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THIS IS DETROIT

THIS ALSO IS DETROIT

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contents

003 Civic Branding Brenna Williams 045 (Re)Post-Industrial Conor Wood 095 Agent Entrepreneur Justin Mast 131 Cultivating a City Kurt Schleicher 171 1, Detached Aaron Weller 199 Adaptive Reuse Tarlton Long 241 Raw Space James Bevilacqua 295 Art In The Streets, Detroit Ivan Adelson 339 Motorcycle Club Detroit Bruce Findling 373 [Normal] Sign Ben Rambadt 413 Dialogues with the City Sean Baxter

Civic Branding Defining Detroit through the Media Brenna Williams

Above: Cover ar ticles in Wired (June 2009) 2 , The Economist (June 2009) 3 and Time (October 2009) 4 Previous Page: Faygo billboard in Detroit 1

Frequently, the national media portrays Detroit negatively. Journalists choose to focus on the crime, unemployment, blight, and poverty within the city, while frequently ignoring the more uplifting stories about Detroit. As a result, the rest of the country has a limited view of the city. For example, John Schiavone recently moved to the city and before he visited, he assumed Detroit resembled the image of Detroit that the media created: “I fell into the trap of making my assumptions based on what I’d been reading about Detroit. I expected nothing but empty storefronts and abandonment. But the area as a whole didn’t look despairing at all. The hardship was surprisingly well masked.”5

Above: View of Detroit , 1955 6

Above: Time, October 5th 1959 7

Above: Motown Recordsâ€™ fir st headquar ter s, 1959 8

In contrast to the contemporary media portrayal of Detroit, the city has been represented prominently in the past. During the 20th century, the media focused on the many promising aspects of the city. Detroit built its reputation on industry, cars, music, and sports and was regularly discussed favorably in regards to these industries. The city also experienced times of despair, as do most large cities. Similar to the present situation, the media highlighted these difficult times. However todayâ€™s criticisms are quite harsh. For example, when evaluating Detroit, Forbes magazine writes, â€œliving with rats, fires, garbage, druggists, prostitutes and weirdos is simply too big a price to pay.â€?5 Above: Interior of the Fisher Building, 1972 9

Above: Spor t s Illustrated cover featuring Detroit Tiger pitcher, Mark Fidr ych, April 1978 10

“ The barrage of dispatches that have appeared in the national media overwhelmingly portray Detroit as a post-apocalyptic setting whose people are desperate to get out.”5 Ruin Porn Ruin porn has become a popular tourist

a full work day. He spent that time capturing

the current recession. However, the buildings

activity in Detroit. Photos of abandoned

the three most highly photographed buildings

have been shut down for years and have been

buildings are now synonymous with the city

within the city, the Fisher Plant, the Packard

in a steady state of decline since. Morton also

and are the normal. There is a “deliberate

Plant and Michigan Central Station. These

claims that photojournalists are cropping

effort to publish images of a city or a region

images resulted in a photo essay titled “The

photos in order to eliminate prosperous

that sensationalize devastation.” Thomas

Remains of Detroit.” What Morton finds

imagery from the scene.13 The public has an

Morton, from Vice Magazine, is quite

most amusing is that visitors use those

image of Detroit imprinted in their minds

outspoken with his disdain for ruin porn. He

three abandoned buildings, once a symbol

and the mass media, as well as smaller

shares a story of a 24–year–old journalist,

of Detroit’s successful and industrious past,

endeavours like blogs, are furthering that

arriving into Detroit to document the city.

differently in recent press. They are used to

preconcieved notion by continuing to publish

Yet, the journalist was in town for less than

symbolize the devastation associated with

images of desolate and abandoned buildings.

Right : Fisher Auto Plant 11

Michigan Central Station

[closed in 1981]

The “usual venues”13 for “documents of despair”13are Michigan Central Station, the Fisher Body Plant and the Packard Plant.

Fisher Body Plant

[closed in 1991]

“The recession...can be maddeningly tough to document, especially for photojournalists. You can’t take a picture of the GDP.”13 —Bob Garfield, host of On the Media

Packard Plant

“Seeing ruined buildings in Detroit satisfies readers because it’s what they expect to see.”12 —Celeste Headlee, The Takeaway

[closed in 1957]

“At one site in particular... photographers were essentially cropping out the adjacent property.”13 —Thomas Morton, Vice Magazine

“If you live or work in Detroit for any length of time, you train yourself to filter out the blight and focus on the beauty.”5

The image of Detroit has been degraded

that follow demonstrate how Detroit is

significantly. The national media constantly

encouraging the rest of the nation to “focus

depicts the city in a state of terrific distress.

on the beauty.”5 Pure Michigan, D Brand,

Ruin porn has proliferated in the national

I’m a Believer, and Selling Detroit are four

news and blogs alike. Residents are tired of

campaigns that attempt to create a new image

the festishizing of the city and the ignorance

for Detroit. They appeal to the nation, as well

of the true value that it holds. They are

as to the local residents. Regardless of their

disappointed by the cropping that occurs

delivery, all four campaings seek to rebrand

within the photojournalists’ lens. As a result,

the city and create a new normal for Detroit.

they are trying to create a zoomed out portrayal of the city. The four ad campaigns

Left and previous page: Houses in Norham, a Detroit neighborhood 18

Pure Michigan describes Michigan as â€œmajestic, mythic and magicalâ€?21 and focuses on the benefits the state has to offer. Right : View of Pure Michigan billboard 20

target audience [neighboring states]

When highlighting Detroit, the ads focuses on the assets of the city: the casinos, the Tigers and the music. Pure Michigan Pure Michigan is an ad campaign that was

possesses. This campaign is directed toward

as well as others.25 Although the campaign does

initiated in 2006 to increase tourism in

out-of-state travelers23 and relies on state

not focus directly on Detroit, the city is included

Michigan. Matt Canzano, executive creative

investment in order to fund the numerous

in some of the television and radio ads. This,

director at McCann Erickson Worldwide, says

media formats of the advertising. However,

along with the other ads, is accompanied by Tim

that the goal of the campaign was to take the

it can be argued that the investment is

Allen narrating, which encourages an emotional

best imagery of the state and illustrate that

worthwhile because â€œfor each dollar invested

response to the ads. Furthermore, there are

Michigan is a desirable place to visit.23 He

in Pure Michigan advertising, the state got

numerous parodies of the emotional Pure

acknowledges that the state has numerous

back $2.94 in new, incremental taxes paid by

Michigan advertisements, mocking the sensitive

problems, but the campaign does not dwell

these out-of-state visitors.â€? Additionally,

style of the campaign, but that ultimately

on these issues and instead focuses on the

the campaign has won numerous awards,

indicate the success of the campaign.

numerous and varied assets that the state

from the US Travel Association and Forbes,

Left : View of Pure Michigan billboard 22

“Welcome to the winter wonderland of Pure

“Let the light of more than 100 lighthouses

“Life just plain tastes better when its Pure

Michigan.” —Pure Michigan “Chance of Snow”

burn through the fog of every day life. Let the

Michigan local food.” —Pure Michigan “Fresh”

