  Cgunn Member Username: Cgunn Post Number: 81 Registered: 01-2004 |
New Paradise Valley to showcase Detroit's black culture In an effort to recapture the excitement and thriving business climate of the old district, a small enclave of shops and buildings in a northeast corner of downtown will be designated the new Paradise Valley. City leaders hope to attract music clubs, galleries and other vendors tapping into Detroit's black art and cultural heritage. ------------------------------ ------------------ I like the plan. Hamilton Anderson also has some renderings of Paradise Valley on thier website. (Message edited by cgunn on August 23, 2007) | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 1907 Registered: 06-2006 |
I don't understand why they need government assistance to build a cultural district, but whatever...Greektown and Mexicantown came into being just fine on their own...cultural distircts sort of lose their sense of authenticity when the government gets involved...they're the kind of thing that are supposed to just happen and be built from scratch by those involved | ||
Cgunn Member Username: Cgunn Post Number: 82 Registered: 01-2004 |
Sorry I forgot the DetNews Article | ||
Tkelly1986 Member Username: Tkelly1986 Post Number: 401 Registered: 01-2004 |
Government involvement taints the area and takes away from the "cool","natural" vibe you get from ethnic neighborhoods around the country. This is going to feel forced and I doubt it works. Also, why did they pick an existing area and not build from scratch or on an empty parking lot like where Greektown Casino was going to be over by Ford Field? That would have made more sense as it is closer to the original PV. Regardless, this is going to prove to be another folly. I say they should have spent that money on Tiger Stadium as a grant to Ernie Harwell's project. | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 6383 Registered: 02-2004 |
THIS IS RACIST!!!! How dare the city CLOWNSIL approved the new Paradise Valley proposal by using city money with other small ethnic Detroit communities struggle on their own. I guess that while blacks are in control in Detroit they can do whatever they want with city property just as white folks once control Detroit. I'll protest. Who's with Me? This Africantown must be destroyed! | ||
Downtown_remix Member Username: Downtown_remix Post Number: 460 Registered: 03-2007 |
omg we are back on this subject..if harmony park can highlight a robust business community by giving it a tribute title, im all for it | ||
Screamingfit Member Username: Screamingfit Post Number: 17 Registered: 03-2006 |
Don't worry, Danny. It will fail all by itself. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1490 Registered: 10-2006 |
Anybody know what Schervish, Vogel, and Merz opinion is on this development? Seems to me that they invested quite a bit in Harmonie Park back a few decades ago when no one else would. They redeveloped most of the south/west side of the Park and also the Harmonie Club on the north side. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 2026 Registered: 10-2003 |
Interesting, many DYers are always complaining that the city focuses too much on major projects, and doesn't focus enough on what really matters; small business. Try to not look at it like a "ethnic community", and just view it as a commercial district. I believe this is positive news. | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 1909 Registered: 06-2006 |
Also, has it occurred to anyone else how silly it sounds to have a black cultural district in a town that's like 85% black? I mean, would it make any kind of sense to have a white cultural district in Livonia, or a Japanese cultural district in Japan? | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 2029 Registered: 10-2003 |
What makes sense is making investments that will spur small business is a city that badly needs it, insteading of spending it on things like mass transit that goes in a one mile circle, or large skyscrapers where the demand for office space is nonexistant. Finally money is going where it will be useful. | ||
Oakmangirl Member Username: Oakmangirl Post Number: 138 Registered: 08-2007 |
Why does this always seem to descend into race? African-American culture has been a predominate one in our city; I, for one, think this is great news and a strong message of appreciation for their contributions to our city's history and culture. Thejesus, get a grip. Detroit hasn't always been predominantly African-American; it's a celebration of what they have contributed to the city-I think it's empowering. Johnlodge, thanks for being our "virtual" voice of reason here. | ||
Vas Member Username: Vas Post Number: 776 Registered: 01-2004 |
Its nice to see more business, though I'd rather not see it entertainment based. We have enough bars and restaurants downtown. Keeping it to the arts would be nice, keeping it to a tax incentive area for black owned start-up businesses would be better. | ||
Meaghansdad Member Username: Meaghansdad Post Number: 76 Registered: 07-2007 |
Y wouldnt the city goverment allocate some resources to revive or recreate "Paradise Valley"? They plowed over the "original" Paradise Valley in the name of "Urban renewal" and put a damn freeway where there used to be dentists, doctors, entertainment, shopping, and residential. | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 1911 Registered: 06-2006 |
"Why does this always seem to descend into race?" Uh, because the topic is one of a BLACK cultural district "African-American culture has been a predominate one in our city;" Which is exactly why it's silly to have a black cultural district in the city...if blacks were a minority in the city, it would make more sense "I, for one, think this is great news and a strong message of appreciation for their contributions to our city's history and culture." but the message of appreciation is coming from the black city government...I think it goes without saying that they appreciate their own cultural and history... "Thejesus, get a grip. Detroit hasn't always been predominantly African-American; it's a celebration of what they have contributed to the city-I think it's empowering." That's fine, except when you need government assistance to create a cultural district, it loses its authenticity...it also makes you question the district's ability to sustain itself in the ling run...if those who will be involved in this project wanted a black cultural district, they should have been able to create one on their own initiative... I guess we'll see whether it flops or not... | ||
