We just made an un-anticipated trip to Detroit this weekend for my dear sister's funeral. After the funeral, my wife and two nieces went uptown, drove through New Center and up Woodward looking for Highland Park General Hospital.
I was surprised to see Detroit looking better, IMO. Still a long ways to go but there was a different feeling and cleanliness and brightness in some areas. Drove past MCS twice and looked for the work in progress. Noticed a little and surprised that you can still see all the way through the building.
Highland Park looked better. Not good, but better. I am still amazed at how many theaters and grand churches there are in Detroit.
Was talking with another niece about the Woodward light rail system. She asked, "Why build it when there is nothing and nobody there?" I replied that when it is built, you will be amazed at the growth that will occur around the stops and along the route. I've seen it happen here in Atlanta with MARTA.
In my business, we plan around the station locations when we have classes and out-of-town students flying in. We always try to get them near a station where there is convenient lodging, food and entertainment. And, this takes a load off of us as we don't need to make airport runs.
Bottom line, it's been 3 or 4 years since I've been in Detroit and I could tell a positive difference this time. Keep it up Detroit!
