2017+ Championship Venue Details

[lynca]

The new Championship structure has multiple venues on the horizon.

I'm most familiar with Houston and the George R. Brown convention center will be a solid choice for years to come.
The low-cost flights, parking and hotels will be a big plus for many teams.

Please try to limit the discussion to the venue details for now ! thanks

[MrTechCenter]

Not sure if it's considered venue discussion, but Houston is a major hub for United Airlines and Detroit is a major hub for Delta Airlines. That was probably one of the deciding factors in choosing cities.

[New Lightning]

That a true, there both major hubs, but picking them for that fact seems counter to part of Frank's post, which is to reduce the need for air travel.

[lynca]

Can anyone comment on the Detroit Venue ?

[Conor Ryan]

I've been to the Toyota Center and Minute Maid park. Really Cool venue that is actually pretty accessible which will open up more hotel possibilities.

Ford Field & Cobo Center (They host the Detroit International Auto Show) and nice locations that are large with room to spare. Probably the best feature is the fact you can swim to Canada, making this location a true world championship.

I'm concerned about the safety of the Detroit Venue (mostly because of where the bulk of the hotels are located), but I'm sure we will all be ok. Proximity to food will be a bit of a challenge, but if we can make it through build season we can stop acting like babies.

[Bennett548]

Ford field is a fantastic venue. Very new, huge stands.

Cobo Hall is probably most famous for hosting the NAIAS (North American International Auto Show) every year. It is a huge convention center.

There is a monorail station right inside the upper floor of Cobo, and there is a station a couple blocks from Ford field.

That area of downtown Detroit can be hit or miss. Just like any big city, there are good and bad parts.

I can't comment on hotels, but google shows a whole bunch around there.

Weather will probably be okay, normally no snow mid-April.

The airport is a twenty minute drive from Cobo and Ford Field.

[KelliV]

Cobo Hall is a great venue as well as Ford field. Teams will be able to hop on and off of the People Mover and enjoy a few other areas of Detroit like Belle Isle, the DIA, and Science Museum.

Downtown Detroit is pretty safe too and there are a lot of eateries in Greektown right down the street so no worries there.

[philso]

Not sure if it's considered venue discussion, but Houston is a major hub for United Airlines and Detroit is a major hub for Delta Airlines. That was probably one of the deciding factors in choosing cities.

United operates their hub out of Bush Intercontinental Airport in the north. Southwest operates their hub out of Hobby Airport in the south. Almost missing our flight because we were waiting in line for over two hours at the St. Louis Airport was not fun.

The two new rail lines that run right by the GRB are about to start operating in the next month or so. This may make more hotels easily accessible.

There are already systems in place to run shuttle busses from various parking lots outside of the downtown area to downtown venues such as the Rodeo (lowest attendance for a single day in 2015 was 48,177). If they make use of these systems, many more (lower cost) hotels would become easily accessible.

Perhaps our friends across town (118) can arrange for one of their sponsors to open their facilities for some tours?

[Patrick Seeney]

Ford Field & Cobo Center (They host the Detroit International Auto Show) and nice locations that are large with room to spare. Probably the best feature is the fact you can swim to Canada, making this location a true world championship.

I'm concerned about the safety of the Detroit Venue (mostly because of where the bulk of the hotels are located), but I'm sure we will all be ok. Proximity to food will be a bit of a challenge, but if we can make it through build season we can stop acting like babies.

The area between Cobo and Ford Field has become a lot safer over the past few years, and that trend is continuing. There are also many restaurants popping up and by the time the championship comes to Detroit, the M-1 Line should be done. That will make going to and from the two locations very easy.

Be sure to check out Roasting Plant, featuring Javabot, a robot that roasts and dispenses beans using pneumatics and many of the same components in FIRST robots today!
http://www.metrotimes.com/binary/d44f/1524760.jpg

[astroman31]

I'm concerned about the safety of the Detroit Venue (mostly because of where the bulk of the hotels are located), but I'm sure we will all be ok. Proximity to food will be a bit of a challenge, but if we can make it through build season we can stop acting like babies.

