On Detroit Yes!

[kathy2trips]

I am one of the few people on the Forum who is not from Michigan, who never lived in Michigan, and who has no relatives who are from or who have ever lived in Michigan......this whole interest has led me to rethink my future in terms of career, and I am hoping to someday something more related to urban issues.

Very nice story, thank you for sharing that!

[Dabirch]

My first visit here was late 1998. But it was to view the ruins of the Michigan Theatre, which the previous year I had written a Detroit Free Press Op-Ed piece about [[along with the neighboring United Artists Theatre) them being in one of the 3 casino footprints [[at the time).

When I add up all my posts over the years [[the counts been reset to zero a few times)... I come up with about 11-12 thousand posts..... YIKES!!

Or about the same number as gannon during one good lunar cycle...

I started lurking in the early 2000's, and think I joined in 2002 or 03 when I found out that itsjeff was my neighbor. Don't hang out much anymore - don't have that much to add nor do I have that many friends left on here with whom to banter - but always take a peek to say if anything interesting is being discussed.

[Roq]

In fact, this whole interest has led me to rethink my future in terms of career, and I am hoping to someday something more related to urban issues.

Interesting. I'm in a similar situation.

I'm presently working on my second Masters in Technical & Professional Communications and this summer, I asked to take the Current Issues in Urban Design graduate course as an elective and was granted permission to do so.

I'm really enjoying it so far and I am sorely tempted to switch my degree program. I've been in contact with Prof. Boyle at WSU and it is an option I'm considering.

Oh and surfing the 'net looking for Detroit related sites brought me here.

[gnome]

wow, roq, and I thought it was to learn the latest hairstyling tips.

[LodgeDodger]

I came here to meet the chicks.

How's that working out for you?

[Roq]

wow, roq, and I thought it was to learn the latest hairstyling tips.

LOL.

You will notice I wore it down in my GSCC pic, no?

[mwilbert]

I think I found this site while looking for information on the status of the Book Tower.

I'm not sure why I post stuff, but it could be related to this:

[Pam]

I'm presently working on my second Masters in Technical & Professional Communications and this summer

Wow, what a brainiac.

I can't even remember how I first found the site. Looking for info. on old buildings or something probably.

[Corn.Bot]

I did not officially join until around 18 months ago though I've lurked on and off for a decade. When we finally got internet out here in the boonies, Detroit was one of my favorite subjects to surf on, and DetroitYes! one of my favorite sites. I moved away more than 2 decades ago but continued to identify with the city. I was initially lured by the pictures of ruins. I started paying attention to the discussion forums much later.

I saved and lost and rediscovered and disremembered and refound the link a dozen times over the years. Now I browse it like a daily newspaper... should I say, along with the half-dozen daily newspapers I read online. More times than I can report, I read about an important event on DYes before any other news source has a word about it.

[Roq]

Wow, what a brainiac.

I can't even remember how I first found the site. Looking for info. on old buildings or something probably.

Haha, far from it Pam...more like "Professional Student"

I really have learned a lot on this site as it relates to my interests in urban planning, historical preservation and hair care. Who knew DY covered it all?

[Rockin' Best]

DetroitYes reconnects me to a place and people that really impacted my life. With occasional trips, lots of reading, and even Google Earth "street view," I have tried to keep relatively current on what's happening in the city. One of the nicest houses...and neighborhoods...I've ever enjoyed was the one I had on Chandler Park Drive. I came to DetroitYes through "The Fabulous Ruins of Detroit," which is is an astounding visual compilation of what has happened to the city. Thanks to everyone who put both of them out on the web!

[kathy2trips]

i think i found this site while looking for information on the status of the book tower.

I'm not sure why i post stuff, but it could be related to this:

lol lol lol !

