Around Town

A Profile of Detroit

Located in southeastern Michigan, Detroit is the largest city in Michigan and the ninth largest in the United States. Founded in 1701, it was named Ville d'Etroit or "City of the Strait" because of its position on the Detroit River. Its location along a major water artery, its proximity to Canada and a highly-developed transportation infrastructure make it easy for businesses to transport products locally and worldwide. Internationally known for automobile manufacturing and trade, Detroit ranks high in the production of machine tool accessories, metal fabricating and plating. Detroit is also recognized as a regional banking center and home to many of the nation's largest corporations. It has the largest foreign trade zone in the nation, geographically and by virtue of the value of goods leaving the zone - $24.1 billion.

Detroit serves as a gateway to Canada. The city of Windsor, Ontario lies directly across the Detroit River and is only minutes away via a railroad tunnel, a vehicular tunnel or the Ambassador Bridge; and more than half of all U.S.-Canada trade passes through the Detroit metropolitan area.

The city is at the hub of the metropolitan freeway network and the railroads provide a link to the region and beyond. The city owns and operates its own general aviation airport and has freeway access to Detroit Metropolitan and Willow Run Airports. Downtown Detroit has continued rejuvenation with an expanded convention/exhibition facility with 700,000 square feet of exhibition space and several new office buildings and residential towers. A network of skywalks and the People Mover, Detroit's central automated transportation system, connect many of the downtown office and high-rise buildings.

Detroit won one of six federal Empowerment Zone designations, which guarantees $100 million in Title XX funds over 10 years to fund community-driven plans to improve economic and social conditions in the 18.35 square mile area. The effort is supported by an additional $1.9 billion in commitments from businesses and corporations, foundations and banking institutions.

Detroit's Renaissance Zone is one of 11 regions of the state designated as virtually tax free as of January 1, 1997. Individuals and businesses locating and conducting business in the Zone are eligible to receive a waiver of the Michigan Single Business Tax (SBT), Michigan Personal Income Tax, Michigan's 6 mill State Education Tax, Detroit Real and Personal Property Tax, Detroit Income Tax and Utility Users Tax. The Zone will exist for 12 years.

Economy

Retail Sales by Store Group ($000) (1999 Estimates)

Effective Buying Income ($000)

Climate

Reporting Station:  Detroit Metropolitan Airport

Major Attractions

Detroit
Ambassador Bridge, Belle Isle Park (Aquarium, Children's Zoo, Dossin Great Lakes Museum) Bonstelle Theatre, Bricktown, Chene Park, Cobo Conference & Exhibition Center, Detroit Ethnic Festivals, Detroit Historical Museum, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Public Library, Detroit Repertory Theatre, Detroit Science Center, Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall, Detroit Zoological Park, Eastern Market, Attic Theatre, Fisher Theatre, Fox Theatre, Gem Theatre, Grand Prix, Greektown, Hillberry Theatre, Hydroplane races, International Freedom Festival, Hart Plaza, Joe Louis Arena, Masonic Temple, Mexicantown, Michigan State Fair, Montreux Detroit Jazz Festival, Motown Museum, Museum of African American History, Music Hall Theater for the Performing Arts, New Center Area, North American Auto Show, Old Mariner's Church, Renaissance Center, Second City, Tiger Stadium

Metropolitan Detroit
Dearborn Historical Museum, Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, Henry Ford Estate-Fair Lane, Meadow Brook Hall, Cranbrook Academy of Art Museum, Cranbrook Academy of Science, Holocaust Memorial Center, The Palace of Auburn Hills (home of Detroit Pistons), Pontiac Silverdome (home of Detroit Lions), Pine Knob Theatre

General Information

Convention Facilities
Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center, the fifth largest convention center in the nation, is part of the city's Civic Center. The 2,400,000 square foot Center offers 5 exhibit halls totaling 700,000 square feet, 600,000 of which are contiguous; 84 meeting rooms ranging in size from 600 to 33,000 square feet; 26 covered bays; and 28 freight doors.