  Wfw Member Username: Wfw Post Number: 188 Registered: 03-2004 |
I just got back from a trip to Memphis and I was quite surprised by the state of the city. It reminded me quite a bit of Detroit with its urban prairies, decrepit housing, abandoned skyscrapers, homeless panhandlers, high crime rate, etc. Despite this, Memphis still has a thriving tourist economy which is based in large part on Beale Street and its rich history, yet outside of that small area things are looking pretty rough. It got me thinking though that it's a shame that Detroit isn't able to capitalize more on its history. I suppose the closest thing Detroit has to Beale Street would be Hastings Street, but we all know that it's ancient history. Is there even a plaque or historical marker to commemorate Hastings Street?? I also took a trip to the Stax Museum of American Soul which is a fantastic facility. The original building was torn down long ago, but they've rebuilt the entire block to the original design and have also built the Stax Music Academy which is a music school to encourage local at-risk children to take up music. I thought this was a great idea, and I thought this would be a great idea for the Motown museum. Of course, the Motown museum is a great facility itself, but perhaps it's time to think a little bigger. Despite the negative factors I mentioned above, I still had a great time in Memphis. Does anyone have comments or observations concerning Memphis, or the similarities between Memphis/Detroit? | ||
Jeduncan Member Username: Jeduncan Post Number: 63 Registered: 11-2006 |
I think it'd be safe to say that the bulk of (and it's sparse at that) our tourism based on what people understand to be our history probably finds their way to dearborn. The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village are about all I can think of, you know, aside from our museum district. But I doubt that any of the museums in New Center really attract too many out-of-towners. | ||
Nyburgher Member Username: Nyburgher Post Number: 141 Registered: 10-2006 |
Never been there. But I agree totally that the Motown Brand is at least as valuable and holds as much resonance as the Memphis brand,perhaps a bit more. First of all the Detroit region a much larger Diaspora of people who have direct memories of the city and the age of Motown. Second, the Motown age-soul, R&B era is more recent than the older blues traditions of Memphis so there are more people who know it directly. Anyway, that Detroit hasn't played is a disgrace. | ||
Innercitydoc Member Username: Innercitydoc Post Number: 27 Registered: 09-2006 |
Memphis is similar in many respects to Detroit on the surface with its poor economy and music history. However, the abandoned housing situation is not quite as bad there and thier riverfront is closer to being revived with loft renovations. Also Memphis experienced a population growth since 1990's contrasted with Detroit's population bleed. Go figure. | ||
Nyburgher Member Username: Nyburgher Post Number: 142 Registered: 10-2006 |
Also, to be harsh about it. Both Detroit and Memphis can play on the weakness of their mega competitor-- New Orleans. The are a lot of Musicians and folks from there who will not be going back. Personally, I think that what happened in New Orleans cannot be reasonably prevented from happening again. The geographic position of the city makes it a tragedy waiting to happen and people should move on and maybe check out Detroit. Pittsburgh has a bunch of folks who moved from New Orleans and they love it here. | ||
Pam Member Username: Pam Post Number: 1184 Registered: 11-2005 |
quote: Wfw mentions Stax, whose heyday was at the same time as Motown's. | ||
Genesyxx Member Username: Genesyxx Post Number: 692 Registered: 02-2004 |
Woo-hoo Memphis!! | ||
Milwaukee Member Username: Milwaukee Post Number: 1045 Registered: 08-2006 |
I really liked Memphis; I thought it was a great city. The east side is very nice with lots of mansions. The south side is very rough, dirt roads, shacks, not very nice. The east side is great though. Office towers, lofts, shops, and huge homes. I felt very safe in Memphis. I know they have a crime problem, but it's been contained to just parts of the city. There's great architecture and great food. There's a hell of a lot of development going on by the river. Downtown has a long way to go but it is quickly improving. They have a great new baseball stadium and thousands of new condos under construction. Memphis has a long way to go, but it is a great city and it is growing. It's doing much better than Detroit as it has a lot of land to build on. Much of the city has a very suburban feel. I think the city is something like 200 square miles. | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 2573 Registered: 02-2005 |
