Tigers seek closure to pitching woes

With spring around the corner, Detroiters are anxiously awaiting another summer of Tigers’ baseball.  The American League Champions have sky-high expectations and return much of their core.  Yet, early spring training games suggest the Tigers already have a closer problem.  Sound familiar?

Much of the scrutiny directed towards manager Jim Leyland last year was his unwillingness to part ways with struggling players like Jose Valverde and Ryan Raburn.  This year, Leyland has taken a different approach.  Bruce Rondon, a hard throwing Venezuelan was anointed closer of the future following the departure of Jose Valverde, but has already had his workload decreased.  The young pitcher, known for his explosive fastball, has struggled to control his pitches and allows too many runners onto the base paths.  Sound familiar?

No Detroit fans, it’s not time to panic.  The Tigers play in a weak American League Central Division.  In addition, the bullpen still features able relievers like Phil Coke, Joaquin Benoit, and Octavio Dotel that can close or at least fill in until the trade deadline. 

On the other hand, Detroit businesses might be a little more nervous about the spring training struggles.  Last year, the Detroit Tigers World Series proved not only rewarding to loyal fans but also lucrative for local businesses.  Whether it’s a local hotel, bar, restaurant, or parking lot, businesses crave Tiger baseball because of the traffic it brings Downtown.  An article written the in the Detroit Free Press stated the economic impact felt by Detroit during the 2012 World Series run was $72 million. 

It’s way too early to panic about the Tigers, but understanding their impact on Downtown Detroit cannot be understated.  Each game presents an opportunity for the city to sell itself.  In the regular season, it’s at a local level for the most part, but advancing further in the playoffs allows Detroit the opportunity to sell itself to the rest of the country.  Let’s hope Jim Leyland finds closure to his pitching predicament in time for another World Series run.  Detroit could use it. 

Pitcher Bruce Rondon

Detroit switches on the lighting authority

Detroit took a step forward earlier this month when City Council approved the articles of incorporation for a new public lighting authority. State lawmakers approved a December law that allowed for its creation.  The authority plans to raise its money through a $160 million bond offering with the proceeds being used to fund its operations.

Members of the new authority will be approved by City Council and the Mayor’s office.   The five member board is required to include a licensed engineer, a financial expert, a licensed attorney, and two other at large members.  Such requirements are prudent and ensure the right experts are in place to address a problem that the City cannot fully grasp.  City officials admitted to not knowing how many of Detroit’s 88,000 streetlights fail to function properly, but one only needed to drive down Gratiot or Lafayette after dark to see the problem. 

The authority will assume the responsibility of fixing a major threat to public safety. Every shadow or dark alley left without light presents a greater opportunity for criminals to do their work in anonymity.  An effective lighting authority will indirectly deter crime.    

A popular saying amongst Detroit naysayers has been “last one out, turn off the lights”.  For a while, they had reason to believe Detroit's fall was near as the lighting struggles shadowed any optimism, but that has changed.  Going forward, the same light the authority will create for city streets needs be used to identify more innovative solutions to the challenges facing Detroit.

 

“Give light and people will find the way.”

-Ella Baker

"One tough nerd" has one tough decision

State Treasurer Andy Dillon reaffirmed Detroit’s bleak financial health in a report delivered to Governor Rick Snyder on Tuesday.  Dillon led a financial review team comprised of Kenneth Whipple, Darrell Burks, Ronald Goldsberry, Thomas McTavish, and Frederick Headen.   Following the review, all members agreed; Detroit is in a state of “financial emergency” and does not have a sufficient plan in place.

One week ago, Mayor Dave Bing proudly declared that Detroit had continued to meet its payroll obligations and avoided an Emergency Manager to date.  He continued by reporting savings the City realized through adoption of technological solutions and partnerships with non-profits that helped Detroit’s bottom line.  Bing acknowledged Detroit’s dire condition, but held out hope.

Dillon’s comments today suggest that the fiscal savings championed during Bing’s reign are not enough.  Mayor Bing has restored integrity and morality to the Detroit missing during the past administrations, and for that, Detroiters should be grateful.  That being said, the financial struggles of Detroit persist.

