waynestatekid

As a Detroiter there are alot of things in that article that I can relate to. Their are some distircts in Downtown Detroit that make me feel sometimes like I am in a "big city" and not in Detroit. For example the financial district down Griswold Street reminds of walking in a city like chicago. Or when im walking through Harmonie Park ( which is my favorite Detroit neighborhood) I feel like im not in Detroit and in a unique "big city" neighborhood. Now that is not to say I dont know that Detroit is a large city but I look at it in terms of a NYC or Chicago feeling. Maybe it is because I am so used to Detroit and what it feels like. Now that is not to say I dont embrace my Detroit side. I LOVE the hardcore urban grit that Detroit is. That hardcore kick ass attitude that can not be duplicated. Midtown, Corktown, and Mexicantown are those style neighborhoods that resemble that Detroit attitude. And I also feel that we are branding that Detroit attitude in our developments. I mean where else can you have a shirt that is popular and it say "Detroit Soul" and "Detroit Rock City" Maybe that is where our two cities differ I think we have found a way to brand a part of Detroit and use it. Though we are behind in terms of development.

Again when you cut through the city/suburb BS like I have you would know that this zoo is not going to close. If anything it brought people out that would have never came out and said they will support the zoo even more. I actually kind of like this I think if we bring out a cultural arts tax again we might be able to get it passed. Its kind of sad/funny how much has to happen for regional support to occur. But thats just my opnion sometimes I have to question my love for Detroit.

Calm down I can assure you even though I am pissed about the way it is going down. I honestly dont believe that the zoo is closing and it will take 2 weeks for the layoff notices to go out. The city council president Kenneth Conkrel said earlier on the radio that there is still time and city council is going to look at other options. And even the governor the lovely Jennifer Granhlom (so much better than bob taft) said that there are still options left so im really not that worried about the situation. Oh and by the way the DIA some years ago went through this transition and they are now privately funded while the city still owns it. And they are doing very well even going through a massive expansion which should be done this summer.

I do not believe that the zoo will close. I am angry that city council voted the way they did. But I am sure a deal should come about in a day or two. What angers me the most is that a couple years ago there was a ballot proposal in SE michigan that would have created a regional arts tax to help pay for the zoo, the DSO, the DIA, Cranbrook, and other cultural institutions and voters shot it down. Now everyone (suburbanites) want to complain that the city is to blame for cultural icons closing. Well this is what happens when your city is broke. But again my gut feeling is that zoo will not close and council needs to this deal done.