  Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 4171 Registered: 06-2004 |
We know about all the negativity. We read it every day in both the local and national media, see it reflected in the actions of local businesses and residents. What achievable projects would make things feel better? Is it an accumulation of little things like community gardens, surviving small businesses, gestures of kindness and community cohesiveness? Or does it have to be big - Book Cadillac, Quicken moving, etc? Does it have to be recognized and validated by outsiders or is seeing it for ourselves enough? Obviously temporary boosts provided by successfully hosting high profile sporting events and having winning local teams are great, but how can that feeling be perpetuated and harnessed to help lift up the area emotionally and instill a sense of confidence in the face of very real difficulties? (Message edited by lilpup on May 02, 2008) | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 2040 Registered: 09-2007 |
How about taking step at eliminating crime or pulling for a more "united" region? | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 4172 Registered: 06-2004 |
Could you break it down into specific goals that citizens could help achieve? (Message edited by lilpup on May 02, 2008) | ||
Downriviera Member Username: Downriviera Post Number: 338 Registered: 02-2008 |
Baby steps...get the street lights working. | ||
Deteamster Member Username: Deteamster Post Number: 113 Registered: 07-2007 |
^ Seriously. How hard is that for people who don't live in the city to understand? I wish my trash had gotten picked up this morning. It didn't. Fuck high profile events. I don't want to live in Disneyland. I want to live in a city with low crime, streetlights, clean streets, trash pickup, and jobs. | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 4173 Registered: 06-2004 |
Isn't there anything that could be done to help bring together and improve neighborhoods without depending on (or pointing at) unreliable city services? (thinking along the lines of Cub's garden, here) | ||
Dshen Member Username: Dshen Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2008 |
Any event that brings people to the city is helpful. we need people to realize they won't be shot if they venture within the city limits. It would help if the black majority would be more welcoming to the white suburbanites. Racial segregation is going to keep holding this city back. Honest communication between the races would probably help more than anything. | ||
Cub Member Username: Cub Post Number: 383 Registered: 02-2007 |
Dshen, First, I would like to say welcome to the forum. Second, I don't believe there is a black majority that are not welcoming to white suburbanites. If it was there would be more race related crimes and surburbanite bashing than there is now. Third if it was a majority and not a minority what would you want blacks to do to be more welcoming? Not trying to be a but head and sorry if this is off topic. | ||
Cub Member Username: Cub Post Number: 384 Registered: 02-2007 |
I am interested in seeing how the turnout will be for the first weekend of the Motor City Makeover. Today, even with the rain I saw people cleaning up. I think the city should make a bigger deal about cleaning up. | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 222 Registered: 03-2008 |
Link to a program I heard of: http://www.i-neighbors.org We need to have an online meeting place and forum to point out problems to each other. What dark streets need a little extra watching because of burned out street lights? Are there some new shifty characters or stray dogs around the local park? What sidewalks and roads should we avoid because they aren't being salted. That kind of stuff could help a little. What's the link again to that crime watch wiki site that was mentioned on here awhile ago? Good topic idea! (Message edited by Sean_Of_Detroit on May 02, 2008) | ||
Alley Member Username: Alley Post Number: 98 Registered: 02-2008 |
May is Motor City Makeover Month. This year, more than ever, the City of Detroit needs volunteers to clean up and beautify Detroit. VOLUNTEER TODAY! Call (313) 224-4415 Visit your local Neighborhood City Hall Register online http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/Departments/MotorCityMakeover/tabid/129/Default.aspx Saturday, May 3 - Sectors 1, 2 and 3 Saturday, May 10 - Sectors 7, 8, 9 and 10 Saturday, May 17 - Sectors 4, 5 and 6  | ||
Dshen Member Username: Dshen Post Number: 3 Registered: 04-2008 |
Dshen, First, I would like to say welcome to the forum. Second, I don't believe there is a black majority that are not welcoming to white suburbanites. If it was there would be more race related crimes and surburbanite bashing than there is now. Third if it was a majority and not a minority what would you want blacks to do to be more welcoming? Not trying to be a but head and sorry if this is off topic. Thanks for the welcome. ( I don't know how to quote on here.) I didn't mean a majority of blacks are not welcoming, I was referring to the racial make up of the city. I would hope it's only a minority that aren't welcoming. Sorry, I wasn't very clear. I used to live in Rivertown and I felt a lot of subtle racism and at times I was called names and once I was down by the river and a couple of black girls were saying loudly to "each other" that I didn't belong there and should "go home" I assume they thought I lived outside of Detroit. I am a relatively quiet person so I don't feel I did anything to deserve that. I think the races need to communicate more in metro Detroit, I'm not sure how to make that happen. I believe a lot of perceived racism is actually fear based on a lack of communication. | ||