They include:

·         A $14 Billion in unfunded pension liabilities

·         A $100 million cash-flow deficit by June 30 if spending cuts are not implemented

For too long, Detroit has kicked the can down the road by relying on long term debt to fund their short term obligations.  In addition, the City never seemed to unite after the Consent Agreement like Governor Snyder had hoped.  Words like accountability, sacrifice, and urgency have been thrown around but the rhetoric far too often remained an idea rather than action.

An emergency manager offers Detroit a chance to circumvent political standstill and get to work.  A nonelected official, with no aspirations for reelection, would have the ability to implement a plan that can optimize Detroit’s dwindling resources.  In no way am I suggesting that the City can cut its way to prosperity, but taking the necessary financial actions would signal to citizens and businesses that Detroit is for real this time.

Will Snyder play his emergency manager card?  Time will tell, but the man that ran for office by proudly characterizing himself as “one tough nerd” has one tough decision ahead.

Full Text of Mayor Dave Bing’s State of the City Address, Detroit Free Press

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013130213094

State treasurer: “We gave the city every chance”, Detroit News

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130219/METRO01/302190407/Mich-treasurer-Detroit-We-gave-city-every-chance-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Monroe Street Steakhouse: a hidden Greektown gem

After a long day’s work, I have one question on my mind.  What's for dinner?  Luckily, Detroit has mutiple answers to my hunger.  Downtown has a variety of dining options that cover a multitude of ethnicities ranging from Greek, Arabic, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Cuban, and Chinese.      

Much of the attention in recent months has focused on the opening of the newest Buffalo Wild Wings franchise on the corner of Randolph and Monroe at the edge of Greektown.  While I’m all for having a new chain open downtown and will likely indulge in boneless wings on Thursdays, I want to take this opportunity to discuss another Greektown dining option that is unique to Detroit.

Monroe Street Steakhouse is located at 561 Monroe between St. Antoine and Beaubien.  This gem, nestled in the heart of Greektown specializes in serving USDA Choice or Higher steaks and Certified American lamb chops that are charbroiled to your preference.  If you are not in the carnivorous mood, try the numerous nonmeat options like the lobster tail, salmon, or fettuccini Alfredo.

Most visitors associate Greektown dining with the showmanship displayed during the serving of Saganaki, the flaming cheese dish served at restaurants like New Parthenon Restaurant and Pegasus Tavernas.  Monroe Street Steakhouse has the opposite appeal.  Expect a low key atmosphere where customer service and food execution take precedent. 

I think part of the attraction to the restaurant industry is its dynamic nature with the openings and closings of businesses daily.  Yet, much more can be said about the establishments that stay open and maintain a loyal following.  Bon appétit.

Monroe Street Steakhouse

Monday – Saturday

5:00 PM – 11:00PM

  561 Monroe Ave.

  Detroit, MI 48226

  (313)961-3636

http://www.monroeststeakhouse.com/

   

Detroit politics; fix it!

Today, I stumbled upon an article in the Detroit News during my lunch break.  The article, “Cost concerns stall search for Detroit police chief”, details political officials’ skepticism over the cost of finding candidates to be the next police chief of Detroit.  Reading the article gave me both the inclination to smile at the irony, but also frown at the inactivity.

Before going any further, I write this blog from the vantage point of a concerned citizen, not a political activist with an agenda.  My only goal is to live in a better Detroit. 

While officials weigh the options of the police chief search, the city goes another day without a unified vision to combat crime.  The same political leaders that voted collectively to reject the state of Michigan leasing Belle Isle are taking more time to find the next police chief because they are concerned with finances.  If our political leaders were so concerned with the finances of Detroit, why did they reject an offer by the state to lease Belle Isle that would allow Detroit to retain ownership?  Michigan would run Belle Isle as a state park and save the city millions of dollars annually.

This inconsistency speaks to a greater challenge.  Our current political leaders are not taking the needed action to make our city better.  In no way am I indicting the character of our elected officials; I believe that they share my goal of making the city better, but I disagree with how they pursue that goal.  I said in my first post that I wanted to be part of the solution, not the problem.  I would be more than willing to speak with any leader or citizen if I thought it could make our city better. 

