Itsjeff
Member Username: Itsjeff
Post Number: 5396 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.42.168.211
| Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 11:16 am: | |
DETROIT, Jan. 21 - Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick is so determined to show Super Bowl visitors a new face for his beleaguered city that he is willing to sacrifice its Motown roots. This week, wrecking crews began taking down the long-abandoned office building that was home to Motown Records from 1968 to 1972. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01 /22/national/22detroit.html?hp &ex=1137992400&en=449a0f0ad77c ca83&ei=5094&partner=homepage |
Knocturnal Member Username: Knocturnal
Post Number: 79 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 24.176.50.206
| Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 11:31 am: | |
Better than Chicago? Kwame keeps frontin' like this and Kanye is going to cancel his appearance...please... |
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main
Post Number: 719 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.222.11.226
| Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 11:32 am: | |
As much as I admired the old buildings in Detroit and i am sad to see them torn down, I am happy that an initiative has been taken to look ahead for Detroits future. It is very hard to let these buildings come down, yes, but we have to save what can be saved and say goodbye to what can't. What we are seeing here in Detroit is Urban renewal at its best evne while times are har. We all have to be more active in saving these building and tell the city government what WE want. As far as the article is concerned, Motown was in the building 4 years. i think the real history of Motown lies in Hitsville on the W Grand, not to mention the history making Detroit concert tours which include St. Stephens AME church, the gymasium concerts at Northwestern HS and the 100's of jam session in basements all around Detroit. Thats Motown to me. I guess I am a leaning toward this side of Motown because I have grown to know that my family was a part of it. My uncle used to write a lot of music in his days and although he wanted no recognition from it he still has his stories to tell to this day. |
Huggybear Member Username: Huggybear
Post Number: 135 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 68.79.97.128
| Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 11:54 am: | |
Say what you want about the merits of demolishing vs. not on a historical basis, it's all perception. And this article is extremely damaging in how it perceives and expresses Superbowl preparations. The city should have waited three weeks before allowing those buildings to be knocked down. |
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main
Post Number: 722 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.222.11.226
| Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 12:09 pm: | |
I do wonder how many dust related emergencies we will be having with the residents of Woodward Place at Brush Park. After work last night I drove by and saw an incredible amount of dust on I-75 at about 12 midnight |
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main
Post Number: 725 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.222.11.226
| Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 12:23 pm: | |
This is in conjunction with what i stated in an above post.
quote:But the reality is that very few -- probably none -- of the crumbling buildings can be saved without a heavy investment of public dollars. Detroit has to make tough choices. It must be brutally honest about the buildings that are viable for restoration and willing to sacrifice the rest to the wrecking ball, even ones as sentimentally significant as the Book-Cadillac. If a redevelopment project can find no takers even with taxpayers picking up two-thirds of the risk, it should be a solid clue that the building has no future. And Detroit has no future as an urban ruin, an architectural museum devoted to deteriorating hulks. Preservationists have to recognize that Detroit must target its resources to achieve the maximum impact -- it just can't save everything. Spare the buildings that make economic sense, tear down the ones that don't and get busy refilling downtown with structures that will help create a new heyday for Detroit
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20060122/O PINION03/601220331/1271 |
Supersport Member Username: Supersport
Post Number: 9783 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.246.37.236
| Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 12:43 pm: | |
Wow, another article more focused on the bad instead of the good, how surprising. Didn't see any mention of Campus Martius in there, nor the riverfront development. How about the state of the art YMCA? How about the gorgeos Belle Isle which is larger than New York's Central Park, that doesn't warrant a mention? Typical article by an out of town paper looking to beat up on Detroit. Oh yeah, what is this long, long history of sprucing the city up for a big event? Aside from the Republican National convention, what else was there? Everything done for the All Star game and SuperBowl, such as roads, sidewalks, lighting, and redeveloped buildings will be here long after the game is over. |
Ilovedetroit Member Username: Ilovedetroit
Post Number: 2002 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 69.246.4.29
| Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 2:08 pm: | |
I didn't realize BC Building was in trouble again? This is so frustrating it is a beautiful structure. I am not that upset over the Motown Building...I thought it was an eyesore and what development could go there? I am not sure anyone would want a condo right there next to the highway. However, with that said I would prefer to see something done there than a parking lot. |
Shark Member Username: Shark
Post Number: 176 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 68.77.110.79
| Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 3:12 pm: | |
quote:The mayor said he could no longer tolerate the marred façade, broken windows and empty corridors of the building. "I just couldn't take it anymore," he said in an interview.