[kville]

Like many here, I grew up in the city during the 50's & 60's, a time when outsiders didn't ask the question when I said I'm from Detroit: "Did you grow up in the city...or in the suburbs." It didn't have that "shock" response to find out that someone actually lived below 8 Mile. I have an interest in neighborhoods - what makes a neighborhood homogeneous and how they develop. I studied them in New York when I lived there and wanted to learn more about the neighborhoods of Detroit. I knew many of them from having lived on the east side for most of my early life, and as I started to research them more fully, I was led to this site several years ago. It gave me an opportunity to ask current & former residents about certain parts of the city. Unfortunately, I discovered that I didn't pick up much information - there doesn't seem to be a lot of discussion about neighborhoods here. In fact, the few forums that I found tended to die out very quickly. People seemed to lose interest in that topic. I also found that most of the forums, no matter what the topic, tended to turn very negative very quickly. After a few posts, people start bashing the city and I become discouraged. So, I rarely post anymore. I'm still a daily "headline reader" of the descriptions of the forums, but don't participate much because of that negativity. I understand that it's hard not to feel that way sometimes, and even my comments here have that negative undertone, but I just wanted to share that and tell about where I'm coming from.

I still love the city and want to see it shine again. I see hopeful signs here and there when I come back to visit. As long as I don't get all my news about the city from the media, I can remain more positive. I've seen other cities rise from "the ashes," and I honestly believe that Detroit can do it too.

[ferntruth]

I found DY through a very dear friend of mine [[ItsJeff).

Sadly, he and I had a falling out over some of his personal behaviors that I found to be unacceptable, so he and I never had the opportunity to interact with each other on this forum. His death came before we had the chance to make amends, but we were friends for years prior to that.

[ordinary]

I found it looking for something else. This is the only forum to which I post.

[jackie5275]

I came across it, maybe 8 years ago from looking at the Detroit Ruins Tour. I didn't really start following the forums until about 3-4 yrs ago, but I found they're a good way to check the pulse of Detroit area & to know what's going on. I use them for news as well because I rely on the "word of mouth" info I get here.

[DecoJim]

I lurked for a few years, and just joined a few weeks ago. My grandparents owned two houses in Detroit, one west of Grosse Pointe, south of Jefferson and one on Iroquois [[north of Indian Village). They were members of the Detroit Boat Club. My father used be an engineer at Chevrolet [[he is NOT responsible for the Chevette!). They moved out of the city to Farmington Hills before the 67 riots.

I have been very interested in the history and architecture of Detroit. I am amazed at the information some of the Detroit Yes people post about old buildings and events. One little quirk that I have is that I like to create models of Detroit Buildings out of LEGO bricks. Some of the photos and discussions posted in these forums have been quite useful making my models more accurate. I currently live in Redford - that is as close to Detroit as I could convince my partner to get.

[Eastburn]

Like many here, I grew up in the city during the 50's & 60's, a time when outsiders didn't ask the question when I said I'm from Detroit: "Did you grow up in the city...or in the suburbs." It didn't have that "shock" response to find out that someone actually lived below 8 Mile. I have an interest in neighborhoods - what makes a neighborhood homogeneous and how they develop. I studied them in New York when I lived there and wanted to learn more about the neighborhoods of Detroit. I knew many of them from having lived on the east side for most of my early life, and as I started to research them more fully, I was led to this site several years ago. It gave me an opportunity to ask current & former residents about certain parts of the city. Unfortunately, I discovered that I didn't pick up much information - there doesn't seem to be a lot of discussion about neighborhoods here. In fact, the few forums that I found tended to die out very quickly. People seemed to lose interest in that topic. I also found that most of the forums, no matter what the topic, tended to turn very negative very quickly. After a few posts, people start bashing the city and I become discouraged. So, I rarely post anymore. I'm still a daily "headline reader" of the descriptions of the forums, but don't participate much because of that negativity. I understand that it's hard not to feel that way sometimes, and even my comments here have that negative undertone, but I just wanted to share that and tell about where I'm coming from.

I still love the city and want to see it shine again. I see hopeful signs here and there when I come back to visit. As long as I don't get all my news about the city from the media, I can remain more positive. I've seen other cities rise from "the ashes," and I honestly believe that Detroit can do it too.

If you're looking for in-depth neighborhood stuff - at least the northeast side - check out the St. Jude thread. It's, I believe, the 2nd largest thread on DY. It began on the old board [[check the bottom of the page for access) and continues to today. Also check out Eastwood Memories and Heilman Field.

[jams]

Or about the same number as gannon during one good lunar cycle...

I started lurking in the early 2000's, and think I joined in 2002 or 03 when I found out that itsjeff was my neighbor. Don't hang out much anymore - don't have that much to add nor do I have that many friends left on here with whom to banter - but always take a peek to say if anything interesting is being discussed.

