MONEY

QLINE gets credit for $7B Detroit transformation

Eric D. Lawrence
Detroit Free Press

The value of the economic development, both planned and finished, along the QLINE's path is estimated at more than $7 billion, according to a report released Thursday by M-1 Rail, the organization building Detroit's streetcar system.

The eye-popping number takes into account development since 2013. The 3.3-mile QLINE on Woodward Avenue is to open to the public May 12, connecting the city's downtown, Midtown, New Center and North End areas.

The QLine heads north on Woodward passing by the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. M-1 Rail, the organization building the system, says $7 billion in development has been planned or finished along the line since 2013.

The 24-page report says about two-thirds of the investments in 211 projects, including the $1.2-billion District Detroit that incorporates Little Caesars Arena, have been completed — with $2.4 billion planned for the future. The numbers are more than double the $3-billion figure boosters have previously pitched to highlight the potential impact of the QLINE.

Here's what it will cost to ride the QLINE

The report notes that large sections of the area were blighted and abandoned until recently, and it gives the QLINE substantial credit.

“What the QLINE has done is take the entire length of Woodward from the (Detroit River) to Grand Boulevard and provide an attractive reason to develop and redevelop,” Eric Larson, president of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, said in the report. “So a lot more of the infill opportunities that were not quite ready are now sitting in a very good position.”

Critics, however, have noted that a not insubstantial portion of that blight and abandonment was a result of property purchased and allowed to sit until the time was ripe for redevelopment.

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @_ericdlawrence.