CNN Article- City Smackdown Detroit vs Philadelphia

[Nikki Pooh]

Not sure if this was posted already, but great article...Detroit vs. Philadelphia: Explore Detroit beyond the headlines

By Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN
updated 10:06 AM EDT, Thu June 14, 2012

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• As part of our Destination USA series, we pit rival cities and let you vote which is best
• The final city smackdown is a battle of the underdogs: Philadelphia vs. Detroit
• Jamie Gumbrecht explains there's more to Detroit than "ruin porn" and bad headlines
• Fight for your city! Show us why you think Detroit or Philadelphia is better on CNN iReport

[[CNN) -- We conquered Greektown last weekend like so many Detroit bachelorette parties before -- cheap champagne, slot machines, grown-woman giggles. We stuck to the city's party-friendly district, home of a casino, restaurants that specialize in flaming cheese and Astoria Pastry Shop, where we spent a long, crave-denying half-hour forcing ourselves not to order one of everything.
Some pals and soon-to-be family drove five hours to be there. My clan has long lived nearby, but some guests had never visited the D. I'm sure there was nervous laughter on the way in, recognition of decades of terrifying headlines. Detroit hasn't heard many kind words since the 1960s, and much of what's said is rooted in reality. It's a place with money trouble, population trouble, housing trouble, crime trouble; even the most bright-eyed of the artist-farmer entrepreneurs arriving in the city won't deny it.
City smackdown



It's the battle of the underdogs. Which city is the victor, Detroit or Philadelphia?

• Detroit
• Philadelphia

or view results





It was a merry night, but I know some of our guests left exasperated and disappointed by the view from the expressway and the sense that we shouldn't stray too far from the well-lit hotel perimeter.

I left feeling guilty, like I'd shirked my duties as an ambassador of the Mitten's greatest city. Detroit has problems, but lack of identity and charisma isn't among them.
Its rise and fall resembles the story of other cities, but on the ground, there's nothing like it -- exactly the trait that makes any place worth a visit. I miss it when I'm gone and perpetually wish for a few more days to explore. But without a guide, our visitors couldn't even tell where to start.
City smackdown: Philly, a fine place for 'cast-offs, misfits'
I know what we should have done.

When everybody arrived, we should've had a pile of sunshine-yellow Better Made potato chips, round paczki from New Martha Washington bakery and Faygo Rock & Rye, or maybe Redpop, waiting.

We could've table hopped and ordered often: the Vedgie sandwich at Mudgie's, beef cheek pierogie at Roast, barbecue at Slows, beer at Motor City Brewing Works, cheaper beer at the Anchor.

We should've poked our heads into each of the 52 rooms at The Whitney and requested the creme brulee, just because. There should've been coneys, those chili-cheese-hot dog monstrosities best consumed on the wrong side of 2 a.m. [[Or at lunch, if you're that kind of hungry.)

The next morning, we could've gotten coffee and pastries from Avalon International Breads or detoxed in the worth-the-wait crepe line at Good Girls go to Paris. We should've sent everybody home with a box of sugared goodies from La Gloria in Mexicantown.

Maybe we should've planned the party a day earlier, so we could hit Café D'Mongo, the Fridays-only speakeasy.
The next day, we could've shopped Eastern Market -- the old R. Hirt Jr. specialty store recently reopened under the name DeVries & Co. It's still owned by a grandson of the founder, still a wise place to buy cheese.

We might've taken the Dequindre Cut, a pedestrian-only greenway, straight to the Riverfront. In all that concrete, marble and glass, it's easy to forget it's a city made possible by water. We could've stared south at Canada, or crossed the bridge to Belle Isle, the island playland larger than Central Park, with elements designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and Detroit favorite Albert Kahn.

Detroit is, unfortunately, perhaps, the artistic home of "ruin porn," and while Michigan Central Station and the like are worth an ogle, we really should've stopped in the very-much-alive art deco Guardian Building to spin in the lobby. We might've walked up and down the streets of Boston-Edison and Brush Park to appreciate the glorious old houses, or the sidewalks of Lafayette Park to see the more modern Ludwig Mies van der Rohe homes.

We should've stayed a day longer and gone to the Detroit Institute of Arts. We could pore over each corner of Diego Rivera's murals and walk among Warhols, Rembrandts and Egyptian mummies. For another view, we'd stop at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Pewabic Pottery and the Motown Museum. Cruising music: Aretha, Gladys, Stevie, repeat.

