Detroit City Council approved several contracts for events to take place during the NFL draft — but postponed voting on a contract to begin the buildout.
Councilmembers approved contracts for private and public events, hosted by Dan Gilbert’s real estate firm Bedrock Detroit, from April 25-27 in downtown Detroit. But members wanted more answers on general involvement among local businesses before approving the general draft event contract for more.
The draft footprint will run from Campus Martius to Hart Plaza, though other events outside that area will be available to the public.
Bedrock’s private event will be at 1208 Woodward Ave., which is the under-construction Hudson’s site, but guests will be away from construction activity, records show. The “VIP business partner party” will block out certain areas for a DJ, lounging, food, drink, draft livestreaming and more. The contract also states a “potential private media event” may take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, April 26.
Bedrock is also considering opening up a section to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, allowing 125 guests at once, but food and beverage services will not be offered, records show.
Multiple representatives from Bedrock Detroit did not respond to messages seeking further details.
‘A Vintage Era’ of Detroit to be on display
Grand River Avenue between Woodward Avenue and Farmer Street will close to vehicle traffic, and the private event will be fenced off along the Grand River sidewalk.
Bedrock will also activate Parker’s Alley from noon to 10 p.m. April 25-27 for a public showcasing of “A Vintage Era” of Detroit sports and cars. The alley will display a timeline of sports leading up to the draft, city records show. Visitors can expect drink services, a three-screen LED panel with programming, along with an overhead neon-lit football field display.
A Greektown tailgate will also open to the public throughout the NFL draft. Visitors can expect live music, sports viewing, activities, giveaways, food and drink along Monroe Street from St. Antoine to Brush streets.
Councilmembers want to know businesses’ roles
Council members postponed voting on the NFL draft contract to next week, per President Pro-Tem James Tate’s request, as officials gather more details regarding connectivity to local businesses within each district. Tate said City Council was supposed to receive that information last week, adding that it was “unsettling” that he never received it.
“I’m certainly not looking for every business in our districts to be activated, but we’re looking for some connectivity,” Tate said. “I don’t even know what businesses are being rolled in as a whole.”
Jessica Parker, deputy chief operating officer, told Tate he and others should have received the information but promised to have the requested materials by the end of the week. Member Fred Durhal III asked whether it would interfere with the construction timeline. Parker reminded members that work is lined up, pending the vote. Work is slated to begin March 25.
Councilmember Gabriela Santiago-Romero was also concerned about not having a list of businesses outside of downtown.
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“One of my staff members is currently at Southwest Detroit Business Association where they’re speaking with the NFL, and they’re just now being engaged. If this is the case for SDBA, I’m concerned this might be the case for the rest of the city,” Santiago-Romero said. “I can only now assume that maybe it’s not as fully thought through or engaged with the rest of the city. So I want to urge the administration and the NFL to do the outreach that is needed because so far from what I can hear, it’s not there yet.”
Parker added that the city has held fairs to help businesses achieve minority-owned certification. The NFL emphasized drawing in certified minority-owned businesses into its program.
“We asked this body to please send names of businesses within your districts that we can nominate,” Parker said.
Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana
