HATCH-Creative Class Strategic Thinking 101!

Thanks for: Efforts to Reinvent Cities

By John Bebow - November 21, 2007

Here's some hopeful irony…

So A national study — criticized as inaccurate and out of context by the FBI — once again labels Detroit as the most dangerous city in America.

At the same time, Dan Gilbert, one of Michigan's leading entrepreneurs announces he plans to move his Quicken Loans empire out of the suburbs and back into downtown Detroit. The motivations? To rebuild the urban core and develop the kinds of livable urban cores demanded by his young workforce.

Livonia Major Jack Kirksey has a legitimate beef about state support for the move and how it's one community cannibalizing another with no net gain for Michigan. But if Livonia or other suburbs offered the kind of edgy, artsy, late-night bustle demanded by the much-sought-after, affluent, mobile creative class of the 21st Century, would we be quite so worried about so many young people leaving Michigan?

As Crain's reported, many other new economy businesses are considering moves to downtown Detroit.

Would those businesses really consider a reinvention downtown if gun-wielding felons and killers were waiting on downtown sidewalks to stalk their employees' every move? Of course not.

If the big thinkers at an organization called CEOs for Cities are right, then urban revitalization is a key to capturing the growing wealth and creativity of entreprenuers and younger workers.

This isn't a just a concept for big cities like Detroit.

Consider Midland.

Seeking to better attract and retain top-notch engineering and business talent to mid-Michigan, Dow Chemical is working to reinvigorate Midland's central core. The first gleaming success is Dow Diamond and the Great Lakes Loons minor league baseball team. The Midland community went from groundbreaking to the first pitch in one year. And 325,000 people streamed into the ballpark in this, its first season. Already, Dow officials report an uptick in both recruiting and retention.

What is your community doing to become an ever-more livable, creative, and competitive place? And will you be governed by tired cliches and misimpressions or new ways of thinking, living, and doing business. Consider posing those questions public comment period at your next village, township, or city council meeting.