  E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 1617 Registered: 11-2004 |
A 'new beginning:' Jeffries East Projects demolition starts area redevelopment http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.d ll/article?AID=/20080321/METRO /803210384/1409/METRO End of an eyesore Demolition could help city regain public housing control http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll /article?AID=/20080321/NEWS01/ 803210352 | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 1518 Registered: 11-2003 |
It's about time, I can think of how many fires there were on this site in the past year since everyone moved out. Everything that could be stolen was stolen and they kept stealing the fences over there. I hated seeing that crap on my way downtown town, burned up and such an eyesore. The city has been knocking down many vacant areas and buildings in the past week. Especially in my ghettohood of 7 mile and I-75 | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 5755 Registered: 10-2003 |
Will Danindc lament the demolition of these symbols of blight and poverty? | ||
Amgasper01 Member Username: Amgasper01 Post Number: 9 Registered: 02-2008 |
The good news in all of this is that there is no talk of building a new arena on that site. I can name a dozen places in the city that would be a better site than that. | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 1618 Registered: 11-2004 |
I don't know there is one forumer who is convinced that's where it's going. I wouldn't be shocked if it turned out that way, but I think the odds are heavily stacked against it. | ||
Sayitaintso Member Username: Sayitaintso Post Number: 8 Registered: 03-2008 |
I wouldn't be surprised if that's what happens either. | ||
Leland_palmer Member Username: Leland_palmer Post Number: 454 Registered: 08-2004 |
myfoxdetroit | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 1619 Registered: 11-2004 |
Let's say for a minute that is what the Ilitch family intends to do. There is a decent argument for it. 1) They could pull enough political strings to get the land cheap 2) It would be right across from Motor City Casino, which Marion Ilitch owns 3) They now control the Masonic and have been buying up a lot of land in that corner of Midtown 4) Having Motor City, MGM, the Masonic and the new hockey arena would make for a good argument for extending some sort of light rail up Grand River at least to Motor City 5) One of Ilitchs, Marion I think, floated the idea of "extending the people mover" up to Motor City not too long ago in a newspaper story 6) I'm guessing they see how many people park at Greektown Casino for events to take the People Mover and want a piece of that action Sure seems like a good backup plan in case the behind the Fox idea doesn't work out. However, there are some things going against it. 1) Pro sports have been caught up in a few gambling scandals lately except hockey and the NHL probably would not want a new arena in Hockeytown next door to the most visible casino in the Midwest 2) The location is not in downtown or in the cultural center 3) It's next to what's left of the old Cass Corridor, which suburbanites (aka Red Wings season ticket holders) still fear 4) It would spread out their little entertainment empire when it would seem more logical to consolidate it in one location 5) Getting a light rail extension up Grand River would be harder to accomplish, especially now that so much more momentum is focused on Woodward 6) Local officials, residents and media would probably want to see a new stadium built in the stadium district The Ilitchs could overcome these obstacles but the easier path is to put it behind the Fox, if and when those last holdouts sell. | ||
Mayor_sekou Member Username: Mayor_sekou Post Number: 2019 Registered: 09-2006 |
Good news but is HUD planning on developing the new low income housing on the same site? | ||
Mrsjdaniels Member Username: Mrsjdaniels Post Number: 660 Registered: 08-2005 |
HUD Smud...I bet when I get back for a visit, it will have a sign saying "new home of the Red Wings" | ||
Bragaboutme Member Username: Bragaboutme Post Number: 97 Registered: 02-2008 |
New home of the red wings? | ||
Mrsjdaniels Member Username: Mrsjdaniels Post Number: 661 Registered: 08-2005 |
HUD Schmud...I bet when I get back for a visit, it will have a sign saying "new home of the Red Wings" | ||
Jonnyfive Member Username: Jonnyfive Post Number: 112 Registered: 03-2007 |
Is HUD really going to announce they are developing a piece of land for housing while secretly handing it over to the Illitch family? They're a federal agency, not the mayor's office. This seems rather unlikely, though I suppose not impossible. | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 1624 Registered: 11-2004 |
Exactly my thought. However, if Ilitch wants to keep buying land there quietly and cheaply such an announcement is a good cover. | ||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 2579 Registered: 07-2004 |
HUD has already said what it plans on developing on the site. There will be some public housing units and some market rate housing. I doubt they would say this and then turn over the land to the Ilitches. Talk of a new Red Wings arena there is simply speculation with no substantiation. Let's move on to conversation that has some substance to it. (Message edited by royce on March 22, 2008) | ||
Mayor_sekou Member Username: Mayor_sekou Post Number: 2026 Registered: 09-2006 |
I dont like that plan of putting more low income housing that close to downtown and the developing midtown area. They should move it somewhere else where it would be more appropriate than this prime located land. | ||
Irish_mafia Member Username: Irish_mafia Post Number: 1227 Registered: 10-2003 |
Like Cleveland! | ||
Yeti Member Username: Yeti Post Number: 51 Registered: 09-2007 |
My Google-Fu is failing, anyone have and link for the past and present of these projects? Links to pictures? | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 1996 Registered: 04-2005 |
wsu/vmc Looks like this was taken towards the end of construction. MCS in the upper left corner. | ||
Jasoncw Member Username: Jasoncw Post Number: 496 Registered: 07-2005 |
It's too bad so many of the housing projects failed. They were really big projects and it would have been something if they had done what they were intended to do. | ||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 2581 Registered: 07-2004 |
