Dan Gilbert Propositions Channel 95.5 to Move to Detroit

[jerrytimes]

He should have bought the Pistons and sold the Cavs.

[Bham1982]

Apparently Gilbert is unaware of the concept of metropolitan areas and regional identification.

And maybe that "badass" Gilbert should move out his home in the dreaded Oakland County. Move to D and raise your family there if you're so anti-suburb.

[ScienceFair]

Yeah, he probably should!

[BrushStart]

Apparently Gilbert is unaware of the concept of metropolitan areas and regional identification.

And maybe that "badass" Gilbert should move out his home in the dreaded Oakland County. Move to D and raise your family there if you're so anti-suburb.

I think he has plans to. I'm pretty sure he bought one of the 4,000 sq. ft. penthouses in Broderick Tower pre-construction.

[bartock]

I think he has plans to. I'm pretty sure he bought one of the 4,000 sq. ft. penthouses in Broderick Tower pre-construction.

Wow that will really make him a "real" Detroiter then. Sounds like he's already scorning anything and everything that isn't in the "real" Detroit. He's gonna fit right in.

[stinkytofu]

Apparently Gilbert is unaware of the concept of metropolitan areas and regional identification.

And maybe that "badass" Gilbert should move out his home in the dreaded Oakland County. Move to D and raise your family there if you're so anti-suburb.

If you think the Pistons are in a better location in Auburn Hills than downtown we completely disagree. Taking out the whole Detroit-booster part of it, it's so much better for fans if the team was downtown [[better location for Detroit residents, downriver, western suburbs, etc.).

[bartock]

Apparently Gilbert is unaware of the concept of metropolitan areas and regional identification.

And maybe that "badass" Gilbert should move out his home in the dreaded Oakland County. Move to D and raise your family there if you're so anti-suburb.

Gilbert isn't the only one.

I still can't figure out what makes one a "real" Detroiter. There are many Detroit-centric people on this board, but it's like some are 1/3 through their lives, signed the lease on their loft last year and now act as though the "Motor City" is in their blood because they see homeless people more often, live near skyscrapers, and occassionally hear or pretend to hear gun shots. Funny, for 25 years of living 10 miles outside of city limits and support local sports teams and regional identity, it didn't matter. But now, among maybe 15% of the region that actually lives in city limits, suburban boys and girls become Detroit snobs. I'd like to know how long you have to live in Detroit, and during what part of life, in order to "qualify" as a Detroiter? It's all horsey urine.

[BrushStart]

Gilbert isn't the only one.

I still can't figure out what makes one a "real" Detroiter. There are many Detroit-centric people on this board, but it's like some are 1/3 through their lives, signed the lease on their loft last year and now act as though the "Motor City" is in their blood because they see homeless people more often, live near skyscrapers, and occassionally hear or pretend to hear gun shots. Funny, for 25 years of living 10 miles outside of city limits and support local sports teams and regional identity, it didn't matter. But now, among maybe 15% of the region that actually lives in city limits, suburban boys and girls become Detroit snobs. I'd like to know how long you have to live in Detroit, and during what part of life, in order to "qualify" as a Detroiter? It's all horsey urine.

Bartock, the line between what is the "real" Detroit and not the "real" Detroit wouldn't be so clear if the suburbs didn't try so hard to alienate and remove themselves from association with Detroit. The distinction is so prevalent in Metro Detroit because of the relationship between the city and suburbs. The distinction between Detroit and the suburbs has become so attenuated that there is a backlash now against suburban entities claiming "Detroit" in their name or slogan. If the suburbs do not want to be identified with the city, then it seems hypocritical for companies and radio stations that moved to the suburbs to continue to claim the city for purposes of recognition. The animosity between the city and suburbs, namely the disinvestment in Detroit, leaves Detroit boosters with a bad taste in their mouths when the suburbs want to have it both ways. On one hand, they don't want to be associated with Detroit's problems, but on the other, they want the benefit of claiming big city recognition. It's pretty easy to see why some people get irritated by that. In other regions it is not as big of an issue because the entire region chooses to identify and align itself with the flagship city. Not true in "Metro Detroit."