The majority of Memphis' growth came after WWII. In the 20s-30s when Detroit's was reaching/surpassing 1 million, Memphis was in the 200,000 range. Detroit is just a much bigger city in a different sort of region; true, it shares a lot of the same concerns i.e. neighborhood crime and housing decay, but a lot of cities do. With that having been said, there is a lot that can be learned from using tourism as an economic engine. There's no doubt that this is part of Detroit's economic plan in trying to get major events, and building up downtown casino, stadia, hotels, etc. I don't think that Detroit has to go out of its way to capitalize on its history. I think a lot of people visit because they are interested in the history, it speaks for itself. The city is over 300 years old. It had a boom unlike any other city, and it has declined, like other cities, but to a greater extent. Despite the loss of a lot of Detroit's urban fabric, plenty of corners of the city still interest people interested in history, architecture, etc. So I guess Detroit could market itself to people with these interests a little more, rather than just going for the downtown attractions/casinos approach, but my conclusion is that Detroit provides plenty of reasons for people interested in history to come. | ||
Wfw Member Username: Wfw Post Number: 189 Registered: 03-2004 |
One thing that I forgot to mention is the effect that Dr. Martin Luther King's asassination has had on the city of Memphis. Almost all the locals I spoke with mentioned how that event has been a huge negative influence on the city, polarizing the city between black and white - which for me brought to mind the Detroit riots of '67 and their subsequent fallout. It seems to linger in the background of the city's political and cultural life like a shadow that still hasn't lifted, similar to the riots in Detroit. | ||
Tkelly1986 Member Username: Tkelly1986 Post Number: 254 Registered: 01-2004 |
The Platinum Plus is in Memphis, a quality strip joint, over 100 strippers at any hour. I remember when I was in undergrad, my rugby team stopped there while traveling to play at a tournament in New Orleans……..good time. My friend even bought a sweatshirt and now he is a 4th grade teacher….. | ||
Innercitydoc Member Username: Innercitydoc Post Number: 28 Registered: 09-2006 |
The Platinum was surprisingly one of the best strip clubs I've ever been to. Very spacious, quality dancers, and its BYOB. Can't beat that! | ||
Savannahsmiles Member Username: Savannahsmiles Post Number: 11 Registered: 05-2005 |
I was watching the Memphis news this morning (I live about 2 hours east of Memphis) and the news was a kid shot in a parking lot and one shot in the breaking story of a boy shot in the street, followed by a report showing crime down 9.6% from last year. My son's kidney doctors are in Memphis, so I spend quite a bit of time there. Personally, I hate Memphis. The driving is awful. You have to pick and choose your neighborhoods to insure your safety and even then you might not be. The last thing on earth you want to do is be white and make a wrong turn in Memphis. The most entertaining thing in Memphis -- and technically, it is in Germantown -- is the Wolfechase Galleria Mall. Give me Detroit any day over The Bluff City. If I never had to go back, I would be too happy. | ||
Nyburgher Member Username: Nyburgher Post Number: 146 Registered: 10-2006 |
Governments have to start seeing that safety is the number one thing. Considering how dangerous some of the cities we are talking about are, it's amazing how many people want to live in them. I think it shows that there is a huge pent up demand for what cities could offer if they got their act together. | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 2579 Registered: 02-2005 |
^^Spoken like a disciple of Rudy Giuliani. Giuliani for Pres. | ||
Missnmich Member Username: Missnmich Post Number: 578 Registered: 11-2004 |
you want to do is be white and make a wrong turn in Memphis. The most entertaining thing in Memphis -- and technically, it is in Germantown -- is the Wolfechase Galleria Mall Amazing how people's opinions are different. I love Memphis, I have been all over, and have never worried about making a wrong turn. In Midtown, all kinds of folks live together in a harmony other cities would envy. And due to Tennessee's more liberal annexation laws, Wolfchase Galleria (think Hall Rd.) is very definitely in Memphis City Limits. As much as I love both Detroit and Memphis , I can hardly compare the two. Memphis is the capital of one of the poorest regions in the country, the Delta. It looks pretty good in spite of that! One point I will agree with is the traffic, and crazy drivers. My wife has lost her ability to walk since we were creamed by an 18 wheeler going 80 MPH on I-55. | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 251 Registered: 02-2007 |