TV Commercial

light of Pure Michigan beckon you back to

TV Commercial

what’s real and true.” —Pure Michigan “Lost and Found” TV Commercial

“Come uncover the riches and bounty of Pure

“Water has so much potential. Don’t keep

“When you need to feel something real, come

Michigan.” —Pure Michigan “Treasure” TV

it bottled up. Dive in. To the waters of Pure

to Detroit. Where we are brought alive by

Commercial

Michigan.” —Pure Michigan “The Potential of

the reds, greens, silvers and blues.” —Pure

Water” TV Commercial

Michigan “Color My World” TV Commercial

“The fundamental thing is being honest and beyond nonapologetic—being honest and proud of what Detroit truly is.”32 —Jim Townsend, D Brand creator

target audience [21â€“34 year olds] 30

“. . . a story of Detroit as the place where cool comes from. Of course, one key to the story’s success was to avoid literally claiming Detroit was cool. That would be highly uncool.”35 —Eric La Brecque D Brand D Brand is a civic branding strategy

the logo, the words “music”, “sports”, “cars”,

South Oakland, North Oakland and Dearborn/

sponsored by the Detro Metro Convention &

“culture” and “gaming” are located under

Wayne. Additionally, this campaign hopes to

Visitors Bureau. The goal of the campaign is

the D, emphasizing how these cool things

work in a complementary manner with Pure

to brand the city, but to do so with a story

come from Detroit. The marketing strategy

Michigan.23 Unfortunately, the brand did not

that people and businesses can adopt,

is geared toward 21–34 “early adopters” who

have as lasting an impression as was initially

as opposed to using “rah-rah logos and

live within a five hour radius of Detroit. The

desired. The creators of D Brand envision

slogans.” The story that D Brand uses is

campaign focuses specifically on Detroit and

civic branding as a long-term process, yet due

not fabricated. It focuses on the qualities

uses a strong backstory, logos and image to

to the recent economic recession, the brand

that the creators believe the city already

appeal to the target group. They also market

was not able to resonate as strongly as it did

has, but that are not being flaunted. The

maps that clarify and unite five “destination

in its initial launch.23

story is that cool comes from Detroit. In

districts.”34 They are Downtown, Macomb,

Previous Page: D Brand logo 33 Left : D Brand map of metro Detroit 34

Left and this page: D Brand maps of district s surrounding metro Detroit 34

“Giving back. Sharing with others. Lending a helping hand. These words describe what is means to volunteer.”37 —Mayor Bing

I’m a Believer The “I’m a Believer” campaign, launched in

immediately drawn to the proposal. Mayor

the city. Detroit was an early participant in the

2011, is directed toward Detroit residents

Dave Bing and leaders in the surrounding

coalition and was one of ten cities to receive a

and aims to increase volunteerism in the

counties play an influential role in the ad

$200,000 grant from the Rockefeller Foundation

city. The campaign was conceived by two

campaign. Within the past few years, the

to hire a Chief Service Officer, a person who

media experts, Paige Curtis, the CEO of The

city of Detroit has put a focus on increasing

is “dedicated to developing and implementing

Curtis Group and Sandy Hermanoff, CEO of

their volunteer efforts. In January of 2009,

a citywide plan to increase volunteerism and

Hermanoff Public Relations because they

President Obama encouraged more Americans

targeting volunteers to address their city’s

were disappointed by the lack of enthusiasm

to participate in volunteer service work. As

greatest needs.”39 It is unclear as to whether the

in the city of Detroit. Hermanoff and Curtis

a result, Mayor Bloomberg of New York City

Cities of Service Action Plan for Detroit inspired

brought the campaign proposal to Mayor

started Cities of Service, an initiative that

the “I’m a Believer” campaign. However, the “I’m

Dave Bing, who, as Hermanoff recalls, was

stresses the importance of service work in

a Believer” campaign provides

Right : I’m a Believer logo 41

target audience [local residents]

Right : View of utate veli t sdfag afgafa asdgas

the service guidelines for Cities of Service on their website indicating that there is some correlation between the two. The “I’m a Believer” campaign encourages people to volunteer by marketing volunteer

Right : View of utate veli t sdfag afgafa asdgas

opportunities with various organizations. They are trying to inspire residents to give back to their city and trying to make that process as simple as possible. The city is focusing on public safety, neighborhood Above: I’m a Believer television commercials featuring local Detroit “celebrities” 42

restoration and education37 as the areas that

need improvement and therefore volunteers.

traditional and outdated in terms of media

The campaign utilizes television, radio,

format and style. Rather than focusing on

print ads and billboards. The campaign

mediums such as billboards and print ads,

is estimated to cost around $10 million

there should be an emphasis on the digital

dollars, yet is only costing $20,000 because

media and encourage interactivity. After all,

the people who put together the campaign

this campaign stresses that the residents

worked for free and many aspects of the

interact with their own city. Also, there is

campaign were donated, thus indicating

critique of the local â€œcelebritiesâ€? who were

strong support behind the campaign.

chosen to be in the ads, due to the fact

However, there is criticism of the campaign

that they appeal to an older generation, as

as well. Critics feel as if the campaign is too

opposed to the younger one.40

Selling Detroit â€œ recruitment 18â€“34 year old Selling Detroit Selling Detroit is an initiative of Time Inc., as part of their Assignment Detroit project. Assignment Detroit is a year-long endeavour to report about Detroit, from Detroit. Five local firms participated in the competition and their work was displayed on three different websites. The public was able to vote on which campaign they liked best, yet regardless, all ads were displayed in Fortune magazine. Previously, Time Inc. had published a plethora of negative articles about Detroit.

Left : Leo Burnett entr y 43 RIght : GlobalHue entr y 44

challenges local design firms to create a ad in order to encourage the creative demographic to move to Detroit.”50

When discussing this project, the president

single campaign can rebrand the city, especially

of Time Inc. said, “But a lot of smart peole

one that is promoted by a displaced national

are committed to bringing the city back. . .

publication. However, perhaps the most

we’ll do out part,” thus indicating a change

profound critique of this campaign is that the

in thinking for the publication. While this

print ads themselves are not very enticing. “The

competition seems to have garnered press,

Leo Burnett Agency entry features rock ‘n’ roll

there was not a dramatic effect. One critic

star Kid Rock. But Kid Rock’s image is

argues that the initiative for rebranding

predicated, in part, on being from troubled,

cannot come from an outside source, even

hardscrabble Detroit. Hardly a reputation the

if it is local firms who are producing the

rebrand would hope to perpetuate.”48

product. Also, there is little belief that a

target audience [18â€“34 year olds] 41

Left and this page: Campbell-Ewald, 45 Doner, 46 McCann Worldgroup 47

42 1. Technochick [Angie Linder]. “Faygo Billboard.” Flickr. 14 June 2006. 2. Cover. Wired. June 2009. 3. Cover. The Economist. June 2009. 4. Cover. Time. October 2009. 5. The Detroit News, Nolan Finley. “How the

13. “Ruin Porn.” Narr. Bob Garfield and Brooke Gladstone. On the Media. Natl. Public Radio. WNYC, 25 Sept. 2009. Radio. 14. Hemmerle, Sean. “The Remains of Detroit.” Time Photos. 15. Metroblossom [David Schalliol].

billboard 3.” Flickr. 10 May 2009. 23. “Rebranding Detroit.” Revitalization and Business Focus Detroit. Panel Discussion. 21 Jan. 2011. 24. Boyd, Liz. “Governor Granholm Signs Legislation to Fund Pure Michigan

world sees Detroit.” The Detroit News. 22

“Residential Juxtaposition.” Flickr. 17 July

Campaign.” Michigan.gov. 15 Dec. 2010.

Oct. 2009. NewsBank. 17 Jan. 2011. Web.

2009.

Web.

6. Dominis, John. “View of Detroit.” Time & Life Pictures. 1 Jan. 1955. 7. Cover. Time. October 1959. 8. “Hitsville U.S.A, Detroit.” Sixties Soul Music. Web. 9. Rentmeester, Co. “A Shot of Vaulted

16. Cmtobin. “Detroit Boarded/Painted.” Flickr. 26 June 2010. 17. Moved to [Jon DeBoer]. “Neighbors.” Flickr. 24 April 2010. 18. Hudkina. “Condon, Detroit, Michigan.” Flickr. 5 Dec. 2008.

Ceilings in the Fisher.” Time & Life

19. Bing Maps. Detroit, MI.

Pictures. 1 Jan. 1972.

20. Welles Photo [Katherine Welles].

10. Cover. Sports Illustrated. April 1978.

“Welcome to Michigan.” Flickr. 9 Nov.

11. Motionblur [Chris Luckhardt]. “Fisher

2010.

Body 21”. Flickr. 16 Feb. 2008. 12. “Is ‘Ruin Porn’ Art or Journalism?” Narr. Celeste Headlee. The Takeaway. Public Intl. Radio. WYNC, 6 July 2010. Radio.