Mayor, I think there's a stipulation by HUD that any former "public housing" site must offer a certain number of units to low income residents upon redevelopment. The article from the News does say that 138 units will be public housing while 42 will be affordable housing. I agree, Mayor, that 138 units is a large number of housing for low income residents, especially in Midtown where developers and others are trying to bring in higher wage earners to live. Why bother tearing down the old projects if HUD is just going to build new projects just with fewer residents? The 42 affordable units don't seem like they add to a "true" mixed-income development to me. I know that Woodbridge Estates had a different formula in calculating the mixed income ratio for residents. I believe there are more market rate units in Woodbridge than there are public housing units. I know some of the single-family homes and town homes are being sold between $175,000 and $300,000. BTW, it amazes me how whenever the city has torn down old projects that reporters always find a former resident who wants to go back when they rebuild. Why would someone want to go back to the projects? They're not happy in their new, and modern residence? If you've been living in public housing for 22 years, then isn't it time to move on when given the opportunity? It's like someone saying after being in 12th grade and graduating that they now want to start all over in the 9th grade. | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 1524 Registered: 11-2003 |
""The Jeffries projects was a nice place to live and it was a nice place for families to raise their children," said 62-year-old Huntley who lived in the Jeffries East low-rise apartments since 1986. "It was mostly outsiders who made things bad," said Huntley. " ^ WOW | ||
Jerrytimes Member Username: Jerrytimes Post Number: 127 Registered: 04-2007 |
That's what is wrong with the city. | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 1526 Registered: 11-2003 |
^ In a simple word.... MORALE. Morale is why we are in the shape we are in these days. | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 7207 Registered: 02-2004 |
Good riddance to DOOM TO FAILURE! Housing Projects. Hello gentrification of fancy low income housing. This time it would be private owned, gated and secured. | ||
Flybydon Member Username: Flybydon Post Number: 216 Registered: 01-2005 |
March 29, 2008   | ||
Cman710 Member Username: Cman710 Post Number: 417 Registered: 07-2006 |
I think some of you who are criticizing people for saying nice things about their former residences are off target and engaging in awful stereotypes about residents of the projects. First off, is there any question that the projects were not the ideal location in which one could raise a family? Surely not, given high rates of crime and such. At the same time, the projects were many people's HOMES. Many people living in the projects are hard-working and trying to get by in the face of odds far worse than any of us will ever face. For these people, the projects are where they grew up and have childhood memories, where they might have met their husband or wife, where they may have had their first child, etc. That someone would feel sentimental about such things seems natural and healthy. You also have to consider that for better or worse, the projects are what many of these people had. They did not own their homeslegally, but the projects were theirs. Then, the government came in and told them they had to leave, and that they may or may not be able to return several years later. (And even if they do return, they might not be able to live near their old friends and family.) How would you feel if the government came and forcibly removed you from your home? | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 5899 Registered: 10-2003 |
Is there anywhere on the net where I can find a site plan of what's to be built in their place? Through some research last year I was able to find the architect for the Hermann Gardens public housing replacement, and they were able to send me site plans and renderings for those homes, but I've been unable to find siteplans for the new replacement of Jeffries East. Also, what's planned for Brewster-Douglass in the coming years? | ||
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit Post Number: 891 Registered: 11-2006 |
It's been awhile since i've seen this poster... | ||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 2595 Registered: 07-2004 |
I'm sorry, Cman, I don't share your sentiment. If I lived in the projects, it would be my motivation to get educated so that I could get a good paying job so that I could get out of them as soon as possible. I would not want the stigma of being associated with them. Sentiment wise, I would be concerned about the people I made friends with while there, but leaving would be my prime motivation. Nothing would make me want to stay, nothing. There are too many people in the projects who just get comfortable with their situations and don't strive for more. There are many people in similar situations who work hard and own a home or rent from someone who's not the government. The projects should be a last chance situation while one is getting themselves together. People shouldn't live their for most of their lives, period. | ||
Cman710 Member Username: Cman710 Post Number: 419 Registered: 07-2006 |
Hi Royce, I understand your point, and I want to make it clear that I am not trying to make excuses for people who can and should do more than they are doing to get back on their feet. It does not help anyone (either the residents of the projects or those on the outside) to have a class of people who are essentially separated from the rest of the economy and who live off the government. And if I lived in the projects, I would also try to get educated so that I could get a good paying job and move on to better things as soon as possible. I grew up in a middle class family with two parents and had access to a great education, though. That has made it much easier for me to get a great education and a job. For those who grow up in the projects, who may have only one parent (one sometimes poorly educated and who does not put an emphasis on school), who go to terrible schools (Detroit graduates only about 32% of its students), and who grow up in a crime-ridden environment, getting a quality education and then a job becomes a much more difficult thing to do. I am not arguing that a government solution would be best to solve this problem at all, though government policies can definitely make a solution easier or more difficult. Regardless, I think something needs to be done. Clearly, the policies of the last forty years have not worked. |
