NYT: Detroit was Crumbling

**Canadian Visitor** · April-30-18, 08:50 AM

Piece in today's New York Times, on Detroit's ongoing revival.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...T.nav=top-news

**401don** · April-30-18, 09:17 AM

NYT's readers must tire of these articles as much as we do because there's absolutely nothing in-depth or new here.

**emu steve** · April-30-18, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by 401don

NYT's readers must tire of these articles as much as we do because there's absolutely nothing in-depth or new here.

I'm not sure.

There is a world's difference between the readers of the NYT and DetroitYES.

Sure it is same old, same old to folks here, but still these stories don't appear every week or month, or maybe after six months to readers of the NYT.

And the article is updated to discuss what is happening in Brush Park [[a favorite topic on this forum), photo of Woodward Ave. looking south shows LCA, WSU's school of business and a clean street, discusses MCS, finances of the city, and yes the 'urban prairie' of Detroit.

I haven't read my copy of NYT yet, but will look for this article. Will comment if the paper copy has info not in the electronic version.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · April-30-18, 09:52 AM

Nothing to see here, just a bunch of photos and narrative seen many times over.

**emu steve** · April-30-18, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by Cincinnati_Kid

Nothing to see here, just a bunch of photos and narrative seen many times over.

Once again, this article was in the NEW YORK Times, not Detnews, Freep, etc.

Completely different audiences.

I'll email the author as we have a news story which broke after today's NYT went to press...

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article..._medium=social

**401don** · April-30-18, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by emu steve

Once again, this article was in the NEW YORK Times, not Detnews, Freep, etc.

Completely different audiences.

I'll email the author as we have a news story which broke after today's NYT went to press...

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article..._medium=social

I made the comment because there have been many articles in the Times covering Detroit, many of which have been far more in depth, and have been posted here. Just google NYT, Detroit development.

**emu steve** · April-30-18, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by 401don

I made the comment because there have been many articles in the Times covering Detroit, many of which have been far more in depth, and have been posted here. Just google NYT, Detroit development.

Understood, Don, but there is some new material and photos in this article.

As far as the theme, yes the theme in 2018 isn't different than 2017 or 2016 or 2015.

In 2016 one could have written about Brush Park, LCA, QLine, etc. The improved city finances has been going on for a few years so it is a continuation of a good story.

MCS is certainly a new development.

If the author writes another such story in 2019, Corktown's prospects would be the new development. By then QLine, LCA, etc. will be 'old news.'

**EastsideAl** · April-30-18, 03:07 PM

No new ground, but still a nice, optimistic, but realistic and balanced portrayal of the very real progress the city has made and the considerable distance it has yet to go. With some very nice photos too. I especially like picture #4 showing the restored state, and increasing urban density srrounding, a house made famous [[infamous?) in earlier photos of Detroit "prairie".

**EGrant** · April-30-18, 03:26 PM

As much as this story has been written about over and over in the national media, I'd much prefer this narrative than what was coming out about Detroit before 5 years ago.

**Margarite** · May-01-18, 06:58 AM

I'm a little cranky this morning and will probably regret this but, what is it you want from the NYT. If they write a negative story you complain. If it's positive, you complain. Would you rather Detroit be completely ignored? What do you want?

**Lowell** · May-01-18, 08:38 AM

I found it a bit esoteric, more like a personal take that got carried away with bleak ruin-pornsie images. Even the restored properties stand in a grim loneliness that, I am guessing, to the eyes of crowded New Yorkers are jaw-gaping. More dramatic restorations like the Book Tower, the Scott mansion or the Stott would seem to earn the article's title.

**401don** · May-01-18, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by Margarite

I'm a little cranky this morning and will probably regret this but, what is it you want from the NYT. If they write a negative story you complain. If it's positive, you complain. Would you rather Detroit be completely ignored? What do you want?

I want quality in-depth reporting as I have come to expect from the NYT. They have done much better articles on Detroit in the past so instead of a lazy piece that I might find from a small city journalist just visiting for the 1st time, I want a continuation of that quality. There's also nothing wrong with criticism when warranted. It doesn't have to be black or white, good or bad. It's like when one of this year's Tigers makes a boneheaded play and I read "well, they are rebuilding you have to expect that." No, I can still expect major leaguers with less talent on a last place team to not make stupid mental errors and I can call them out for it.