Yet, the same inaction that dragged along the consent agreement, Hantz farm, and even our police chief search speaks to a greater danger.  Failure to act will result in municipal bankruptcy and an emergency manager will allocate city resources as they see fit.  At that point, the same elected officials that grasp for their power will no longer have any influence.

I challenge my fellow citizens to not only be skeptical of the results of our leaders, but take action against it.  This year presents two opportunities to voice how you want the city to move forward with the City Council and Mayoral election.  Choose wisely.

Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.

John F. Kennedy

Historical Preservation Tax Credits to the Rescue!

A few days ago, the Detroit Free Press ran an article discussing the imminent review of the historic preservation tax credits rules.  To summarize, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar hopes the review and change to the current rules will allow cities like Detroit easier access to tax credits for the redevelopment of historical buildings.

Right about now, you’re asking yourself, “Is this guy serious?”, but hear me out.  I’ll be the first to admit that tax credits are not the sexiest subject, but this has merit.  Let me take this opportunity to address a few common questions.

Question:       What is the historical tax credit?

Answer:          The historical tax credit allows developers to recoup 20% of their development costs for historical buildings.  Basically, if you owed taxes of $100,000 and it cost $50,000 to develop a property, a developer would only owe only $90,000 in taxes because they’re allowed at tax credit of $10,000 ($50,000x20%)

Question:       What’s a good example of prior use of the credit?

Answer:          Try the Westin Book Cadillac on Washington.  The historical hotel benefitted tremendously under the credit and now boasts world class lodging along with dining hotspots 24 and Michael Symon’s Roast.

Question:       Why is this important?

Answer:          Historical preservation credits are need more than ever due to the lending restrictions following the mortgage meltdown.  In a city like Detroit, where prosperity has eluded us for a while, lenders view development as a risk and are less willing to provide the needed capital.  These credits lessen the economic burden on developers.

Hopefully, you now understand the significance of these credits.  I used an example in the thousands to make it simpler to understand but these developments are in the millions of dollars.  Failure to act on historical preservation leads the demolition of sites like the JL Hudson Building and Tiger Stadium.  Currently, the Wurlitzer Building on Broadway continues to decompose as the debris rains from the sky.

These developments, past and future are the infrastructure needed to make Detroit great once again.  In addition, they have created a buzz downtown that promotes foot traffic, business openings, and even jobs.  The more we embrace these developments, the greater the tax base in our growing city.

Finally, these developments are critical to the preservation of Detroit’s identity.  When you ask people about what buildings characterize Detroit, you will hear the Renaissance Center or Madison Building.  What you will not hear is a vacant parking lot or the newest fast food establishment. 

I’ll leave you with a quote today.

                “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” – Winston Churchill

Detroit, the Renaissance City

After a tumultuous summer scarred by the 1967 race riots, two Detroiters were not ready to give up on their hometown.  Ronnie and Rosemary Bedway opened Ronnie’s Quality Meats in the fall of 1967, straying from the conventional wisdom of the time, with barely enough money for change and a cutting board; the rest is history.  Today, my family’s business runs stronger than ever and satisfies the meat needs of Detroiters of various socioeconomic backgrounds.

Some of my earliest memories are working side by side with my family members at our store and at local festivals selling Ronnie’s World Famous Shish Kabob.  I relive that childhood nostalgia daily as I walk to work, passing by beautiful Art Deco skyscrapers that characterized Detroit’s rise to power in the 1920s. Yet, the same skepticism that challenged my grandparents’ intentions to open shop in 1967 hinders progress in Detroit today.

Will Detroit run out of money? Is Detroit safe? How does a city that lost over a million people since its peak in the 1950s provide services with less tax revenue amongst dispersed neighborhoods? This only begins to touch the surface of preexisting negativity.

Luckily, the black shadow of darkness that ails Detroit is beginning to have light shed on it by countless organizations and individuals that believe not only that Detroit can be great again, but that Detroit will be great again. Such a transformation requires objective analysis and a willingness to let go of our pasts and take hold of building our futures.

Like my grandparents in 1967, I chose not to move to Chicago or New York, but to stay. Detroit is the same city of opportunity that created the auto industry, Motown, and Ronnie’s Meats. My goal is to chronicle my experiences living Downtown with hopes of not only giving personal insight but also catalyzing conversations of how to reinvent Detroit and make it great once again.