Mulu's gone, but his spirit lives on
The URA apparently doesn't think it has done enough damage Downtown. It was so successful in bringing a Lazarus store Downtown, it wants the right to approve the next big retailer to come Downtown. Where will that retailer locate? Why, in the building left vacant by Lazarus, which blew town after, what, five years or so, leaving taxpayers holding the bag for a loan they will never have to repay.
But what do I know? I'm just a naysayer.
posted by Jonathan Potts at
10:43 AM
4 Comments:
Meanwhile, Mulu is somewhat active in Detroit:
www.freep.com/news/locway/detplan27e_20040927.htm
Not that it matters, because Mulu really is concentrating on "branding" the region (where have we heard that?):
"Dr. Mulugetta Birru, director of the Greater Wayne County Economic Development Corp., discussed his plans as he moves into the newly created department.
Having already met with representatives from Oakland and Macomb counties, Birru emphasized the importance of working together. "We don't need to duplicate our efforts, we need to complement them. If the Carolinas can work together, so can our counties."
Birru's philosophy mirrors that of DREP: "The entire region benefits if we work together."
The mission of the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership is to develop new business for the Detroit Region and its companies through marketing its opportunities and providing relevant information, contacts and assistance to regional, national and international prospects. In addition to the 10 counties, DREP has more than 100 private-sector investors. Partnership staff and volunteers work together to market the region."
Why do I get the feeling Mulu will bleed the economy of Detroit dead, DREP by DREP?
5:21 PM
I was somewhat clumsy with that posting. I'm not suggesting Mulu is supporting Detroit city council on the bizarre economic development experiment of balkanizing spheres of influence. Rather, that he's supporting a rival, but equally brainless, concept of regional branding for the Detroit area.
Just what we need, more tin-pot slogans for erstwhile rust-belt buckles. Sigh.
5:33 PM
It's just astounding that these cities keep hiring our cast-offs. First Steve Leeper in Cincinnatti, now Mulu in Detroit. Hasn't Detroit suffered enough?
5:50 PM
Weird ideas that have NOT been discounted yet:
Why not hold the old Lazarus for the new slots parlor?
Or, why not make the old Lazarus home to the new African American History Center?
If I'm going to play armchair quarterback, I'd put the new gambling parlor within the T-stop at (below) Gateway Center. Then that new construction for the T, minus the turn-around, could be paid for.
3:45 PM
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