I have a request for our Downtown employers.

It’s time to get employees out of the house and into the office.

In case you missed it, the data presented at the Downtown Detroit Partnership’s Fall Forum is impressive. We are presently tracking 54 projects totaling nearly $2.8 billion in investment. With representation from every sector — commercial, residential, institutional, hospitality – new projects come online monthly, if not weekly, or even daily. These projects will spawn new restaurants and retail establishments.

It is that simple and that important.

Consider that in June 2019, the average number of workers per day, Monday through Friday was 70,000 employees. Compare that to June 2024, when the Downtown Detroit Datascape tracked 36,000 daily workers. It’s simply not sustainable for our restaurants and retailers if we continue at this rate. You should immediately sense the profound economic impact we would have on our small businesses if we can increase — let alone double – the daily Downtown employee numbers. Return to office will help to further strengthen the local economy, of which small businesses are the backbone.

Of course, the benefits of in-office work extend far beyond the economics. Professional development can flounder when there is no human or social interaction. Human interaction builds trust. Social interaction builds collaboration. Personal interaction allows you to demonstrate you care about your employees.

I question whether one can truly recognize employees’ strengths over a Teams meeting and if an organization can create a culture of trust and respect on Zoom. I thrive on collaboration and believe innovation and inclusion are best advanced when all voices and ideas are heard – and people are seen.

The DDP’s intern program is a prime example of why office work works. It’s one of the best ways we’ve found to develop new talent, identify leadership skills, build mentoring programs, and get younger generations engaged with the city.

Gina Cavaliere, DDP’s chief community impact officer and BIZ director, recently made a presentation to DTE employees returning to the office. The company’s leadership invited Gina to inform employees about the tremendous opportunities for employees working in Detroit to enjoy our parks and public spaces and where to go before, during, and after work. Gina also shared what they can expect in the future regarding exciting new programs and developments.*

DTE wanted its employees to know that their presence would build up the neighborhood in and around the headquarters and support small businesses. I support this effort.

At the DDP, we’ve already implemented a requirement for all employees to be in the office a minimum of three days a week. However, even though we still allow a hybrid schedule, I am proud to acknowledge that our in-office attendance stands at over 75 percent of employees onsite daily. This is not only a direct reflection on our team’s passion for what they do but how important and rewarding it is for them to be together in the office collaborating. Given our work, many DDP staff are out in the community and not necessarily at their desk every day. We’re moving past this “new normal” and returning to the “old normal.” And nothing could please me more.

The decision for employers to bring employees back to the office goes beyond productivity metrics, it’s a long-term investment in employee well-being, organization growth, and the economic and social fabric of Downtown Detroit. Employees returning to the office will spark collaboration, innovation, and creativity, all while supporting small businesses and improving public safety.

For employers looking at the bigger picture, bring employees back isn’t just a business decision-it’s a way to invest in the future of Detroit.

Are you with me?

*If you’d like a DDP team member to present to your Downtown staff, we’d be honored. Contact us at [email protected].