Detroit wants to save itself by shrinking Blighted city considers plan to turn large swaths of land back into fields

[spookyturtle 9,466]

DETROIT - Detroit, the very symbol of American industrial might for most of the 20th century, is drawing up a radical renewal plan that calls for turning large swaths of this now-blighted, rusted-out city back into the fields and farmland that existed before the automobile.

Operating on a scale never before attempted in this country, the city would demolish houses in some of the most desolate sections of Detroit and move residents into stronger neighborhoods. Roughly a quarter of the 139-square-mile city could go from urban to semi-rural.

Near downtown, fruit trees and vegetable farms would replace neighborhoods that are an eerie landscape of empty buildings and vacant lots. Suburban commuters heading into the city center might pass through what looks like the countryside to get there. Surviving neighborhoods in the birthplace of the auto industry would become pockets in expanses of green.

Detroit officials first raised the idea in the 1990s, when blight was spreading. Now, with the recession plunging the city deeper into ruin, a decision on how to move forward is approaching. Mayor Dave Bing, who took office last year, is expected to unveil some details in his state-of-the-city address this month.

"Things that were unthinkable are now becoming thinkable," said James W. Hughes, dean of the School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, who is among the urban experts watching the experiment with interest. "There is now a realization that past glories are never going to be recaptured. Some people probably don't accept that, but that is the reality."

‘People are afraid’

The meaning of what is afoot is now settling in across the city.

"People are afraid," said Deborah L. Younger, executive director of a group called Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corporation that is working to revitalize five areas of the city. "When you read that neighborhoods may no longer exist, that sends fear."

Though the will to downsize has arrived, the way to do it is unclear and fraught with problems.

Politically explosive decisions must be made about which neighborhoods should be bulldozed and which improved. Hundreds of millions of federal dollars will be needed to buy land, raze buildings and relocate residents, since this financially desperate city does not have the means to do it on its own. It isn't known how many people in the mostly black, blue-collar city might be uprooted, but it could be thousands. Some won't go willingly.

"I like the way things are right here," said David Hardin, 60, whose bungalow is one of three occupied homes on a block with dozens of empty lots near what is commonly known as City Airport. He has lived there since 1976, when every home on the street was occupied, and said he enjoys the peace and quiet.

For much of the 20th century, Detroit was an industrial powerhouse — the city that put the nation on wheels. Factory workers lived in neighborhoods of simple single- and two-story homes and walked to work. But then the plants began to close one by one. The riots of 1967 accelerated an exodus of whites to the suburbs, and many middle-class blacks followed.

Thousands of empty houses

Now, a city of nearly 2 million in the 1950s has declined to less than half that number. On some blocks, only one or two occupied houses remain, surrounded by trash-strewn lots and vacant, burned-out homes. Scavengers have stripped anything of value from empty buildings. According to one recent estimate, Detroit has 33,500 empty houses and 91,000 vacant residential lots.

Several other declining industrial cities, such as Youngstown, Ohio, have also accepted downsizing. Since 2005, Youngstown has been tearing down a few hundred houses a year. But Detroit's plans dwarf that effort. The approximately 40 square miles of vacant property in Detroit is larger than the entire city of Youngstown.

Faced with a $300 million budget deficit and a dwindling tax base, Bing argues that the city can't continue to pay for police patrols, fire protection and other services for all areas.

Looking to Washington for support

The current plan would demolish about 10,000 houses and empty buildings in three years and pump new investment into stronger neighborhoods. In the neighborhoods that would be cleared, the city would offer to relocate residents or buy them out. The city could use tax foreclosure to claim abandoned property and invoke eminent domain for those who refuse to leave, much as cities now do for freeway projects.

The mayor has begun lobbying Washington for support, and last month Detroit was awarded $40.8 million for renewal work. The federally funded Detroit Housing Commission supports Bing's plan.

"It takes a true partnership, because we don't want to invest in a neighborhood that the city is not going to invest in," said Eugene E. Jones, executive director of the commission.

