The Collaborative Group Blog

Every month, PNC and WJR partner in a series of web exclusive topical interviews co-hosted by WJR’s Paul W. Smith and PNC’s Ric DeVore.  The PNC Roundtable gives “direct access to business, community and civic leaders whose daily work helps to shape the economic outlook and quality of life for all of us in Southeastern Michigan.”  The driving force behind the PNC Roundtable is presenting real issues with real answers from key opinion leaders in their arena.

In April, PNC’s Roundtable featured Collaborative member Kerry Doman, founder and CEO of After 5 Detroit, and executive director Deirdre Greene Groves on a topic essential to the mission of The Collaborative Group,  “Detroit’s Future: Attracting & Retaining Young Professionals.” Click here to hear the full interview.

Having spent 25-years studying and authoring stories about major developments in the city for the Free Press, John Gallagher knows Detroit.  When he set out to write a book about the city, he planned to focus on land use, economics, and government, but quickly realized that, while his book would touch on these topics, the main focus would be vacancy.

Gallagher talked about Manchester, England and Turin, Italy as two examples of cities that have fought against vacancy with historic rehabilitation, greening strategies, and innovating thinking.  In general, he discovered that European’s believe strongly in central cities.  One German city official even said lightly, “We really try to make people feel bad if they move out of town.”

Where the world sees “ruin porn”, Gallagher sees a challenge in Detroit’s vacancy.  A few ideas for the challenge include; implementing urban agriculture: opening buried waterways: engaging public art: redesigning our road systems to include bike- and pedestrian-friendly thoroughfares: using immigration as a tool for growth: focusing on ideas as resources: establishing a stronger regional connection: embracing youth, and using Michigan’s land bank law to the city’s advantage.  Gallagher believes that we can even use vacancy as an amenity in the form of urban greenways linking neighborhoods.

The questions now are what will Detroit allow and how do we combat the naysayers?  Detroit is unique and our model is different than any other city.  We need a mindset willing to try anything and everything.  If each idea moves the needle just a little, the sum will accomplish a lot.

Snapping pictures for an internship has turned into a drive to showcase Detroit for Mike Holtzman and Sabrina Fitzwilliams.  After spending months documenting over 400-historic structures across the city for Preservation Wayne, Mike and Sabrina, students of architecture and history, fell in the love with Detroit.  They’ve discovered that by introducing their friends to Detroit’s history via www.BarebonesDetroit.com, they’re re-engaging an entire demographic.

Barebones Detroit is just one facet of a project that will showcase the city.  A map-based website, Barebones Detroit offers a one-click approach to learning about and viewing images of Detroit’s historic architectural gems.  The site operates like a land-survey, but is much more interactive.  But, there is more to what Mike and Sabrina seek to accomplish.  Partnering with Cory Coffey and Kimo Frederiksen, the pair wants to live, work, and play in the city… and document their experiences along the way.

The four-person team behind the Make/Shift Project is currently seeking housing for a year-long stint in the city.  Their plan is to document their adventures in business and life on a monthly basis while inviting other creatives in the city to join them.  With a master plan for promoting the project already in place, they will use online media to engage people in their mission.  Mike and Sabrina promise that they are not just another group of cheerleaders for Detroit.  They are unbiased pragmatists.  Watch for their version of the “real Detroit” to hit the web soon.

Consider this: Encyclopedia Britannica was the Google of its age.  “Dislodging creativity is a devastating force,” Josh Linkner explained to an audience of 75-people at The Collaborative Group.  When Microsoft, Wikipedia, and now Google changed the way we think, a chain of ingenuity was broken…  Encyclopedia Britannica is no longer needed.

Have you ever considered that creativity is your single most important skill?  But, according to Josh, in an era of ever-changing and ever-advancing technologies, our creative nature is declining.  Beaurocracy, the workforce, and even our schools can beat the creativity out of us, forcing us to believe there is only one right answer.  This has resulted in a creativity gap.

Did you know that creativity is 85% learned behavior?  We need to think of creativity as a muscle that we can work out, but how do we exercise it?

1. Awaken curiosity: Never stop asking, “Why?”
2. Encourage courage: Too often we think that if we make a mistake we should run and hide.  Don’t let imaginary barriers get in the way of success!
3. Build a greenhouse: Most business facilities restrict rather than enable us; our environment matters – both physically and culturally – our growth.

Detroit’s story, in chapters, began with Chapter 1: Innovation, followed by Chapter 2: Entitlement, and is currently in Chapter 3: ____________.  Chapter 3 offers us an opportunity make it a personal responsibility to make a difference and leave a legacy.  We can use our creativity to change Detroit and maybe even to change the world.

What can we accomplish in our finest moment?  This is the moment for Detroit…

As an artist and educator, Clint Snider finds immense beauty in Detroit.  Reflecting on the history of civilization and recognizing that many have come and gone, Clint sees Detroit as still in its infancy. A student of history and creator of art, Clint appreciates historical landscapes.  To him, these pieces of art catch a glimpse of the brief part of eternity in which we exist.

