Ruh Oh! Grosse Pointe may have built new blockade on Detroit Property!

[Mackinaw]

I agree completely, 1953. I am also amused at the urge to make everything a park. I mean, sure, if you want to plant trees and put benches over what is currently a parking lot, fine, but no need to replace buildings with green space. Why do I mention this? The agreement [[linked above) quite amusingly says that the corners near Alter will see 'potentially pocket parks.' LOL. So I guess we know what Detroit's blight removal will yield. Is that fine for the short term? Maybe yeah [[provided they don't tear down salvageable buildings). For the long term though? It's awfully unambitious and not the best planning. I hope that any pocket parks also receive RFPs for redevelopment.

[Mackinaw]

Does anyone have online access to the GP News? If so would you be willing to paste the full length of this story in [[it seems potentially revealing): http://www.grossepointenews.com/Arti...uestioned.html

[Detroitnerd]

Why can't they just f-ing put businesses on properties and leave the road well enough alone? This is a thoroughfare that connects two cities and needs to stay open for gosh sakes!

When the easiest and most elegant answer is not resorted to, you can usually be sure it's because some powerful force in the background absolutely objects to it.

And if anybody was still not sure the Pointes want this road closed, all you have to do is look at the profusion of loud denials that that's not the case from people in the Pointes. Never believe anything until it's officially denied.

[Mackinaw]

So what's with the contradictory news accounts. First they said that access for motorists was being restored. Now they are saying that there will be a u-turn for Detroiters. Excuse me? How is that any different than blocking it off, just like on those other three minor side streets that have culdesacs and in some cases a wall before Alter? http://www.freep.com/article/2014082...arricade-crime

At this point I am just going to wait until this fall and see what's implemented, and in the meantime will go by their agreement, which appears to promise a reopening of Kercheval to at least one way traffic, and possibly two way, depending on what available options are selected. I do not trust the papers to convey this accurately, and without absurd fluff such as in the above piece.

[bailey]

Yeah, city government can only focus on one project at a time. Demoing structures in more-than-one area of the city at once is just some pie in the sky, Detroit-championing bullstuff. And anyone who believes that they might be able to do that needs to open their eyes to the reality of the situation. Duggan is just like Bing!!!!

Precedent would indicate that the city is unable to address the problem in decades, let alone a few weeks. But, you're right, Duggan can show a break with precedent. Clock has started. 60 days-ish to do something that has not been done before now.

Hell, every border city dealing with Detroit blight creep should be running to home depot right now and throwing some sheds in the street if that is all it takes to get Detroit to take care of it's massive blight problems. who knew?

[bailey]

So what's with the contradictory news accounts. First they said that access for motorists was being restored. Now they are saying that there will be a u-turn for Detroiters. Excuse me? How is that any different than blocking it off, just like on those other three minor side streets that have culdesacs and in some cases a wall before Alter? http://www.freep.com/article/2014082...arricade-crime

I don't know if it was contradictory... all the reports said the wayburn roundabout was staying. the only thing getting removed was the aesthetically challenged sheds. [[which were already slated for removal... )

In effect, Detroit has bowed to the suburb’s wish for a Kercheval roadblock, a concept that Grosse Pointe Park has debated for years

...and that ends that.

[Mackinaw]

Well if the reporting is accurate, then this controversy isn't over at all. Will check back this fall.

[Wesley Mouch]

We can pay attention to those here who see racism in any street closing, or we can pay attention to a city that's trying to create a walkable commercial district.

Its about time to stop ignoring those who see racism everywhere. Sometimes a roadblock is just a roadblock -- and not a conspiracy to protect black GPP residents from the soon to arrive sea of white kids moving into Detroit and displacing its current residents.

[motz]

Precedent would indicate that the city is unable to address the problem in decades, let alone a few weeks. But, you're right, Duggan can show a break with precedent. Clock has started. 60 days-ish to do something that has not been done before now.

Hell, every border city dealing with Detroit blight creep should be running to home depot right now and throwing some sheds in the street if that is all it takes to get Detroit to take care of it's massive blight problems. who knew?

I think your first paragraph is spot on. Detroit's history says this will really bellyflop and be kind of terrible, but if we're going by Detroit's history, this agreement wouldn't have ever happened. Dave Bing would've taken a nap on it and then woken up confused, wondering where his boiled goose was. Kwame Kilpatrick would've just bought the shed with borrowed money and moved his childhood next door neighbor third best friend into the sheds. Archer would've held a press conference about how he was going to work with GPP and then when the time came to actually put boots on the ground, would cite unknown delays. Joann Watson and Martha Reeves would've attempted to harmonize while singing onward christian soliders, while Monica Conyers talked about how deeply racist this is, and that Ken "Shrek" Cockrel is obviously behind this. Kwame Kenyatta would've angrily yelled about race or something, then promptly resigned when faced with a challenge.