21. Page, Libby. “Tourism PR: Shaping your Next Vacation Destination.” Public Relations Out Loud. Web. 22. Strange Red [Cory Pampalone]. “arace

25. Borgstrom, Kirsten. “Pure Michigan Campaign Wins Top Awards Named Best State Tourism Radio and Best State Tourism Niche Marketing in America. Michigan.org. 2 Sept. 2009. Web. 26. Travel Michigan. “Dog Sled Racing.” Michigan.org. Photo. 27. Malace, Raymond J. “Big Sable Point Lighthouse.” Michigan.org. Photo. 28. Travel Michigan. “Apples on Tree.” Michigan.org. Photo. 29. Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Spirit of Detroit.” Michigan.org. Photo.

43 30. Gusman, Sandra. “Miners Falls.” Michigan. org. Photo. 31. Malace, Raymond J. “Comerica Park.” Michigan.org. Photo. 32. Ramsey, Clare Pfeiffer. “The D Brand and You.” Model D. 15 Jan. 2008. Web. 33. D Brand. “D Logo Square.” Visitdetroit. com.

39. “Cities of Service and Rockefeller

47. McCann Erickson. “Creativity Lives in

Foundation Award First-Ever ‘Cities of

Detroit.” Selling Detroit Assignment

Leadership Grants’ to Ten Cities to Hire

Detroit. Advertisement.

Chief Service Officers.” Citiesofservice. org. 18 Jan. 2011. Web. 40. Wattrick, Jeff T. “Not Yet a Believer: Six Ways to Improve the I’m a Believer-Detroit Campaign.” Mlive. 18 Jan. 2011. Web.

48. Boches, Edward. “Selling Detroit With a Print Ad?” Creativity_Unbound. 7 Dec. 2009. Web. 49. Sauer, Abe. “Time Inc. Atones for Years of Defaming Detroit With ‘Rebranding’

34. D Brand. “D Maps.” Visitdetroit.com.

41. Logo. Believeindetroit.org.

Contest.” BrandChannel. 16 Nov. 2009.

35. Bernhard, Torben. “Interview with

42. “I’m a Believer PSA.” www.facebook.com/

Web.

Eric LaBreque Applied Storytelling.” Reinvention Summit. 8 Dec. 2010. Web. 36. D Brand. “Brand Development Research Findings and Recommendations.” Visitdetroit.com. 5 Oct. 2006. Web. 37. “Detroit Service Cities of Service- Action Plan.” Believeindetroit.org. Web. 38. “I’m a Believer Launches to Create an Army of Believers.” PR Newswire. 11 Jan. 2011.

detroitbeliever. Video. 43. Leo Burnett. Untitled. Selling Detroit Assignment Detroit. Advertisement. 44. GlobalHue. “Pleasantly Weird Ad.” Selling Detroit Assignment Detroit. Advertisement. 45. Campbell-Ewald. “Make Your Mark Detroit.” Selling Detroit Assignment Detroit. Advertisement. 46. Doner. “Shackelton Plan.” Selling Detroit Assignment Detroit. Advertisement.

50. Elliot, Stuart. “In Detroit, Agencies Compete to Sell City as a Creative Haven.” The New York Times. 15 Nov. 2009.

(Re)Post-Industrial Windmills, Stem Cells, and Marijuana: Through the Artistic Lens of Rivera Conor Wood

Left : “Detroit Industr y” by Mexican Painter Diego Rivera, 1933

“Coarse in conception.”

“Foolishly Vulgar.”

“Un-American.”

“Pornographic.”7

So described the 1933 reaction to Detroit

an American artist. Further still, Rivera had

Industry, a collection of murals newly

communist ties and frequently implicated

displayed at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA).

Marxist ideals in his murals. Nevertheless,

Painted by Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, the

Ford and Valentiner invited Rivera and his

commission had been stirred by controversy

wife, Frida Kahlo, to Detroit to see the River

from the very beginning. Edsel Ford and DIA

Rouge Plant. Inspired by Rivera’s fascination

Director William Valentiner had approached

with automotive operations, Ford and

the popular and successful Rivera two years

Valentiner agreed to have Rivera’s commission

earlier about the work. Though Rivera had an

expanded from merely two murals to all four

already extensive career, he had never worked

walls of the Garden Court. The only guidelines

in the United States and was enthusiastic. Yet

were that the murals were to somehow

this was amidst the turbulence of the Great

portray the industrial development of Detroit.

Depression, and many DIA patrons were upset

Rivera immediately set to work sketching, and

by the fact that Rivera was chosen instead of

began painting the murals in July of 1932.

Left : Rivera (center) with communist s Leon Trot sky and Andre Breton 2 Right : Ford and Valentiner, as por trayed by Rivera 3

Ford River Rouge Plant , Under Construction 4

“Production and Manufacture of Engine and Transmission, Detroit Industr y” 5

50 “The yellow race represents the sand, because it is most numerous.” “The red race, the first in this country, is like the iron ore, the first thing necessary for the steel.” “The black race is like coal, because it has a great native esthetic sense, a real flame of feeling and beauty in its ancient sculpture, its native rhythm and music.” “The white race is like the lime, not only because it is white, but because lime is the organizing agent in the making of steel.”8 —Diego Rivera

Balcerzak Family Por trait , Detroit 1922 11

Rivera spent a significant amount of his time

these themes in the murals, illustrating the

wandering through the city, visiting not only

men and women of all racial groups as equal

manufacturing plants, but the homes and

contributors to industrial processes. His

neighborhoods of Detroit’s working-class

painting placed no hierarchy between the

citizens. He saw Detroit as “an expression

laborer and the factory manager, showing

of the steel that goes into automobiles and

both as equally beneficial to production.

skyscrapers.” The great diversity of ethnic

For Rivera, Detroit was a thriving culture of

and racial groups represented in Detroit

making and doing, regardless of the job title,

also fascinated Rivera. He sought to preserve

financial situation, family life, or heritage.

Right : Ford Plant Assembly, 1930 10

[Rivera] saw Detroit â€œas an expression of the steel that goes into automobiles and skyscrapers.â€?8

53 “Senor Rivera has perpetrated a heartless hoax on his capitalist employer, Edsel Ford. Rivera was engaged to interpret Detroit; he has foisted on Mr. Ford and the museum a Communist manifesto. The key panel that first strikes the eye, when you enter the room, betrays the Communist motif that animates and alone explains the whole ensemble. Will the women of Detroit feel flattered when they realize that they are embodied in the female with the hard, masculine, unsexed face, ecstatically staring for hope and help across the panel to the languorous and grossly sensual Asiatic sister on the right?”9 —Dr. George H. Derry, president of Marygrove College, 1933 “Pharmaceutics, Detroit Industr y” 13

Left : “Detroit Industr y” Murals, shor tly after completion in 1933 12

With the small murals still incomplete,

The Catholic and Episcopalian communities

Detroit Industry was opened to the public on

were particularly appalled by part of the

St. Patrick’s Day, 1933. The backlash to the

mural entitled Vaccination, where a nativity

work was roaring within a matter of hours.

scene illustrated an infant Jesus, with the face

Many, including Marygrove College President

of the Lindenbergh baby, being vaccinated

Dr. George H. Derry, proclaimed that the

by doctors. Citing the work as “a travesty,”

entire composition objectively empowered

the kindest suggestion the clergymen could

Communist propaganda.

muster was to whitewash over the murals.9

“I really believe he was trying to express his idea of the spirit of Detroit.”7 Despite the resounding criticism and piles

the upper-class citizens and clergymen of

of letters in complaint, Edsel Ford never

Depression-era Detroit, Rivera attempted to

once showed any disapproval for the murals.

capture the conscious of the city itself. It did

“I admire Rivera’s spirit. I really believe he

not look like that of New York or Boston, yet

was trying to express his idea of the spirit of

still obtained a beautiful and robust strength.

Detroit.” Valentiner and the DIA thanked both

Rivera’s most peculiar approach to the

Ford and Rivera for their contributions, firmly

composition was the portrayal of not

standing behind the Garden Court and its

only manufacturing, but also processes

controversial murals.

of medicine, agriculture, and education.

