| Jump to bottom |
Don't tear down Michigan Central
You've got to be kidding. It's enough seeing that albatross, a symbol from a bygone era, in the day, let alone at night. I say write about its' storied history, tear it down, make a scale model of it, place it in the Detroit Historical Museum and play "Thanks For The Memories."
Light up the Train Station
Yes, let us light up our Michigan Central Train Station! It is an irreplacable Detroit Historic Architectural Landmark and the conduit of history where our forefathers walked through to build what we call Detroit! And yes, I am one of those hopeful dreamers who believe that one day it CAN happen and WILL be renovated to a mixed-use where residents will have one of the best views living in the upper floors, offices and businesses will thrive on the lower floors, trains would be able to bring visitors to and from the grand station once again, a historic museum about our immigrants & "boomtown", maybe a hotel as well,etc.,... Let us learn the lessons from other successful renovated train stations in other cities like St. Louis, let's make it ours an attraction also...it can be done. It the meantime, light it up! If the City cannot force Moroun to renovate it then he should loose it and the City's DEGC could put together a redevelopment and all of the layers of financing that can be found because it has been proven it can be done.
MCS
ArchBlogger, lighting the MCS was proposed by Kelli Kavanaugh in her 2001 Book "Detroit's Michigan Central Station"
You can search through or purchase the book here:
http://www.amazon.com/Detroits-Michigan-Central-Station-America/dp/0738518816/
The most illogical move ever.
I just came across this entry in your blog and I can not believe the events that caused this ever took place. Simply put...Are you insane?
This frames the lack of logic women constantly put out and place themselves in harms way for no conceivable reason. Are you wishing to become a victim? God, I can only hope there is more logic and reason in my girlfriend's pinkie than in your entire body if this exchange is any judgement to be made of your actions. Women have often spent their lives sheltered from the violence of society by the mores and standards of normal civilization. However, the facts of life is that the world does not always follow those rules. As a man, you learn at a young age that a big mouth just brings big problems. Any man would have assumed that such a confrontation would result in violence. As I am sure that this man and most likely his friend (as he would have little reservation to fight a man most likely) would have beaten a man for being so cocky. This circumstance is much like the loud drunk woman at the bar who gets into the arguement with a random man and slaps him, knowing that he will not strike back. However, sometimes she picks the wrong person and ends up finding the wrong side of his fist.
The absolute worst part of this story is that you provoked this man to the breaking point over such a trival reason and then TURNED YOUR BACK ON HIM! This is outlandish. You should have counted your lucky stars his friend had sense of reason. You would have been very, very lucky to have escaped this situation with a simple assault. A large man could easily beat a woman into hospitalization in a few seconds. Not to mention the risk of angering someone of less than moral judgement who could kidnap, rape or kill. Do you think you are superwoman!?
I can only hope you conpletely saw the error of your ways in this situation. And that your husband explained them as well. I hope and pray that none of your reader found honor in such a dangerous exchange. Regardless of your beliefs, a can is a can, your life is far more important. Please consider your actions before you do them. As the old saying goes, "Don't let your mouth write checks your a** can't cash."
Please be more careful. Both to yourself and in the example you set for your readers. Life is not all gumdrop forests and chocolate streams.
1977 Monarch
WOW--Your now an official driver of a "classic" car. As a car nut, must be a by-product of being raised in th "D" good for you Diane. Yea ut probably does smell and definatly sucks down the petro like Monica Lowenski-LOL-but you should cherish this gift from the past. The fact that it runs and drives is a tribute to the FORD MOTOR CO. As far as bar hopping with your friends I'm sure you can work that one out. As I've commented my own viewpoints on public transportation, I myselfe never use it. Love my 08 Ford Mustange Bullit. Enjoy the ride.
Cruisin' old school
Mark your calendar for Aug. 21, 2010, Diana.
That sweet beast deserves pride of place in the 16th annual Woodward Dream Cruise . . . as blog-worthy an occasion as you'll fine for Living in the D reflections and images.