And while our current city council is like a slightly less dysfunctional family and our mayor seems to be committed to changing the perception of the city via action, history often repeats itself. So yes, I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, but won't be shocked if this doesn't pan out.

[TKshreve]

I don't know if it was contradictory... all the reports said the wayburn roundabout was staying. the only thing getting removed was the aesthetically challenged sheds. [[which were already slated for removal... )

I'm willing to bet there is no inclination to tear up any of the freshly formed roundabout. Perhaps we're all getting duped by CoD and GPP altogether. "Let's talk about it and put some vaguely worded agreements into place until Winter hits and hope it all blows over".

Hell, every border city dealing with Detroit blight creep should be running to home depot right now and throwing some sheds in the street if that is all it takes to get Detroit to take care of it's massive blight problems. who knew?

This is funny and spot on. As long as they paint pretty pumpkins and flowers on them. You can roll a turd in glitter, but it's still a turd.

What's really at risk here is an opportunity to take this sector to an even higher level. Here we have a tremendous amount of money being injected into a small area. Detroit seems to be on board and could do quite a bit more to dove tail their side of the street with GPP's. Only great things would result. Perhaps Detroit's side could draw some residential interests. Maybe even retailers looking to capitalize on the formation of this district. But as Bailey has said, Detroit's precedent does saps a lot of hope from that vision.

[sumas]

Oh for Pete's sake people, get a few facts straight. I called the Mayors office and talked to the media specialist. The road will reopen to through traffic with a round about, meaning a small island which presumably slows ingress and egress without out blocking passage.

[Honky Tonk]

Perhaps we're all getting duped by CoD and GPP altogether.

What's really at risk here is an opportunity to take this sector to an even higher level. Here we have a tremendous amount of money being injected into a small area. Detroit seems to be on board and could do quite a bit more to dove tail their side of the street with GPP's. Only great things would result. Perhaps Detroit's side could draw some residential interests. Maybe even retailers looking to capitalize on the formation of this district.

Perhaps this is nothing more then just bad, fact-less reporting.

Funny but when I first read the article months ago, that was the first thing I thought of. "This could be really cool". Some enterprising people on the Detroit side could create restaurants, or some other kind of draw, and start developing that section of the area. Then the poo flinging started.

[Wesley Mouch]

Perhaps this is nothing more then just bad, fact-less reporting.

Funny but when I first read the article months ago, that was the first thing I thought of. "This could be really cool". Some enterprising people on the Detroit side could create restaurants, or some other kind of draw, and start developing that section of the area. Then the poo flinging started.

Blaming others is easy. Doing is hard. Time for hard.

[Gpwrangler]

Oh for Pete's sake people, get a few facts straight. I called the Mayors office and talked to the media specialist. The road will reopen to through traffic with a round about, meaning a small island which presumably slows ingress and egress without out blocking passage.

Roundabouts actually do slow traffic quite a bit, especially where the speed limit is already 25 and well-enforced. The narrow lanes make it safer for pedestrians to cross.

[Gpwrangler]

I'm willing to bet there is no inclination to tear up any of the freshly formed roundabout. Perhaps we're all getting duped by CoD and GPP altogether. "Let's talk about it and put some vaguely worded agreements into place until Winter hits and hope it all blows over".



This is funny and spot on. As long as they paint pretty pumpkins and flowers on them. You can roll a turd in glitter, but it's still a turd.

What's really at risk here is an opportunity to take this sector to an even higher level. Here we have a tremendous amount of money being injected into a small area. Detroit seems to be on board and could do quite a bit more to dove tail their side of the street with GPP's. Only great things would result. Perhaps Detroit's side could draw some residential interests. Maybe even retailers looking to capitalize on the formation of this district. But as Bailey has said, Detroit's precedent does saps a lot of hope from that vision.

But Detroit has different leadership than it had before. It's a simple modification to open that roundabout and put in a lane. I've talked to officials quite a bit [[as have many of my neighbors) and the intent seems to be legit.

Fixing up the district on both sides is a good idea but will take cooperation and accountability. In the past it just wouldn't have been possible.

[Gpwrangler]

Speaking of accountability, hopefully the person or group that decided to ram the sheds with a pickup truck is caught and prosecuted. In light of this bullshit I hope GP has the stones to leave this road closed indefinitely.