The Motor City is globally recognized for Valentiner would go on to say, “Edsel Ford was

automotive and yet Rivera understood

the only person in Detroit industry who had

its advantageous position for industrial

any interest in modern art. …Diego Rivera and

diversification. With the bottom currently

Edsel Ford understood each other very well…

falling out on the consolidated automotive

Diego confessed to me that Edsel had none of

industry, the “New Normal” of Detroit is

the characteristics of an exploiting capitalist,

shaping around large-scale, entrepreneurial

that he had the simplicity and directness of a

diversification. It poses a radical shift in

workman in his own factories and was like one

thinking about the city. By viewing this shift

of the best of them.”

through the lens of Rivera, a better mural of

Though it may have not looked like it to

Detroit’s future can be painted.

Right : South Wall, “Detroit Industr y” 14

“Detroit Industr y,” East Wall 15

“Detroit Industr y,” West Wall

“Detroit Industr y,” Nor th Wall 17

“Detroit Industr y,” South Wall

Manufacturing and Green-Collar Industrial

Right : â€œAviation, Detroit Industr yâ€? 19

Chassis Manufacturing, A.O. Smith Corporation 20

Construction of GM’s Brownstown Batter y Manufacturing Plant 21

Detroit’s manufacturing prowess began in the

Henry Ford, former carriage-maker,

murals suggest that industry would evolve.

1820s with flour mills, and ship building soon

conceived that all Americans would one-

Detroit has been placed at the center of

thereafter. The shipping industry required

day own the new automobile. His attempts

development in “green-collar industry” under

the continuous development of steam engine

to mass-manufacture the vehicles resulted

the direction of former Governor Granholm.

technology. Coupled with a booming Michigan

in the transportation trend that dominates

Governor Snyder (2010) claims to continue

mining industry, machining soon came to

American culture. Edsel Ford and Diego

this tradition with several new manufacturing

be the predominant activity in Detroit. One

Rivera knew that the city’s legacy manifest

facilities opening and several others being

growing realm in machine work was the

itself in the manufacturing industry. Ford

repurposed around the state of Michigan.

building of horse-driven carriages. It did not

may have never anticipated the rapid decline

take long until the horse became irrelevant.

of the automotive industry, but Rivera’s

Right : Chev y Volt at the Highland Park Plant 22

“Michigan has become the new center of the world’s electric vehicle and advanced battery industry.”23 —Governor Granholm

“Dir ty Mix of Pixels and Atoms” 24

Full Batter y Infrastructure, Chev y Volt 25

“Located in Detroit, we are within an hour of more than a dozen major research universities, and in the heartland of America’s transportation, technology, and manufacturing industries. Fostering dynamic research and innovation, we combine this intellectual capital with Michigan’s legendary manufacturing prowess and entrepreneurial ingenuity to help generate new technologies, viable businesses, solid growth, and industry leadership.”29 —“Who We Are,” NextEnergy

“Geological Strata, Detroit Industr y” 28

Former Gov. Granholm and Vice Pres. Biden at the opening of NextEnergy 26

Construction of GMâ€™s Brownstown Batter y Manufacturing Plant 27

Posing Michigan as a leader in green-collar

NextEnergy can be an incubator space

and mobility of power-grid networks. The

industries necessitates a point organization

specifically catering to those interested in

organization has also been crucial to the

for continued bodies of research and

establishing and preserving an industrial

recruitment of battery manufacturers for

collaboration. The NextEnergy non-profit

culture in renewable energy industries in

the state. Michigan has been awarded the

serves to meet the needs of entrepreneurs,

the state of Michigan. CEO Ron Gardhouse

8th largest amount of state funding from the

researchers, manufacturers, and investors,

brings experience to NextEnergy as a former

State Energy Program, part of the American

provided by funding from the state. The

manager at Chrysler. Current NextEnergy

Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009). With

contemporary facility, sited in the New

operations include recruiting wind turbine

these funds, NextEnergy works to provide

Amsterdam district, is the work of initiatives

manufacturers, furthering the manufacture of

incentives to potential manufacturers to

for green industry under Governor Granholm.

electric vehicles, and improving the efficiency

bring their organizations to Michigan.

Motor City Medicine

Left : â€œInfant in the bulb of a Plant , Detroit Industr yâ€? 30

“Commercial Chemical Operations, Detroit Industr y” 31

“Surger y, Detroit Industr y” 13

The Henr y Ford Hospital, New Center 32

The “Detroit Industry” murals’ inclusion of

the time, Detroit became one of the leading

and Tech Town, an entrepreneurial incubator

medical science was an initial surprise to

centers of medical research and operation in

north of Wayne State. Asterand specializes in

Edsel Ford. The DIA board of trustees and

the country. The Henry Ford Health System

stem-cell research, a new field that the city

Ford had stressed that the mural should be

has now grown into several institutions

hopes to capitalize on. In October of 2010,

about automotive history in Detroit, but had

across the state, and local universities

Detroit hosted the World Stem Cell Summit,

never considered the medical legacy that

continue to push bodies of research. The

in conjunction with the opening of the Great

Ford’s father had established for the city.

current era marks a renaissance of radical

Lakes Stem Cell Commercialization Center

Henry Ford formed the Henry Ford Health

medical and life-sciences industry in Detroit.

in Tech Town. The summit served to educate

System in 1915 as a commitment to improving

Companies such as Asterand PLC are being

locals and recruit other researchers to the

the health and well-being of Detroiters. At

drawn to Detroit by organizations like MichBio

city, in the name of regenerative medicine.

“Pharmaceutical research is at a critical crossroads. Despite a dramatic increase in R&D budgets, the number of new drug applications is falling because the failure rate in clinical trials remains high. Researchers have always known that animal models provide only a partial guide to drug response in humans. Thus, scientists are becoming increasingly reliant upon human tissue-based models to bridge this knowledge gap and improve decision making during the development of medicines for man.”35 —“Serving a Critical Need,” Asterand PLC “Healthy Human Embr yo, Detroit Industr y” 33

Right : Asterand’s Lab, Cellular Research 34

“Manufacture of Poisonous Gas Bombs, Detroit Industr y” 36

“End the War,” Detroit Metro-Times 37

Home-grown Cannabis Plant 38

Industrial enterprise can often be a result

bill on medical marijuana dispensation.

caregivers in the state is nearly half of those

of localized policy-changes. The passing

Provisionally, Michigan’s act differs greatly

qualified for prescription. Alternatively, many

of Michigan’s Medical Marihuana Act in

from those in states like California and

patients choose to be their own caregivers

2008 signified a change of stance on the

Colorado, as caregivers in the state can

under policy of household production.

controversial medical and recreational

only service up to five patients. This has led

MedGrow Cannabis College in Southfield

product. Local confidence was behind the

to two nationally unique industrial trends.

offers training in horticulture, history, and

bill, as it passed with a 63% state vote, and

The first is that the dispensation of medical

legal policy of medical marijuana. Only the

received the majority vote in every one of

marijuana is highly decentralized in the state,

second institution of its kind in the nation,

Michigan’s 83 counties. It is currently the

with many caregivers opening up shop to

the college predicts that the controversial

only mid-western state that has passed a

service their limit of patients. The number of

industry will continue to thrive in Michigan.

