More help for Morningside?

**Wheels** · February-22-12, 09:59 AM

Quote from Dan Akerson:

"The contrast between Grosse Pointe and MorningSide ... is pretty dramatic. You look to the left and you see one world, and you look to the right -- and in my humble opinion, it shouldn't be that way in America, but it is."

It is the same old stock housing both sides of the street. Building new homes among the trashed and burned out old ones will just end up in the same condition shortly. The millions they are spending need to go to creating jobs and education before any neighborhood can rise up and take care of itself.

**Danny** · February-22-12, 10:35 AM

Excellent ideal. The Morningside community aroung Mack/Alter Rd up to E. Warren Ave to E. Jefferson Ave. to the borders of white dominate "Richville." went from a middle class paradise to a black a blighted instant ghetto in 35 years. It's time to tear down the Mack Ave. demarcation wall and create a real neighborhood where blacks, whites, asians, Arabs, Mexicans and Hispanics and other folks live in racial harmony.

**Bham1982** · February-22-12, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Wheels

It is the same old stock housing both sides of the street. Building new homes among the trashed and burned out old ones will just end up in the same condition shortly. The millions they are spending need to go to creating jobs and education before any neighborhood can rise up and take care of itself.

This is an excellent point, and I agree 100%.

I always scratch my head when folks think a Detroit neighborhood will revitalize based on the introduction of new housing.

The essential housing problem in Detroit is not enough people to occupy the housing. In essence, there isn't a housing problem [[Detroit housing is often nicer and more spacious than suburban housing) but a demand problem.

Ferndale housing, to take one example, is crap compared to Green Acres across 8 Mile. But Ferndale housing is valued more because of a variety of non-housing specific issues [[safety, services, taxes, reputation, etc.).

So, to fix Morningside, you have to find a way to stimulate demand. There certainly isn't a need for even more housing, unless you want to play a game of "musical houses".

**dmike76** · February-22-12, 11:31 AM

I think that the hope with revitalized housing is that you will get people that will actually move in and take care of the homes. I realize that can't be the only factor, though. The thing I liked about it is that homeowners participate in the rehabs so it doesn't seem so much of a free handout to me. Maybe it encourages people to take care of their homes, maybe it sparks a fire under some people to improve their knowledge. If they just don't care about learning anything, get out of Detroit you lazy SOB's.

**Bham1982** · February-22-12, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by dmike76

I think that the hope with revitalized housing is that you will get people that will actually move in and take care of the homes. I realize that can't be the only factor, though.

You're right; that seems like the objective, and I hope it works. He's partnering with a very respected national developer.

But, to me, it seems to be an odd way of attacking the problem, which doesn't seem to housing quality, condition or supply, but market demand.

**Kevgoblue** · February-22-12, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Bham1982

So, to fix Morningside, you have to find a way to stimulate demand. There certainly isn't a need for even more housing, unless you want to play a game of "musical houses".

Hence the 8 page "L Brooks says 'I love sprawl'" thread.

**hamtown mike** · February-22-12, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by Bham1982

In essence, there isn't a housing problem [[Detroit housing is often nicer and more spacious than suburban housing) but a demand problem.

I could not agree more! I've been a fan of the notion that anyone requesting a new building permit must demolish a structure or structures of equal square footage from the city's demo list.

**DetroiterOnTheWestCoast** · February-22-12, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by Wheels

It is the same old stock housing both sides of the street. Building new homes among the trashed and burned out old ones will just end up in the same condition shortly. The millions they are spending need to go to creating jobs and education before any neighborhood can rise up and take care of itself.

I disagree. Steps have to be taken to stop the blight from spreading further, and to retain current residents before you can attract new ones. In any case the article I saw stated that H for H was going to concentrate on rehabs with this money, rather than new construction. It also appears that it will be targeted in a couple of specific parts of Morningside, where it will hopefully have a noticeable impact. I hope that this can be leveraged into more funds.