When visitDetroit.com leads the Website with the comment that "Meetings are safe..." it makes you pause. I realize FIRST wants to help Detroit dig out of big problems, but to bring 30,000 kids into a near open city like Detroit is troubling. Assuming Ford Field and the surrounding areas are actually secured, how easy will it be to get food, go to a hardware store, and take the kids outside? There are no grocery stores, no hardware stores, no nothing in the city (not even movie theaters). Trash doesn't get collected, no snow removal in Winter, fire and police protection is limited at best. Is Detroit the best we can do? And we want to bring kids into that?

In St. Louis, we can easily find what we need with many hotel options and never worry about our safety. If we don't want to pay the cost of a downtown St. Louis hotel, we found comfortable and affordable options in Chesterfield and other outside communities with access to grocery stores, restaurants and malls.

[Sam Slade]

Worth mentioning, "The District Detroit" project is expected to be completed in 2017. The project is an initiative to build a new stadium for the Detroit Red Wings and revitalize the surrounding area. This area is very close to Ford Field and Cobo Center where the event will be held. There should be plenty of new restaurants and things to do by the time FIRST comes to Detroit.

Cobo Center is also just wrapping up its major renovation project. I was there for the NAIAS and the venue was pretty incredible.

Details - http://www.districtdetroit.com/

[Josh Fox]

When visitDetroit.com leads the Website with the comment that "Meetings are safe..." it makes you pause. I realize FIRST wants to help Detroit dig out of big problems, but to bring 30,000 kids into a near open city like Detroit is troubling. Assuming Ford Field and the surrounding areas are actually secured, how easy will it be to get food, go to a hardware store, and take the kids outside? There are no grocery stores, no hardware stores, no nothing in the city (not even movie theaters). Trash doesn't get collected, no snow removal in Winter, fire and police protection is limited at best. Is Detroit the best we can do? And we want to bring kids into that?

In St. Louis, we can easily find what we need with many hotel options and never worry about our safety. If we don't want to pay the cost of a downtown St. Louis hotel, we found comfortable and affordable options in Chesterfield and other outside communities with access to grocery stores, restaurants and malls.

Detroit, like most cities, does have suburbs.

And as someone who frequents the area that the event will be held in, I assure you it's no more dangerous than anywhere I've been in 4 years of attending champs in Atlanta or St. Louis last year.

Instead of blindly regurgitating things spread by the mainstream media, maybe asking people who might have firsthand knowledge would be a more constructive use of your time.

[JABot67]

When visitDetroit.com leads the Website with the comment that "Meetings are safe..." it makes you pause. I realize FIRST wants to help Detroit dig out of big problems, but to bring 30,000 kids into a near open city like Detroit is troubling. Assuming Ford Field and the surrounding areas are actually secured, how easy will it be to get food, go to a hardware store, and take the kids outside? There are no grocery stores, no hardware stores, no nothing in the city (not even movie theaters). Trash doesn't get collected, no snow removal in Winter, fire and police protection is limited at best. Is Detroit the best we can do? And we want to bring kids into that?

In St. Louis, we can easily find what we need with many hotel options and never worry about our safety. If we don't want to pay the cost of a downtown St. Louis hotel, we found comfortable and affordable options in Chesterfield and other outside communities with access to grocery stores, restaurants and malls.

I would advocate listening to the people who live around Detroit before characterizing it in such an unflattering way; the vast majority of Michigan people I've talked to about hosting major FRC event in Downtown Detroit say it's a great idea. After all, the North American International Auto Show is hosted in Cobo Center every year and it's a fantastic event. The state marching band championships are always hosted at Ford Field and I can say from being there that it's a fantastic venue and that it's very safe.

With regards to food, there's a ton down in Greektown and for grocery stores, I know there are couple including a Whole Foods.

I know people were just complaining about St Louis for being too unsafe for the kids. Both cities are similar in that they have fewer than half the population they had at their peak. However, just like in St Louis, Downtown Detroit is not an abandoned wasteland - there are large family friendly events happening there pretty much every weekend.