Rid0617 Member Username: Rid0617 Post Number: 79 Registered: 03-2008 |
Cub said "Second, I don't believe there is a black majority that are not welcoming to white suburbanites. If it was there would be more race related crimes and surburbanite bashing than there is now." I totally agree. Everyone on this forum knows that we are a white middle aged poor family. They have gone out of their way to help me make an informed decision whether to move to Detroit or not. They've given me the good and bad points and several have emailed me offering assistance when ever we come up there. | ||
Dshen Member Username: Dshen Post Number: 4 Registered: 04-2008 |
I don't feel a majority are unwelcoming either. I believe racists of all races are the minority. I think most people in Detroit actually want to communicate, but the long history of racial tension is hard to overcome. | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 2237 Registered: 12-2005 |
Lilpup--there has been since the 60s this idea that "all the city needs is a big project to turn things around" and the usual suspects are rounded up, the business moguls, auto execs, developers and we get a big bricks-'n-mortar project, the new construction industry is happy and we have this new "thing" which may or may not actually help. We have had forty years of "big projects" and things keep getting worse for most of the city outside the CBD. I tend to think the city, no matter who runs it isn't very good at the little slots between the big projects, the miles of storefronts (which are now either gone, or churches or wig n' nail stores) are affected by the various departments of the city practice random acts of regulation, each department worried about what they worry about, leaving it up to the owner's abilities to make things work, with all of the other social ills. The change will have to occur one citizen at a time. | ||
Retroit Member Username: Retroit Post Number: 39 Registered: 04-2008 |
1. Tear down all the abandoned buildings that don't have any historical value. 2. Require property owners to take care of their property. 3. Improve government efficiency so you can reduce taxes. 4. Hold elected officials accountable, demand better city services. 5. Quit trying to pretend that casinos and stadiums are going to save us. 6. Send Kwame the Clown and Moronica Conyers on a slow sinking boat to China. | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 4184 Registered: 06-2004 |
A lot of people seem to be putting the burden on government instead of focusing on doing what they themselves can. Why is that? | ||
Peachlaser Member Username: Peachlaser Post Number: 177 Registered: 08-2006 |
I'll repeat something I posted last year. What if???? What if some of the bleakest, most desolate, open space in Detroit could be turned into a festival area that would rotate amongst prominent cultural groups? Have four festivals a year. For summer, have a jazz festival, for winter, have a nordic festival, for fall have a Greek & Middle Eastern festival, for spring have a German/Polish festival for example. There are more cultural groups than this and they could rotate through. For example, there could be also be Italian and Asian festivals. Anyway, build something that brings people together but still recognizes their traditions, music, food, arts, crafts, dress, etc. The festival space should become sacred space with zero crime. From that seed, small businesses will start to pop up, improvements will start to be made, people will move in closer to get close to the action and jobs and the whole attitude of people will change. But crime and greedy officials will be the primary obstacles IMO. Everything will have to be in the open and cultures will have to control their own violent and predatory fringes. Someone spoke of big projects that bring in all the big whigs and cameras but things still don't turn around. Festivals are grassroots efforts and it is the people and the cultural leaders that will make the difference. If things work right, the effects of this nucleus of a cultural festival grounds can start spreading outwards into the rest of Detroit until the city once again becomes the Paris of the West. | ||
W_chicago Member Username: W_chicago Post Number: 21 Registered: 01-2008 |
I totally agree that the little things are WAYYY more important than the big things like casinos and hotels or whatever. Top priorities would be little things like trash pick up, police and fire, street lights. These are all small, but all effect quality of life, and add up very fast. A close second in priority would be other quality of life things like clean, well-maintained and safe parks, community centers, grocery stores, tearing down of burnt-out buildings, etc Those things are small, and can be achieved relatively quickly, city-wide. But some bigger things that should be of priority are 1) improving the public education system 2) improving the public transportation system 3) bringing in INDUSTRY to the city and not fooling ourselves that casinos, hotels, and tourist attractions are going to save our city. Quicken is good, but we need something more industrious, like the autos... maybe something in the rapidly expanding green-industry??? Anything that provides LOTS of good paying, working-class jobs, because the working-class is what BUILT this city!•• | ||
W_chicago Member Username: W_chicago Post Number: 22 Registered: 01-2008 |
