For someone who feeds off positive energy, Detroit is overcharging my batteries.
Wow! Challenge Detroit started only a month ago and already my experience has been as amazing, inspiring, and yet as challenging as advertised. I met my incredible Co-Fellows, listened to influential speakers, and started work at my host company (Clark Hill). It’s fitting, then, to write my first blog post about Detroit’s almost tangible energy, as that is what is still resonating in me.
I’m not going to lie, before Challenge Detroit I treated Detroit like one might treat a stinky bathroom: get in, get what you need, and get out before any lasting damage is done. I spent 2.5 years in Southeast Michigan (Ann Arbor and Ferndale) and only visited Detroit for specific events, so my views of the city were very limited.
That all changed when I started working at Clark Hill. Clark Hill is located in the heart of downtown Detroit and occupies floors 34-36 in the city’s second tallest building. From my panoramic perch, I could see blue water surrounding picturesque Belle Isle, two sports stadiums, countless historic buildings, and industrial factories coupled with expansive green space. After taking in these breathtaking views (see above), I felt a spark of fondness for Detroit ignite inside me.
The view from Clark Hill looking towards Belle Isle.
Another view from Clark Hill – 35 floors up
My affection for Detroit grew stronger as I experienced my first lunch on Campus Martius. According to its website, historic Campus Martius Park “anchors a two square block district that is the commercial center and heart of downtown Detroit…All of the major avenues radiate out from Detroit’s Point of Origin in the Park” (thanks to two DXF tours, I can tell you many more fun facts about Campus Martius – so please ask). During the summer and spring months, Campus Martius is transformed with an amazing array of available activities that seem tailor-made for me.
Think I’m hyping up my new city for the sake of the blog? Well, let me list all of the great possibilities Campus Martius has:
1) Cadillac Square Street closed down to accommodate 4 half court basketball hoops and 1 sand volleyball court
2) Ping pong, cornhole, washers, and large Jenga set up throughout Cadillac Park
3) A bevy of food truck options including the Mac Shack (yeah that’s an entire food truck devoted to Mac and Cheese varieties)
4) A beach full of actual sand
5) 2 stages of live music, with a revolving schedule of local musicians
6) A brand new Beirgarten (okay, so this wasn’t there during my first lunch and I wouldn’t partake during work hours, but it’s still pretty awesome)
7) A road closed 1 block away for the filming of Batman vs Superman
8) An overwhelming undercurrent of positive energy flowing through the entire area
Notice a small portion of the beach to the right, the fountain to the left, and the Beirgarten straight ahead.
A small sample of the food trucks that park on the square.
Beyond Campus Martius, I’ve also had countless other experiences just as powerful. I’ve felt the City’s ever present energy in its neighborhoods, its entrepreneurial l spirit, and even its devotion to the Central Division winning Tigers (I had to sneak a sports reference in).
I can already foresee this being an incredible year with the city of Detroit playing a starring role. I know I will never be lacking for inspiration as long as I tap into the City’s ever-present strength and vitality.