Redeux News: Downtown Becoming 2nd Tech Hub in Detroit?

Enjoying Campus Martius Park in the Summer

OK, Dan Gilbert was slightly upset when "King James" bolted from his Cleveland Cavaliers, but he is still committed to Detroit with his main gig, Quicken Loans. In 2007, Gilbert announced his decision to move the Quicken Loans headquarters to the Compuware Building near Campus Martius, and the move will be completed next month, bringing over 1,700 employees downtown.

A high-tech firm, Galaxe.Solutions, is also setting up headquarters downtown across the street from Campus Martius at 1001 Woodward Avenue in the next few weeks. Galaxe.Solutions plans to hire up to 500 new people in the next few years and is committed to reverse the outsourcing of tech jobs overseas. Dan Gilbert is working to get more small and tech-focused businesses to also move downtown, and several new restaurants have submitted plans to open soon.

Dan Gilbert says that he wants to re-name the downtown portion of Woodward Avenue "Webward". Along with "TechTown" in the New Center Area, Detroit could soon have two vibrant high-technology centers within the city limits.

Redeux News: Campus Martius Detroit Ice Rink Opens

Did you know:

The Campus Martius Detroit Ice Rink is

LARGER than the rink at 30Rock in NYC?

Ice Skating Rink & Holiday Tree

Ice skating occurs on a seasonal rink at the north lawn throughout the winter months. Special exhibitions are also possible on the rink with temporary seating that can accomodate up to 1,000 spectators. During the holiday season, a 60 foot Holiday Tree tops the Woodward Fountain.

The Rink at Campus Martius Park

Pre-season Rink opening:

November 13: 5pm - midnight

November 14: 10am - midnight

November 15: 12pm - 8pm

(313) 963-9393

RINK HOURS (November 2009 thru Jan 3):

Monday - Thursday 11am - 10pm

Friday 11am - Midnight

Saturday 10am - Midnight

Sunday 12pm - 8pm

RINK HOURS (Jan 4 thru March 14, 2010):

Monday - Thursday 11am - 9pm

Friday 11am - midnight

Saturday 10am -11pm

Sunday 12pm - 8pm

ADMISSION PRICES (2009-2010 winter season):

Adults 13 Years to 49 Years $7

Children 12 Years and younger $6

Seniors 50 Years and Older $6

Skate Rental $3

Shoe Check available for people with their own skates $2

Skate Sharpening $10

GROUP RATES - Must have reservations at least one week in advance in order to qualify for the rate discount. A non-refundable deposit of $50.00 is necessary one week prior to group date. Deposit may be applied toward costs upon arrival. Please call 313-963-9393:

Groups of 15-49 Skaters receive $.50 off admission price, skate rental $3

Groups of 50-99 Skaters receive $1 off addmission price, skate rental $3

Wordless Wednesday: Take Some Time...

There is still time for you to take a break 

and just chill...

Detroit Riverwalk

Campus Martius

Things to Do Thursday: 4th Fridays at Campus Martius

4th Fridays by Ford returns this year to Campus Martius! 

This Friday, the theme is "Celebrating 50 Years of Motown"!

From the Campus Martius website:

6:00PM, features live music variety, drink specials and opportunities for networking in the beautifully landscaped Park.

From 6:00-7:30PM, the best of Detroit’s music and entertainment will be featured at the Park.

The Ford Half-Time Show, 7:30-8:00PM, will include give-aways and raffle prizes from 4th Fridays sponsor Ford Motor Company.

The 4th Fridays with Ford monthly headliners will take the stage at 8:00PM and perform until 9:30PM.

Contemporary film classics with musical themes, projected on the big screen in the Park, will close each month’s 4th Fridays with Ford celebration, beginning at 9:30PM. Bring your blanket or pull up a Park chair and enjoy the films.

Or, you might end the night of music on a free walking tour led by Inside Detroit. Each month will “spotlight” four restaurant or bar locations in a different downtown district, offering special 4th Fridays discounts. The tour will end at the official Inside Detroit After Party location with food and drink specials and insider fun.

Featured 4th Fridays with Ford events on June 26:

A sampling of entertainment during Lunchtime Arts, from 11:30AM- 1:30PM in the Park, will feature preview artists from Concert of Colors July event. 

A mix of music and dance is highlighted on the main stage, 6:00-7:30PM, including a Tribute to Motown’s 50th Anniversary featuring a powerhouse band led by Edward Gooch, road musician for The Miracles and The Four Tops, The Funk Brothers, musical director Robert Jones, and more performers to be announced.

From 7:30-8:00PM, a “Happy Anniversary Motown” cake-cutting will take place with the Motown Historical Museum, plus prizes for “Detroit Trivia” audience game players.

