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Yoga Fitness Classes in Downtown Detroit yogaindetroit.com | Cosmetic Dentist Detroit - Veneers, Dental Implants in Detroit yourdentistryguide.com | for Waller Health Center in Detroit - Advantage Health Centers... ahcdetroit.org |
  Downtown Detroit is the central business district and a residential area of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Downtown is bordered by the Lodge Freeway to the west, the Fisher Freeway to the north, Interstate 375 (The Chrysler Spur) to the east, and the Detroit River to the south. Downtown contains much historic architecture and most of the prominent skyscrapers in Detroit, including the Renaissance Center, the Penobscot Building, Comerica Tower, and the Guardian Building. Historic churches, theatres, and commercial buildings anchor the various downtown districts. Downtown has a number parks including those linked by a promenade along the Detroit International Riverfront. In recent years the downtown area has seen tremendous growth and development. Since 2000 a number of major construction projects have been completed including the new Compuware Headquarters at Campus Martius Park and two new stadiums: Comerica Park and Ford Field. General Motors moved their headquarters into the Renaissance Center, and the Detroit Lions have relocated from Pontiac, MI to downtown Detroit. High-profile events like the 2005 MLB All-Star Game, Super Bowl XL, and the 2006 World Series have taken place in downtown, generating income for local businesses and spurring more growth[1]. As result new residents are moving into Detroit in the assortment of new lofts that are opening up, while condemned buildings and homes are being razed to make land available for yet more development. An example of these trends is the Westin Book-Cadillac Hotel. In 2006, the Cleveland-based Ferchill Group began the $180 million redevelopment of the long vacant Book Cadlliac Hotel at the corner of Washington Blvd. and Michigan Avenue. The project, which has been hailed by historic preservationists houses a 455 room Westin Hotel, 67 high-end condominiums, and two to three restaurants, and some miscellaneous retail serving hotel and conference center guests. DTE headquarters will feature an urban oasis of parks, walkways, and a reflecting pool.[2] In 2007, downtown Detroit was named among the best big city neighborhoods in which to retire by CNN Money Magazine editors.[3]
[edit] Districts[edit] Bricktown Historic District Bricktown separates the Renaissance Center from Greektown.[4] It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The area contains an eclectic mix of late 19th century architecture and early 20th century industrial buildings and warehouses. Bricktown is home to St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church, the oldest standing church in Detroit, and the Italian Renaissance style Wayne County Building (which was saved from demolition in the early 1980’s). The Wayne County Courthouse, which used to be located in the Wayne County Building, was the place where Mae West was once a defendant on a charge of public indecency. The Bricktown area is now seeing resurgence with the creation of lofts and the addition of the Greektown casino. While it is small in area, Bricktown is notable for its live music venues. Jacoby's German Biergarten (1904), the city's oldest surviving pub, provides a small performance space for up & coming acts. Around the corner, St. Andrew's Hall is a venue for nationally touring acts, as is the Shelter in the basement of St. Andrew's. [edit] Campus MartiusMain article: Campus Martius Park Campus Martius is a historic district and central gathering place which contains parks, the Woodward Fountain, Michigan Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, and a large traffic circle surrounded by commercial and residential high-rises including 1001 Woodward Avenue. Since the traffic circles restoration and expansion, it has emerged as a central gathering spot downtown with a mainstage. Just down Woodward Avenue is another large circle and main gathering spot known as Grand Circus. [edit] Capital Park Historic DistrictMain article: Capitol Park Historic District Capital Park along with the Washington Boulevard Historic District are a part of the west necklace of downtown. [edit] Fort / Financial DistrictThe Fort St. and Financial District area contains many historic structures including the Fort Street Presbyterian Church (1876). The Fort Shelby Hotel (1916) was restored in 2008. Many of the cities skycrapers are found in this area including the Guardian Building, a National Historic Landmark. The area has its own People Mover station. [edit] Grand Circus Park Historic DistrictMain article: Grand Circus Park Historic District  Foxtown is a name used in Detroit for the Grand Circus Park Historic District, with Kales Building, Grand Park Centre, The Fillmore Detroit, Comerica Park, and Ford Field located in it. It is named after the Fox Theatre, a National Historic Landmark. Interstate 75, Grand River Avenue, Woodward Avenue, Interstate 375, Michigan Avenue/US 12, and Gratiot Avenue all pass through or close to Foxtown. [5] The Detroit People Mover has a station in Foxtown on the south end of Grand Circus Park.[4] The Detroit Opera House is located at Broadway and Grand Circus. The east necklace of downtown links Grand Circus and the stadium area to Greektown along Broadway. The east neckace contains a sub-district sometimes called the Harmonie Park District, which has taken on the renowned legacy of Detroit's music from 1930s through the 1950s to the present.