We could've at least driven through the Heidelberg Project, the neighborhood art project by native son Tyree Guyton, helped along by artists such as Tim Burke. We would be smarter to stop and talk to people there; a few years ago, they generously blocked off the street for my wedding and applauded from their porches. I will always believe their neighborhood is a place to celebrate.

We'd have to set aside an afternoon for John K. King books, four floors and a basement that smell like your favorite corner of the library and bedtime stories at grandma's. My uncle calls it "the only used book store where you can go with a list," but I've never bothered with one. Like a casual gambler at Detroit's casinos, it's probably better to set a budget and wander.

What would we miss when we took a break? Games at Comerica Park, Ford Field or Joe Louis Arena; shows at the Fox Theatre or the acoustically stunning Orchestra Hall; music at the Magic Stick, Chene Park or PJ's Lager House; classic movies [[and real, live pipe organ!) at the Redford Theatre?

The suburbs would be on the someday list -- the Detroit Zoo and its newly born river otters, the glassblowers and re-enactors at Greenfield Village and Buckminster Fuller's geodesic Dymaxion House at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. When everybody is back with their kids in tow, maybe we'll make a day of the Cranbrook Institute of Science's planetarium.

One night of partying is too short for this place, or any place.
I live in Atlanta now, and it too, has a part of my heart. I wouldn't want it, or any of my homes, to be judged on its most dilapidated blocks, its greatest tragedies or the symbolism of its past. No city is so obvious. So I can understand if our guests drove away shaking their heads, but I won't let it happen again.

They'll be back in August for my sister's wedding. Detroit will be entering its most beautiful season, when the wind is warmer and the temperatures cooler. We will roll down Woodward Avenue, the grand lane in and out, but we'll stop often to look around, because this is Detroit, and that is Detroit, and this, too.
Detroit or Philadelphia, which city gets your vote? Show your support in the poll above, then visit iReport to share your tips and photos for Philadelphia and Detroit.

[missn]

Why does it always have to be either/or? Why can't we celebrate the both/and goodness of two great American cities?

[Gistok]

Detroit Theatre District - 2nd largest in the USA.

Philadelphia Theatre District - Non-existent... no 1920s movie palace have survived in downtown Philadelphia.

[313WX]

At the present time, Philadelphia is the better of the two cities.

Detroit has the better potential and history, but right here and right now, when just looking at the numbers, that doesn't mean much.

[Richard]

Why does it always have to be either/or? Why can't we celebrate the both/and goodness of two great American cities?

I agree but in this case you can read the piece and plan your visit to Detroit by what was listed.It highlights Detroit's better stops without the ruin porn aspect.

[iheartthed]

Philly won that hands down. Philly is light years ahead of Detroit in terms of preserving its historic center. Plus the essay written by the Philly resident was much better than the one written on behalf of Detroit... And did anyone else note the irony that the writer of the Detroit essay doesn't even live in Detroit? The person who wrote the Philly essay does live there......

[downtownguy]

There should've been coneys, those chili-cheese-hot dog monstrosities best consumed on the wrong side of 2 a.m.

Cheese?

They'll be back in August for my sister's wedding. Detroit will be entering its most beautiful season, when the wind is warmer and the temperatures cooler.

Yeah, I'm already wearing my long underwear in August.

[Cincinnati_Kid]

The link is dead.

[Richard]

The link is dead.

I think that is a write up that somebody is proposing submitted for your approval the deadline is Due: Jun 18, 2012. http://ireport.cnn.com/topics/801903

[Shollin]

Did someone really say Detroit has better history than Philadelphia?

[Mind field]

Philadelphia is undoubtedly so far ahead of Detroit on so many metrics, the comparison is really apples to oranges. It's ridiculous to try and compare the two.

[Bham1982]

Philly is kind of a tough, gritty town, but is way ahead of Detroit on most metrics. Not really a good comparison.

[Shollin]

If they needed to compare Detroit to an east coast city, they should've chosen Baltimore.

[Big Dan]

As much as I like Detroit, there's no comparison. My son lives in center-city, a block from Rittenhouse Square. There's no place like it in Detroit. There's an energy and vibe on the street that's addictive. You don't need a car, everything is within walking or cycling distance. The only time they use a car, is to go rock-climbing at the 'Gunks. I guess the good news for me is, that as exciting as his life is in Philly, he still misses Michigan.