Making an appearance as the headliner is long-time Silver Bullet Band saxman Alto Reed, leading a band of Detroit Classic Rock all-stars including drummer Johnny “Bee” Badanjek and guitarist Jim McCarty, both formerly of Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels. This special evening marks the launch of Alto’s new classic Detroit Rock album, “Tonight We Ride.” Alto Reed and the Detroit Classic Rock all-stars will perform from 8:00-9:30PM.

Continuing with the Motown theme, “Standing in the Shadows of Motown,” is the film classic that will be shown on the big screen at 9:30PM in the Park to culminate 4th Fridays with Ford. 

The featured downtown district and official after party location in June is Bookies Bar & Grille in North Downtown. The address is 2208 Cass Ave.

 

Find the complete poster here...

Tuesday Tidbits: Foran's Irish Pub

 

  

The interior and exterior of Foran's Irish Pub with restored Grand Trunk Railroad fixtures.

 
In the 1800s, the Grand Trunk Railroad extended from Portland, Maine to Sarnia, Ontario taking products from around the world from ships docked in Portland to distribute throughout the midwestern United States. The railroad line also linked many cities in Michigan, moving through Indiana to Chicago.

The Grand Trunk Railroad Depot Office in Detroit was located at Brush and Atwater Streets until the construction of the Renaissance Center. The Grand Trunk Railroad Ticket was located near what is now Campus Martius and thrived until Amtrak was begun in 1971.

The last Grand Trunk Railroad ticket office was located at 612 Woodward Avenue. Today, it is the home of Foran's Irish Pub, which has retained the historic style and furnishings of the old railroad office.

Foran's Irish Pub celebrates and supports the local economy by serving beer brewed at the Motor City Brewing Works, bread from Avalon Bakery, Faygo Pop, and meats and produce from the Eastern Market. Wi-fi is available.

Click here to visit the website for menu items and hours and to find out more about this great Detroit restaurant and bar.

Doin' It in Detroit: Ice Skating at Campus Martius Town Square

Fooled ya!  Campus Martius in downtown Detroit looks like this in the summer...but it's late fall now, and the Ice Skating Rink will be open for the season starting this weekend!  You can always check out the Campus Martius area 24/7 with the Campus Martius Webcam:

The Hours for the Ice Rink at Campus Martius:

 

FRI. NOV 14, 11am - Midnight

SAT. NOV 15, 10am - Midnight

SUN. NOV 16, Noon - 8pm 

Lace up those skates and get some winter exercise!  Skate rental is available.

The 2008 Holiday Tree Lighting will be Friday, November 21st, with Carriage Rides, World Class Skating Exhibitions, and the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign Kick-off.

 

Photo Credit: Detroit Free Press

Detroit's Fabulous Fountains

Fountains--have you seen the fantastic fountains in Detroit lately? Before summer slips away and the skies start to turn gray (hey, that rhymes!), take some time to revel in the beauty of Detroit's outdoor fountains...

 

The Scott Memorial Fountain at Belle Isle

  

The Fountain at Grand Circus Park

  

The Woodward Fountain at Campus Martius

  

The Atrium Waterfall at Compuware HQ

The Dodge Fountain at Hart Plaza

I know I missed the Atrium Waterfall at the International Center; as soon as I get a picture, I'll add it to this post.  Did I miss any others?  Please let me know in the "Comments" Section...

Shameless Plug: please read my husband's blog The "D" Spot...

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Campus Martius Park

Campus Martius Park, Detroit's "Town Square", has become an all-season public gathering place for fun and relaxation for the City's residents, visitors, and downtown workers.

Campus Martius, which officially opened in 2004, was developed through a partnership between the City of Detroit and the Detroit 300 Conservancy. There are festivals, concerts, drive-in-like movies, holiday celebrations; even outdoor ice-skating. Free wireless internet access is available...well, it works well sometimes...

But "Campus Martius"? What kind of name is that? I admit, when I first heard that former Mayor Dennis Archer had chosen that name, I thought: "What? That sounds like something from outer space!"

In actuality, "Campus Martius" is Latin for "military ground and was named for the Campus Martius Stockade in Marietta, Ohio. In the center of Detroit's Campus Martius is "The Point of Origin", located at the intersection of Woodward and Monroe.

It was at this point in 1805, after the Great Detroit Fire, that Judge Augustus B. Woodward (after whom Woodward Avenue is named) and the surveyors he hired developed the Coordinate System from which Detroit's streets radiate.


There is always something going on at Campus Martius! Check out the 24/7 Webcam!

Major Events for Summer 2008 include:
The "Summer in the Park" Series of Concerts
The "4th Fridays with Ford" Concerts
The "Comcast Summer Film Series"

Don't be surprised...there is always something to celebrate in Detroit! We've got the Spirit!

Enjoy!