TIME TO PUT DETROIT BACK ON TOP (alright, so maybe not within the next year, but soon)

For the delight of everyone reading, I am pulling a page out of my book of commentary that no one asked for and sharing with you a fun little story from the self proclaimed "jewel of the midwest" aka, in case you don't know, Chicago, Illinois. First of all, seriously, I really like Chicago. It's a nice town, with some nice people, and it has a great midwestern sensibility about it. Not only that, but is literally a well-oiled economic machine, in such a way that I could only in my wildest dreams hope for metro Detroit, not to mention Detroit proper.

And now, more to the point. Take a look at what happened to a vacationing family with young children from Tennessee while staying in a downtown Chicago hotel.

VIDEO SHOWS HOW STRAY BULLET ENTERED A FAMILY'S HOTEL ROOM IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO

"Chris Grissom and his wife were sitting up in bed at the Hotel Blake the evening of July 3 watching "The Late Show With David Letterman" as their two children, ages one and four, slept in the next bed. That's when they heard what Grissom said sounded like a firecracker in the next room."All the sudden we noticed what we figured out to be the plaster dust from a bullet coming through," Grissom said in a phone conversation from his Columbia, Tenn. home."

"Grissom and his family, in town to visit his mother in Huntley, huddled on the ground for a few minutes before Grissom walked down to the front desk and had them call 911.
The bullet was apparently a stray from the four shootings that occurred in the area that left one dead following the city's July 3 fireworks.
"The bullet came from the outside, through a meeting room, through our room and into the next room, which was unoccupied," said Grissom."

If this had happen in downtown Detroit, you can bet your bottom dollar that it would, "have the internet going nuts" i.e. Paul Wall in 2005-2006. It would be all over the place, including top news sites, blogs and in chat rooms. Yet, as of right now, this story out of Chicago can basically only be found in the local Chicago Sun Times.

I know people are going to read this commentary (it might have turned into a rant some time ago) and start talking about how my opinion is a great example of the Detroit inferiority complex which we Detroiters carry around so proudly, but in this instance, that is neither here nor there. The fact of the matter is that we, as a city and as a metropolitan region, are constantly attacked in a manner in which other cities are not.

I will gladly concede the point that our city's reputation precedes us, and that it has not progressed even close to the point where violence isn't one of outsiders' first reactions when someone brings up "Detroit." Still, that does does not change the way we are constantly and consistently receiving shots (no pun intended) from the media in a way that other places are not. The fact that this story and video is not all over the news is an example of just that.

In the end, maybe I answered my own question. The fact of the matter is that if our region doesn't clean up its act, stop the violence, stop the bickering, stop the inept governmental policy making, squabling, lying and self-destruction, then maybe we deserve the reputation that we have been so nonchalantly given.

I was going to title this post, "VIDEO SHOWS HOW STRAY BULLET ENTERED A FAMILY'S HOTEL ROOM IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO," until I realized that by the end of the post, my demeanor had changed. I wasn't bitter at the fact that if this story occurred in downtown Detroit that it would be everywhere. Instead, I found myself thinking about how we as a region, and as a state, have the opportunity to turn these negative times into the greatest success story ever told.

The next year and a half are going to be rough, but metro Detroit has always beaten the odds, and decidedly emerged victorious. We've always contributed mightily to this country whether it be economically or culturally, and the present should be no different. We have the drive, the resources and the talent, and it's our job to put this region in its rightful place back on top. An unquestionably confident outlook regarding our ability in what could be the worst economic period that Detroit has ever seen is probably not the norm, but I know it to be the truth.

I'm ready if you are...

Detroit Army

TIGER STADIUM SLATED FOR DEMOLITION

Originally Posted 4/23/08
Updated 6/29/08
Updated 7/9/08

Lost in yesterday’s big news regarding the proposed rail system was another inch forward towards the demolition of Tiger Stadium. “Detroit’s Economic Development Corp., a quasi-public arm of the city, awarded the demolition contract to a joint venture of MCM Management Corp. of Bloomfield Hills and The Farrow Group of Detroit.” (John Gallagher, Detroit Free Press).

I drive by “the old ballpark” occasionally (well just to get a burrito in Mexican town most Tuesdays), and with every pass by the corner of Michigan and Trumbull my memories of the events that took place there fade further away. However, I’m not writing my first post on Detroit Army because I want to reminisce. That is not what we are about.

After reading Detroit Army and reflecting on the comments by its readers, I realize that we all want to move forward, and part of moving forward, is leaving behind the past. While the idea of saving a corner of the existing structure would be a deserving tribute to the greats that roamed the field for over a century, it would be another contributing factor adding to an already complicated, costly and tumultuous process. I’m not saying throw the idea out completely, but we should not let our fondness for our past detract from our future once again.