“Med Grow Cannabis College is a medical marijuana trade school dedicated to the education and advocacy of patients and caregivers. Our primary goal is to provide our students with an education that will allow them to be extremely successful in the medical marijuana industry. We teach students how to operate within the provisions of the state law, while providing quality, compassionate care to those in need. . . . This state needs jobs, and we think medical marijuana can stimulate the state economy with hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars.” —Med Grow Cannabis College, Southfield, Michigan42 Hor ticulture and Hydroponics Lab, Med Grow 40

Right : Protest of illegal MMMA procedure, Lansing 41

New Amsterdam and Piquette Industrial Districts: Automotiveâ€™s Fertile Ground

Left : American Electrical Heater Company, New Amsterdam District 43

1904 Maps of Detroit , New Amsterdam and Piquette Industrial District s (blue) 44

“The New Amsterdam District was an incredibly vibrant place... 82

Burroughs Adding Machine Company 45

General Motor s, under construction, 1920 46

The New Amsterdam district began as a small

District was the proximity to railroad lines,

Albert Kahn to design what would be one

periphery community, grown around the

just to the north. The area continued to

of the largest office buildings in the world

Burroughs Adding Machine Company (today

steadily grow as an industrial center until

at that time. Construction was finished in

known as UniSys). Their manufacturing facility

1919, when General Motors came into the

1923, and the neighborhood soon became

was built in 1904, off of North Cass Avenue.

area. Constricted by the density of downtown

known as the “New Center,” with the Fisher

The American Electrical Heater Company

Detroit at that time, GM President William

Brothers constructing another skyscraper

followed suit, constructing a facility directly

C. Durant decided to move the corporation’s

and Kahn building a facility for his firm. The

on Cass. Several other entrepreneurs began

central operations further out, settling on

New Amsterdam district slowly faded as a

to enter the now-vibrant community. A major

the north side of the railroad from the New

distinct community, until it was recognized as

draw for industry in the New Amsterdam

Amsterdam district. Durant hired architect

a National Historic Place in 2001.

...thousands were employed there.”43 83

TechOne Lab, Tech Town 47

“Steam, Detroit Industr y” 48

In 1996, General Motors decided to move

sought to support entrepreneurs and

at full capacity. Two more facilities for the

operations to the Renaissance Center in

growing companies. This plan would

project will be opening up in the next few

downtown, leaving the New Center behind.

effectively stimulate growth industrial

years, creating a contemporary “New Center”

Looking for a catalyst to boost the decaying

growth. The dream of Tech Town was realized

in the New Amsterdam district. The facilities

districts to the north, Wayne State University

when General Motors donated the Chevy

provide incubation space for start-ups in the

President Irvin D. Reid, (Wayne State occupies

Creative Services Building to the mission.

medical, educational, and energy industries.

the neighborhood to the south of New

Construction set to work for TechOne, an

Companies lease discounted space until

Amsterdam) conceived of Tech Town as a

industrial incubator space that would be the

they can grow enough capital for expansion.

master-plan community. Such a community

first piece of the Tech Town plan. TechOne

Demand is high, and an entrepreneurial

would be a mixed-use development that

was opened to business in 2004 and is now

waiting list for Tech Town grows by the day.

OLDSMOBILE

AC SPARK PLUGS

GENERAL MOTORS

FISHER BODY

CADILLAC

RAPID MOTOR VEHICLE CO.

BUICK EVERITT METZGER FLANDERS PONTIAC

CHEVROLET

PACKARD STUDEBAKER

85 LINCOLN

FORD MOTOR COMPANY

CHALMERS MOTOR CO.

WILLYS-OVERLAND JEEP

DODGE BROTHERS

MAXWELL MOTOR CO.

NASH-KELVINATOR

AMERICAN MOTORS CORP.

Detroit’s Automotive Consolidations HUDSON MOTOR CAR CO.

CHRYSLER

“Not only was it the place where the Model-T was born... 86

Postcard of Detroit Railroad Tracks and Tunnels 49

Wiring Diagram, Ford Model-T 50

Just east of Woodward from New Amsterdam,

ship goods. The first automotive company

space out at Piquette and Beaubien. The

Detroit’s railroad established the perfect

on the scene was Cadillac, citing not only

new plant produced vehicles in the typical

conditions to launch a manufacturing

the benefits of the railroad, but also the

craft construction method of the time, a

revolution. Named for the confluence of

junction’s position on the periphery of the

procedure that Henry Ford believed was too

rail lines between Detroit, Chicago, and

city. At the time, Ford Motor Company was

expensive. He desired to sell large quantities

Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Junction became

a small automotive manufacturer on Mack

of cheap automobiles, and constantly was re-

one of the busiest hubs of rail traffic in the

Avenue. Ford’s operations were growing too

tooling the Piquette facility for more efficient

Midwest. For the start-ups down the road,

large for the facility (now present-day site of

production. In 1907, Ford was able to produce

this seemed to be one of the most logical

the Michigan Theater parking structure), so

14,887 out of the plant, far ahead of Buick’s

places in which to manufacture and

the company decided to build a larger

4,641 units. The Model-T rolled out in 1908.

...it was also Detroit’s hotbed of automotive production.”53 87

Ford Piquette Plant , or “ T-Plex ” 51

“Production of Automobile Exterior, Detroit Industr y” 52

Because the Model-T was inexpensive and

vicinity housed many of the first major

street, closed up in continual hibernation.

very popular, demand outpaced the size

automakers: Ford, Studebaker, Cadillac,

The haunting shell of Fisher Body #21 is

of the Piquette Plant. Ford began to move

Dodge Brothers, Regal, Fisher Body (including

down the block from there, breathlessly

operation’s to a new facility, at Highland

plants #21 and #23), Anderson Electric, Brush,

standing in a frozen explosion of time.

Park, in 1910. Studebaker, a newer neighbor

Hupp, Packard, and Everitt Metzger Flanders

Though it is difficult to see in the ashes of the

down the road, purchased the Piquette

(E-M-F). The area now stands as a monument

Studebaker Plant (burnt down in 2005), life is

facility in 1911 to house the recently acquired

to the birth and the death of automotive

beginning again. New housing is being built.54

E-M-F Company operations. Over the first

production. While Ford’s Piquette Plant

Businesses are filling up Tech Town’s waiting

two decades of the twentieth century, the

remains an active museum of the Model-T,

list. These two districts may be reborn again,

Piquette Industrial district and surrounding

Fisher Body #23 stands directly across the

launching a new industrialization for Detroit.

WHEN DOES HISTORY

ITSELF? 57

REPEAT 58

WHAT IS THE SPIRIT

DETROIT? 61

90 1.

Gilchrist, Scott. Detroit Industry Murals View: South

14. Gilchrist, Scott. Detroit Industry Murals View: South

plant -- the art of industry.” The Detroit News 11 July

wall, top center, showing fists and hands at center of

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the mural. 1932, 2006. Archivision Addition Module

, Detroit, Michigan. ARTstor. Web. 22 Jan. 2011.

2011.

Three , Detroit, Michigan. ARTstor. Web. 22 Jan. 2011.

Bach, Fritz. Trotsky, Rivera and Breton. 1938. Iconic

Lochbiler, Donald. “Battle of the Garden Court.” The

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Detroit News 15 July 1997: (unavailable). The Detroit

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2011.

News. Web. 19 Jan. 2011.

Detroit, Michigan. ARTstor. Web. 22 Jan. 2011.

DIA. Edsel Ford and William R. Valentiner. N.d. It began

10. Swain, George R. Ford building Assembly. 1930.

16. Gilchrist, Scott. Detroit Industry Murals View: Overview

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Photograph. Art, Architecture and Engineering

of the west wall. 1932, 2006. Archivision Addition

Web. 23 Jan. 2011.

Library, Lantern Slide Collection, University of

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Swain, George R. Ford Rouge Plant. 1944. Photograph.

Michigan, Dearborn, Michigan.

Jan. 2011.

11. Balcerzak Family Photo. 1922. Adrienne (nee

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Slide Collection, University of Michigan, Dearborn,

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serving Detroit’s Pol-Ams 1875-1950. Web. 24 Jan.

<http://www.artchive.com/artchive/R/rivera/detroit_

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2011.

industry_north.jpg.html>.

