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| Detroit |
It's tempting to write something about the crazed Norwegian Templar(?!) and the Jihad, or Amy Winehouse, or the peculiar speech delivered by Barak 'He's less of a man than Putin' Obama last night.
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| Evil Madman |
But the recent 'cash incentives to live downtown' caught my eye.
'Cash incentives to live downtown?' you ask, 'Where?'
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| Motor City |
Detroit, of course. Under a new $4 million scheme to revitalize Motown, first time home buyers will get a $20,000 forgivable loan and renters a grant of $3,000 spread over two years. That's not all, existing owners living in Detroit's post-apocalyptic urban wasteland will be eligible for a $5000 'exterior improvement' grant.
Tempted? Neither am I. Though my old friend 'Red' (why didn't he get in trouble for firing off a shotgun in an abandoned house last year - why?) might think of applying for the 'home improvement' money.
I'll suggest it when I visit next week before crossing the river to Canada and the comparative safety of Windsor.
Pray for rain.
LSP
20 comments:
Oh my goodness, there's not enough money to entice me to live here. In all reality $4 million won't go very far at all, what the heck are they thinking? Why not build homes for the homeless and needy and help people instead of trying to entice people to move to a run down area? I do not understand how politicians think, nor do I want to!
A trip to Canada? I hope you enjoy your stay in our beautiful country, the more I hear about what's transpiring in our world, the more grateful I am to be living exactly where I do. I'm not saying we don't have our issues here, we have homeless people, ignorant politicians and tax dollars wasted like any other country but I guess with our land mass and population it doesn't seem nearly as bad... if that makes sense.
God bless.
I must say I'm looking forward to the visit, Darlin.
I like Canada, for the most part; a kind of cross between England and America, I always think.
And I agree - $4 million won't go a huge way towards fixing the Motor City...
Cheers.
$4m is about the cost of a small nuclear warhead. That might be a more efficient way of tidying the place up.
The problem is - it might look just the same afterwards.
It's odd, ASE, but I always thought my friends in England didn't believe me when I told them about Detroit. They probably thought I was inventing things, in a bragging sort of way.
Not at all. I like the 'small nuke' option, but perhaps a $100, a bag of corn and a mule per citizen might be more pastoral...
I wouldn't move to Detroit even if I was paid $1 million. That city needs meg-serious help.
It does, Teresa - but despite that, I have a strange liking for the place - wouldn't want to move there though...
Last I check, there were not palm trees in MY city. That picture is most definitely not Detroit. I live in Detroit, and you are sadly mistaken. It is a wonderful place. No, I don't live in a suburb 30 minutes from downtown. I LIVE DOWNTOWN. It's the most culturally diverse area in the United States. You need some culture sir. Maybe you should come visit before you comment on how "post apocalyptic" it is. It's coming back. Because us Detroiters have something you have probably never heard of. Heart. And faith in our city, a place we happen to love.
Last I check, there were not palm trees in MY city. That picture is most definitely not Detroit. I live in Detroit, and you are sadly mistaken. It is a wonderful place. No, I don't live in a suburb 30 minutes from downtown. I LIVE DOWNTOWN. It's the most culturally diverse area in the United States. You need some culture sir. Maybe you should come visit before you comment on how "post apocalyptic" it is. It's coming back. Because us Detroiters have something you have probably never heard of. Heart. And faith in our city, a place we happen to love.
I'm glad you love Detroit, M425. I'm rather fond of it myself. Just spent several very pleasant days with my old friend 'Red' - on Commonwealth. That's quite central, isn't it? But hardly what it used to be -- I only counted two burned out crack houses on my friend's block... But whatever, I'll post some urban renewal pics.
Glad you've got Heart - let's hear it for Barracuda!
I'm from Detroit, lived there for about 25 yrs and still love my city regardless of where i live now (San Francisco)... I've traveled for my job around the country and have seen cities comparable to Detroit but not as abandoned as Detroit. example: parts of NEW York city, Oakland, new haven CT, Cleveland . The reason why Detroit is the way it is today and still has been, is because there are no people and resources there to help rebuild the city. everyone knows that the car industry for one has destroyed the community. no jobs means no people. everyone has relocated to other cities. As a result, new businesses goes up and then down the next month or so. 2nd, No transportation (subways) b/c We are the motor city... back in the days Michigan officials never agreed on a subway system that help assist workers to go to and from the city. Third, we have had our fair share of corrupt Mayors. Recently Kwame Kilpatrick, who was accused of money laundering from the city, is currently in jail for all the wrong he is done with the city. All of these examples are the few problems that Detroit is facing today
However, Detroit is getting better. my friend is an architect for Hamilton Anderson located downtown detroit. he told me detroit officials are currently debating on above ground subway system that moves along woodward ave. from Royal oak to downtown detroit (I'm not talking about the people mover either). Also the Detroit riverfront is starting to look better as well. Three recently built casinos are creating jobs for the people that used to work for the car industry. I also heard that quick and loans is moving to Detroit as well, which should also create more job opportunities. As a result, i think that Detroit may look rundown now but maybe in 10-20 yrs the city could be up and coming.
I'm not putting down my city by any means. I mean i still have all my extended family back there. i just care for it, Lots of history there still to be preserved. There are also areas where new condominiums are being built and older buildings are being renovated for new buisness. In the long run, with cheap housing prices still lingering around america and with Detroit probably being the cheapest (i heard you can bye a house for like 20,000)..it would be smart to invest some money into the city. so don't knock it down, when you know its coming back..
hope this gives a little insight for all those Nay-Sayers who have never lived in the city.
take care,
~marcus
Thanks Marcus. Interesting place, Detroit.
I must quite like it or I wouldn't keep returning!
For what it's worth, I think the downtown 'core' will probably get better, with abandoned areas reverting to 'nature'.
Cheers.
Uhm...The city in the picture labeled "motor city" is NOT Detroit. If you don't believe me, take a good look at the PALM TREE in the upper left hand corner.
You're absolutely right Anonymous!
Well spotted.
Not many palm trees in the motor city last time I checked.
cheers.
I'm not going to even bother reading your trash, however if you post a picture of the real Detroit. Not some third world shanty town. So kill yourself devil!
That picture above is NOT Detroit. Way to add insult to injury. Detroit is bad, but not as bad as people think.
"That picture above is NOT Detroit."
Why take exception to the nice picture with palm trees when the real thing's so much worse?
You haters are pathetic....that's not Detroit ..not even close....and by the way,Oakland county Michigan is one of the wealthiest counties in the world......leave your backwoods mentality at home!
"you haters are pathetic" -- if the shoe fits, Anonymous...
Live just outside of the D and am down there all the time...no palm trees anywhere. I think it may be the 5 degree F that they don't like. Detroit is not a slum, far from it, but if you think it is a terrifying place, then stay away. We love our city and if there were conveniences downtown (ie. grocery stores), there would be a lot more people living there. I would!
"Detroit is not a slum"? Depends where you go, doesn't it, Anonymous. But whatever, I think there's still an old burn out on up 'n coming Commonwealth. You could probably get it cheap -- and there's a grocery store, of sorts, 'round the corner... and a pub...
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