Plenty of time to get wrap-around shades and a red chiffon scarf.
50% off goods
http://www.maidi2008.net 50%off ca,ed hardy t-shirt$15 jeans,coach handbag$33,air max90,dunk,polo t-shirt$13,,lacoste t-shirt $13 air jordan for sale,$35,nfl nba jersy for sale free shipping accept paypal credit card lower price fast shippment with higher quality our website: http://www.maidi2008.net BEST QUALITY GUARANTEE!! SAFTY & HONESTY GUARANTEE!! FAST & PROMPT DELIVERY GUARANTEE!! Packing: All the products are packed with original boxes and tags also retro cards/ code numder Features: AAA QUALITY, COMPETITIVE PRICE AND SERVICE 1) The goods are shipping by air express, such as EMS,the shipping time is in 5-7 business days 2) They are in stock now; 3) Various styles and color for clients' choice 4) The Products are fit for most people, because of our wholesale price puma gucci$35,nike jordans six ring,yeezy$%5!! new era caps$13 gucci handbags jeans,t-shirts sunglass,caps true religion jeans$35,ca,ed hardy jeans$35 LV,CHANAL,HANDBAGS$35 NIKE SHOX+AIR MAX+TL3+OZ+NZ ONLY $35 UGG TIMBLAND+LACOSTE SHOES+ED HARDY SHOES$35 DIESEL T-SHIRT,GSTAR T-SHIRT,CA T-SHIRT,50% OFF FOR SALE $15 DIOR SUNGLASS,DG SUNGLASS$15 our website: http://www.maidi2008.net
Getting around in the D
You seem pretty scared getting around with no car. I would venture a guess that if you become a victim, it is because you set yourself up to be one.
My first contact with Detroit was as a student at Wayne State University, and I did not have a car and lived in NW Detroit near Southfield. I used your method of public transportation/bum a ride (walking and bike riding was impossible), and not once was I nervous on a bus or waiting for one, because I chose not to be. I am from a small college town from the West side of MI and I am grateful for my experiences in Detroit. I was not prepared for the Cass Corridor, but more than not, folks looked out for me and I would say took care of me, naivete and all.
Good Luck on your adventures!!!
I wouldn't say I'm scared; I've been doing this a while now. But I know I need to be cautious. I pictured myself limping down the street, alone, in the dark and thought better of it.
My post was borne more of frustration than of fear. I certainly don't want to scare anyone away from taking the bus or biking, and I'm glad you had a good experience in Detroit.
Thanks for reading!
Diana
Public transportation
Improving public transportation in Detroit is little more than putting a Bowtie on a Pig. Except in this case the Pig (public transportation) drains the already scant resources that are available.
What Detroit really needs is a reason to even go to Detroit. Abscent that, public transportation is just one of a dozen "Rat holes" that the public money is being thrown down.
The Citizens of Detroit have created a City that is almost unlivable (though Kabul, Mogidishu and a few other remain for now more unpleasant). Let them (Detroiters) live with it or seek to improve it on their own.
Worn out. Public Transit
As I've stated before I'm a former Detroiter. I left the city more than a couple of decades ago and as always inspired and motivated by your experiance living in the D. Public transit has and alway's will need to be improved "from the ground-up" literally from a much more functioning system to public perception. Nashville with all of it's own "problems" has a really good transportation system. And with our latest elected Mayor, Karl Dean even using the public transit / using our buses himself, has helped with the image issue. Keep up the great work Diane. BKW Nashville
Living Without a Car
Metro Detroit's lack of an acceptable infrastructure for pedestrians and bicycles is a large part of the reason why I left in the first place. The current infrastructure is lousy, but it can be improved if people are willing to put forth the effort to make it happen, and hold their elected leaders responsible for making the improvements. Some are doing just that - there are advocates in the Detroit area trying to improve conditions. But lasting change won't happen until enough people are unwilling to accept a transportation system that places the convenience of the car above all other options, above all other modes.