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Baulch, Vivian, and Patricia Zacharias. “The Rouge

Wall Automotive Panel, showing Detroit auto industry,

Art, Architecture and Engineering Library, Lantern

12. Gilchrist, Scott. Detroit Industry Fresco: north wall.

18. Rivera, Diego. Detroit Industry, South Wall. Mark

1932, 2006. Archivision Addition Module Three ,

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Gonyea, Don. “Detroit Industry: The Murals of Diego

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industry_south.jpg.html>. 19. Gilchrist, Scott. Detroit Industry Murals View: West

Rivera : NPR.” NPR : National Public Radio : News &

Wall Automotive Panel, upper left side, depicting women

Analysis, World, US, Music & Arts : NPR. N.p., n.d.

factory workers. 1932, 2006. Archivision Addition

wall, upper left side, detail of top center panel,

Web. 22 Jan. 2011. <http://www.npr.org/templates/

Module Three , Detroit, Michigan. ARTstor. Web. 22

depicting aviation industry. 1932, 2006. Archivision

story/story.php?storyId=103337403>.

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Addition Module Three , Detroit, Michigan. ARTstor.

20. Fully automatic assembly line (A. O. Smith Corp.).

26. Lienemann, David. Vice President Joe Biden hugs

32. “Photos, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI.” Henry Ford

Auto frames. 1930. Photograph. Art, Architecture

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm at an American

Hospital, Detroit, MI. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2011.

and Engineering Library, Lantern Slide Collection,

Recovery and Reinvestment Act event at Next Energy

<http://www.henryford.com/body.cfm?id=46232>.

University of Michigan,Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

in Detroit. 2009. The White House Blog, Detroit,

21. GM Begins Work on Lithium-Ion Battery Plant. 2009.

Michigan. The White House Blog. Web. 27 Jan. 2011.

(unavailable), Brownstown, Michigan. CarPictures.

27. Penn, Kate. Work continues at the Harvest Wind Farm

com. Web. 23 Jan. 2011. 22. Chevrolet Volt: First Drive. 2010. Chevrolet Volt: First

near Elkton in Huron County, 2007. Thumb’s mighty windmills provide learning experience as well as

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Drive, Highland Park, Michigan. Jalopnik. Web. 26 Jan.

energy, Elkton, Michigan. M.Live.com. Web. 22 Jan.

two months | Tech Town – Wayne State University

2011.

Research and Technology Park.” Tech Town – Wayne

23. Boyd, Liz. “Granholm Says Advanced Battery Grants

28. Gilchrist, Scott. Detroit Industry Murals View: North

State University Research and Technology Park

Will Create Thousands of Good-Paying Jobs in

wall, upper center panel, depicting a reclining women.

| Where Minds and Means Connect. N.p., 5 May

Michigan .” SOM - State of Michigan. N.p., 30 Nov.

1932, 2006. Archivision Addition Module Three ,

2010. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://techtownwsu.org/

2010. Web. 24 Jan. 2011. <http://www.michigan.gov/

Detroit, Michigan. ARTstor. Web. 22 Jan. 2011.

asterand-inks-second-multi-year-agreement-in-two-

granholm/0,1607,7-168-23442_21974-219. 24. Paffendorf, Jerry. Dirty mix of pixels and atoms. N.d. Of The Online and The Earthly: Pixels and Poop, Detroit, Michigan. Loveland. Web. 26 Jan. 2011. 25. kleo. “Chevrolet Volt Li-ion battery packs to be manufactured by LG Chem - World Auto News & Reviews.” World Auto News and Reviews. N.p., 14 Jan.

29. “About NextEnergy.” NextEnergy. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www.nextenergy.org/about.aspx>. 30. Gilchrist, Scott. Detroit Industry Murals View: Infant

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in Bulb of Plant, East wall, lower center panel. 1932,

n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2011. <http://www.asterand.com/

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Asterand/about/index.htm>.

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2009. Web. 28 Jan. 2011. <http://allworldcars.com/

South wall. 1932, 2006. Archivision Addition Module

wordpress/?p=9599>.

Three , Detroit, Michigan. ARTstor. Web. 22 Jan. 2011.

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37. Guyette, Curt. “End the war - News & Views - Detroit

42. “Michigan Medical Marijuana.” Michigan Medical

47. “Tech Town – Wayne State University Research and

Metro Times.” Detroit Metro Times. N.p., 3 Nov. 2010.

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Technology Park | Where Minds and Means Connect.”

Web. 24 Jan. 2011. <http://metrotimes.com/news/

medgrowmi.com/>

Tech Town – Wayne State University Research and

end-the-war-1.1058408>.

43. “A trip back to Detroit’s electrifying history, before

Technology Park | Where Minds and Means Connect.

38. Harford, Tim. “Xtine66.” Categorian. N.p., n.d. Web. 29

it was Motown | Tech Town – Wayne State University

N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2011. <http://techtownwsu.

Jan. 2011. <http://user.adme.in/blog/tags/u/Xtine66/

Research and Technology Park.” Tech Town – Wayne

org/>.

tag/cannabis>.

State University Research and Technology Park |

48. Gilchrist, Scott. View: West wall, panel left of the

Where Minds and Means Connect. N.p., 28 June 2010.

door, detail, showing a worker. 1932, 2006. Archivision

n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www.mpp.org/states/

Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://techtownwsu.org/a-trip-

Addition Module Three , Detroit, Michigan. ARTstor.

michigan/>.

back-to-detroits-electrifying-history-before-it-was-

Web. 22 Jan. 2011.

39. “Michigan.” Marijuana Policy Project - Home. N.p.,

40. Costantini, Fabrizio. “Cannabis 101 - The New York Times > U.S. > Slide Show > Slide 2 of 12.” The

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49. “Vintage Railroad Postcards: More Trackside Views.” Vintage Railroad Postcards. N.p., n.d. Web.

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Collection - UT Library Online.” University of Texas

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com/2010/12/more-trackside-views.html>.

<http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/11/28/

lib.utexas.edu/maps/topo/michigan/>.

us/1124MARIJUANA_2.html>. 41. “Friends of George Cushingberry Jr.: How privatizing

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<techtownwsu.org/about/history/>.

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46. “New Center Council | Brief New Center History.” New

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53. Olsen, Byron, and Joseph Cabadas. The American Auto Factory. St. Paul, MN: MBI Pub., 2002. Print. 54. “City Breaks Ground On Veteran Housing - Detroit Local News Story - WDIV Detroit.” Click On Detroit | Detroit News, Detroit, Michigan News, Weather,

60. “Detroit’s Studebaker Plant at The Motor(less) City.” The Motor(less) City. N.p., 14 July 2009. Web. 29 Jan.

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LG-battery-plant-coming-to-Holland>.

Agent Entrepreneur Entrepreneurship as a means of creating a new normal Justin Mast

Opposite: The Spirit of Detroit, Woodward Avenue, Detroit1

“I believe Detroit is going to show the world how to live… again.” 96

—Mike Han

The Spirit of Detroit The days of mourning Detroit are over,

cheap land, homes, and buildings, an

especially if you ask Detroiters. After years

opportunity for off-the-grid development,

of highlighted fallout, glorified ruin, and

and free-reign. Detroit entrepreneurs are

declarations that the city is dead—the tune

bringing restaurants, bakeries, bike shops,

has changed. And it’s changing from the inside

and produce into the city—not to mention

out. A new breed of wide-eyed wild men and

money, jobs, and occupancy. This decade

women are moving back into the city and

may the be start of a new era in Detroit—

declaring it a land of opportunity. Deserted

one marked by optimism and opportunity. It

properties, stretched infrastructure, and

seems that today in Detroit, there’s nothing

unpredictable services were reasons for

entrepreneurship cannot accomplish.

concern; but now the city is being seen as

Opposite: Photograph of Mike Han, a Detroit ar tist and advocate, taken in Avalon Baker y. 2

Claire Nelson

Mike Holtzman

Kimo Frederickson

The Bureau of Urban Living, Founder

Barebones Detroit, Co-Founder

True Body Fitness, Founder

“ In Detroit, there is “ Detroit is a great place something to be done, for entrepreneurs so we do.”4 because it needs entrepreneurs.”7

“...Everyone wants to hold you up, they want you to succeed and they’ll kinda do anything they can to help you out.”8

William Clay Ford, Jr.