Ok, y'all like Memphis. However, don't look crazy when it caves under the earth after the massive earthquake. Detroit, the worst that could happen is a chemical plant explosion (relatively). | ||
Tkelly1986 Member Username: Tkelly1986 Post Number: 255 Registered: 01-2004 |
Well, I guess the worst that could happen is that the 100 or so years of salt mining has been badly miscalculated and for some reason they collapse and take part of Detroit with it......by the way, where exactly are they? SE Detroit? | ||
Nyburgher Member Username: Nyburgher Post Number: 150 Registered: 10-2006 |
Look I'm not a total fan of his but he did come close to having his priorities right. He was a good mayor. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 2850 Registered: 10-2004 |
Put those tin hats back up on their racks... The Detroit salt mine is bone dry. Only a 22-foot vein was tunneled out to less than three miles and pillars of salt (there's a Lot of religious significance about that, but I just can't place it) were left behind to hold up the "roof." The Oakwood Heights Subdivision of yore ain't gonna cave-in. And nothing east of the Rouge was mined. | ||
Savannahsmiles Member Username: Savannahsmiles Post Number: 12 Registered: 05-2005 |
Missnmich, I only spoke from personal experience. I s'pose it could've been a random thing. I live with the fear now, so maybe it isn't as bad as I think it is. Then again, I do watch Memphis news every morning... *makes bugeyes* I believe the Wolfechase Galleria is on Germantown Parkway and Hwy. 64, which is my road home. | ||
Nyburgher Member Username: Nyburgher Post Number: 151 Registered: 10-2006 |
"Ok, y'all like Memphis. However, don't look crazy when it caves under the earth after the massive earthquake. Detroit, the worst that could happen is a chemical plant explosion (relatively)." Wow, I forgot about that Memphis is living on borrowed time. "The granddaddy of them all was the 1811-1812 series of three great quakes on the New Madrid Fault (halfway between St. Louis and Memphis beneath the Mississippi), which shook the entire United States. The next time the New Madrid Fault produces such a quake, it is estimated 60 percent of Memphis will be devastated, leaving $50 Billion in damage and thousands of dead in its wake. Memphis, you see - like Armenia - has looked down the barrel of a loaded seismic gun for decades, but has done virtually nothing to move out of the crosshairs". http://hsv.com/genlintr/newmad rd/ | ||
Savannahsmiles Member Username: Savannahsmiles Post Number: 14 Registered: 05-2005 |
I heard on the news this morning that some scientist believes the New Madrid Fault to be shutting down. Wonder if there is any truth to that...? I think I would still say my prayers while spending time there. *blink* | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 252 Registered: 02-2007 |
If that was the case, then it wouldn't be creeping northward towards SE Michigan. Cleveland recently just had a moderate Earthquake, so this is something to be watched. | ||
Savannahsmiles Member Username: Savannahsmiles Post Number: 16 Registered: 05-2005 |
I totally agree. | ||
Missnmich Member Username: Missnmich Post Number: 579 Registered: 11-2004 |
When I lived in the Memphis area (on the Arkansas side, near where the fault actually runs), I had round patches of sand in the middle of gumbo soil that were blowholes from the great earthquakes. Savannahsmiles -- Do you live in Savannah, Tenn? I stayed there once while visiting Shiloh. Pretty bucolic, no wonder Memphis sounds so rough! (Channel 3 or 5?) | ||
Savannahsmiles Member Username: Savannahsmiles Post Number: 17 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yes, Missnmich, I live in thee big city of Savannah! You should've been here this past weekend for the Civil War Reenactment at Shiloh. That is a big deal around here. I didn't go though. I watch Memphis channel 5 which is on channel 9. Go fig. | ||
Nyburgher Member Username: Nyburgher Post Number: 155 Registered: 10-2006 |
Seems like one of the last major civil war battle fields that's close to what it was like back then. I lived just outside of Gettysburg once. | ||
Nyburgher Member Username: Nyburgher Post Number: 156 Registered: 10-2006 |
So anyway, we put the Memphis Vs Detroit competition to bed since Memphis will be destroyed in an earthquake. Detroit wins hands down!! | ||
Savannahsmiles Member Username: Savannahsmiles Post Number: 20 Registered: 05-2005 |
WOOHOO! Go Big D! :D | ||
Jimg Member Username: Jimg Post Number: 809 Registered: 10-2003 |
Memphis really respects it's music heritage and took steps to preserve at least some physical memories...Beale Street, from a jazz/blues perspective, is one of the best known streets in the world. And Sun Records has been saved. We could've done something to save Fortune Records. Fortunately Motown survived...are there significant structures related to Hip-Hop in Detroit? |