To those of you who opted to stay, and improve existing conditions, I salute you, and wish you well. You're fighting a much harder fight than we are in Portland. (not that our fight is easy) There are people making real improvements in Chicago, Minneapolis, even in Los Angeles. Detroit can make improvements too if the will is there.
It only takes a small, committed group of individuals to change the world.
Good Luck! Fight the good fight!
Possible method for forcing city council/mayor to become public transit advocates.
Also this would look good for a city trying to redefine itself as innovative and green.
Possible method for forcing city council/mayor to become public transit advocates.
After reading about JoAnn Watson's shenanigans with her city-owned car & driver at the Red Dawn set, I got to thinking. We need to replace these cars with bus passes and these drivers with bus drivers.
Mayor Bing would not have even considered cutting bus service if he had to take the bus to work. I read a story about he doesn't want to be late after being late once as a child or some such campaign gook. Maybe if he personally would be late he would make improve Detroit metro transit a priority.
Here's the mechanism I had in mind. A ballot initiative which would abolish cars & drivers (& perhaps security) for the city council & mayor. In exchange they'd get an unlimited SMART DDOT pass every month (~$60) along with $20000 of their salary being turned into a bonus received contingent on their riding the bus the majority of their working days.
This would solve many problems in Detroit.
Corruption: if you have to face your constituents in the eyes every day you're not going to steal from them, or you'll get very good at stealing so they don't kill you when they find out.
Lack of reliable public transportation: Coupled with council by districts, we'd have advocates who would troubleshoot and have the power to lobby for improvements to public transit. We also might be surprised at how fast a people mover expansion/rebirth of the light rail system would happen.
Lack of installation of bike racks on DDOT: To fill in the holes in their commute they might want to bike. Detroit is after all very flat and perfect for biking. Unfortunately DDOT has acquired racks, but I've only seen one once. Every bus must be equipped for those racks to be useful.
The holes in SMART as an analogy for the holes in regional cooperation: the council members may want to go to Ann Arbor or Ypsi but find that the SMART hole in Canton stops them. Or should they want to navigate through Livonia.
I'm still developing this idea and would love input and suggestions for lawyers who might be able to write this up.
Living in the D
I just read the column about bringing sunshine back to the D from Maui. I am so famaliar with the comments in this story. A week ago Sunday I left the D to go see my father some 45 min from the D in Ortonville, MI. It was soooo quiet there it was unbelievable. I couldn't hear the radio's blasting and the sirens and all the cars racing around. When I was leaving the sun was setting and it was a beautiful sunset - great colors, I stopped and looked at it for a few minutes in awe. I kept thinking...if I was at home right now I probably would never have seen this. As I drove up the driveway something caught my eye, and no it wasn't a couple teenagers with hoodies on and pants hanging half way down to the ground, running from whatever act they committed. It was several deer. I got home about 45 min later and I felt like I had gone from paradise to a war zone. I'm tired of this, really tired of it. That evening the neighbor at 2:30 a.m. in the morning caught several suspicious people climbing over my fence into her yard and chased them off. I didn't hear a thing - probably because when I am there the only escape I have from the D is in my sleep. I am done with the D - just waiting to leave.
P.S. I don't live in a downtown area as one might think...right across the street from me is Redford. I am the very edge of the D and can't stand it.Bringing Home Sunshine
I was born and raised in the D and currently live here. I totally agree with Diana's assessment. I found the comment about the fruit stand and what it would be like in the D quite comical as I have made this same observation and joke myself. Unfortunately, everything that she wrote is true in my 33 years of life in this city. I personally do not conduct any of my personal life, shopping, eating, etc. in the city because I can not deal with the low standards. I live in the city but "live" in the suburbs. You do not have to go to Maui to see the startling difference, just simply cross city lines. Sorry Detroit, but this is how I feel and if it makes me a bad person because I want more out of life then I guess I am a bad person.
| Jump to top |
