Plan to save Detroit unveiled: Vision for a smaller, stronger Motor City

**begingri** · January-09-13, 02:13 AM

Following two years of study and 30,000 conversations with the public, the Detroit Works Long-Term Planning team gave the news media a sneak peek Tuesday of its final report that holds out the promise of a better, if radically different, Detroit.

Under the plan, specific employment and population centers of Detroit would be tagged as areas for future investment — some obvious ones are Midtown and downtown, but another would be the West McNichols hospital corridor, among others.

Other sparsely populated areas would be gradually transformed to other purposes, such as farms, apple orchards, retention ponds for rainwater and other environmental uses. Some of these areas include the lower east side and the blocks west of the Coleman A. Young International Airport.

The plan also includes a strategy for encouraging residents in these areas to move to more populated parts of the city. The point is to create more densely packed districts that are already doing relatively well that could be more efficiently served by the city with its limited resources.

http://www.freep.com/article/2013010...xt%7CFRONTPAGE

See also:

Graphics: Potential employment and land use districts in Detroit: http://www.freep.com/article/20130108/NEWS01/130108104

Detroit Works unveils 'Future City' concept, suggests uses for vacant land: http://www.freep.com/article/20130108/NEWS01/130108058

Editorial: Detroit Works offers a blueprint for taking charge of shrinking city: http://www.freep.com/article/2013010...ON01/301090005

**bailey** · January-09-13, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by begingri

http://www.freep.com/article/2013010...xt%7CFRONTPAGE

See also:

Graphics: Potential employment and land use districts in Detroit: http://www.freep.com/article/20130108/NEWS01/130108104

Detroit Works unveils 'Future City' concept, suggests uses for vacant land: http://www.freep.com/article/20130108/NEWS01/130108058

Editorial: Detroit Works offers a blueprint for taking charge of shrinking city: http://www.freep.com/article/2013010...ON01/301090005

Imagine what all that passion, effort, and vision could do on a project that had a chance of ever happening.

**Honky Tonk** · January-09-13, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by bailey

Imagine what all that passion, effort, and vision could do on a project that had a chance of ever happening.

Do you think this is all just wheel-spinning BS?

**bailey** · January-09-13, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

Do you think this is all just wheel-spinning BS?

Yup. The only way any of this comes to pass is if an EFM with near dictatorial powers is appointed and is allowed to implement it. I would guess any effort to implement even the most uncontroversial portions would be met with a decade or two of lawsuits. In any event, long before the courts rule, the plan will die under the weight of the grapes thrown at council meetings and among a din of the lumpenproles screaming about neo-slave plantations, stolen jewels, home rule....or whatever boogeyman the pastors get them fired up about.

**Honky Tonk** · January-09-13, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by bailey

Yup. The only way any of this comes to pass is if an EFM with near dictatorial powers is appointed and is allowed to implement it. I would guess any effort to implement even the most uncontroversial portions would be met with a decade or two of lawsuits. In any event, long before the courts rule, the plan will die under the weight of the grapes thrown at council meetings and among a din of the lumpenproles screaming about neo-slave plantations, stolen jewels, home rule....or whatever boogeyman the pastors get them fired up about.

More and more, I'm coming to the realization I'm wasting my time and money in Detroit.

**AUSSIE** · January-09-13, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

More and more, I'm coming to the realization I'm wasting my time and money in Detroit.

Sad, but true.

It all turned pear shape when 25% of the population left town, and your leaders have no vision or balls to save the joint, just hot air talk.

Shame really, i wonder how many people in Detroit are thinking to leave but are holding on and hope for better times, would be a tough choice what to do.

Cheers

**Dexlin** · January-09-13, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by bailey

Yup. The only way any of this comes to pass is if an EFM with near dictatorial powers is appointed and is allowed to implement it. I would guess any effort to implement even the most uncontroversial portions would be met with a decade or two of lawsuits. In any event, long before the courts rule, the plan will die under the weight of the grapes thrown at council meetings and among a din of the lumpenproles screaming about neo-slave plantations, stolen jewels, home rule....or whatever boogeyman the pastors get them fired up about.

I really think it's silly you think the citizens would be the only one opposed to this, and that an emergency manager - especially one chosen by Republican governor more concerned with dollars-and-cents, departmental management, and the like than city planning - would make this plan his or her priority. Detroit Works originated from within the city, not the state; this was never the state's baby. If the residents are hostile to it - and what I've seen is that the citizens have warmed up to a lot of its pretty quickly - than the state is thoroughly disinterested in it. And furthermore, Detroit Works isn't something you can just "implement". This is a decades long plan that will involved vigilance long beyond the term[[s) of any mayor or emergency manager.

But, yeah, let's all go back to the tired, old reflexive pessimism, and back over the old saws of pastors and such. That's right, let's empower pessimism before we even give anything a try.

