Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Detroit at a Crossroads

We live in suburban Detroit, but were raised in the city proper. It was a great place to grow up.

Frequently, I go to into the city because I own some property, or for meetings.

It's more than scary. It's more than frightening. It's just plain sad.

For people my age (61), it's difficult to imagine a renaissance of Detroit. They tell me that young people are moving here for the cheap housing, artists' studios, etc. I just don't see it. Maybe it's me.

Two out of three of my kids have left town. I don't see them returning...ever. Most of my friends are in the same situation with their children.

Is Detroit at a crossroads? Can it be the model of an urban revival? Or is it simply a dead end place, destined to die a slow, painful death?

We are likely not going to find out for a long time;  in the meantime watch this trailer for a film being produced about firefighting in Detroit.


BURN Trailer from Tremolo Productions on Vimeo.


and here's another video done by the BBC...."Requiem for Detroit?"
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/03/clips_from_bbcs_requiem_for_de.html

Not very encouraging, are they?