Which Rust Belt city will make a big comeback first?

[peaceloveunderstanding]

Out of these I would say Pittsburgh, but it any case it wont be soon. All of the cities above are still obsessed with their decline and it's nearly impossible to right oneself when you don't start planning now and keep looking at the past.

Arenas, Casinos, Convention Centers != good planning. Cutting taxes, improving education, building modern infrastructure, and encouraging growth does.

[suburban george3]

I think Pittsburgh will make the big comeback first, but like it has been said earlier these towns need to quit crying and try to correct their problems.

No offense to anyone from the Buffalo area, but there must be a big billboard up there that says "Will the last one to leave, please turn out the lights?" I know several people from Buffalo and they paint a very bleak picture for the area. I think most of the ex-Buffaloans are now living in the metros of Atlanta, Charlotte or Raleigh.

[TheGerbil]

Out of these I would say Pittsburgh, but it any case it wont be soon. All of the cities above are still obsessed with their decline and it's nearly impossible to right oneself when you don't start planning now and keep looking at the past.

Arenas, Casinos, Convention Centers != good planning. Cutting taxes, improving education, building modern infrastructure, and encouraging growth does.

True, but there is more happening in Pittsburgh than just the new convention center etc. I think the city is doing the best it can to cut taxes and encourage growth, but the state government is holding it back. The tax system in PA is pretty stupid, and every urban center in the state is having problems. We're hoping that in November we can replace a lot of the do-nothings in our state government and maybe get things moving for real tax reform etc.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has a planned subway expansion, a new school superintendant who is very dedicated to making things better, and is trying in a lot of different ways to grow and attract businesses. Oh and we'll soon have free Wi-fi Downtown and it won't be long before that is all over the city.

[Flinttown]

Grand Rapids I've never really put in the same category as the others. They diversified a long time ago and haven't had anywhere near the problems of the other cities. I look at Lansing the same way, though I think Lansing is more like Flint/Sag/Detroit than GR, though it is a heavy manufacturing town, they have the capital and MSU so I don't think they would ever fall as bad as a true rust belt city can/has.

Yeah yeah I know Flint and Sag-nasty are diff metros, but I figured more people have heard of Flint, plus they're pretty close together and I think Sag has much more in common w/Flint than w/Midland and Bay City, and for the sake of less choices

I did consider adding Kalamazoo/Battle Creek also...

You are right in saying that Saginaw has much more in common with Flint than with the other "tri-cities." Saginaw, in a lot of ways, is Flint set to a smaller scale. They have a lack of infrastructure, failings schools, high crime and poverty. Both these city are industrial shells that, in a lot of ways, seem to be beyond help. I hope that isn't true, but being from Flint I can tell you that things are only getting worse.

Oh, my vote is for Pittsburgh, by the way. I know they have invested a lot of capital in the city to make it look a little less rust belt-like.

[tsuga]

My 1st natural homer choice would be Detroit. Reasons; SO SO SO MUCH potential...rich history, architecture, culture, etc. Lots and lots of money AROUND the city, in the burbs. GREAT sports teams, Super Bowl, etc. Going to be forced to diversify their economy, also just what they plan to do w/Tiger Stadium alone I think will be a huge boon to the area! Proximity to that other Michigan school in Ann Arbor. Negatives; the politicians who have largely been responsible for keeping the city down for so many decades, the indifference and apathy from the burbs, the us vs. them mentality, and the general declining state of the rest of MI.

I couldnt have stated it better

Detroit!

even with all the decay...its got such a great foundation...

[michaelskis]

I voted for Pittsburg. I also think that Grand Rapids is in the process and it