my feelings about Detroit

Government: it's tough to say... i don't think Kwame is the greatest mayor ever, but i don't think he's the worst... he's made some mistakes but has done some good... Detroit is the way it is as a result of decades of neglect and decline... it will take decades to get it back to any semblance of a thriving city... one man isn't going to change that in a 4 year or 8 year tenure... the City Council is also a part of Detroit's city government and as far as i can tell (which isn't that far) they seem more like a hindrance than anything else... in my experience as a Detroiter they've been embarrassing and petty... with my limited experience and exposure, i'd say we get rid of the City Council... but i could be wrong...

Development: there are so many developments going on this city it's crazy... the wife and i just drove around town today and it was both encouraging and disheartening... there are glimmers of hope and doses of reality... in my neighborhood there are so many developments happening... if they all get filled up, Midtown itself will be as thriving as Royal Oak or Birmingham... but that's a big "if"... if they don't fill up, then it will be a daunting, nagging failed attempt... and this city has had too many of those... a whole lot of people are investing in the city though, so if it goes bad, a lot of people are going to lose a lot of money... but i don't think it will go bad... in fact, i think it'll go well...

Economically: it's not looking very good at all... companies are leaving the region left and right... it's a terrible time for Michigan in general, but especially Southeast Michigan... Detroit is in the process of redefining itself... in 20 years i think we'll still be known as the Motor City, but some other industry will rise up as a major provider of jobs... they're trying to become a major technology center here, but time will tell whether or not technology will be Detroit's next thing... regardless, something's gotta change...

Socially: Detroit is still a very sensitive and divisive place... people project so much onto the city that it's nearly impossible to change generational perceptions... racial tensions are still around, but another not so seen tension is financial tension... poverty is a major spirit in Detroit and it holds many of Detroit's residents in bondage while simultaneously scaring off Detroit's neighbors... i can only speak from my experience in Midtown/Downtown... people are friendly in general down here... for the most part, the people down here are glad you're down here because they want you to see how good it can be down here... there are however some (of all races and economic stratas) that don't want you down here if you're obviously not from around here...

Personally: if you were to stick a gun to my head and force me to decide right now whether i would live and raise my family in Midtown/Downtown Detroit or the Suburbs, i'd pick Detroit... the energy and potential are just too tantalizing for me... i love the grit and the reality of this place... i could raise kids down here in the right situation... anywhere outside of Midtown/Downtown i wouldn't live in because it's going to take a long long time for those parts of town to turn around... but if it's in the "city" city, i'll take it... it's a lot of fun down here and it's only gonna get better...