Recipe for disaster?

It is not known who might get the cleared land, but with prospects for recruiting industry slim, planners are considering agricultural uses. The city might offer larger tracts for sale or lease, or turn over smaller pieces to community organizations to use.

Maggie DeSantis, a board member of Community Development Advocates of Detroit, said she worries that shutting down neighborhoods without having new uses ready is a "recipe for disaster" that will invite crime and illegal dumping. The group recently proposed such things as the creation of suburban-style neighborhoods and nature parks.

Residents like Hardin want to keep their neighborhoods and eliminate the blight.

"We just try to keep it up," he said. "I've been doing it since I got it, so I don't look at nobody trying to help me do anything."

For others, Bing's plans could represent a way out.

Willie Mae Pickens has lived in her near east-side home since the 1960s and has watched as friends and neighbors left. Her house is the only one standing on her side of the street.

"They can buy it today. Any day," said Pickens, 87, referring to city officials. "I'll get whatever they'll give me for it, because I want to leave."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35767727/ns/us_news-life/

[scandal 951]

Best wishes to them.

It's easy for those of us who don't live in Detroit (or similar cities - think of Cleveland or Newark for example) to joke about it.

But it really is no joke for those to whom these cities are home.

Just as growth and vitality are a virtuous circle - attracting more capital and jobs, higher tax revenues for more public services, and hence more capital and jobs... a declining city like Detroit is a vicious circle going the other way.

Godspeed to Detroit and its citizens.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Down sizing may not be a bad idea, just like GM. Trim off the waste and concentrate on the good.

[scandal 951]

Down sizing may not be a bad idea, just like GM. Trim off the waste and concentrate on the good.

I think the appropriate analogy here is triage and amputations . This is not a pretty sight.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I think the appropriate analogy here is triage and amputations . This is not a pretty sight.

No, it's not. But what better, realistic choices are there? And all of this because people support Toyota and the Japanese companies. Shame on them.

Edited March 9, 2010 by spookyturtle

[scandal 951]

No, it's not. But what better, realistic choices are there?

Maybe we can import a bunch of Australians to live there?

No.. come to think of it .. that won't work, will it?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

So sad to the see the automotive capital of the world turn into a sewer.

[alienlovechild 75]

"Things that were unthinkable are now becoming thinkable," said James W. Hughes, dean of the School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, who is among the urban experts watching the experiment with interest. "There is now a realization that past glories are never going to be recaptured. Some people probably don't accept that, but that is the reality."

Thousands of empty houses

Now, a city of nearly 2 million in the 1950s has declined to less than half that number. On some blocks, only one or two occupied houses remain, surrounded by trash-strewn lots and vacant, burned-out homes. Scavengers have stripped anything of value from empty buildings. According to one recent estimate, Detroit has 33,500 empty houses and 91,000 vacant residential lots.

Faced with a $300 million budget deficit and a dwindling tax base, Bing argues that the city can't continue to pay for police patrols, fire protection and other services for all areas.

Recipe for disaster?

It is not known who might get the cleared land, but with prospects for recruiting industry slim, planners are considering agricultural uses. The city might offer larger tracts for sale or lease, or turn over smaller pieces to community organizations to use.

Maggie DeSantis, a board member of Community Development Advocates of Detroit, said she worries that shutting down neighborhoods without having new uses ready is a "recipe for disaster" that will invite crime and illegal dumping. The group recently proposed such things as the creation of suburban-style neighborhoods and nature parks.

/quote]

This has happened before but not in this country on such a scale. Rome was largely depopulated for centuries for example.

The urban renewal movement got a bad reputation when they destroyed run down neighborhoods and had nothing to replace the area but with largely empty blocks.

Sad to watch Detroit and the auto industry go down so hard but if you weren't from the that part of the Midwest, you probably could less as you drive off in your rice burner.

[luckytxn 2,264]

No, it's not. But what better, realistic choices are there? And all of this because people support Toyota and the Japanese companies. Shame on them.

