Recently, there has been significant growth and excitement around the revitalization of the City of Detroit. Along with the support of the State of Michigan, investors, volunteers, and Fortune 500 companies, the City is quickly becoming an epicenter for not just automotive but technology as well.

In fact, the influx of electric automobiles and the use of lithium batteries will be how we can merge the two. While the news likes to report crime in our great City, they seem to neglect how much Detroit has bloomed into a vibrant and economically sound place to invest or start a business.

According to CBS News, the influx of lithium batteries used in e-bikes, scooters, and electric cars can, “pose a dangerous new threat to firefighters. They burn hotter and longer — and many fire departments may be unprepared to tackle them. 

In June, four people were killed and two others seriously injured after a lithium-ion battery malfunctioned and sparked a fire in a first-floor e-bike shop in New York. Fire officials say the blaze quickly spread to apartments above the shop.  

It’s not an isolated incident. Fires caused by rechargeable batteries, including lithium-ion batteries, have been increasing steadily in large cities like New York and San Francisco. Since at least 2019, fire departments in the two cities say they’ve responded to at least 669 incidents combined,”.

Despite the bad press and skepticism around non-gas-powered vehicles, The State of Michigan reports that, “The new Climate Power Report finds that since the passage of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, Michigan has secured $21.3 billion in investment, the 3rd highest nationwide, and 16,699 jobs, the 4th highest nationwide.

The report also notes that Michigan is the 6th highest state for the number of new clean energy jobs and 5th highest for new clean energy investments secured in rural communities.

Michigan is projected to add 167,000 clean energy jobs in the next 10 years, continuing the state’s leadership as the #1 clean energy job market in the Midwest that grew 4.6% between 2021 and 2022,”.

With Michigan’s growth, Ford Motor Company is expanding their already existing property into something really fabulous. Per Ford Motor Co’s official website, they stated that over the next few years, they will transform, modernize, and consolidate its sprawling 7.5-million-square-foot engineering and headquarters facilities into a high-tech Silicon Valley-style property that will span across two campuses. The renovated campus will bring over 30,000 employees–who now work in 70 disparate buildings–together into two locations.

Furthermore, they are also involved in a historical change happening right now in the City. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) explains how Ford has focused funding in the downtown Detroit area with the creation of the Michigan Central Innovation District. “The company bought the historic Michigan Central Train Station in 2018 to act as an anchor for the 30-acre campus to act as a hub for talent, mobility innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, affordable housing, small business opportunities and community engagement,”.

What are the problems in the inner City?

An inner-city usually is inside a larger, more metropolitan city, like Detroit, for example. Typically, but not always, inner-city communities are plagued with the problems of crime, high unemployment, poor health care, inadequate educational opportunities, dilapidated housing, high infant mortality, and extreme poverty. But Detroit is turning that around – stay tuned!

Although, it did not matter what the news or statistics said about Detroit for my family, as we have always enjoyed downtown for all its culture, food, entertainment, and sporting events. For example, each year, as a family tradition, during the Christmas holiday season, we would go to the Detroit Opera House and see The Nutcracker Ballet (Tchaikovsky 1892). Some other venues we enjoyed in downtown Detroit:

  • Tiger Stadium (former home of the Detroit Tiger’s baseball team) is now Comerica Park
  • Joe Louis Arena (former home of The Detroit Red Wings hockey team)
  • Cobo Hall (home of the International Auto Show)
  • Hart Plaza (free concerts were played here each weekend in the summer)
  • Greektown off of Beaubien Street (some of the original restaurants were closed as the casinos came in)
  • DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts)
  • Amore da Roma (one of Detroit’s oldest Italian restaurants)
  • Boat races on Lake St Claire, viewed from Jefferson Ave.
  • Bob-lo Island (we would get on the Bob-lo boat that took us to the theme park on the island)
  • Belle Isle (now part of Michigan’s State Parks, run by the Department of Natural Resources “DNR”)
  • Greenfield Village (actually in Dearborn, close to Detroit)
  • Henry Ford Museum (also in Dearborn, close to Detroit)

Solutions to urban problems

An article from National Geographic shares the following solutions:

  • Combat poverty by promoting economic development and job creation.
  • Involve local community in local government.
  • Reduce air pollution by upgrading energy use and alternative transport systems.
  • Create private-public partnerships to provide services such as waste disposal and housing.
  • Plant trees and incorporate the care of city green spaces as a key element in urban planning,”.

The decision Ford made to revamp the existing property into a cutting-edge Silicon Valley-style campus is a strategic one. By consolidating its facilities and bringing thousands of employees together in two central locations, Ford is not only optimizing its operations but also fostering a sense of unity and collaboration among teams.

The acquisition of the historic Michigan Central Train Station as the focal point of the innovation district is symbolic of Ford’s commitment to preserving Detroit’s rich heritage while embracing future technologies and trends. This landmark building, once a symbol of the City’s past glory, is now poised to become a beacon of modernity and progress, attracting top talent and fostering creativity and sustainability.

Furthermore, the influx of talent from renowned companies like Google, Apple, Disney, and Microsoft speaks volumes about the City’s appeal as a vibrant and dynamic tech ecosystem. This convergence of talent and resources bodes well for Detroit’s future as a key player in the global innovation landscape.

The MEDC also shared this quote, “The Detroit area is becoming a center of competence for user experience technology and many of the suppliers that exist in Silicon Valley now have representation in Michigan,” Vince Gallante, Stellantis vice president of global user experience design. “We’re supporting all 14 of Stellantis’ brands with hires from Apple, Disney and Microsoft,”.

How common are lithium battery fires?

In conclusion, Detroit’s ongoing revitalization presents a promising blend of tradition and technological innovation, making it an increasingly attractive hub for business and investment. While the challenges posed by lithium battery fires in electric vehicles and other devices are real and growing, the City’s proactive approach to development, coupled with significant investments in green energy and tech infrastructure, are positioning it as a leader in both realms.

The strategic moves by major corporations like Ford and the inflow of talent from top tech companies underscore Detroit’s emerging status as a center for cutting-edge innovation. As the City continues to address its longstanding urban issues while embracing future technologies, Detroit stands on the brink of a new chapter of progress and prosperity.