Sounds like the the whole thing was caught on high res cameras so I'm sure it won't be long.

[Dbest]

How do you know it wasn't a Park resident who took it out?

Did anybody on the trolley see it? Damn it, this is a real blow for "lil Manhatten" they were erecting.

They should have built them out of quality material and maybe someone would have thought twice about the possible damage inflicted on the truck. They dont build these things like they use to. I'm looking at you Eastern Market!

RIP Grosse Point Park Sheds

August 2014-September 2014.


"Taken too soon"

[SyGolden48236]

Speaking of accountability, hopefully the person or group that decided to ram the sheds with a pickup truck is caught and prosecuted. In light of this bullshit I hope GP has the stones to leave this road closed indefinitely.

Sounds like the the whole thing was caught on high res cameras so I'm sure it won't be long.

Gpwrangler, where did you hear of this? When did it happen? I have seen nothing of this on the various news sites which I have read this morning.

Such rubbish this is if it is true. Feh!

[Gpwrangler]

Gpwrangler, where did you hear of this? When did it happen? I have seen nothing of this on the various news sites which I have read this morning.

Such rubbish this is if it is true. Feh!

it's on the muckraker with loose ties to a meeting last week on the subject. The article actually says city officials would not comment and that reflects a "lack of transparency." More likely they were not available over the weekend.

The vandalism did not destroy the barns but it hurt the cause of those pushing for reopening Kerchieval. Hopefully the City does not bow to this shit. Threats and violence will not fly.

[SyGolden48236]

it's on the muckraker with loose ties to a meeting last week on the subject. The article actually says city officials would not comment and that reflects a "lack of transparency." More likely they were not available over the weekend.

The vandalism did not destroy the barns but it hurt the cause of those pushing for reopening Kerchieval. Hopefully the City does not bow to this shit. Threats and violence will not fly.

Thank you for the information. While I hardly consider the "Muckraker" to be a legitimate news source it is quite interesting that it appears to be the only site "reporting" on this.

And I agree with you 100% that G.P.P should not re-open Kercheval to traffic. That area of the Park has really become a nice destination this summer. My family and I have enjoyed good times there. The decrease in vehicular traffic is very noticeable as is the increased patronage of the businesses there. The Saturday evening street festivals were wonderful.

[Jimaz]

it's on the muckraker....

Links always help: SUV slams into controversial farmer’s market that blocks Detroit’s border at GP Park

There's a photo there. It looks like it was taken after repairs were started.

[Danny]

Richville! Open Kercheval Rd. now!

[Gpwrangler]

Richville! Open Kercheval Rd. now!

You can thank the person with the SUV. Now it will stay closed. Maybe we will close a few more.

[Llama]

GPP stopped being Richville long ago! Anyone who could not deal with nearby economic and social diversity left for Northville, Macomb Twp or Commerce in years past. Or Dexter. Now, except for a very few waterfront properties, it is just working class folks with lots [[their peaceful if boring lifestyle and the value of their largest/only investment, their house) to lose. People here have for the most part worked very hard and sacrificed for whatever they have. Why is that so resented? Why not instead attack the GP-expats who bailed for Northville 10 years ago?

The difference between GPP and adjacent Detroit comes down primarily to lifestyle choices, the results of which accrue over the years of one's existance. What would be the benefit of dissolving GPP and annexing it to Detroit? That seems to be what many want. But what good would it do? Who would benefit, and how?

I'm not fond of the Kercheval sheds because they are ugly and awkward-looking. I'm less fond of the concrete roundabout. Has anyone tried to drive that thing? I strongly recommend a small car with a tight turning radius and very good power steering! I went through there once, and now avoid that intersection entirely.

I would be thrilled, as would many/most of my neighbors if adjacent Detroit returned to what it was in [[many) years past, as to both residential and commercial. Jefferson-Chalmers, the below-Jefferson blocks especially, used to be so pleasant and such a treat to amble through [[or reside on) with all the character of their varied architecture.

The current state of Kercheval-in-the-Park retail [[particularly restaurants), for all the vibrancy it's brought overall, is not a good enough price/value proposition to be inclusive of the majority of nearby GPP residents. I and others would love to see small eateries, especially with ethnic influences, spring up. If property values, rents and/or building costs would be less on the Detroit side of Kercheval I think that would be a great place for them! For the time being though, I'll continue to do the vast majority of my dining out in southwest Detroit, Hamtramck, or along Madison Heights' Asian strip.

[Pam]

Curbed also reported this:

http://detroit.curbed.com/archives/2...with-a-car.php