One thing I am confused about: Cobo Center and Ford Field are on the opposite sides of Downtown. A setup where the pits are in Cobo and the fields are in Ford Field would not work, so I'm wondering what the plans are regarding the use of both of these facilities.

[steverk]

As a Houstonian, I can only say how thrilled I am to see FIRST Championships return to Houston.

I'm sure that everyone who attends will be pleased with the facilities. They have good access to hotels, food, outdoor space, and parking. Houston has really worked to create a first class environment during the 27 years that I have lived here.

Like many people, I share concerns about how this change is going to affect the CMP event and FIRST overall. I also wonder how they are planning to deal with some of the logistical issues of moving robots between buildings.

Please keep an open mind. All of the cities involved have strong reasons to make sure this goes over well. I'm sure FIRST has considered this change very carefully and will work very hard to overcome whatever challenges it may present.

[astroman31]

Detroit, like most cities, does have suburbs.

And as someone who frequents the area that the event will be held in, I assure you it's no more dangerous than anywhere I've been in 4 years of attending champs in Atlanta or St. Louis last year.

Instead of blindly regurgitating things spread by the mainstream media, maybe asking people who might have firsthand knowledge would be a more constructive use of your time.

I'm trying to gain understanding here, not picking a fight. So, what about Detroit is inaccurate in the description then? My impressions of Detroit are from a close friend who is finishing is residency in the city, and his stories certainly has my attention now that FIRST has announced. And they are consistent with what many others have described, even Michigan politicians. I have lived in and visited many of our nation's cities, and few, if none, seem to have the problems at the level Detroit is experiencing.

I am just trying to figure out how Detroit is a good choice an event like this. I get that there are some strong revitalization investments going on, but will they charge us an arm and a leg to stay there (aka Oakland, CA), with little affordable food options?

[Josh Fox]

I'm trying to gain understanding here, not picking a fight. So, what about Detroit is inaccurate in the description then? My impressions of Detroit are from a close friend who is finishing is residency in the city, and his stories certainly has my attention now that FIRST has announced. And they are consistent with what many others have described, even Michigan politicians. I have lived in and visited many of our nation's cities, and few, if none, seem to have the problems at the level Detroit is experiencing.

I am just trying to figure out how Detroit is a good choice an event like this. I get that there are some strong revitalization investments going on, but will they charge us an arm and a leg to stay there (aka Oakland, CA), with little affordable food options?

If you're after understanding and not a fight, broad generalizations probably aren't the best place to start, especially about a place that people work/live in/care about. And I don't know about you, but personally politicians are some of the last people I would look to for facts.

Is there a shortage of funding for snow removal/trash pickup? Sure. Is there going to be snow in late April in Detroit? Likely not, but it is Michigan so you can never be too sure. Are the streets overflowing with trash? No.

Why is Detroit a good choice? As Sam said, Cobo Hall is newly renovated. Ford Field was opened in 2002 and is a very nice facility, I'd put it on par with the Georgia Dome or Edward Jones Dome. The whole area, including the mile or so stretch between Ford Field and Cobo, like I stated before, is as safe as any areas of Atlanta or St. Louis that I've been in.

There are plenty of affordable restaurants in the city, and even grocery stores, like John mentioned above. As far as accommodations go, I'm afraid I don't have any knowledge, but if staying in the city is too expensive, there are at least a half-dozen suburbs I'd imagine could be cheaper <30 minutes away from downtown.

Some of these points were also touched on by others before you made your post. I'd read them if you want to learn more.

[Kevin Sevcik]

As a Houstonian, I can only say how thrilled I am to see FIRST Championships return to Houston.

I'm sure that everyone who attends will be pleased with the facilities. They have good access to hotels, food, outdoor space, and parking. Houston has really worked to create a first class environment during the 27 years that I have lived here.

Like many people, I share concerns about how this change is going to affect the CMP event and FIRST overall. I also wonder how they are planning to deal with some of the logistical issues of moving robots between buildings.

