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Construction begins on Detroit’s M-1 Rail streetcar line
William
I wouldn’t stereotype all of Detroit’s citizens who are trying to survive as having created the political corruption that allowed well documented wholesale criminal activity at City Hall that ended up with imprisoning the mayor among other choice notables.
I think the line and the associated housing and economic development is wishful thinking but I want to be proved wrong. Jobs, jobs, jobs and the associated tax base that comes with them should come first in my opinion…It seems like this strategy is putting the cart before the horse.
I’m not a sociologist.
I’m a skeptic.
When Vendice writes “a huge part of…problems…due to its residents…”
My presumption is that many of the residents went to Detroit for the manufacturing jobs generated by consumer demand for cars and trucks and, then, military equipment…World War II, Korea.
Those residents had families, their children took over the jobs as time went by.
But the union jobs disappeared over time…Hermosillo, Ontario, Canada.
The city and its residents remained, but job count crashed (toilet flushing sound effect.)
So, says Vendice, the residents caused a huge part of Detroit’s problems.
Factory workers whose jobs which left are a “huge part of the problem?”
I did not accuse him of racism, but I fought the temptation…
The reports last paragraph is the gold nugget of permitting “gentrification” by supplying urban “trolley” transportation.
Frequently, the benefit of an urban transportation system should put bottom-line; profitability last on the priorities list.
Sustaining or developing a vibrant community…that’s what I’m saying!
The line goes from downtown where there is no vacant residential or office space, thru the entertainment district, the stadium district (with also a new hockey arena /commercial /residential development announced last week), the hospital/medical district, past 2 universities to the New Center where the Amtrak station is located. There is not that much to fill in between all that.
This is a tiny replacement piece of a once great streetcar system that was deliberately destroyed back in the 1950’s.
I admire this new mayor’s resolve. If it is done right this project could help Detroit a lot. But a huge part of Detroit’s problems are due to its residents, so I’m not going to hold my breath!
Economic impact numbers are ALWAYS bloated! Ask Atlanta if the Olympics “poured” in money, It IS a positive thing to do however it rarely recoups the investment, but again I wish Motor City a good future!
Say it with me: BOONDOGGLE!
One more promising step in Detroit’'s comeback. Vital downtown commerce and residential space, with public transportation recognized as a key part!
One more promising step in Detroit’'s comeback. Vital downtown commerce and residential space, with public transportation recognized as a key part!
One more promising step in Detroit’'s comeback. Vital downtown commerce and residential space, with public transportation recognized as a key part!
One more promising step in Detroit’'s comeback. Vital downtown commerce and residential space, with public transportation recognized as a key part!
One more promising step in Detroit’'s comeback. Vital downtown commerce and residential space, with public transportation recognized as a key part!
One more promising step in Detroit’'s comeback. Vital downtown commerce and residential space, with public transportation recognized as a key part!
One more promising step in Detroit’'s comeback. Vital downtown commerce and residential space, with public transportation recognized as a key part!
Detroit’s problems financially stem from the problem of absent landlords, who abandoned buildings with residents in them and fled town to avoid paying the property taxes they owe on them. That is why there are so many abandoned buildings in Detroit.