Understanding the story of the people, the beauty of the architecture, and the history of wealth, which are all so integral to Detroit’s story, Clint became fascinated with the coexistence of nature’s reclamation of the city.  Putting a unique spin on his paintings, Clint uses old materials (wood, for example) as his canvas.

One of Clint’s most engaging projects was House 365.  With a desire to involve the community, Clint built a tiny house of left-behind materials.  The house traveled across the greater Detroit area and was deeded to a new owner each month.  Clint found the turning over of the house to the community to be very gratifying.  Today, the house is part of Hamtramck’s infamous PowerHouse acting as part of a rainwater collection system.

While Detroit remains a focus for Clint, he sees art in all places where transition exists.  For more information on Clint’s work, stop by the Collaborative to see his art, visit his website at www.clintonsnider.com and check out his upcoming show at Ferndale’s Hilberry Gallery in November.

Life is about relationships.  According to Toby Barlow, an education in philosophy gives a person an understanding of man’s relationship to existence.  A career in advertising gives a person an understanding of man’s relationship to beer, cars, and Kleenex.  As an expert in brand stewardship (he has worked with MillerCoors, Ford, and, yes, Kleenex), Toby Barlow’s brain doesn’t seem to ever stop working.  His creative passion is reflected by his role as Chief Creative Officer at Team Detroit.

Toby has lived in various U.S. cities and is preconditioned to see the beauty in everything; he has found Detroit to be his favorite place to live.  Detroit is a great city, but there is presently not enough inflow and outflow of people.  The loss of population has created a brand dissonance; Detroit has become a perfect tragedy.  The American dream is a reality called Michigan.  After decades of wining, Detroit walked away from its brand.  “Today, the city asks for you to have a dialogue with it… You can be more engaged here than anywhere else,” he reflected.  Is this Detroit’s new brand?

Toby’s goal is to focus on the things that work in city and make them work harder and better.  He wants Detroit’s next brand to be a city of new solutions. Some of the crazy ideas relating to this brand include:

• Write an essay, get a home.  The foreclosures of recent years have left empty neighborhoods across greater Detroit.  Why not offer a free home (we have plenty!) to those dedicated to writing a detailed essay on why they deserve one?
• Legalize gay marriage, get two homes.  San Francisco, as an example, is a welcoming city to all, including homosexuals.  Many have congregated in specific neighborhoods that are now thriving, vibrant places.  Why can’t Detroit be a more welcoming place that encourages people to move by, perhaps, offering a free home (or two!)?
• Take a test, get a green cab.  “Have you ever taken a cab ride in Detroit?” Toby asked.  Just tracking a cab down is a job and, apparently, the ride itself can be a rather interesting experience, to say the least.  Why not engage new transportation options by offering free eco-friendly cabs to those who can pass the driver’s test and have an entrepreneurial spirit?
• Billionaire skyscraper challenge.  Years ago, New Yorkers began a revolution when billionaires began competing over who could build the biggest and best skyscraper.  Why not encourage Detroit billionaires to take on the same challenge?
• Santa Monica parking.  Santa Monica offers a couple free hours of parking to city visitors.  What a great way to encourage people to come downtown.  Why not take on that model here in Detroit?
• Five to One.  Ever heard of Kiva?  How about Kickstarter?  These programs provide small micro-loans or funding from the greater community for start-up businesses and ideas.  Why not take this to the next level by working with local funders (i.e. foundations and banks) to match five-times the funding lent by the community?

Crazy ideas are just one thing that makes Detroit so unique and vibrant.  Lots of people have ‘em and lots of people are making ‘em a reality.  In fact, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for more information on the Five to One program expected to launch this summer.  These crazy ideas are just one more reason why Toby loves Detroit and why the rest of us should, too.

2011 marks the five-year anniversary for Inside Detroit, Jeanette Pierce’s start-up venture that promotes Detroit as a preferred destination to live, work and play by educating the public about Detroit’s history, culture, community and livability.

Growing up in the city’s Morningside neighborhood, Jeanette began defending the city at an early age.  When friends couldn’t come over for play dates because their parents feared venturing into the city limits, Jeanette began developing a fierce pride for the city.  After heading to Grand Rapids for college, she returned to Detroit and began exploring the city.  She soon realized how much she didn’t know, and quickly became enamored with and excited about Detroit’s past, present, and future.  Working for the United Way, Jeanette sought an opportunity to educate more people about the beautiful city she was discovering.  And, Inside Detroit was born.

Jeanette is accustomed to beginning her presentation with an overview of Detroit’s flag – yes, Detroit has a flag – including the center seal which reads, “We hope for better things, we will rise from the ashes.”  Following the 1805 fire of Detroit, Judge Augustus Woodward vowed to rebuild the great city and devised an elaborate spoke-and-wheel plan with a point-of-origin at what is today the center of Campus Martius Park.  He kept his promise and the city was reborn.

