I have mentioned before that I have come to love the city of Detroit. In spite of the problems, there is a feeling and spirit to the city that gets in your blood, if you give it a chance. Its current state hurts my heart because of the unrealized potential, both in people and in buildings. There are a lot of people and organizations working very hard to bring about a Detroit Renaissance, but it’s definitely a work in progress and will take time and a lot of effort to accomplish.
Today I spent several hours downtown with my new friend Maggy who lives in Mid-town. She clued me in on a tour of the historic Palmer Park area that was happening today. We met at the Avalon Bakery (great local place, close to Wayne State) for coffee and then we went on the tour. If you’re not familiar with it, Palmer Park is one of the historic Detroit areas built by big money names familiar because of all the streets, buildings and everything else named for them throughout southeastern Michigan. The time span of building goes from about 1850 to 1950 with the heyday happening during the 1920’s.
The lighthouse in Francis Lake, Palmer Park, Detroit This is a fabulous little gem of a park surrounded by amazing architecture. This afternoon seriously left me wanting to move downtown! The people are friendly and genuine; we got into conversations with several residents who were more than happy to spend some time chatting with us as well as getting acquainted with other members of the tour. The tours were organized by a new non-profit group, People for Palmer Park, check it out! http://www.peopleforpalmerpark.org/
The Castle at Palmer Park, no on seems to really know why it's there or who built it, it's about 4' x 5' and it's really cool!
Merrill Fountain in Palmer Park. It was originally in front of the Detroit Opera House and was moved to the park in 1923. Just look at these gorgeous buildings – everything from Art Deco to Art Moderne with touches of Georgian, Tudor, Moorish influences and many others, designed by innovative architects important to Detroit who also influenced world architecture then and now.
Alwyn Lane Apartments, by Robert West, 1926
Palmer Park Apartments, Albert Kahn, 1926
The Luxor Apartments, Weidimaier & Gay, 1928
I don’t know Detroit as well as I’d like to, but the time I have spent in the city always leaves me with a mixture of sadness and excitement; it is such a fabulous city, with amazing “bones,” that has been neglected and abandoned to decay. The “white flight” triggered by the race riots in 1967 as well as the continuing exodus of everyone else who could afford to leave since then, plus over 25 years of corrupt government have really taken their toll. The current administration is making some progress in reversing that and personally I believe Dave Bing deserves a lot of credit, but again, they face an uphill battle on a really, really big mountain.
I don’t know Detroit as well as I’d like to, but the time I have spent in the city always leaves me with a mixture of sadness and excitement; it is such a fabulous city, with amazing “bones,” that has been neglected and abandoned to decay. The “white flight” triggered by the race riots in 1967 as well as the continuing exodus of everyone else who could afford to leave since then, plus over 25 years of corrupt government have really taken their toll. The current administration is making some progress in reversing that and personally I believe Dave Bing deserves a lot of credit, but again, they face an uphill battle on a really, really big mountain.
Merton Manor, by Jacob Weinberg, 1928
Temple Israel, by William Kapp, 1950
I’ve followed the efforts of various individuals and organizations who are working hard to bring Detroit back to what it used to be, could and should be over the past several years and find them inspiring. There is so much incredible architecture, land that could and should be utilized and an abundance of local talent not being fed or appreciated. The revival of the city and the people in it has become one of my passions. I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve lived here for 22 years and just in the past three or four have started getting to know Detroit.
This interest really started with one of the most horrible jobs I’ve ever had, which I won’t get into. However, as in all else, good can come from bad and that job nevertheless led to making a couple of really good friends and an awareness of the beauty of the city as well as the horrors. (High school “graduates” who can’t read or do basic math being high on the list of horrors and why I volunteer as a tutor. Parents who can’t read can’t help their children learn how to read and it all contributes to a vicious cycle of hopelessness and violence. It has to change and I realized that just bemoaning the situation wasn’t effective, so I’m trying to be part of the solution.)
To be perfectly honest, I used to be afraid of Detroit. Who hasn’t heard horror stories about one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S.? This is one of the reasons why, other than one of the theaters or the DIA, I rarely ventured downtown for the first fifteen years or so we lived here. No, I don’t go wandering around at night, but there aren’t many places I won’t go during the day - although I do exercise common sense.
Why should I care about what happens to Detroit, you might ask? Well, I happen to believe that a vibrant Detroit is essential for the whole of Michigan, especially Southeast Michigan. Think of cities like Chicago, New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco, just to name a few. The surrounding areas thrive, in large part because of the amenities available in the city itself. I love all of those cities and I believe Detroit can be great again too. Michigan is hurting and restoring Detroit will help with the resurgence of Michigan in general.
After I dropped Maggy off at her apartment this afternoon, on my way home I made a quick stop at the Architectural Salvage Warehouse, at 15th & Grand River. I rarely have something specific in mind, I am just looking for whatever interesting (and cheap) thing I can incorporate into a project. Didn’t find anything there today, but my friend Oscar Cotton, who owns City Suburb Restorations has his shop around the corner and he had an awesome little leaded window for me! I’ve been looking for one I could afford – when you find them in antique shops they cost a fortune - for a while and he knew that. Once I clean it up, it is going to go into a yet to be decided frame and then hang on my bathroom wall, part of my ongoing (and incredibly slow) home renovation.
Oscar does amazing things with old wood and furniture of every kind; he’s an artist with wood, a true artisan. I met him sometime last year when I was at the salvage warehouse. He was there too and we started chatting. We ran into each other a few more times in succeeding months and struck up a friendship based on a common interest, even passion for turning junk into art and furniture and similar views about the state of the city. Oscar is responsible for quite a few of the inside restoration jobs at refurbished historic churches and other buildings in the city. He also takes old “junk” pieces and turns them into gorgeous, one of a kind works of art. He and a couple of his buddies are in the process of opening a store for his work. Once he gets it going I’ll post the link here, on my vintage store website (which should be ready to go within a couple of weeks) and on my Facebook page and encourage everyone to check it out!
The people, the places and the potential. In spite of the blight, the violence and the problems with transportation and everything else, Detroit is a city with grit and beauty that somehow, once you spend a little time with her, worms her way into your heart and under your skin. I hope that I’ve been able to explain why I am so enthusiastic about Detroit, maybe made someone curious about checking it out for themselves?! If anyone wants to go spend a day hanging out in the city, let me know! There is so much more I want to explore and learn about the city and company is always welcome!
