Ask me about Detroit

[LuckyTheDog]

Anything you want to know... just ask.

[SmileyBoy]

1. Why is that place a festering cesspool of despair??

Inquiring minds want to know.

[LuckyTheDog]

2. Well, it really isn't

There's a lot of new construction going on and lots of signs of life. Downtown is better than it has been for decades. And there are some really strong neighborhoods.

But the progress has been uneven. Some "festering cesspools" exist. Abandonment is the main reason. People think Detroit was abandoned because of crime. Not true. Most of the population loss happened when Detroit was still the nation's safest big city. Most of the problems have been caused by abandonment (much of it racially motivated), not vice versa.

[SmileyBoy]

3. No offense, but I was actually "afraid" of a city when I went into Detroit

I went there back in 1999. I was afraid to get out of the car driving down Grand River Avenue towards downtown.

I'm sure it's gotten better since then.

[LuckyTheDog]

5. Crime peaked in the early 80s

Crime peaked in the early 80s, largely because of the introduction of crack. Crime declined in Detroit (as it did everywhere) in the 90s. Some parts of the city are pretty scary even now. But I could show you places that are great. And the cultural institutions are really much better than most people realize. The Detroit Institute of Arts, for example, has a really good collection.

[tinfoil tiaras]

4. Which is better? Detroit or Mississippi?

[LuckyTheDog]

7. Parts of Mississippi are probably nice

Comparing a city to a state is tough. But, I'll tell you this: The Sons of Confederate Veterans aren't very prominent in Detroit. And Detroit has Baker's Keyboard Lounge.

[tinfoil tiaras]

8. Oh yeah, I should have said Jackson

aka the shithole of all shitholes with quite possibly the most insane mayor in the history of the United States.

It's as hot as hell in Mississppi. And absolutely stuffed to the brim with FReepers...

But, yeah, some parts are nice. Like the mall thats being built across the street from my school...:P
It's gonna have nice stores that are nowhere else in Mississippi, like Parisans and Urban Outfitters. I wish they'd get a sephora, but I know they're not. Guess I gotta go to Hotlanta for that....or the internetss

[pitohui]

18. go to vegas

there's a great sephora there!

[pitohui]

13. mississippi is better and i'll tell you why, which reminds me of another ?

no gambler in a casino in mississippi pays for her own booze, come on

please tell me that detroit no longer has that stupid rule of trying to charge people for their booze, can't remember if they did it at the tables, but i definitely remember they wouldn't write comps for booze for the bars and restaurants

try that in mississippi and see how far you get!

i hope i am dating myself and this has been changed since i'm planning another trip

[LuckyTheDog]

15. I really don't know the answer

I don't frequent the casinos.

[NNadir]

6. I have heard that parts of the city have reverted to open fields. True?

[LuckyTheDog]

9. Pretty much true

The city has historically had an unusual number of single-family homes and low population density in many places. That meant that the population decline that started in the 50s virtually cleared out whole neighborhoods.

In some parts of the city that had a lot of abandoned houses, the city has done massive demolition. The goal, of course, is to redevelop. But, in some places, wild pheasants roam free.

[NNadir]

10. Is there mass transit in the city of automobiles?

[LuckyTheDog]

11. Mass transit stinks

There is a roughly 2-mile-long "people mover" downtown and a woefully inadequate bus system elsewhere. Most of the busses are made by General Motors. Coincidence? I think not.

[pitohui]

12. best casino and poker room?

years ago i played at that one in the bread factory and won a TON, i'm embarrassed to say how much, it was a TON, trust me, crap, that was a great day

what was it called? it's on the tip of my tongue

also is there any good nightspot where you can get a fancy-ass martini and look at some views? like in a skyscraper or something?

[LuckyTheDog]

14. You were at Motor City Casino

The River Cafe at the Detroit Marriott/Renaissance Center has a restaurant fills that bill, as does The Renaissance Club (but I think you have to be a member of the club or an affiliated club in order to get in). I also recommend the Rattlesnake Club, which is on the east riverfront (great steaks).

[pitohui]

16. thanks!

i am supposed to start my trip planning soon and i'll make a note of these

motor city casino, that's it, what a day that was

[Quantess]

17. 1. How do French people pronounce it?

2. Is Detroit of French origin? Or is it Native American?

3. How hot is it there right now?

[Theres-a]

19. How's everything in Greektown?

I haven't been in 7 years(precasino era)and wonder how it's doing.Is Stella still around?

[TheMightyFavog]

20. How are the Wings fans holding up?

First Yzerman retires, then Legace gets the boot, then Shanahan goes to the fscking Rangers.

Next Season will be an interesting one indeed.

[Burma Jones]

21. Are the Tigers going to win the Series?

I'm starting to think so