I love that. |
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main
Post Number: 731 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.222.11.226
| Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 3:16 pm: | |
Classic, isn't it??? ild...the BC is the grandest building in Downtown agreed? Why don't we buy it??? |
Pffft Member Username: Pffft
Post Number: 727 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 69.221.92.217
| Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 3:50 pm: | |
Mickie Maynard is notoriously negative about Detroit. Keep that in mind when you see her byline. |
Blessyouboys Member Username: Blessyouboys
Post Number: 237 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 69.209.185.165
| Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 4:41 pm: | |
this is on the front page of nytimes.com, sheeesh |
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main
Post Number: 733 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.222.11.226
| Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 5:03 pm: | |
I can't believe they have to "tutor" people to say nice things about Detroit. I think we should start a new thread just saying nice things about Detroit. Anyone interested?? |
Rustic Member Username: Rustic
Post Number: 1962 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 130.132.177.245
| Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 5:04 pm: | |
Other than muddling the Lions owner with the Ford CEO (yikes! kinda a scary thought juxtaposing those two orgs ...) were there any other errors in the article? |
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1
Post Number: 6500 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.2.148.99
| Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 5:13 pm: | |
quote:I can't believe they have to "tutor" people to say nice things about Detroit
Seems logical since SE Michigan bashes Detroit more than anyone else in the world. |
Dougw Member Username: Dougw
Post Number: 947 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.249.8.75
| Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 1:41 am: | |
A mediocre article at best... yes, some of the Woodward storefronts are temporarily cleaned up, but there's no mention of some of the real progress that has been made. (Somewhat surprising, as other NYTimes articles about Detroit in the last couple years have been pretty good.) |
The_aram Member Username: The_aram
Post Number: 4646 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 141.213.175.233
| Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 2:25 am: | |
quote: am not sure anyone would want a condo right there next to the highway.
Look directly across Woodward from the Donovan site. Seems like the Crosswinds folks don't really care all that much about living near the highway... |
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 3066 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.172.95.197
| Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 2:31 am: | |
Kwame wanted to bluff with tearing down Donovan/Sanders hoping the media would be kind, and got called on his bluff. This is what happens when you take people for fools. Even the outside media is saying that it would have been better to keep up some of these structures for reuse than demolishing them in hopes of fooling people into thinking that ALL demolition means progress. This is what happens when you try and make people believe that "progress" is tearing down a few dilapidated buildings for visitors. Kwame, you've been punk'd. You can't see the forest for the trees. |
Fury13
Member Username: Fury13
Post Number: 825 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.122.204
| Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 10:06 am: | |
..."It's better than Chicago or Philadelphia..." What the hell was he thinking when he said that? Please. He could have said, "We think that, in its own way, Detroit has as much to offer as Chicago or Philadelphia..." But to make the unequivocal statement that he made... it's ridiculous. Detroit needs to get over its envy and perceived competition with other cities, because if you look at it objectively and unemotionally (in other words, as if Detroit ISN'T your home town), the D doesn't stack up. Sorry. |
Northend Member Username: Northend
Post Number: 643 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 69.212.62.92
| Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 12:00 pm: | |
Detroit and its residents have had 30 years to get off their overweight booties and let their entrepreneurship save this city. If half the energy spent on admiring these old buildings was spent on concrete and constructive (no pun intended) actions, we would not be bothered by the "excessive dust" resulting from the demolition of said buildings. Either the average Detroiter (definitely not on this forum) doesn't give a flying you know what about the city or all the enthusiastic kinda people of the "Vinton Style Project" thread have been AWOL. Time to get your asthma inhalers b/c at this rate there may be way more dust coming our way |
Gogo Member Username: Gogo
Post Number: 1164 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 198.208.251.24
| Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 4:30 pm: | |
Can Detroit still be called "Motown" when practically nothing of Motowns legacy remains outside of a small house on Grand Blvd? Los Angeles is more deserving of the title than Detroit. |
Track75
Member Username: Track75
Post Number: 2194 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 12.75.22.100
| Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 5:15 pm: | |
quote:Other than muddling the Lions owner with the Ford CEO (yikes! kinda a scary thought juxtaposing those two orgs ...) were there any other errors in the article?