Are you back in town? I'm officially a quitter now as well, despite the fact I still work in the CBD.

Love to share a beer or two with you again.

[kathy2trips]

I post because I stay homesick all the time. I miss Detroit.....

Oh, I know what you mean. Those "Pure Michigan" ads just rip me up. [[sniff!)
http://www.michigan.org/Topics/Pure-...s/Default.aspx

[kville]

If you're looking for in-depth neighborhood stuff - at least the northeast side - check out the St. Jude thread. It's, I believe, the 2nd largest thread on DY. It began on the old board [[check the bottom of the page for access) and continues to today. Also check out Eastwood Memories and Heilman Field.

Actually, I'm looking for information on areas all over the city. I've seen the most typical web sites that get mentioned, like Cityscape Detroit and a few others. These mention all the historic or restored neighborhoods like Indian Village, EEV, Morningside and many others, but there are some big gaps - especially the "newer" neighborhoods and some places like the old Harper/Gratiot or Gratiot/Van Dyke and some sections of the city that are often considered less attractive or not noted for their history. I haven't checked out the "St Jude Nostalgia" site in a while. Originally it seemed to be focused pretty much on the church and school memories, but maybe it has evolved. Thanks, Eastburn.

[Bearinabox]

Actually, I'm looking for information on areas all over the city. I've seen the most typical web sites that get mentioned, like Cityscape Detroit and a few others. These mention all the historic or restored neighborhoods like Indian Village, EEV, Morningside and many others, but there are some big gaps - especially the "newer" neighborhoods and some places like the old Harper/Gratiot or Gratiot/Van Dyke and some sections of the city that are often considered less attractive or not noted for their history. I haven't checked out the "St Jude Nostalgia" site in a while. Originally it seemed to be focused pretty much on the church and school memories, but maybe it has evolved. Thanks, Eastburn.

What kind of information are you looking for?

[Nickel]

I am new to the forum and relatively new to Detroit. I can't remember how I found the forum but I do remember I was searching for something online and stumbled across archives from the old Discuss Detroit forum. From there I discovered that a new forum had started as its replacement so I signed up.

I have been fascinated with Detroit ever since I became acquainted with the Motown sound as a youngster. I never saw myself moving out of Nothern Illinois but when the opportunity came up to be transfered to a position at the corporate headquaters of my employer at the time, I took advantage of it and here I am. I have since left that job in the northern suburbs and have worked in a couple other places within Detroit and am currently working downtown in the Financial District. I love learning about the city and do everything I can to promote it by word of mouth to people I know and meet whose opinions are formed solely from negative media reports. I hope to witness Detroit rise up again within my lifetime to be the great city she once was and know she can be.

[kathy2trips]

....some places like the old Harper/Gratiot or Gratiot/Van Dyke and some sections of the city that are often considered less attractive or not noted for their history.....

Hey, I resemble that remark!

These areas have some beautiful commercial buildings [[like the Eastown Theater for example), and some creative and unique residences, before cookie-cutter McBuilders hit the scene. This area came from a time in which individuality was honored, entrepreneurship was at it's zenith. Master craftsmen, mainly from Europe, build their dream homes here. They may have been middle class, but they raise their often large families and to be Americans and to prosper. These areas have an extensive history of thriving small businesses and neighborhoods and the different groups who occupied Not all of them, surely, but there are many beautiful buildings and homes built by master brick, block and stone masons. One trick is to look UP at the 2+story buildings.

History? How about the Eastown? My mom went to the opening in 1930 to see Tom Mix on his horse. Imagine that neighborhood swarming with wall-to-wall kids to see that! Mom said they had every spare cop out there [[also on horseback) and it was crazy fun! Oh, and that 'hood may be the only one in Detroit to boast its own saint-to-be: http://www.solanuscasey.org/about.shtml

What a testament to the entrepreneur spirit is that neighborhood, when capitalism bred opportunity, imagination and growth. Look at the "diversity" achieved without forced social engineering! Irish, Germans, Belgians, Ukranians, Poles, Italians...and even Lung Hing has a laundry [[at 9991 Gratiot). So, since you're picking on Gratiot & Harper , check out the small businesses that thrived at that intersection and supported entire families and afforded kids a better life:

[Bearinabox]

Hey, I resemble that remark!

You resemble it? As in, you're unattractive and not noted for your history?