I agree with this too. It took a generation of decline, it will take another generation to build back up.
As for the downtown vs. the neighborhoods issue, both are important. But the downtown has to be solid as a higher priority. Yes, this will make many angry, and I know I won't convince them. But here's why...Downtown Detroit is a regional experience. It's the one part of the city that 4 million people around the Metro Detroit area hold in common. In other words, this is the face of Detroit to the region, to the state, and to the world. When downtown is buzzing the desire to get involved and be around will trickle down [[sorry, not trying to sound like Reagan) to the surrounding neighborhoods.
That's how cities are designed.
When the core of the city is rotten, sure there will be loyalists at the perimeter of the city limits who care, but for everyone else, no one will have any pride.
Let's build downtown first. Make it world class. Make it an attraction for people all over SE Michigan, all over the state, all over the world. When it's full, vibrant, healthy, you won't have a crime problem in the surrounding neighborhoods, because instead of blight, you will have people lining up to live there in order to be close to downtown.
I'm optimistic too. I'm also patient. I'm also realistic. We're talking about a lifetime's worth of work to rebuild the area, schools, social structures, etc.
But I'm excited to be doing it, too.
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