Also, I agree with people that say things that bring people together are good. Festivals, community centers, etc. especially when the people themselves are the driving force behind the project, not some big-wig in a corporate office in Troy. | ||
Retroit Member Username: Retroit Post Number: 44 Registered: 04-2008 |
"A lot of people seem to be putting the burden on government instead of focusing on doing what they themselves can. Why is that?" Because city government was instituted for people to do on a collective basis what they can't do on an individual basis: 1. If you tell your neighbor to keep up his property, he'll tell you to go to he**. But if the city code enforcer tells him to, he'll pay a fine if he doesn't. 2. Most people don't have the resources to buy and tear down abandoned buildings in their neighborhood. 3. Trash collection, police protection, street lighting, etc. clearly wouldn't be feasible on an "individual" basis. Detroit doesn't have a shortage of people who desire to live in decent neighborhoods. But it does have a shortage of people who are willing to demand their money's worth in tax dollars. But I will agree, Lilpup, that the success of this city depends on everyone daily contributing to its betterment. | ||
Rocknrollscientist Member Username: Rocknrollscientist Post Number: 126 Registered: 05-2005 |
Two things would VASTLY improve quality of life in this city: 1. City services actually being fulfilled across the board. 2. The Broken Windows theory being applied to crime in the city. It truly is the little things that make it all happen. | ||
Rocknrollscientist Member Username: Rocknrollscientist Post Number: 127 Registered: 05-2005 |
(I'd also appreciate it if the city would go ahead and fulfill their promise to tear down the two vacant/run down houses next door to me. The stray kitties love them, but I don't.) | ||
Retroit Member Username: Retroit Post Number: 46 Registered: 04-2008 |
Rocknrollscientist, don't just sit back and wait for appreciation, DEMAND IT!: http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/le gislative/Complaints/complaint s_frame.htm http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/le gislative/ResourceCenter/Resou rceLinks_main_frame.htm It's what they're there for! | ||
Rocknrollscientist Member Username: Rocknrollscientist Post Number: 128 Registered: 05-2005 |
Retroit, thank you. I have to admit, in my neighborhood (east Mexicantown) there are no problems with city services not being taken care of. At least not that I've noticed, but I'm new-ish to the neighborhood. I know it's a problem in many other areas of the city. However, I will use the links to try to deal with the vacant homes. Thank you. | ||
Ladyinabag Member Username: Ladyinabag Post Number: 584 Registered: 03-2007 |
Mo Money! Mo Money! | ||
Irish_mafia Member Username: Irish_mafia Post Number: 1273 Registered: 10-2003 |
There was a period of time where it was believed that a hummer from GM would make Detroit feel better. | ||
Dianeinaustin Member Username: Dianeinaustin Post Number: 19 Registered: 02-2008 |
Get rid of the thugs and druggies. | ||
Danindc Member Username: Danindc Post Number: 4245 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: Isn't that called Hart Plaza? | ||
Living_in_the_d Member Username: Living_in_the_d Post Number: 206 Registered: 01-2008 |
Yeah, Tough one, I would have to say, Bring back the love. | ||
Kwomacke Member Username: Kwomacke Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2008 |
I think what we need to do to help better Detroit is first start with better representatives for the city, then start with the environment. Ok Downtown is remarkable, but what about our residential areas? Thats only 1/4 of Detroit, there is noone to help better our neighborhoods and people who are residents of Detroit, want to speak about how filthy our city is. I wonder why? | ||
Detroitmaybe Member Username: Detroitmaybe Post Number: 113 Registered: 03-2008 |
The most important and impactful thing we can do to better Detroit is to reform the School System. If we are not adequately educating our youth, who are the future of this City, then no matter what physical improvements we make...it won't really matter if they are not properly maintained over the long term. The cycle of poverty and crime will continue, and as hundreds of thousands of miseducated youth are graduating out of DPS, no real change will happen due to their lack of education and opportunity. | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 4196 Registered: 06-2004 |
I just heard a fantastic theory: "Change the belief and the symptoms change. Destroy the belief and the symptoms disappear." Think about it - it's really about self-confidence and self-worth. | ||
Fmstack Member Username: Fmstack Post Number: 63 Registered: 06-2007 |
Even though he was crazy as a loon, I really like the sci-fi author Philip K. Dick's definition of reality: "Reality is that which doesn't go away when you stop believing in it." If fixing Michigan were just a matter of "destroying the belief" that things are broken, Michigan would have been fixed decades ago. The endlessly expanding ring of suburbs around the growing rotten core are, collectively, one of the biggest games of make-believe ever played. | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 4199 Registered: 06-2004 |
It's not "destroying the belief that things are broken," it's destroying the belief that things can't change, that people here can't work together and contribute toward common goals to benefit everybody. The whole frame of thought and tenor of conversation in the metro area and the state needs to change from "us v them" to "we can do this." |