Most cars from Japanese companies are made here in the states and provide a lot of jobs. They just didn't build them in Detroit. They found other areas that wanted them and the jobs. These areas worked with them and offered tax incentives and cheaper services to locate their plants and they accepted the best offers. Today I just drove by a huge Mercedes plant in Alabama. It is huge and offers a huge amount of jobs and tax revenue. It also brings other jobs to the area to service the plant and then even more later. The southern states and cities have agencies supported by us taxpayers to entice companies to relocate to our areas. It is a win win for us but bad for the rust belt.

[scandal 951]

Most cars from Japanese companies are made here in the states and provide a lot of jobs. They just didn't build them in Detroit. They found other areas that wanted them and the jobs. These areas worked with them and offered tax incentives and cheaper services to locate their plants and they accepted the best offers. Today I just drove by a huge Mercedes plant in Alabama. It is huge and offers a huge amount of jobs and tax revenue. It also brings other jobs to the area to service the plant and then even more later. The southern states and cities have agencies supported by us taxpayers to entice companies to relocate to our areas. It is a win win for us but bad for the rust belt.

This is largely true. Most of those Southern auto plants however tend to be non-unionized and as a result pay lower wages with less benefits than traditional UAW Detroit jobs. Granted - a steady job at lower pay with benefits, but not excessive ones, is far far better than the wholesale job destruction in MI, OH, IN. It's taken the UAW way to long too long to realize that all the benefits they fought for in the 50s,60s,70s are now all gone forever. Any hope of having future auto jobs in Detroit has to be based on a model like the one you describe in states like TN and AL.

[luckytxn 2,264]

This is largely true. Most of those Southern auto plants however tend to be non-unionized and as a result pay lower wages with less benefits than traditional UAW Detroit jobs. Granted - a steady job at lower pay with benefits, but not excessive ones, is far far better than the wholesale job destruction in MI, OH, IN. It's taken the UAW way to long too long to realize that all the benefits they fought for in the 50s,60s,70s are now all gone forever. Any hope of having future auto jobs in Detroit has to be based on a model like the one you describe in states like TN and AL.

And Texas. They actually build vehicles there now. Been very impressed on how many corporations have been enticed on moving facilities here. Actually also they are still union at these places too. (I deliver things to them) From what I see the union wages are cheaper than up north though so not sure why but I am sure that when practically given land cheap and forgiven any taxes for 10-15 years and generous land use restrictions. Lowered services. And not to mention that the cost of living is cheaper. And of course many other reasons it probably saves them a lot of money to open an/or relocate to the more sunny southern states.

I have always wondered why these older rust belt cities don't get on the ball and try to put packages together to entice newer industries in. Detroit does have a lot they can offer if they made a effort.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Most cars from Japanese companies are made here in the states and provide a lot of jobs. They just didn't build them in Detroit. They found other areas that wanted them and the jobs. These areas worked with them and offered tax incentives and cheaper services to locate their plants and they accepted the best offers. Today I just drove by a huge Mercedes plant in Alabama. It is huge and offers a huge amount of jobs and tax revenue. It also brings other jobs to the area to service the plant and then even more later. The southern states and cities have agencies supported by us taxpayers to entice companies to relocate to our areas. It is a win win for us but bad for the rust belt.

And the profits go home to Japan.

[Danno 1,228]

I seeing a perfect place for a new "Home Steading act"?

[scandal 951]

And the profits go home to Japan.

What are you, a Communist? Of course the profits go home. That's what globalization means. You know - you're allowed to buy Toyota shares. That way you can have some of those profits sent right back into your Schwab account.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

What are you, a Communist? Of course the profits go home. That's what globalization means. You know - you're allowed to buy Toyota shares. That way you can have some of those profits sent right back into your Schwab account.

The American consumer did it's share to pushing Detroit along it's road to ruin. Shame on us for allowing it to happen. We were the auto industry. It's been a long, hard fall. Ouch. I for one shed at tear for this.