Over 200-years later, Jeanette believes that we will yet again “rise from the ashes.”  A lifelong Detroiter, she finds that the most commonly asked question about her residency in the city is, “Why Detroit?”  She rattles off excitedly why Detroit is the ideal place for those who are young, entrepreneurial, seeking unique opportunities, and want to make a difference: Walking distance to over 130-restaurants and bars (click here to download Jeanette’s list of top establishments).  Wow.  The country’s second largest theater district.  Wow.  Rich culture and relevant museums.  Wow.  Parks and public spaces that have received international awards.  Wow.  Unparalleled historic and contemporary architecture.  Wow.  Festivals beyond compare.  Wow.  And, Jeanette’s favorite, and what she believes to be Detroit’s greatest asset, the people.  Today, these qualities come together in a Detroit that is unique with its big city atmosphere and small town feel.

Through tours and presentations, Inside Detroit reaches its goal of educating people to make informed decisions about Detroit and to see the opportunities that exist.  Jeanette’s greatest personal goal is to attract and retain talent in the city she loves.  Recognized by Crain’s as one of Detroit’s 20-in-their-20’s and the 2010 recipient of the Dave Bing Future Leader Award, Jeanette is well on her way to making a difference and accomplishing her goal.

In the fall of 2010, Collaborative member and marketing design guru, Nicole Worth, launched a new company with her friend and business partner, Veronic Hindo.  As a fashionable business owner and mom, Nicole found that she was always in search of hip apparel for her sons.  With a mission to create unique, stylish, non-toxic and eco-friendly tee shirts for kids, Little Trendstar was born.   Tee shirt designs are inspired by the icons and patterns of the established fashion world, making Little Trendstar all about the budding trendsetter.

After only a few months in business, Little Trendstar has already been recognized by numerous fashion and parenting blogs.  Nicole and her business partner were invited to take part in the Pre-Golden Globe Boom Boom Room event in Beverly Hills, California taking place this month.  This premier gifting suite for celebrity parents showcases the newest and hottest baby and kids products on the market.  The Boom Boom Room gifting suite has been dubbed by US Weekly as “The place to be during award season, the only gifting suite celebrities line up to attend.”  Congratulations to Little Trendstar and Nicole!

Collaborative member Dr. Michael Mersol-Barg has made the impossible possible.  A longtime doctor seeking to advance reproductive choices for women, Michael delivered a child to a local couple who underwent In Vitro Fertilization using a frozen, then thawed, egg.  The breakthrough took place at Michael’s Center for Reproductive Medicine and Surgery in Birmingham where is the Director.

Beyond his role at the Center, Michael’s education and experience with reproductive technology is vast.  He is board certified in multiple specialties, has received numerous awards for his work, sits on many boards, and was voted one of Hour Magazine’s “Top Docs.”

Explaining this advancement, Michael says, “Now women will have more reproductive choices and IVF procedures can be less complicated. This new freezing technology will give older women, those who want to postpone pregnancy and cancer patients more reproductive choices and allow them to extend their biological clock.”

Worldwide, only 1,500 babies have been born since this egg vitrification procedure was introduced.  Michael is proud to oversee the care of five such embryos.  Congratulations, Michael!

“Sometimes you’re lucky to have someone in the community with the passion and drive to do something.  For Detroit, that someone is Matt Cullen; we’re lucky to have him.” – Mitch Mondry, M Group Inc.

Matt Cullen, who oversees Rock Ventures, chairs multiple boards, and is CEO of the M1 RAIL joined The Collaborative Group in a conversation about how we can come together to inspire a stronger connection between the city of Detroit and the surrounding region.

The sense of urgency to get things done transcends the seemingly impossible with many major projects underway in an effort to revitalize the city.  Matt’s involvement with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and M1 RAIL in particular has played an integral role in this transformation.

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is widely known as one of the best examples of a public-private partnership.  With a mission to bring public access to Detroit’s Riverfront, a beautiful RiverWalk, plazas, pavilions, parks, harbors, and green spaces extend three miles.  Future plans include a welcome center, green high school, and an abundance of community amenities such as restaurants, retail, and residential lofts.  An extension of the Conservancy, the Dequindre Cut, is a 1.35 mile rails-to-trails urban recreational path linking the Riverfront to Eastern Market.

The M1 RAIL will also link to the Riverfront.  With Phase 1 reaching Grand Boulevard and Phase 2 extending to 8 Mile, the future goal is to connect to M-59 in Pontiac, creating a truly regional means of transportation.  Recognizing that it’s all about connectivity, the M1 will tie to other transit including the People Mover, Amtrak, and the Smart bus system.  With plans to open in 2013, progress is already underway with a design and an environmental impact study.  The M1 will shape the future of land use in Southeast Michigan.

A vibrant Detroit is essential for a stronger region.  But, Matt expressed that “we need a plan, supportive government, and a budget to sustain the dream.”  And, he’s not stopping anytime soon.  “We have not hit the tipping point in Detroit yet,” he expressed, noting that this investment in infrastructure will enable future progress.