Please keep an open mind. All of the cities involved have strong reasons to make sure this goes over well. I'm sure FIRST has considered this change very carefully and will work very hard to overcome whatever challenges it may present.Frank mentioned Toyota Center for Opening Ceremonies, and Minute Maid for Closing, with GRB for the competition. Chances are Toyota will never see a robot, used only for the speechifying, etc. of Opening ceremonies. Then everyone piles out back to GRB where the Pits+Fields are. Minute Maid MIGHT host Einstein. It's a pretty short walk from GRB to there, or they might shuttle bots over. Champs has a huge sub-division/Einstein break this year which would easily cover shuffling all the alliances over to Minute Maid.

My big question mark is how they're weaving this in with the start of the MLB season. LSR has had discussion with Minute Maid Park before about hosting an event there, and they're HIGHLY protective of the grass during the season. Leaving anything set up for more than a day was right out. I have to assume whatever is happening there is getting set up the night before and torn down immediately after. Carefully.

[johnr]

Lived in Detroit 55 years. You will be fine downtown. Don't wonder off. Neighborhoods are hit and miss. Lots of food. Three casinos. Don't know about hotels. Home depot- Lowes 15 minutes north on freeway.

[maverickfan138]

To echo what Josh said, buying into what mainstream media tells everyone about Detroit is not a good thing to do at all.

Venues: Ford Field, like all other modern football stadiums is a great venue for an FRC event. The home of the Lions has its own parking structure and since it’s located across the street from Comerica Park and a block away from the Fox Theater, there’s more than enough parking within a five minute walk. Cobo Hall, as mentioned already, is newly renovated and has plenty of space for the event. One can travel between both venues and all throughout downtown by means of the People Mover (monorail).

Lodging: Detroit’s Renaissance Center has a Marriott in its middle tower. Greektown Casino, Motor City Casino, and MGM Grand Casino all have skyscraper hotels. If one’s team fancies a trip across the border, Windsor has many more large hotels. If any of these options are not within budget, there are the typical Hampton Inns, Super 8’s, Holiday Inns, and the like in Dearborn, Farmington, Southfield, Royal Oak, Grosse Pointe, and pretty much any Metro Detroit suburb (the furthest neighborhood I mentioned is about 30 minutes outside of downtown).

Food and Shops: Dan Gilbert, owner of Quicken Loans, has done a fantastic job with revitalizing the Woodward Corridor. Numerous shops and eateries have opened up over the past few years as urban revitalization of the area and its surroundings continue. There is a three story Buffalo Wild Wings right off of Campus Martius. There’s a Five Guys and Olga’s within walking distance of Ford Field in addition to plenty of bars and breweries for the mentors. Corktown, a neighborhood just south of downtown and home of the former Tigers Stadium, is home to Slow’s Barbecue and Mercury Bar. These two restaurants are revered by food critics all over the country and often featured on the Food Network – they just scratch the surface regarding the delicious eateries in the area. Detroit’s new Arena District and the M1 Rail Project should be completed by the time FRC comes to Detroit. These projects should bring more restaurants and businesses downtown and facilitate travel throughout the city. It’s impossible to go hungry in Detroit.

Things to do: Outside of the competition, there’s plenty to do. Detroit is home to the Science Center, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Detroit Institute of Arts. The Renaissance Center has a great display of GM products in their atrium. One can walk from Cobo for about three miles along the Detroit waterfront. The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn is only a 15 minute drive outside of downtown and will surely be a hit with anybody involved in FRC. If anyone wants to tour college campuses, Lawrence Tech is a 20 minute drive, Oakland University a 45 minute drive, and Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan an hour drive.

Detroit is not a wasteland nor is it a warzone. The people of Detroit city are generally friendly people who are just trying to make it by and will thank you tremendously if you provide a helping hand. There are only a few bad eggs who ruin it for everybody (I recommend everyone watches Grand Torino sometime before April, 2018).

The best part about all of this is that everyone on here can have their doubts about Detroit being the next host city and/or continue to whine about the change in the first place, but when it is time to compete, we [metro] Detroiters will still welcome all of you with open arms. We will gladly show that our city the exact opposite of what mainstream media wants you to believe and that it’s a thriving, friendly, and wonderful place to be.