**getmoore** · January-09-13, 10:20 AM

I wish that this could work but what if our new Mayor isn't interested in this plan or as someone said upthread the EFM or whoever is in power has NO interest in this plan. Would it be shelved for years until someone in power dusts it off or would it just be scrapped before it sees the light of day?

**corktownyuppie** · January-09-13, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Dexlin

I really think it's silly you think the citizens would be the only one opposed to this, and that an emergency manager - especially one chosen by Republican governor more concerned with dollars-and-cents, departmental management, and the like than city planning - would make this plan his or her priority. Detroit Works originated from within the city, not the state; this was never the state's baby. If the residents are hostile to it - and what I've seen is that the citizens have warmed up to a lot of its pretty quickly - than the state is thoroughly disinterested in it. And furthermore, Detroit Works isn't something you can just "implement". This is a decades long plan that will involved vigilance long beyond the term[[s) of any mayor or emergency manager.

But, yeah, let's all go back to the tired, old reflexive pessimism, and back over the old saws of pastors and such. That's right, let's empower pessimism before we even give anything a try.

Celebrating the rare moment where we are sitting on the same side of the table

I think all will be pleasantly surprised at how receptive people are on all sides. Yes, there will be opposition. But I've read through the whole thing and was glad to see how sensitive it is to our painful history of urban redevelopment, the political obstacles to cooperation, lack of funds, and more.

But this is comprehensive, holistic, and well thought out. It's also prepared by a generally non-political entity with community input. I think we'll see a lot of good out of this, and Kresge is putting their money where their mouth is with their $150MM pledge.

It being a framework and set of guiding principles is ideal so it can grow and change as necessary. Plus it accepts some harsh realities, like:

- We're not going back to 2MM people again.
- Political hostility and mistrust is an obstacle which requires skills and resources to overcome
- Chicken/Egg problems can no longer be an excuse for inaction.

Worthy of discussion, and of course, debate. But I think people are going to be surprised at how receptive all sides are to this.

**aj3647** · January-09-13, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by bailey

Yup. The only way any of this comes to pass is if an EFM with near dictatorial powers is appointed and is allowed to implement it. I would guess any effort to implement even the most uncontroversial portions would be met with a decade or two of lawsuits. In any event, long before the courts rule, the plan will die under the weight of the grapes thrown at council meetings and among a din of the lumpenproles screaming about neo-slave plantations, stolen jewels, home rule....or whatever boogeyman the pastors get them fired up about.

I can already hear the cries of "BLACK BOTTOM!" reverberating through the City Council chambers as the citizens step up to the microphone to give their highly-informed input.

And of course, throw in the obligatory references to slavery and plantations to really drive the point home. Top it off by somehow relating it all to Hitler and the Nazis, and then you'll have a shining example of stakeholder input in the city of Detroit!

Political discourse in Detroit: Anything I don't like or don't understand = slavery!!!

**corktownyuppie** · January-09-13, 04:25 PM

That discourse is on its deathbed making its last cling to power before letting go. It'll pass.

**downtownguy** · January-09-13, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by aj3647

I can already hear the cries of "BLACK BOTTOM!" reverberating through the City Council chambers as the citizens step up to the microphone to give their highly-informed input.

And of course, throw in the obligatory references to slavery and plantations to really drive the point home. Top it off by somehow relating it all to Hitler and the Nazis, and then you'll have a shining example of stakeholder input in the city of Detroit!

Political discourse in Detroit: Anything I don't like or don't understand = slavery!!!

I can already hear the cries of racist white folk making stupid remarks about Black Bottom and City Council.

**dmike76** · January-09-13, 08:59 AM

Some of these ideas were in that book Reimagining Detroit. I know that according to the book, they did some of these things in Kzoo, specifically the 'daylighting' of waterways and better use of it's 'blue' areas to enhance residency areas. People do like to live next to water. Is any of this going to happen? I think some of it is already in the works like the article says with transit and lighting. I need to read the whole report after it comes out today. I like some of the ideas, though.

**Dexlin** · January-09-13, 09:03 AM

Only if the current situation of the city lets it be. Like all plans, this is dependent upon city leaders to be diligent in implmenting it, and citizens holding these leaders accontable when they don't. And that is all contigent upon residents and leaders, alike, buying in to begin with. So, I guess it waits to be seen. Detroit Works is easily one of the most comprehensive municipal plans the city has ever seen; it may even be the most comprehensive.

Truth is that for as comprehensive the plan is, a lot of its going to happen, regardless, because a lot of it has already happened. A lot of the city has already downsized...naturally. What I'm very glad to see right up front is that the media is reporting that things formerly - and often still - viewed as liabilities are viewed as strengths. This isn't JUST about "right-sizing" but also growing the existing good. I think that part of its really needs to be highlighted, because I shared the criticism of many Detroiters that there was originally too much focus of essentially shutting the city down. I like that the new plan, for instance, includes a new ring road outside Grand Boulevard with BRT on it to connecting existing healthy nodes in the out-city neighborhoods. This isn't only about death, but rebirth as well.