Edit: To be clear, I'm not talking about people who live or grew up in the suburbs claiming "Detroit" as where they're from. I don't think that upsets very many. But, I do think that businesses or entities who do the same is upsetting, especially when they were formerly based in the city, but then subsequently left for the suburbs. The Pistons of Auburn Hills is an extreme example whereby a sports franchise fled to the northernmost point of the city's most rivaled suburban county, but still claims to be the "Detroit Pistons." That situation is much different than a kid from Dearborn Heights identifying with Detroit as his location.

[bailey]

Before this spins off into yet another city/suburbs who is a real "detroiter" kerfuffle, the point of calling out 95.5 for being in an exurban office park is that 95.5 is pitching an image based on some perceived credibility about being in or of "detroit". It's a little like white kids from Romeo claiming to be "street". Save for what? maybe two stations? They all do it and it's ridiculous. 97.1, is the #1 sports station for the #1 sports town...yet where are they? oh yeah...not detroit. Channel 7 is pushing its "20/20 Detroit" initiative from its HQ in Southfield. Hey channel 7 way to be a leader in that "bringing Detroit back" thing.

I don't think they HAVE TO be in Detroit to be taken seriously; however, I think they shouldnt be taken seriously when they pretend to be.

[DetroitPole]

Bartock, the line between what is the "real" Detroit and not the "real" Detroit wouldn't be so clear if the suburbs didn't try so hard to alienate and remove themselves from association with Detroit. The distinction is so prevalent in Metro Detroit because of the relationship between the city and suburbs. The distinction between Detroit and the suburbs has become so attenuated that there is a backlash now against suburban entities claiming "Detroit" in their name or slogan. If the suburbs do not want to be identified with the city, then it seems hypocritical for companies and radio stations that moved to the suburbs to continue to claim the city for purposes of recognition. The animosity between the city and suburbs, namely the disinvestment in Detroit, leaves Detroit boosters with a bad taste in their mouths when the suburbs want to have it both ways. On one hand, they don't want to be associated with Detroit's problems, but on the other, they want the benefit of claiming big city recognition. It's pretty easy to see why some people get irritated by that. In other regions it is not as big of an issue because the entire region chooses to identify and align itself with the flagship city. Not true in "Metro Detroit."

I agree for the most part.

In the same breath I have been told be self-proclaimed Detroiters [[in the case I am referring to, the 'Detroiter' was from Rochester Hills) that they were surprised that there was a house as nice as my own in Detroit. This, of course, is not uncommon. I like to hang around the downtown bars around game time and the talk of many other 'Detroiters' about the city whose sports team they apparently support is absolutely disgusting. We all know that you don't go to Grosse Pointe and talk shit about the Pointes, or anyplace for that matter, but we live in a very rude, fractured region.

I know a lot of snobbiness is defensiveness. I get tired of having to explain to people that I have a nice house in a nice neighborhood when they automatically assume otherwise and say it to my face. I'm just tired of it. Wouldn't you be if people trashed where you live, to your face?

People who live or move to Detroit[[and by that I mean THE CITY OF DETROIT if we are still unclear on the concept) are also proud of it with good reason. Part of the reason, as we all can agree, for Detroit's downfall is the exodus of residents and businesses from the city, and they see themselves as reversing that, in a small way.

I also worry that Detroit is becoming to many people [[and corporations) just a vague idea or a marketing tool. Detroit is an actual place, with actual borders.

Also, places like Harper Woods, Ferndale, downriver, St. Clair Shores, Royal Oak, etc., [[you know what I mean) clearly are part of Metro Detroit. However places like Shelby Township, Novi, Lake Orion, COME ON! Where does it end? Doesn't there have to be at least some connection to the city, besides if you drive on a freeway that runs through one of those places for 40 minutes or so you'll hit The City of Detroit?

We have made progress though. The city and suburban cross commerce and pride and identification has probably never been stronger. And the city absolutely needs people from the suburbs, who may not ever live there, to have any kind of future.

I do think that if I lived in the 'burbs I would still want to have the big institutions in the city proper. Our region is too decentralized to be strong. I think of U of D Jesuit. There was a strong push from suburban parents to move it out of the city, but the Jesuits resisted. It is a glimmer of hope and an incredible, thriving asset to the city, still. However if it had been moved, like so many other institutions, corporations, and people, I'm sure it still would have retained the "D" and people would have claimed it was still "in Detroit" even though losing it would have been so awful for Detroit.

[jtf1972]

He should have bought the Pistons and sold the Cavs.

I was just thinking "can we swap?"