Anonymous

See John Gallagher’s article about the project below.
Group lobbies to save part of Tiger Stadium after Detroit awards demolition contract

Update 6/29/08

On June 25, 2008, Mike Hicks of the Detroit News writes that the preparation for Tiger Stadium's long awaited demolition has begun.

"MCM Management Corp. of Bloomfield Hills and Farrow Group of Detroit have started the process of obtaining permits to raze the stadium and sell parts for scrap, according to the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. The city's quasi-public agency handles development and is executing a plan approved by the City Council and Mayor Kilpatrick."

On the other hand,

"Kilpatrick set an Aug. 1 deadline for the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy Group, which has said was enough time to prove it has a $12 million to $15 million financial plan to save the baseball diamond, 3,000 seats and an area that would house Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell's sports memorabilia collection, some of which is now at the main Detroit Public Library."
(Mike Hicks/Detroit News

It's unclear whether the conservancy will be able to come up with the money in time, but it is worth noting that the conservancy group finally has a website up and running which states that "The reports of Tiger Stadium’s demise are greatly exaggerated." I don't know if they know something that we don't, but it's clear that they do not have the money to move forward with their project yet as they have consistently missed deadlines set for them. Additionally, considering that the Tigers moved out of Tiger Stadium eight years ago, to put it mildly, the website campaign seems oddly late to the party.

Tiger Stadium Conservancy

Update 7/9/08

"This time, it has really, really started."

"Ferocious-looking stadium-demolishing machines are ripping apart the wall and everything behind it on the north side of the stadium, near the Fisher Freeway service drive, along what used to be called Kaline Drive. In baseball terms, that would be the area between the centerfield bleachers and the left-field seats."
(Bill McGraw/Detroit Free Press)

Tiger Stadium's demise assaults senses
Tiger Stadium walls are coming down
Tiger Stadium turning to dust
Tiger Stadium's outfield walls begin coming down

Detroit Army

'I am being punished by my God'

2/8/2008-Kwame: 'I am on an assignment from God'

4/19/2008-Kwame: 'I am being punished by my God'

Waaaaaaait a minute....

No, it still sounds about right.
Detroit Army

The Problem With Kwame Being Kwame

Today is another unfortunate day in the life and times of not only Detroit, but of Southeast Michigan as well. The prosecutor for the city of Detroit, Kym Worthy, has made her announcement that she will move forward with charges against Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick with regard to his testimony at this summer's whistle blower lawsuit and subsequent findings that his testimony was untruthful, in addition to the $8.7 million dollars in city money which were used to settle the dispute. The charges include perjury, obstruction of justice, and misconduct in office. "Our investigation has clearly shown that public dollars were used, people's lives were ruined, the justice system was severely mocked and the public trust trampled on," Worthy stated. "This is as far from being a private matter as one can get."

In many regards, Kwame Kilpatrick has been a successful mayor and has done a lot for the city of Detroit. He has helped usher in an era of new stadiums, permanent casinos, and a vastly improved central business district. He has also created neighborhood initiatives to jump start the rejuvenation of once great sections of the city that lay downtrodden and decaying. He partnered with prominent business leaders and enticed other businessmen to move their companies to Detroit and invest more of their time and money into the city.

Kwame has been able to succeed because Kwame is Kwame. He is personable, charismatic, confident, a great orator, convincing, and a little over the top. While Kwame being Kwame has contributed mightily to his success, within Kwame being Kwame also lies the problem. Along with Kwame's aforementioned qualities, he is also cocky, a megalomaniac, and believes he is invincible. These qualities will catch up to a person if not careful, especially somebody in power, and Kwame has been anything but careful.

I have always backed Kwame Kilpatrick, even through the diamond stud, the "Stripper Party" at the Manoogian Mansion, and spending city money on Carlita's Navigator. I believed that although not perfect, his redeeming qualities outweighed his faults and that he had the characteristics and ability to lead Detroit into a new era. Now, after almost 7 years in office and in light of his most recent indiscretions, it is painfully obvious that his good qualities cannot be separated from his bad. Kwame himself cannot distinguish the line between his duties as Mayor of Detroit, and his desire to live the life of a rock star while not taking responsibility for his actions.

The Kwame Kilpatrick story is a shame. Kwame could have been mayor for life and still at only 37 years old, he could have led Detroit's renaissance well into this century. Alas, it was not meant to be. Just as the citizens of the tri-county area have been disappointed before, Kwame has left us like Pavlov's dogs, salivating in anticipation of chili powder coated food, but without any satiation.

We have been duped again my friends, but we should not let this get us down. I still honestly believe Detroit is on the right track and will continue down the road towards success, as long as we stick together as a cohesive group and not let negativity and internal squabbling ruin what we have started. I still believe that a smart, charismatic leader can lead us into what Dan Gilbert, CEO of Quicken Loans, has called Detroit 2.0. Sadly, Kwame Kilpatrick, will not, and should not, be the one to do so.

