Detroit Off Topic

[VeeFan]

Is anyone familiar with the E. Congress St. part of Detroit? I'm looking at going to a concert over there (St. Andrews), but my mom is convinced that it's not a safe area (I think working on the north end of Flint has made her pessimistic about inner cities). Is it really that unsafe, or is she overreacting?

[Michi]

No it's not unsafe. That's one of the most popular venues downtown and attracts concert goers from around the country. It depends on what type of show you are going there to see. If it's going to bring out the thugs and wanna-be gangsters, I'd avoid it. Otherwise, you can't get a better, more real place for entertainment.

[hudkina]

Any place where people interact can be dangerous, and while Downtown Detroit is one of the safest neighborhoods in the city, there is no guarantee that you'll be safe. Granted, you probably have a better chance of choking on your mother's home-cooked meal than being a victim of violent crime by attending that concert.

[VeeFan]

I don't think Regina Spektor is going to be bringing out the thugs.

Is it hard to get around Detroit on Friday evenings? That's another thing she's concerned about, that with the traffic my friend and I would get lost since we're not familiar with downtown Detroit.

Thanks.

[Jasoncw]

If you study a map before you leave, and take it with you, you should be fine. For saftey, use common sense and politeness. I think a lot of concert related violence is caused by drunk people being rude to each other.

Why are you typing in blue?

[VeeFan]

I've always typed in blue, and not just on here.

I mapquested it, we'd have to be idiots to get lost.

[dtown]

have fun.

[hudkina]

If you are 21 you can park in the Greektown garage for free and have your ticket validated in the casino. (Though to be nice you can slip a $5 bill into a slot machine.) The garage is only two blocks from St. Andrews Hall. Granted if you were 21, I don't think you'd be needing your mother's blessing to see a concert...

Edited September 22, 2006 by hudkina

[VeeFan]

Not 21 yet, not for another 5 months.

I could still go without having her approval, but I'd prefer not to have to take out thousands of dollars in student loans to finish up college.

[wolverine]

It's 2:30 a.m and I have class at 8:30 a.m. So what am I doing? Surfing around on facebook when I came across a couple anti-kwame groups filled with upset Detroiters. I loved this post by one U of M student so much I felt like reposting it here:

"Seriously. I'm sick of this mayor doing s**t for my hometown. I'm sure most of the students along with the professors are smarter and have brighter ideas for the city of Detroit than Kwame. Is there any way we can get, like, the Political Science department and the Urban Planning school to overthrow the mayor? That would be cool."

Oh, and don't forget us architects. I'll promise you no cheesegraters and doorstops.

[ZachariahDaMan]

I plan on going back to Detroit shortly, I was wondering if you guys could tell me about any of it's old neighborhoods. I'd appreciate it if you could tell me the neighborhood name and location. I've already been to Indian Village.

[resourcefulidiot]

Palmer woods and Boston-Edison/Arden Park hoods are must sees...take woodward north. You'll hit Boston-Edison first right before Highland Park. Take Chicago west (left) just past Voigt Park and Holbrook st. This will bring you to Boston-Edison lots of rich doctors/jewish people lived here because its proximity to the medical centers.

The most affluent and intact sub is Palmer Woods (or indian village but uve seen that)

To get there take Woodward even farther north and it is between 7 and 8 before the fair grounds and the across from new walkable mall thing being built there

http://www.palmerwoods.org/

heres a map:

http://www.palmerwoods.org/pwMap.html

[Allan]

Boston-Edison, Corktown, Sherwood Forest, University District, West Village, Woodbridge, Arden Park, & Palmer Woods are my recommendations. I'd be happy to show you around. Otherwise just use the convenient Cityscape Detroit map for finding their locations....

http://cityscapedetroit.org/Detroit_neighborhoods.html

[tonydetroit]

Two other quick add ins would be Rosedale Park/Grandmont area and East English Village on the far east side.

[statedude3]

I just noticed for the first time today, the for sale sign on the lot at the corner of Gratiot and St. Antoine. Does anyone know who owns it, and what could possibly go on said location?

Final question today:

What is the new building rising at Gratiot and Mt. Elliott? It appears to be retail, but also looks to be 3 floors. Any residential units there would be a boost to a neighborhood that could use a little attention.

[statedude3]

I just got home from NYC on a work related trip. Of course I made sure I was in attendance at the Tigers vs. Yankees game this afternoon. I've got to say that playoff baseball is even 10 times more thrilling than the pennant race of the past 2 months.

I dont think us younger folks realize how alive Detroit is going to be this weekend. Between all the sports in the metro area this weekend, it's going to be a very exciting weekend around town.

[Zissou]

Your a lucky man. Our boys played great today. It reminded me how they were playing the beginning of the year. I wish I could go to a game this weekend but Ill have to settle for UM MSU football.

[statedude3]

Your a lucky man. Our boys played great today. It reminded me how they were playing the beginning of the year. I wish I could go to a game this weekend but Ill have to settle for UM MSU football.

Zissou, nothing is tearing me more than both games being at the same time on Saturday. I'm seriously considering not going to either one because I dont want the action going on at the other venue.

It's kind of funny of you think about it...half the state will be divided on one channel, and then cheering together on the other channel.

[Zissou]

Im hoping they do score updates at the Big House. I just might bring a walkman or something to check in.

[tapezord]

don't bother watching the msu-um game... those happen every year. Its been 19 freakin years since we've had a playoff game in detroit.

plus, i've divested myself in msu for this game... fool me once, shame on you, fool me for 23 straight years... shame on me.

[Zissou]

If my options are being in person for the MSU UM game or watching Tigers on TV im gonna choose going to the game every time. Maybe thats just me but Ill take live football over baseball on TV.

[illmatic774]

Michigan is gonna manhandle MSU. And I'm speaking from a neutral standpoint as an OSU fan.

Support the Tigers.

[Ka3kab]

Oh how I hate Ohio State. Just playin', not that I actually like OSU. To each his own though.

BTW: Long shot, and I'm not watching right now so I'll make a prediction MSU 28 - UM 17

[RustTown]

Yeah, and OSU fan from Metro Detroit. lol When did you become an OSU fan, Ill? I agree, though. MSU football just isn't all that great, and UofM basketball has been in a similar situation, if even improving.

[JeffM]

wooo weeee! Downtown and CoPa were electric tonight. Kenny Rogers was masterful. My voice hurts now...Traffic was a pain...for some reason, they didn't have cops at the intersections they normally do. Grand River and the Fisher was a mess...it took 30 minutes to go like 1/2 a mile. It was a joke. Once we got out of that though, it was smooth sailing.

GO TIGERS!

It looked as though brighter additional lighitng was added to the Penobscot, and that a concious effort was made to leave lights on in the Comerica Tower. The Ren Cen needs more lighting at night...you could barely see it.