I would suppose that the younger viewers of DetroitYes are unaware of what a funky skid row Detroit had in the fifties and early sixties. The photo here is Michigan Avenue from about where the John Lodge is today, looking east. The Book-Cadillac Hotel [[as it was known then) is fuzzily in the background. Michigan Avenue from old Sixth street down to Washington Boulevard was a mix of bars, liquor stores, and pawn shops. There were also a few fleabag hotels. Fifty cents a night gave you a cot. I worked the area in Vice for two months and hated it. Those poor souls who 'lived' in the area were victims of alcohol and other diminished capacity problems. Mayor Cobo started the demolition of the area, finished by Mayor Miriani when Cobo suddenly died. Can't remember any stories of my visits/work there, sorry to say. But, whaddahell, I can't remember what I had for breakfast today.
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