Population Matters- Detroit Relief is Needed
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For some cities, it's a race to a million residents, for others it's a slow decline. Crain's Detroit Business is reporting that San Jose, California- Yes, you read correctly- has just surpassed Detroit in population. From the article:
"An analysis of the latest 2004 census figures finds that Detroit has slipped out of the top-10 largest cities in the nation.
Detroit, with a population estimate of 900,198 in July 2004, was supplanted by San Jose, Calif., with 904,522..."
DetroitBazaar and it's owners are fairly young, but even we can remember when it was still the 6th largest city. The cities we were "worried" about were places like Dallas, Phoenix, and San Diego. Well, that's ancient history with cities like San Jose passing us up now. Trivia: San Antonio- you know, the city whose basketball team played the Pistons- is a larger city now as well*
There has indeed been an economic and societal Tsunami that has swept through this city since the 1950's. At one time the city was two million residents meaning more than half of the population has left, leaving it to basically rot. DetroitBazaar feels it is important to relay this information and offer this bit of hope- while it is true the Tidal Wave of destruction has torn our infrastructure up and demolished once great neighborhoods and job opportunities, there is now vacant land available to those who want to reinvigorate areas. With pressure on the city to sell vacant land for reasonable prices, more folks like you and me will be willing to rebuild. It will take time and we may never get back to even a million and a half residents but we can research what it will take to start action now. Lofts are great, but businesses and community is most important. We can build again. Remember, a 50 year landslide doesn't stop suddenly until it reaches the bottom of the valley. We're about there now. Today is a day to invest and pressure the city to clean, purchase, and build. As the city reverses itself, the insanely large tax burdens can come down, the momentum can be reversed, and every resident whether in a loft or a modest home in Southwest Detroit will be better off when they have the ability to purchase back city-owned property that rots, pressure slumlords to get out, and clean the alleys, streets, and parks. Simple things can go a long way. Join DetroitBazaar, by emailing or posting comments. We would love to gather a peaceful army to sweep through Detroit with brooms, lawn mowers, and most importantly, voices. No individual in our city and region is voiceless, remember that! We pull the strings, not corrupt "officials"! We as individuals can team together.
*Population is based on the city itself, not the surrounding metro area or area of dominant influence. Detroit Metro, when including Ann Arbor and Windsor has over 6 million. Over 5 million if Windsor is left out- still well into the top 10. What is a metro region when city it identifies with has been hit by a slow tsunami or earthquake. Thing is, we haven't heard of any mass effort from the Mayor, major businesses, or even organizations to set up a Detroit Relief Fund. DetroitBazaar is working on one, we'll see how far it goes.
Peace to Detroit, Metro Detroit, Michigan, and The Nation from Will and Shawn,
DetroitBazaar, LLC
For some cities, it's a race to a million residents, for others it's a slow decline. Crain's Detroit Business is reporting that San Jose, California- Yes, you read correctly- has just surpassed Detroit in population. From the article:
"An analysis of the latest 2004 census figures finds that Detroit has slipped out of the top-10 largest cities in the nation.
Detroit, with a population estimate of 900,198 in July 2004, was supplanted by San Jose, Calif., with 904,522..."
DetroitBazaar and it's owners are fairly young, but even we can remember when it was still the 6th largest city. The cities we were "worried" about were places like Dallas, Phoenix, and San Diego. Well, that's ancient history with cities like San Jose passing us up now. Trivia: San Antonio- you know, the city whose basketball team played the Pistons- is a larger city now as well*
There has indeed been an economic and societal Tsunami that has swept through this city since the 1950's. At one time the city was two million residents meaning more than half of the population has left, leaving it to basically rot. DetroitBazaar feels it is important to relay this information and offer this bit of hope- while it is true the Tidal Wave of destruction has torn our infrastructure up and demolished once great neighborhoods and job opportunities, there is now vacant land available to those who want to reinvigorate areas. With pressure on the city to sell vacant land for reasonable prices, more folks like you and me will be willing to rebuild. It will take time and we may never get back to even a million and a half residents but we can research what it will take to start action now. Lofts are great, but businesses and community is most important. We can build again. Remember, a 50 year landslide doesn't stop suddenly until it reaches the bottom of the valley. We're about there now. Today is a day to invest and pressure the city to clean, purchase, and build. As the city reverses itself, the insanely large tax burdens can come down, the momentum can be reversed, and every resident whether in a loft or a modest home in Southwest Detroit will be better off when they have the ability to purchase back city-owned property that rots, pressure slumlords to get out, and clean the alleys, streets, and parks. Simple things can go a long way. Join DetroitBazaar, by emailing or posting comments. We would love to gather a peaceful army to sweep through Detroit with brooms, lawn mowers, and most importantly, voices. No individual in our city and region is voiceless, remember that! We pull the strings, not corrupt "officials"! We as individuals can team together.
*Population is based on the city itself, not the surrounding metro area or area of dominant influence. Detroit Metro, when including Ann Arbor and Windsor has over 6 million. Over 5 million if Windsor is left out- still well into the top 10. What is a metro region when city it identifies with has been hit by a slow tsunami or earthquake. Thing is, we haven't heard of any mass effort from the Mayor, major businesses, or even organizations to set up a Detroit Relief Fund. DetroitBazaar is working on one, we'll see how far it goes.
Peace to Detroit, Metro Detroit, Michigan, and The Nation from Will and Shawn,
DetroitBazaar, LLC
posted by DetroitBazaar at 12:56 PM
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