Downtown_remix Member Username: Downtown_remix Post Number: 461 Registered: 03-2007 |
Detroit expecially needs this. I live in Harmony Park and currently enjoy being able to go downtairs for a latte, shop for designer jeans and hats next door, get a manicure/pedi, high end furniture at Mezzaninne, watch da game at coaches corner, live jazz at the Rino, drinks and eats at Lolas, get a floral arrangment at a fancy florist on Broadway, get my workout on at the new YMCA, Party like a rock star at Lot 1210, Bar hop at Bert's on Broadway or the well. My point: No other district has more potential for greatness like Harmony Park. If a comprehensive plan is put behind the areas already buzzing with activity, it could put Harmony Park on the map as a huge destination point. | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 1434 Registered: 04-2006 |
I think the point is to give a part of Detroit an identity that was taken away. NYC still has Harlem (for the time being), which was the parallel to Detroit's Paradise Valley. It's a marketing ploy. They aren't creating a district because it already exists. BTW, Detroit is predominantly black but "Detroit" is not. | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 2145 Registered: 11-2004 |
"BTW, Detroit is predominantly black but "Detroit" is not." That's a really good distinction. | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 1915 Registered: 06-2006 |
lol | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 2148 Registered: 11-2004 |
No, actually, I'm serious! | ||
Motorcitydave Member Username: Motorcitydave Post Number: 78 Registered: 11-2004 |
Harmonie Park is already a striving district. Wouldn't the money be better spent in a downtown area that needs it more? (Capitol Park, Times Square, or a number of downtown areas west of Woodward). | ||
Tkelly1986 Member Username: Tkelly1986 Post Number: 403 Registered: 01-2004 |
I still think the land owned by Greektown (where the casino was supposed to go) by the highway should be bought and built up into a new PV. It's as close to the original (proximity wise) as you are going to get. It could also be built to look "old". | ||
Granmontrules Member Username: Granmontrules Post Number: 144 Registered: 01-2007 |
Coming from a white guy. I think this is AWESOME! This will be a nice anchor for the area and will hopefully be a thriving area for all Detroiters to enjoy! Looking forward to this addition to our city! | ||
Cgunn Member Username: Cgunn Post Number: 83 Registered: 01-2004 |
Firm hired to spruce up Harmonie Park Located on the east side of downtown, Harmonie Park is a small enclave known for restaurants and art galleries. It has suffered significant vacancies in recent years. The city is trying to revitalize it as part of a planned Paradise Valley Business and Entertainment District. ------------------------------ ----------------- So it's obviously not that thriving as many of you think if the area has suffered from vacancy in recent years. | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 2150 Registered: 11-2004 |
quote: Striving, yes. Thriving, not necessarily. There are some successful businesses there, but really only along the block from Coach's Corner to The Rhino. The east side of the area north of the hotel and the entire building with Grand Circus Lounge (?) in the lower level are empty. There is also Broadway nearby which is looking great and pretty bustling, and Music Hall and Gem Theater around the corner to the north. I think the idea is to take an area that is really pretty close to being completely pulled together and to put it over the top. Capitol Park has significantly greater problems and currently the only thriving area near it is Campus Martius. I think it's a good move, personally. | ||
Tkelly1986 Member Username: Tkelly1986 Post Number: 404 Registered: 01-2004 |
Could this also mean that infill buildings area a possibility??? I am talking about the north side of Harmonie Park, where there are some parking lots. This would make it feel much more "urban". | ||
Motorcitydave Member Username: Motorcitydave Post Number: 80 Registered: 11-2004 |
Thanks for catching that typo Dial4hipster....lol... No, it's not doing as well as some others, but I just figure it is in a great location, and it actually HAS open businesses in it, unlike some other areas, and the money would go further some place else. | ||
Jimg Member Username: Jimg Post Number: 911 Registered: 10-2003 |
I think recycling PV is a great idea. | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 2032 Registered: 10-2003 |
I think Harmonie Park is a good "starting point" for the new Paradise Valley. Perhaps as the project grows, expansion could be directed to the east, toward where the original PV was. There are a lot of parking lots in that area that could be developed with infill buildings. One block of Brush, north of Gratiot and south of Madison, has some vacant storefronts that could be PV-themed entertainment venues/restaurants too. And finally, restore the name "Hastings" to the southbound Chrysler service drive (between Jefferson and Gratiot, and between Winder and Palmer). Call it what it was and is. | ||
Oakmangirl Member Username: Oakmangirl Post Number: 141 Registered: 08-2007 |
"I think the point is to give a part of Detroit an identity that was taken away." Ihearthed, that's the point I was trying to make. Thejesus, why don't you channel your racist attitudes into convincing the city to develop an all white district? If we build a small sports complex for hockey moms and subsidize traveling hockey or soccer leagues, well, that would be a start.... If we listened to you, and extrapolate from your argument then we shouldn't worship the car so much because we're known as the Motor City. What kind of fuzzy logic are you using? |