My worry is that the plan is going to be lost given that the fiscal situation, stand-off with the state, and upcoming municipal election is going overshadow this, and not only that, but the attention on the security situation in the city and turn-over from all of the cuts. Institutional memory is important, but in a city where your job could be gone, tomorrow, it's hard to keep.

The irony is that if the plan is focused on, instead, you begin to adress
solving a lot of the existing issues. It's why this plan should be a central issue in every council race and in the mayoral race.

**313WX** · January-09-13, 09:09 AM

As long as that consent agreement remains valid [[and the state's court system remains benched with anti-Detroit justices), whatever the state and its special interests want will get, even against the will of thoe who question their agenda.

We've clearly seen over the paswt 6 months how an elected body can quickly become brainless rubber stampers when threatened with the appointment of a dictator.

But, good luck to those who remain. Hopefully it all plas out for the best. Even if this Detroit Works project is fully implemented, I'm sure someone is oging ot fuck it up for the worst.

**renf** · January-09-13, 02:41 PM

Where does one go to purchase a copy of this report about planning the future of Detroit?

**dmike76** · January-09-13, 03:04 PM

It's posted online here:

http://detroitworksproject.com/the-framework/

**Eber Brock Ward** · January-09-13, 07:24 PM

Yep, no game change.

Read the Kwame trial coverage, lot of the same folks are still prominent in the region's political and business leadership.

**Richard** · January-09-13, 08:07 PM

Well look at the bright side ,George Jackson is going to be running the show and he has Carla Henderson "if it is old and has no boards on the window it gets demolished" the bulldozers will be lining up and those who like the concept of any old needs to be demolished will get their wish.

The thing now is there is a huge pile of gov and donated funding ready to be spent to pay for it.My thinking is that if they want it to happen it is going to and the odds of anybody standing in the way for what ever reasons is not going to happen.

The mayor’s group executive of planning, Carla Henderson, says it’s like a monster sitting in the middle of all the progress going on, so the vacant auditorium needs to be eliminated.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2010/11/...be-eliminated/

My question is who and what else is sitting in the way of progress and what progress has been made sense the demolition of the Ford,that is the mindset now in place demolish it and they will come.

**Strong** · January-10-13, 02:57 PM

I attend the press conference and I walked away just impressed with the efforts. Now, many might say so what, I say it's better than doing nothing especially since we have all heard it's better to plan and know where you're going than not plan at all and go anywhere the wind takes you.

**poobert** · January-10-13, 03:55 PM

Well, they're not turning my neighborhood into a search engine farm, or whatever, so I guess that's good that I won't have to worry about annual garbage pickup. Outside of that, I wish them well, but I'm not holding my breath. I'm just tired.

**WaCoTS** · January-11-13, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by getmoore

I wish that this could work but what if our new Mayor isn't interested in this plan or as someone said upthread the EFM or whoever is in power has NO interest in this plan. Would it be shelved for years until someone in power dusts it off or would it just be scrapped before it sees the light of day?

well we're about to find out i think. from what i hear coming from Lansing, the EFM is coming [[despite current impressions)...it will be announced next friday.

**RickBeall** · January-12-13, 11:56 PM

From what I have heard, it sounds like they are doing everything right. For the folks who live in areas that are to be greened, they might start liking the plan when they are offered a house swap that gives them more green.

**royce** · January-13-13, 02:16 PM

I haven't read the final report, but I have followed some of the actions of Detroit Works. I know that they are just making recommendations and that's fine. I watched Flashpoint this morning and some of the participants of Detroit Works were present. When you hear them talk they sound so apologetic, as if they did something wrong. The reality in Detroit is dire and they should be more forceful in saying that some areas of the city will be lost.

Some people should accept that it is a waste of time, money, and resources to try to maintain their area. They need to get out if they can, and if someone offers them a swap to live in a more densely populated part of the city, then they should take it without hesitation. Just read one of the comments made by a resident in the caption of the online Free Press article by John Gallagher. What does this resident want to happen to the vacant land if she doesn't like the Detroit Work's suggestion? I mean really, at some point people have to use common sense and accept the reality of their situation. I mean my mother's home, my boyhood home, is in a distressed area. As much as I cherish the memories of that home, if someone said, "We want to swap you mom's home with one in a more densely populated area," I would strongly advise my mother to do it.

Residents in these areas have to see the benefits of leaving as opposed to the negatives of leaving. The benefits clearly outnumber the negatives. Holding on to a pipe-dream that the area will come back is just that a pipe-dream. Hell, believing a once populated Detroit will come back is a pipe-dream. However, believing that a smaller, more dense Detroit has a chance of coming back is not.