Originally Posted by
kathy2trips
Harper Woods is in need of some serious soul searching to revitalize the area. It is no longer the draw it was in the 50s and 60s and city leaders need to examine why that is. The only thing that is the same, is that it has housing affordable to the middle and working classes. However, that, too will be trashed unless something is done, and soon.
Eastland just became too unsafe and scary to frequent. Robberies, muggings, shootings.....who needs that? Surveillance cameras would be helpful in determent and prosecutions. However, additional factors come into play:
1) Open enrollment in the high school, in close proximity to Eastland has increased crime in the area. My relatives tell me that beautiful new school is trashed because people don't have a vested interest in the neighborhood and twisted values about personal property.
2) The tax rolls can't be managed simply be homeowners and retailers alone. With the decline of brick-and-mortar stores, something else needs to pump money into the municipal treasury to maintain and hopefully increase crucial city services like police, fire dept., etc. Back when I lived near there, Roseville, St. Clair Shores, Harper Woods, and Eastpointe [[East Detroit back then) had "mutual aid agreements" among police and fire fighters, but I don't think that's still in effect.........is it?
My idea is a radical one, but worth exploring. What do city governments seem to need, but there never seems to be enough of? Where is there a backlog of work that needs to be done, but not enough facilities to do the work?
A municipal computer and forensics laboratory center! They could take in work from other municipalities that would gladly pay to expedite their case load. It would create jobs, the overhead would be such that it would not be difficult to turn a profit. Harper Woods is small enough that they could install surveillance cameras throughout the entire city to deter crime. The little shops along Kelly Road would be a good place to start. Plus, that would be a big draw because NOBODY wants to live where they are not safe. Also, more people working in HW would compel more stores to re-open.
If you've got a better idea for a kick in the pants for Harper Woods, I'd love to hear it. I love that community, as I lived nearby in Detroit for many years. The 1950s vibe is downright charming. However, if Harper Woods doesn't get it's act together soon, I'm afraid it may end up as "Highland Park East" before too long. This can't and shouldn't go on.