[Cincinnati_Kid]

Philly is kind of a tough, gritty town, but is way ahead of Detroit on most metrics. Not really a good comparison.

Isn't Detroit portrayed the same way? Tough, and gritty. That's how the media defines us. Not comparing Philly to Detroit in other aspects though. They have the edge as far as I'm concerned, especially in the political arena. As one poster mentioned, Baltimore would be a closer match.

[Patrick]

So are they comparing just the cities themselves or the surrounding areas? Can we can compare the musical history of both cities or sports? Can we compare airports and museums? Architecture...The Detroit does have many advantages over Philly...list em!

[Shollin]

So are they comparing just the cities themselves or the surrounding areas? Can we can compare the musical history of both cities or sports? Can we compare airports and museums? Architecture...The Detroit does have many advantages over Philly...list em!

I'm just not sure Detroit has many advantages in those categories. Sports I give the edge to Detroit. The only team that Philadelphia has over Detroit is the Eagles. Even with the recent success of the Phillies, I still give the Tigers the edge. Philadelphia has nice museums and is a historic city. This is the city where are founding fathers signed the constitution. Detroit likely has the edge in music but Philadelphia has a rich music history.

[illwill]

The internet has really screwed up the way people think. Alot of good has come from it but I’m tires of getting up EVERY SINGLE MORNINGand reading:

The most dangerous city, the happiest city, the angriestcity, the best city for cupcakes, the best city for college grads etc...

These list that bash cities, pit one city against another isridiculous. And the very next month the same list comes out with an entiregroup of new cities.

These list are B.S.

[vetalalumni]

The internet has really screwed up the way people think. A lot of good has come from it but I’m tires of getting up EVERY SINGLE MORNING and reading:

The most dangerous city, the happiest city, the angriest city, the best city for cupcakes, the best city for college grads etc...

These list that bash cities, pit one city against another is ridiculous. And the very next month the same list comes out with an entire group of new cities.

These list are B.S.

I understand your point. Using our own filters is at premium in the internet age.

Do you know the saying "Guns don't kill people, people do."? Similarly, "The internet does not screw up thinking people, people do."

I'd also agree that these type of city comparisons are overrated.

[Jimg]

Philly has some fine keyboard talent, just like Det, they're heavier in Organ trios - think Earland, McGriff, Jimmy Smith, & Pat Martino. Also, the proximity to NYC meant guys could work in Philly and cab it to Manhattan for sessions. But Det has/had much more jazz talent overall.

[313WX]

The internet has really screwed up the way people think. Alot of good has come from it but I’m tires of getting up EVERY SINGLE MORNINGand reading:

The most dangerous city, the happiest city, the angriestcity, the best city for cupcakes, the best city for college grads etc...

These list that bash cities, pit one city against another isridiculous. And the very next month the same list comes out with an entiregroup of new cities.

These list are B.S.

No one forces you to read that stuff.

[iheartthed]

I understand your point. Using our own filters is at premium in the internet age.

Do you know the saying "Guns don't kill people, people do."? Similarly, "The internet does not screw up thinking people, people do."

I'd also agree that these type of city comparisons are overrated.

OTOH, the internet might just be giving us exposure to the mainstream perception of ourselves that we just weren't aware of before.

[wolverine]

Philadelphia is amazing. As much as I love Detroit, Philly has so much more going. The comparison is unfair.

[Patrick]

I will say that DTW is leagues above PHL....the only thing PHL has going for it is the central location. Other than that, it's a shiathole. I expected a "world class" city like Philadelphia to have a much better airport.

[Bham1982]

I will say that DTW is leagues above PHL....the only thing PHL has going for it is the central location. Other than that, it's a shiathole. I expected a "world class" city like Philadelphia to have a much better airport.

True, Philly's airport sucks, but it's main tenant is U.S. Air, which is the weakest U.S. airline and just trying to survive.

Also, Philly is hamstrung by its location in the Northeast Corridor. It's adjacent to Metro NYC, which has three main international airports and seven total airports with commercial air service.

So, for example, if some random European airline wishes to establish service to the East Coast, they will go with the NYC airports first. They probably won't hit Philly until they've served JFK, Newark, and probably even DC [[probably Dulles).