Greektown Businesses Stay Upbeat During Construction, Get Ready for Lions Game Rush

Detroit's Greektown keeps its doors wide open for Lions fans while Monroe Street gets a fresh look. The $20 million project aims to make the streets more walkable, though orange barrels and work crews dot the area.

"A lot of people get frustrated or deterred from the construction sites and the orange barrels, but we're open," said Yanni Dionisopolous, owner of multiple Greektown establishments, according to Click on Detroit. "Everything else is still in place, accessibility, our walkways to our restaurants, an abundance of parking."

Cars can't drive on parts of Monroe Street now. Workers are busy transforming four blocks from Randolph Street to I-375. Soon, wider paths will welcome foot traffic while cars stick to single lanes.

Local businesses have found smart ways to keep the cash flowing. Take Dionisopolous - his businesses include Golden Fleece, Bakaliko, Exodos Rooftop Lounge, and Delux Bar and Lounge. He's planned a bar hop that's caught fire with fans - over 200 tickets sold for the Lions' first home game.

"Our plates are always full and our doors are always open for everyone," Dionisopolous said.

Just two blocks from where the Lions play, Fishbones gets set for game day crowds. "It's a great time of year for Detroit," said Nico Gatzaros, who runs the place. "Everybody comes out in droves and we're super excited."

The work will turn streets into spaces where people want to walk. Gatzaros backs the plan: "This is going to be a very pedestrian friendly city and this whole town, especially Greektown with its $20 million renovation, it's going to be absolutely amazing."

When it's done, you'll see no curbs between street and walk. Wide paths will let folks stroll while cars move along fewer lanes. The whole area's getting a fresh start - built for feet first, wheels second.