DEGC Being Pushed Aside?

**stinkytofu** · December-19-13, 01:08 AM

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...text|FRONTPAGE

**Gistok** · December-19-13, 01:26 AM

Thanks for sharing Stinkytofu.... very interesting. After rereading the article... this stuck out as a reason behind this shakeup....

Both Orr and Gov. Rick Snyder signed off on the changes, which a source says were requested by the Obama administration. The federal government is committing to bankrolling a big piece of Detroit’s rebuilding, and there is concern about sending so many tax dollars to an entity such as DEGC that is not fully accountable to the city. While DEGC works closely with the city, it has its own board.

So much of the reshuffling of the DESC to within the city government, is not due to some notion on Duggan's part... but a federal request.

Pass the popcorn... this should be interesting...

**Gannon** · December-19-13, 07:40 AM

Great to hear, this is years late.

The Jackson fiefdom is finally crumbling. Hope they can snag the records before he disappears...gotta see who got sweetheart deals during the Kwhyme administration and what lingered afterwards. There was something to his rushed demolitions around town.

Damn, I heard rumor years ago that Jackson was going to get his comeuppance via federal investigation...after watching how long it took to convict the top three, I expect the whole world to drop onto Jackson's shoulders soon.

It sounds as if he is totally blindsided with this move, but it was probably necessary to clear him for prosecution.

**Gannon** · December-19-13, 07:44 AM

Could Duggan have found a more shining smiling white dude to do this job?

Anyone keeping score on the cronyism yet? Odd they say this dude is 67, though...that must be a typo.

**rjlj** · December-19-13, 09:30 AM

Finally the useless DEGC is being dissolved and tax payer money will no longer be wasted on unnecessary demolitions and on unprogressive organization.

**Eber Brock Ward** · December-19-13, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by Gannon

Could Duggan have found a more shining smiling white dude to do this job?

Anyone keeping score on the cronyism yet? Odd they say this dude is 67, though...that must be a typo.

Lewand is one of the most talented and connected attorneys in the Midwest, beyond just the State of Michigan or the City of Detroit. If you want someone to bring in "development," few people would be a better choice.

**Gistok** · December-19-13, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Gannon

Could Duggan have found a more shining smiling white dude to do this job?

Anyone keeping score on the cronyism yet? Odd they say this dude is 67, though...that must be a typo.

Aw common Gannon... lets not prejudge...

Also, you may have missed this part...

Lewand, whose son and namesake is president of the Detroit Lions...

**Novine** · December-19-13, 11:35 AM

"Demolition" Jackson being sent to the sidelines?

**Honky Tonk** · December-19-13, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

Aw common Gannon... lets not prejudge...

Also, you may have missed this part...

Lewand, whose son and namesake is president of the Detroit Lions...

Also let's not be prejudiced. Just because he's white doesn't mean he's incapable of demolishing historic structures.

**Detroitnerd** · December-19-13, 12:08 PM

GEORGE JACKSON TO BE RAZED
Crews already at work demolishing longtime DEGC head

DETROIT -- After months of talks on what to do with George Jackson, the now-vacant head of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, a demolition crew is already at work demolishing the former business leader.
The problem began several years ago, when the last tenant left George Jackson, leaving the embattled figure badly secured and open to the elements. By this time last year, scrappers had removed much of George Jackson's pipes and metals, and a long hard winter froze water that had collected in George Jackson's basement. Earlier this spring, when a section of George Jackson's face fell onto the street below, it was clear George Jackson was no longer only an eyesore, but a danger as well. After informal investigations showed that George Jackson was "structurally unsound" and "dangerous," city leaders quickly appropriated money for George Jackson to be torn down.
Adamo Group spokespeople said that, unlike newer buildings that can be imploded easily, George Jackson was built in stages, which requires an old-fashioned demolition by wrecking ball. Earlier today, the first wrecking ball swung, shattering George Jackson's forehead, revealing an empty auditorium. A few sentimental Detroiters stood by and watched as an excavator ripped out bricks around George Jackson's temple, as a misting cannon quieted dust falling from the activity.
One of the onlookers, 74-year-old Detroit resident Shawna Parker, shook her head watching the longtime development leader come down. "It's a shame," Parker said, "but George Jackson was so old, it was starting to look like an eyesore. I guess it had just outlived its use."
There are no plans for future development on the site, but some city leaders suggested it could be a site for a park or a flower garden.

SATIRE SATIRE SATIRE SATIRE SATIRE SATIRE

**jt1** · December-19-13, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitnerd

There are no plans for future development on the site, but some city leaders suggested it could be a site for a park or a flower garden.

SATIRE SATIRE SATIRE SATIRE SATIRE SATIRE

One recommendation: There are no plans for future development on the site, but some city leaders suggested it could be a site for a park or a flower garden due to the large quantities of fertilizer left on site.

**Detroitnerd** · December-19-13, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by jt1

one recommendation: There are no plans for future development on the site, but some city leaders suggested it could be a site for a park or a flower garden due to the large quantities of fertilizer left on site.

bing!!!! :d

**downtownguy** · December-19-13, 02:02 PM

Best post of the day, Detroitnerd!

**Gistok** · December-19-13, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

Also let's not be prejudiced. Just because he's white doesn't mean he's incapable of demolishing historic structures.

HUH??

What in God's name are you talking about??

No one mentioned demolition... just a white lawyer who's being tapped to take over DEVELOPMENT... and who has no history whatsoever of any demolition....

... and until both you and Gannon brought it up... no one even mentioned race here... does this mean we are going to hear the race of every Duggan appointee??

Lord I hope not...

**Detroitnerd** · December-19-13, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by Gistok

until both you and Gannon brought it up... no one even mentioned race here... does this mean we are going to hear the race of every Duggan appointee??

Lord I hope not...

In fairness, the race issue does come up frequently in demolition. The complaint I've heard that can seal a building's fate politically is that the people who used that building "didn't look like me."

I haven't liked it, but I can acknowledge that it has played a role in the demolition of, for instance, Hudson's or Tiger Stadium.

**stasu1213** · December-19-13, 06:18 PM

Maybe this guy and his group will do a much better job than DEGC has done over the years

**SWMAP** · December-19-13, 08:03 PM

Also race was used to justify the midnight demo of Little Harry's so Anita Baker's then husband could build an IHOP. Mayor Young justified destroying on if Detroit's historic homes by announcing that [[think) Chene owned enslaved people - and that most of the early French settlers were guilty as well.So goes Jefferson Ave.

**esp1986** · December-20-13, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by Eber Brock Ward

Lewand is one of the most talented and connected attorneys in the Midwest, beyond just the State of Michigan or the City of Detroit. If you want someone to bring in "development," few people would be a better choice.

Judging by the job his son has done with the Lions, it seems that they are a family of winners...