Spirit of Detroit

NCAA fans: Meet "my" Detroit this weekend

By Michael Layne • April 3, 2009

This weekend thousands of people are visiting downtown Detroit to enjoy the 2009 NCAA Men’s Final Four. Hundreds of thousands more will see our downtown on television and read about us in print and online.

The NCAA and the Detroit Local Organizing Committee (DLOC) did an absolutely fantastic job of making this an event not just for fans of the NCAA Men’s Final Four, but for all to enjoy. Best yet, all fans, even those without tickets to the championship games, will experience the excitement – with free admission to three days, yes, three days, of world-class entertainment.

Hats off to the NCAA, DLOC, and sponsors like Coca-Cola, Hershey’s, AT&T for helping to make this a very special weekend for all to enjoy.

At a time when our city, nation and the world can use some fun, over 30,000 people will converge upon downtown Detroit and create an estimated local economic impact of well over $30 million. Sports fans worldwide will see our city through national network television coverage and the hundreds of sports media covering the events.

It is commendable that proceeds from events will benefit the Men’s Final Four’s first ever Legacy Program, the United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Early Learning Communities.

Hoop City, held at Cobo Center, will provide the ultimate NCAA Basketball experience with three days of basketball clinics, performances, photo opportunities and more. Hip-hop superstar Bob Wow will perform and sign autographs at Hoop City. On Final Four Friday’s, fans, even those without tickets to the championship games, can experience the Final Four team’s practices and the All Stare Game.

US Paralympic Wheelchair Basketball, Battle of the Final Four Bands, celebrity appearances, and a 5KRun/Walk will bring a new energy to downtown Detroit as never seen before.

For the star struck, our city will be star studded. Superstar Fergie, pop sensation Pussycat Dolls, funk rock trendsetters N.E.R.D and among the big name headlines performing for free in downtown Detroit.

The beauty of all of this is that it happens at a time when Detroit can use a boost. Our car companies have taken a hard knock and we’ve all felt the pain.

What these throngs of people who come to downtown Detroit see will pleasantly surprise them, and, all within comfortable walking distance.

Downtown Detroit has come a long way in terms of cleanliness, safety and livability due to the hard work of partnerships between business leaders like Roger Pensky, the Ilitches and Peter Karmanos, municipal entities like the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation and foundations including the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and Kresge.

Our international riverfront overlooking the Windsor skyline now hosts a three-and-one-half mile RiverWalk - the site of food and free concerts. Our three new casinos now feature world-class hotels, as well as the recently opened Book Cadillac and Fort Shelby hotels.

Newcomers may want to ride our elevated Detroit People Mover to enjoy spectacular restaurants like Coach Insignia, Opus One, Detroit Fish Market @ Paradise Valley and Roast. Jazz Fans will love dinner at Seldom Blues, a beautiful 350-seat premier entertainment restaurant over looking the river, followed by the late night scene at Cliff Bells or the Jazz Café at Music Hall – just to name a few.

Our downtown has a real space of “place” defined by historic buildings that are truly architectural gems. Don’t forget to take a peak inside the Guardian Building, or admire the grandeur of the Albert Kahn designed Fisher Building at the foot of Woodward and Grand Boulevard.

Needless to say, there is no better place to enjoy a pint of fresh Guinness than downtown’s legendary Old Shillelagh. Check out the great selection of very hip nightclubs and bars that dot the route.

As the world celebrates 50 Years of Motown, fans may want to take a very short cab ride to the Motown Museum and see where it all happened. The longest standing jazz club in the world, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge is just eight miles north of downtown.

Bottom line is that we have a wonderful downtown that has come a long way in recent years with new lofts, luxury condos, stadiums, five star restaurants, clubs and more. You CAN and will have a lot of fun in the new downtown Detroit.

Michael Layne is managing partner of Marx Layne & Co., public relations.

Michel Layne, managing partner of Marx Layne public relations