Stephen Asher Weisberg
Detroit Army

The City of Detroit Joins In on The Dream Cruise...Kindof

Seems that things have been somewhat slow lately, and not being in town right now doesn't help my ability to report on events, restaurants, neighborhoods and stores. Anyway, one thing that did catch my eye was the news that the city of Detroit will be somewhat participating in the Dream Cruise this summer. Apparently a one day carnival type event will be held during the week before, which will be auto themed and have entertainment and food.

The event is all fine and dandy, but I still can't believe that the city of Detroit's involvement in the Dream Cruise is so minimal. The Dream Cruise' traditional route is from Pontiac through Ferndale on Woodward. Before the cars hit 8 mile, they turn around. Why exactly can't the city be a bigger part of the festivities? Why can't the festivals organizers provide some structure so that the cars can go as far down Woodward as they want?

Or maybe cruisers don't have any interest in driving past 8 mile. According to Paul Schubring, 45, of Berkley, who has participated in the cruise for 8 summers,

"In general, I don't like being down there," he added. "It's not like I'm totally snubbing Detroit but I am, sort of."
Source: Detroit News

Is this guy the norm? Would cruisers really not drive past 8 mile on Woodward if organizers made it part of the festival? It's something to think about...

Detroit joins Dream Cruise with charity event

Detroit Army

John Kao on Detroit

The "D" brand summit was held on February 1, 2008 at Lovett Hall on The Henry Ford campus in Dearborn. To summarize, the summit was to inform business owners and entrepreneurs how the "D" brand, Detroit's official tourism and community development brand, could help with their brands and initiatives while promoting a positive image of our region. I wasn't able to go, nor do I know anyone who went, so I'm not writing this post as a review. I did however, catch a blog entry written at huffingtonpost.com by the keynote speaker at the D brand summit. His name is John Kao and he is considered a master innovator, entrepreneur and expert in corporate transformation. His entire blog post is at Huffington Post. He has an interesting perspective, if not an obvious one, about the state of Metro Detroit. He writes about our troubles, our reliance on our laurels and our stubborness regarding change. He also writes about the recent positive steps we have made to align ourselves with the 21st century economy.

John Kao finished his blog entry with the following paragraphs. His thoughts struck a chord...

"Predictably Detroit has a number of initiatives to look at the future of the city that are as yet somewhat scattered. The city needs a strategy, it needs a vision of how it can turn itself into a 21st century city, attractive to talent, with a critical mass of R&D and a revitalized approach to education, fresh thinking. It needs to go for the brass ring — incremental innovation will not save it — nor will the four casinos and other tourist amenities that have been put in to make the city a tourist destination. Only a fresh re-thinking of the strategy, the sources of future wealth and the willingness to make the investment of time, treasury and effort will see the city through.

And herein lies the full drama. If Detroit can effect its transformation, then there is hope for the rest of us. I see three scenarios — continued decline, middle of the road via tourism and entertainment, or the high road — nurturing the roots of a true Detroit Renaissance. Much food for thought."
Source: HuffingtonPost

In the end it is up to us. It's a new age and we have all the tools for success. This town was built on efficiency and innovation and there is no reason why we cannot forge down that path once again. We hold the key to our future.
Detroit Army

'I am on an assignment from God'

Kwame: 'I am on an assignment from God'

Sounds about right...
Detroit Army

Kwame

Regarding Kwame...I've decided I have no comment...Officially. If you dont know the story, a link with some information will be provided below. In the mean time, if Kwame is making you crazy, like he is me, here is a quote for your entertainment...

"Some might say, “Kwame is the worst” or “I told you he was a criminal,” however, the Mayor of Detroit has glaring similarities to the best president of my life time. Not only is Kwame Kilpatrick a very impressive and composed public speaker, but he also knows what he can and cannot get away with while holding a political office. Lets not be negative Detroit. Look at what happened to our country during its leader’s “under the table” sexual relations … only positive things to come for Detroit."

Anonymous Contributor
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick shamed by text messages
Detroit Army

Blame the auto industry or embrace it and contribute?

As the first semester of my 3L year begins to wind down, it's about that time to start writing papers and studying for finals. It's probably not the best time to start converting my thoughts and facebook/myspace group into a blog, but considering no one is reading this (yet), i'd guess that no one is going to lose sleep over the small number of posts throughout the next month. Anyway, I saw this quote in Crains Detroit today. I'll give credit to the person who said it, but thats besides the point. It's a novel idea and one to take note of. I think the quote can stand alone.

When asked about the auto industry's stuggles, Lynn Drake-Batts, senior associate with UGL Equis Corp. said,
“You can blame the automotive industry, or you can be thankful this industry is here and look for other industries to bring to the area.”
Detroit Army