[6] Near the Opera House, and emanating from Grand Circus along the east necklace are other venues including the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts and the Gem Theatre and Century Club. The historic Harmonie Club and Harmonie Centre are located along Broadway. The Harmonie Park area ends near Gratiot and Randolph. The Detroit Athletic Club stands in view of center field at Comerica Park. Part of the east necklace, the area contains architecturally notable buildings planned for renovation as high-rise residential condominiums such as the Gothic Revival Metropolitan Building at 33 John R St. The Hilton Garden Inn is also in the Harmonie Park area. [edit] Greektown Historic DistrictMain article: Greektown Historic District  Greektown is located less than half a mile (800 m) from the Renaissance Center in the downtown area. It combines with Bricktown to create a , with Monroe Street at the center. The neighborhood is a popular restaurant and entertainment district, having many restaurants that serve authentic Greek cuisine, as well as one of the city's three casinos, Greektown Casino. Certain buildings on Monroe Street are themed to resemble the Parthenon, Pegasus, and other forms of Greek architecture. Greek music is also played on Monroe Street throughout the day. Well known restaurants include The Laikon Cafe, Cyprus Taverna, Pegasus Taverna, and Pizza Papalis. St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, founded by German immigrants, is located in the heart of the district. The Second Baptist Church once served as "station" for the Underground Railroad. The Detroit People Mover has a station at the Greektown Casino on Beaubien Street between Monroe Street and Lafayette Boulevard. The Greektown Historic District is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.[4] [edit] Jefferson AvenueJefferson Avenue runs parallel to the International Riverfront which contains the Renaissance Center, Cobo Center, a cruise ship terminal and dock, residential high rises, and a prominade of parks and marinas extending to Belle Isle. The towering Riverfront Condominiums are among the high-rise resdential areas along the riverfront. The University of Detroit Mercy College of Law is across from the Renaissance Center along Jefferson Avenue. The People Mover serves the Renaissance Center and the Cobo Center along the riverfront. [edit] Washington Boulevard Historic DistrictMain article: Washington Boulevard Historic District The Washington Boulevard Historic District is located in downtown Detroit, along Washington Boulevard between State and Clifford streets. It includes the Book-Cadillac Hotel, the Book Tower, the Industrial-Stevens Apartments, and Washington Square (Trolley Plaza) among other architecturally significant buildings.[4] Washington Boulevard and Capitol Park Historic District are part of the west necklace of downtown. [edit] Government and infrastructureThe Detroit Fire Department has its headquarters in Downtown Detroit.[7] The Detroit Police Department has its headquarters in Downtown Detroit.[8] The Central District patrol division of the police department serves Downtown Detroit.[9] [edit] Economy According to a collaborative report released by the Brookings Institution, Social Compact and the University of Michigan on October 26, 2006, downtown Detroit is home to 6,500 residents, and hosts 80,500 downtown workers, which makes up 21% of Detroit city's total employment. Downtown offers a number of residential high rises, including Riverfront Towers.[10][11] General Motors has its headquarters in the Renaissance Center. Compuware has its headquarters by Campus Martius Park in Downtown Detroit.[12] DTE Energy has its headquarters in the DTE Energy Headquarters.[13] Little Caesars and Olympia Entertainment have their headquarters in the Fox Theatre.[14][15] Comerica Bank has offices in the Comerica Tower in Downtown; at one time Comerica's headquarters were in the tower.[16] In 2007 Comerica announced that it would move its headquarters to the Comerica Bank Tower in downtown Dallas, Texas in 2007, but maintain its presence in Michigan. The bank's lease on Comerica Tower at Detroit Center runs through 2012.[17] [edit] Diplomatic missionsTwo consulates are located in the Renaissance Center; the Consulate-General of Japan is located on the 16th Floor of the 400 Tower,[18] and the Consulate-General of Canada in Detroit is located in Suite 1100 of the 600 Tower.[19] The Consulate of Italy in Detroit is located in Suite 1840 in the Buhl Building.[20] The Consulate of Mexico in Detroit is located in Suite 830 in the Penobscot Building.[21] [edit] TransportationThe Detroit Greyhound Lines station is directly west of Downtown along the John C. Lodge Freeway.[22] The Detroit Department of Transportation system provides mass-transit by bus. The Detroit People Mover, a 2.9-mile (4.7 km) automated people mover system, operates on a single-track, one-way loop through the downtown area. Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation has its headquarters in the Buhl Building in Downtown Detroit.[23] [edit] Education [edit] Primary and secondary schoolsThe area is zoned to Detroit Public Schools. Some residents are zoned to Burton K-8 for elementary school, while others are zoned to Chrysler Elementary School.[24] Some residents are zoned to Burton K-8 for middle school, while others are zoned to Duffield Middle School.[25] All residents are zoned to Martin Luther King High School.[26] Prior to its closure, Murray-Wright High School served Downtown Detroit.[27] At one point in the 2000s a portion of Downtown was served by Dewey PK-8 for elementary school, while a portion was served by Chrysler Elementary.[28] At one point in the 2000s a portion of Downtown was served by Dewey PK-8 for middle school, while another section was served by Miller 6-9 for middle school.[29] [edit] Colleges and universitiesWayne County Community College District (WCCCD) has its headquarters in Downtown Detroit.[30] The Downtown Campus of the district is located adjacent to Downtown Detroit and adjacent to the WCCCD headquarters.[31] Wayne State University is north of downtown. [edit] Public librariesDetroit Public Library operates the Rose and Robert Skillman Branch Library at 121 Gratiot. The branch first opened as the Downtown Library on January 4, 1932. Skillman received its current name after the Skillman Foundation donated to the library system.[32] [edit] Gallery
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