(06-29-2018 01:50 PM)Rocket Pirate Wrote: (06-29-2018 12:11 PM)indianasniff Wrote: The problem with the Gateway project is that it was intended as a first phase, but subsequent phases have yet to follow so it lacks the critical mass to sustain itself
That may be the reason but I honestly think Grad's was doomed from conception (and staff training). I can also see the need for more synergy. I really like the Japanese place but am not likely to drive across town to fix an urge. More of an, HEY, it's just a few blocks away, when I happen to be that way.
I like the Kerrytown (Ann Arbor) or Rust Belt (Ferndale) concept for that spot. I think, and have offered before that you compete with Amazon by having what they cannot provide, store/classes. Cooking store. Cooking classes. Pottery, crafting.... diesal engine store. Cooking/Pottery, diesal repair classes. Kind of attracts people of like mind and makes it their destination. Parking lot is huge, so a great place for weekend farmers' market and maker's mart. Heck, I bet you could find ways for some of those Profs to put their tinkering talents to work.
Designed as that, it would be year round, flexible and it's really not a big leap from what they have. In a maker's mart, if a business "fails," another just fills the spot. Just needs that tweak. It's something that could grow organically, instead of "planned community" which tend to fail big time.
Now K-Town also has the nearby attraction of Zingerman's Deli. With a similar situation, Grad's might work, if they made their own stuff, did something different. Maybe Takacs or Stanley's could open a shop and... oh. Poco Loco's II. With a set-up like K-town, it would also be a better place for Mancy's than where they're putting it but maybe even Mancy's as close as it is, could fill the role of a Zingerman's.
You know I'm right, BUT no one wants to listen.
Seriously, Ferndale is a good model for that Dorr-Secore-Byrndale spot. That part of Detroit, there are no mansions. It is middle class, family housing and it's booming because they've made it economical for peope to start small businesses where they can display their talents: being crafty, creative and dynamic. In other words, exactly what a University is supposed to be.