2013 NAIAS / Detroit Auto Show

If you were to ask me the what impressed me the most about the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), you probably wouldn't expect me to say the Cobo Center.  Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed getting up-close to some of the latest concept and production car introductions, but cars are just not my thing.

To understand why Cobo impressed me so much, let me just state a few facts. Almost every day the Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, or even The New York Times covers a story about the revitalization of Detroit, including the following major initiatives:

• Restoration of Detroit RiverWalk
• Development of Dequindre Cut Greenway
• Revitalization of Campus Martius Park
• Dan Gilbert's Transformation of the Woodward Corridor or more!
• Cleansing and upgrade of Belle Isle (unfortunately without help from the State)
• General Motors purchase of the Renaissance Center
• Many of Detroit's abandoned buildings turning their lights back on 

Amidst and prior to much of this, the Cobo Center, Detroit's meeting and convention facility opened in 1960, has been undergoing renovations since 2009; however, it hasn't been until recently (Phase III) that we started to see some of the physical changes.  According to its renovation plans, these are the items you should see now or expect to see in the near future:

• Development of Cobo Arena as new 38,000 square-foot ballroom with meeting rooms under
• Creation of Atrium connecting main concourse to river and opening lower level/Michigan Hall to main level space 
• Renovation of south side constructed in 1960 and not included in 1989 upgrade
• Upgrade of east side main concourse and adjacent spaces
• New east side exterior skin with “media mesh”
• Infrastructure improvements 

The Detroit Free Press published this graphic that takes you through all the expected changes; however, you can also experience the transformation on the Cobo Center YouTube site watching this video that visualizes these what it will look like upon completion in 2014:

This weekend, we had the opportunity to get a sneak peak at some of these transformations as the North America International Auto Show (NAIAS) was in its final weekend of public exhibition at the Cobo Center.  With discounted tickets from Volkswagen, Scottie and I headed downtown with completely different purposes.  He wanted to look at the vehicles to help narrow down his upcoming buying decision as his "Bessie" might not make it through the winter.  On the other hand, I was mostly along for the second opinion and to collect free bags.

As soon as we walked in Cobo, something immediately felt different.  Perhaps it was the large crowds including the LED signage (but not the huge screen that its expected on the exterior), the infrastructure improvements that allowed for a brighter convention room to light up the vehicles, part of the new Atrium, and lastly, some of the minor details like the new retail organic outlet, Go Natural.
Let's just say, things are looking so much more modern in that facility!

If you're wondering how the car search went, we basically toured this entire floor map, and you can see more of my pictures here, but I think we narrowed our choices to the Honda CRV, Toyota Prius V/RAV 4 Electric, and Subaru Forester/Outback.

After the show, we headed to El Barzon on the Southwest side of Detroit, but not necessarily in Mexicantown.  It was like the perfect mix for my old and new favorite cuisines as one side of their menu featured traditional Mexican meals and the other Italian specialities.  Inside the ambiance seemed more Mexican, but as time passed we noticed the little Italian subtleties like the Italy flag (and Mexico), the live violinist strumming, and the white tablecloths and napkins.

Upon being sat, our waitress promptly arrived with a basket of tortilla chips and some salsa (red and green!), thus we decided this time to go with the Mexican side of the menu.  Naturally, we both selected the same order of Enchiladas, which included three enchiladas filled with meat topped with sauce, cheese, lettuce, sour cream and avocado (and we held the avocado).  Scottie changed it up a little with the mole sauce.  The meal also came with a side of rice and black beans.  El Barzon nailed it.  The best Mexican we have had in the city of Detroit (and Metro Detroit).  Starting with the chips, beans and rice, which most Mexican restaurants serve as an afterthought, but I enjoyed how all three were not greasy, overcooked, or cold.  All came hot out of the oven, and tasting very traditional.  Onto the enchiladas.  Again, not too greasy with just the right blend of sauce and cheese not to be overdone. Lastly, they were served with avocado, which isn't always the case with Mexican food, and that was quite the bonus.  Well done.  We'll certainly be back to try the Italian side of the menu.

By the way, apparently it was Michigan's 176th birthday today, so glad we were able to celebrate Michigan by doing something very Michigan-like!