Chris Rizik

Ford Motor Company, Executive Chairman

Renaissance Venture Capital Fund, CEO

“ If you want to make a difference, stay in Michigan, help us figure this out, its gonna be fun.”10

“ This is going to be the land of opportunity.”12

100

101

Russell Industrial Center

Woodward Avenue

Dispersed Growth

Eastern Market

New businesses, organizations that support businesses, and renovated spaces for new

Dequindre Cut

businesses are popping up all over Detroit,

Greenway

breathing life into its neighborhoods and communities. Growing at the center and

Downtown

moving out along Detroitâ€™s more developed areas, these seeds are creating places for Detroitâ€™s ambitious new breed to get started.

Riverside

Corktown Mexican Town

102

Woodward Avenue

The Elevator Building

Detroit’s Main Street14

A New Economy Hub16

“Woodward Avenue, or M-1, is the region’s

“The Elevator Building project took an old

‘Main Street,’ stretching from the Detroit River

industrial building along the riverfront and

out deep into the suburbs. The Woodward

refurbished it into cost-effective office space

corridor will play an enormously important

for small businesses.”17

role in the city’s future, especially as the new M-1 Rail project heats up.”15

103

Russell Industrial Center

Omni Corp

Art Mecca and Small Business Haven

Maker + Hacker Space21

“Russell Industrial Center is quickly becoming the

“OmniCorpDetroit is an intense group of

largest Art Mecca/Small Business Haven in the

designers, artists, engineers, musicians,

midwest. With over 150 commercial tenants from all

thinkers, do-ers and makers that get together

different creative backgrounds, it is an ideal place

to build new things as well as share and

to create and work. Architects, painters, clothing

collaborate within the Detroit community. In

designers, glass blowers, wood craftsman, metal

general, we’re making, breaking, reshaping

sculptors, graphic designers and the like find the

and hacking all sorts of things!”22

R.I.C. an ideal place to network and exhibit.”20

104

105

Eastern Market

“As many as 40,000 people flock to Eastern

since 1891. Every Saturday it is transformed

Market for its Saturday Market to enjoy one

into a vibrant marketplace with hundreds of

of the most authentic urban adventures

open-air stalls where everyone from toddlers

in the United States. The market and the

to tycoons enjoy the strong conviviality served

adjacent district are rare finds in a global

up along with great selections of fruits,

economy - a local food district with more

veggies, fresh-cut flowers, homemade jams,

than 250 independent vendors and merchants

maple syrups, locally produced specialty food

processing, wholesaling, and retailing food.

products, pasture and/or grass-fed meat and even an occasional goose or rabbit.”26

At the heart of Eastern Market is a six-block public market that has been feeding Detroit

Opposite, from left to right: Eastern Market’s plan for it’s public core23, a vendor unloading produce24, and a bird’s eye view of a portion of the Eastern Market, as proposed25

106

â€œ New York and other cities have become ships too big to steer.â€?27

107

Why Detroit? Detroit isn’t the first place that comes to

and reestablish the economy, the country

mid to large-sized city. Regions now compete

mind when people think of innovation and

has looked to entrepreneurship to solve

for talent and promsing companies the same

entrepreneurship. This city was struggling

problems. According to President Obama,

way that companies compete for talent.

long before this economic dip. As a city

“We can win the future—by unleashing the

Entrepreneurs and Venture Capitalists, those

that was once great during the industrial

talent and ingenuity of businesses...” It’s a

who are in the business of spotting talent and

boom in the U.S., Detroit has since come

widely held belief that entrepreneurship

cultivating the right startups, know that the

to epitomize the struggling rust belt towns

made this country great and that it will

community support is an important element

of the old manufacturing Midwest. (talk

continue to do so.

in success.

about the decline of manufacturing in the

US) It’s considered poor and dangerous. It’s

country and world are taking the initiative to

and all the competition for talent, it’s worth

population has decreased every census since

attract entreprenurs, to stimulate innovation,

asking, why Detroit? What makes Detroit the

1950—with its citizens either moving to the

and to help companies grow and become

right place to start a business? According to

suburbs or leaving the state altogether.

profitable. It seems that becoming the next

Detroiters, it’s exactly this gritty past that

Silicon Valley is on the agenda of almost every

now gives it the edge over other cities.

As America seeks to reinvent itself

Opposite: Phillip Cooley, Detroit advocate and founder of Slows Bar-B-Q28

Cities, states, and regions around the

With Detroit’s reputation for failure

108

Henry Ford and the Model T29

Bikers on the Dequindre Cut30

Slows BarBQ, in Corktown31

Entrepreneurial Heritage

Local & Bikable Living

Chance to Make a Difference

You may have heard of Ford, K-Mart, Kellogs?

The Dequindre Cut and Eastern Market

Detroit Wants and Needs You

It’s been over 100 years, but between 1881 –

The Dequindre Cut, a below-grade 1.35-mile

Want to make an impact in NYC, Chicago, or

1907, Detroit was a hotbed of entrepreneurial

pathway, offers a pedestrian link between the

LA? Step in line. In Detroit? Step right up.

activity. Companies like Ford, Hudson’s,

Riverfront paths, Eastern Market, and many

Detroit needs and wants entrepreneurs and

Faygo, KMart, and Kellogg’s got their start

of the residential neighborhoods in between.

although almost every city is doing what it

in Detroit and expanded to national and

These pedestrian paths, community focused

can to attract the young and ambitious, it’s

international scales. That period of growth

bike shops, and the Eastern Market have

different in Detroit. The scene is reimerging

has left a lasting imprint on the city.

created a car-less and local market lifestyle

and it’s wide open to those who want to make

potential in this city.

a go of it.

109

Oneita Porter, Designer and Owner of GrrlDog Jewerly32

Austin Black, President of City living Detroit33

Guests at SOUP34

Cheap Space

Access to Capital

A Support Network

Lower Barriers to Entry

Thereâ€™s Still Money in Detroit

It starts with a fan base

Sometimes, all a young company needs to get

Detroit business leaders, the government,

Though a diverse lot, Detroit entrepreneurs

started, is a place to spread out and get some

and other stakeholders in the city have a

all seem to share one common trait: they

work done. In cities like NYC, LA, and Chicago

vested interest in keeping the community

want to see each other succeed. Owners of

space comes at a premium, raising a barrier

alive and healthy. Their plan: invest in

businesses large and small, across dozens of

to entry. In Detroit however, space is cheap

entrepreneurs who will create jobs, meet

different industries, have united under this

and because landlords are typically happy to

service needs, fill vacancies, increase the tax

belief to help the city progress as a whole. 5

have a tenant, they are pretty flexible.

base, bring in money, and attract residents

Thereâ€™s also access to leadership, bringing

(known to retailers as consumers).

experience to the energy of entrepreneurs.

110

Entrepreneurship is the act of being an entrepreneur, which can be defined as “one who undertakes innovations, finance and business acumen in an effort to transform innovations into economic goods.35

“ We are entrepreneurs, the unquantifiable risk that large companies—and entire industries—don’t fully understand”36

111

Defining Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship: our new favorite cliche It seems that “entrepreneurship” is being

wants independence and challenge. We

So is someone who’s starting a two-hundred

thrown at every issue the world faces

want to make a difference and we’re faced

person tech firm.

and Detroit is no exception. It makes

with economic challenges—so we claim

sense. We live in a country that was built

entrepreneurship.

the phrase, it may be worth asking, what do

by entrepreneurs, brave souls driven by

we mean when we say “entrepreneurship”?

the search for opportunity. The pioneers

applied the term liberally. The kid who

Are all entrepreneurs equal? What are our

searched for land; for Ford it was efficiency.

sells lemonade is no longer an aspiring

expectations and hopes for them? What will

Microsoft and Apple have ushered in an era

entrepreneur but an actual entrepreneur.

they fix for us?

of information economics. Entrepreneurship

The artist who lives in the suburbs with his

is a deep part of America’s, and Detroit’s

parents, has sold one piece of artwork, and

heritage. Now, a generation coming of age

commutes to city events is an entrepreneur.