quote:For one thing, there are no brand-name luxury hotels, meaning high rollers will stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn, 15 miles away, or at the Townsend, a boutique hotel in Birmingham, 30 miles from the city center.
They should have used minutes, not miles. |
Track75
Member Username: Track75
Post Number: 2195 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 12.75.22.100
| Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 5:20 pm: | |
That said, the article wasn't that bad. It's not like visitors wouldn't have noticed any abandoned buildings but for the article in the NYT. There's been other NYT pieces that focused on the improvements. |
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 3068 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.172.95.197
| Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 5:37 pm: | |
Gogo, Detroit is still the historical Motown, and for that, the city should be proud. But, Motown, today, is NOTHING to brag about. Aren't they part of Universal now, putting out less and mediocre music with few exceptions? Barry Gordy in the antithesis of a greedy businessman if you never saw one. |
Mauser765 Member Username: Mauser765
Post Number: 686 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 4.229.69.250
| Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 5:39 pm: | |
"Barry Gordy in the antithesis of a greedy businessman if you never saw one." Translation ? |
Matt_the_deuce Member Username: Matt_the_deuce
Post Number: 453 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.248.252
| Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 10:03 pm: | |
Don't credit the players on the records, don't let them play with anyone else, pay them minimal wages, then leave Detroit and don't give anything back. Barry Gordy was very shrewd, and that's the nicest way anyone could ever put it. Hmm... |
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 3072 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.172.95.197
| Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 10:15 pm: | |
I meant to say "if you EVER saw one." It's an overused cliche. I hope that's what you were asking about, Mauser. He turned his back on Detroit, and never looked back, and I feel couldn't have cared less about Motown Center/Donovan-Sanders, when he could have easily spoken up on its behalf even if he didn't have majority (or any) ownership. He could have commanded a lot of respect with a simple phone interview with the Free Press or News asking for this structure to be saved. Nothing. |
Urban_shocker Member Username: Urban_shocker
Post Number: 250 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 70.228.3.58
| Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 10:56 pm: | |
No, I think Mauser wants know if you know what 'antithesis' means. |
Urban_shocker Member Username: Urban_shocker
Post Number: 251 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 70.228.3.58
| Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 11:00 pm: | |
Even with the mentioned gaffes (the Ford one the worst), I didn't find the article to be poor or unfair. Micheline Maynard is the Times' Det correspondent, so I bet she's aware of things like C-Mart and the riverfront. Just like it wasn't her job to mention every vacant building, I don't think she was obligated to create a laundry list of new developments either. |
Bibs Member Username: Bibs
Post Number: 439 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 205.188.116.137
| Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 12:20 am: | |
Since there seems to be an award for everything these days. How about handing out an award to the most negative or ignorant article about Detroit? We could call it, "The Diss'n D Award" or "The Detroit Award." How the top ten worst articles? |
Damon Member Username: Damon
Post Number: 645 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 141.215.16.132
| Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 1:46 pm: | |
Kwame said Detroit was better than Chicago and Philly to the New York Times??! WTF WAS HE THINKING!? I knew Carolyn dropped him on his head when he was a kid, but this is ridiculous! |