Archive for the ‘M1 Rail’ Category
Detroit renaissance leader skeptical of Woodward light rail plan
The president of the nonprofit Detroit leadership and economic growth organization Detroit Renaissance thinks plans for a light rail connecting Detroit’s New Center district to the riverfront would do little to stimulate economic growth.
Chad Halcom of Crain’s Detroit Business writes that Doug Rothwell broached the topic today during an economic development meeting in Birmingham.
Crain’s Detroit Business, April 29: Rothwell told 120 or so attendees at the chamber’s Regional Economic and Community Development Forecast that a rail line along Woodward was not a bad idea for the city and region, but shouldn’t be considered an integral part of a regional economic development strategy.
“Because of the way we’re dispersed in Southeast Michigan, I don’t know any one area where you could lay down a fixed mass transit line and get the critical mass to use it,” he said.
“The best route, maybe, that I could see is Woodward Avenue or…possibly M-59 connecting Oakland and Macomb county…But call me a skeptic.”
As of March, the project reports contributions of $44 million from financial backers including the Detroit Downtown Development Authority, the Kresge Foundation, Peter Karmanos, Jr. and Mike Ilitch. Its goal is to reach $120 million.
A Detroit Urban Land Institute meeting on May 5 will include a special presentation on the M1 Rail led by project CEO Matthew P. Cullen.
