pendennis

By most politicos, news folks, etc., Detroit is now undergoing a true Renaissance. Literally hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent in selected areas for sports arenas, stadia, restaurants, shopping, and revitalized housing. All well and good.

However, not more than two miles away from all the spending, are neighborhoods which still look like the proverbial war zones. Literally blocks of abandoned, falling down houses, overgrown lots, streets with bad pavement. On one lot is a long-dead tree, which still stands, despite decay and termite ravaging. It has some unique bark still remaining. Here are photos of the tree, and a close up of some of the bark. Original colors are so dreary, the images are better served in black and white (converted in Photoshop)

http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu331/pendennis1947/Dead%20Tree%20Scotten%20Street%20Detroit_zpsvxo2ddb1.jpg

http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu331/pendennis1947/Tree%20Bark%20Dead%20Tree%20Scotten%20Street%20Detroit%20-%20BW_zpst7lftaxm.jpg

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

Very nice documentary shots. Detroit is indeed in transformation.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Great details. I live near big D, and I certainly hear about what you are saying. There is a white collar renaissance going on, and the farmers' market scene is not to be missed. It is amazing. But so far most of the job growth is not transferring to a lot of employment opportunities that the in-town locals need.

grillmaster5062

Some of the problems in Detroit are self made. For example, the Heidelberg Project. What some people consider an art installation is nothing but an eyesore and junk pile in the middle of a neighborhood. I live only 2 miles north of Detroit and I've been doing things in the city for over 30 years, but there are some areas you just don't go to. I have never had a problem in the downtown area, but other areas are not so welcoming.

pendennis

Amen! I moved to the area more than 30 years ago, and in that time, I've seen nothing but decay, especially outside the downtown and New Center areas. Although the urban decay predates Coleman Young, his attitude about the 'burbs hit home with a lot of suburbanites. The politicos looted the city coffers with bad investments, outright theft, and pure incompetence; and a lot of that still exists. I avoid the east side like the plague, and I've never entered the city unarmed. Kwame Kilpatrick was just the latest in a string of con men.

The Heidelberg Project should have been torn down the first time an old refrigerator was left there and called "art". Maybe it's been burned out for good.

The renewed areas are still virtual enclaves, required by a still high crime rate.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Be wary....In the UK 're-development' generally means pulling down lots of perfectly good cheap old housing and replacing them with very much less modern 'starter' homes that youngsters cannot afford to buy. Net result 'a Housing shortage'...WOW who'd have thought! And an ever upward Housing Market Price. Having lost the housing you lose the people so employment becomes problem. (Make believe jobs for very few hours and zero contract terms). Results are that more and more 'working people' need benefits to live and the Government is trying to cut the cost of benefits.
Art installations and plazas are great - but only after homes and work

grillmaster5062

Believe me when I say that the houses we are speaking of are in no way habitable. There are areas that are using goats to control the weeds and growth. The city just can't provide all of the services needed.

Trixsy Pixsy Loc: WELLS SOMERSET UK

People have different priorities Usually siding with the prestigious rather than practical necessity.
I love treetrunks and bark!