complete a 3-mile network of parks that stretch from Belle
Isle’s MacArthur Bridge to Joe Louis Arena.
Greenfield
Village re-opened in June 2003 after extensive renovations and
improvements. Visitors can experience 300 years of American history
through 83 historic structures, including the actual Wright Brothers
Cycle Shop from Dayton Ohio, where Orville and Wilbur built their first
airplane or explore Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park Laboratories from New
Jersey, where Edison invented the light bulb and phonograph.
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of flight with a special
40,000-square-foot permanent exhibit,‘Heroes of the Sky’, featuring
the stories and airplanes from the first 40 years of aviation.
MotorCity
Casino and MGM Grand Detroit Casino are each in the process of enlarging
their gaming space to 100,000 square feet. Convention space and
hotels are being added.
It's
a great time to visit Detroit!
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