In the process though, we have

As a city who’s staked its future on

It didnâ€™t take Sarah Lipinski long to figure out that Detroit is a small town 37 at heart. 112

113

Lifestyle Entrepreneurs

Lifestyle entrepreneurs seek to create a great

also creating a lifestyle for the city. When a

sources of economic impact. If the owner

lifestyle for themselves—to do what they love

urban living store or a crepery comes to a

is able to cover their own costs, they may

and have freedom. Working for themselves

neighborhood, it createss an energy and buzz

employ a few people with modest income. A

allows them to focus on a craft, be creative,

to residents and visitors. It sends a message

lifestyle business might be a press darling,

and be challenged.

that there is life, that Downtown Detroit is

but it’s tough to make a profit. Lifestyle

worth living in. These businesses also add a

businesses are typically not very scaleable–

independent set. They are leaders, their

practical service to city dwellers. There are

especially if they remain a lifestyle business.

creations often activate the community and

places to shop, go out to eat, and hang out.

For it to be scaleable, the business owner,

add to the culture in Detroit. Although the

has to become a business person rather

main focus of this entrepreneur may be to

entrepreneurs create fall short of being silver

than a craftsperson. So, as a single lifestyle

create a lifestyle for themselves, they are

bullets though. They are typically not major

business, the economic impact is limited.

In Detroit, this group is a bold and

Opposite: Sarah Lipinski of Wound Menswear in her 2000 Brooklyn workspace38

The businesses that lifestyle

114

Clockwise from Left : Jerr y Paffendorf and Mar y Lorene Car ter of LOVELAND 39 , Tor ya Blanchard of Good Girls Go To Paris Crepes 40 , Kelli Kavanaugh of Wheel House Detroit 41 , and Andy and Emily Linn of City Bird 42 .

115

â€œ [My dream] is to make a living off of something that I love, where I live.â€? 43

116

“ At some point you decide whether you want to chase money your whole life or whether you want to chase something meaningful and do something good for society or the people around you.”44 —Noam Kimelman, Get Fresh Detroit

117

Social Entrepreneurs

The social entrepreneur is driven by the

though, social entrepreneurs may setup the

the feelings on the general term, this is

desire to address some of the big social

possibility for profit but will maintain a focus

certainly a form of entrepreneurship alive

and economic conditions in the world or in

on growing social capital.

in Detroit and while good intentions run

a community, like poverty or educational

deep, itâ€™s still worth measuring the impact

deprivation, rather than by the desire of

entrepreneurship is micro-finance. This may

of these innovators. Do they create jobs?

profit. Typically, this mirrors a perspective

range from larger international organizations

Are they scaleable? Do they make an impact

that the pursuit of profit alone is not a way

like KIVA and Kickstarter but also include a

on the community? They certainly can,

to address social concerns. Many social

Detroit grassroots organizations like SOUP.

especially when they are bottom-up in nature.

entrepreneurs start non-profit ogranizations

Initiatives like the Power House or Heidelberg

but this is not a limiting criteria. With

has grown, there is doubt that business is

project have had quite an impact.

traditional businesses starting to shift

really the tool for fixing social problems.

their values to include the triple bottom

Dan Izzo, from BizdomU compares social

barely businesses. As such, they more

line, the line between social and traditional

entreprenurship to using a wrench for a

embody the entrepreneurial mindset than

entrepreneurship has been blurred. Typically

job that needs a hammer. Regardless of

they are actually entrepreneurial.

A unique subset of social

While social entrepreneurship

The best ones are very social and

118

Images from SOUP45-52

119

â€œ SOUP is... a collaborative situation, a public dinner, a theatrical environment, a platform for performance, a local experiment in micro-funding, a relational hub connecting various creative communities, a forum for discussion, an opportunity to support creative people in Detroit.â€?53

120

From left to right: Josh Linkner, Dan Gilbert, and Brian Hermelin of Detroit Venture Partners54

121

Venture Capital Funded Startups This group of entrepreneurs seek funding

endeavors as well. If one of these investments

demographic—the kind of group that has

in order to raise capital to build a business.

really explodes, or if a number of investments

been increasingly attracted to urban living

venture capitalists (VCs) and angel investors

become mid sized tech companies based in

and are demanding walkable, bikable, locally

often fill this role with the expectation that

Detroit, which is more likely, it could have a

sourced lifestyles—clientele for the lifestyle

their portfolio of investments will yield a

major impact on the city. These businesses

entrepreneurs.

large return. The quintessential investment

can create hundreds of well paying jobs which

for them is putting a small to mid sized

will either employ qualified people in the city

country is scrambling to create their own

amount of money to fund the next Google or

or will attract those looking for jobs, say from

version of Silicon Valley, Detroit’s VCs

Facebook. Another common goal is to start

the University of Michigan. This fills space

contend that their city is a unique place. The

a company that launches a new technology,

downtown, creates a significant rise in the

fifty-year mass exodus has left a whole in the

builds a market, then sells out to a larger

tax base (which may fund social programs)

economy and tarnished the image of Detroit,

company. Web startups are very common,

and brings money to the local restaurants,

but it also left behind an infrastructure that

but green technology, energy technology,

etc. Tech companies are typically made up

can be utilized. Detroit’s uniqueness may have

transportation, etc. are viable and large scale

of younger, educated, and a more flexible

created the perfect entrepreneurial storm.

Although almost every city in the

122

Bizdom U

Renaissance VC

Detroit Venture Partners

Early Stage Capital Fund

Dow Chemical Company

Crazed on a Mission

Bizdom U provides comprehensive, real-

The Renaissance Venture Capital Fund is a

Looking for investment opportunities in these

world training, mentorship, and support for

Michigan-based fund of funds that supports

sectors: internet, digital media, marketing

entrepreneurs who have a burning passion

the growth of venture capital in Michigan

technology, direct-to-consumer, sports &

and determination to build a growth-

while serving as a bridge between Michiganâ€™s

entertainment, social media, e-commerce,

oriented, Detroit-based or Cleveland-based

emerging innovation company community and

software. 58

business. 55

its strong industrial and commercial base. 57

123

Fontinalis Partners

RPM Ventures

The More Program

Bill Ford’s Investment Company

Focused on technology

Where Entrepreneurial Ideas Take Flight

Fontinalis’ mission is to leverage its

Provides capital and guidance to

The MORE Program fuels the development

considerable product management

entrepreneurs starting and building

and speed with which entrepreneurial ideas

experience, market access, strategic

innovative technology companies.

take shape and go to market. By working

relationships, cross-border expertise, and

with Colleges and Universities, Incubator

background in transportation innovation to

Programs, Industry Associations, High-Tech

scale companies providing the transportation

Small Businesses, and Government Agencies

technology solutions of tomorrow.

They provide “Fast Track” access to resources

required to develop and market new ideas for business. 64

“[There is] nowhere to shop for clothes, no where to shop for food. I won’t shop down here. People work here, 65 not live here.”

124

125

Collaboration is Crucial Challenges and Opportunities for Detroit Entrepreneurship Despite the positive shift in media attention,

to scale up. For top-down initiatives to gain

Region. Teaming with the Univ. of Michigan

the image of Detroit as a shrinking and

traction, they will need to enlist the support

to create the R&B Conference is a good

stagnant city still prevail. Detroit advocates

of the community. Recently, Wayne State

example. Collaborative efforts with Grand

argue that their city doesn’t need to be

Univ. and the DMC realized that they could

Rapids,Traverse City, Chicago, etc. remain

revived, it’s already alive; trehis is true.

invest $1 million in their neighborhood by

opportunities for regional partnerships.

Using ingenuity and teamwork, the citizens

switching their annual bread order to Avalon

Detroit is strategically positioned next to the

of Detroit have made due and created

International Breads—a great example of large

country’s largest trade partner, Canada, an

their scene against the odds. But as the

organizations partnering with a local business

asset that might be further developed.

city changes and reemerges, it becomes

in a symbiotic way. Led by Mayor Bing, the

important that it looks outward as well as

Detroit Works Project demonstrates the city

this city has seen. The question for the

inward to strengthen itself.

is already working in an integrative way.

leaders and the stakeholders of a new

Detroit is: how will Detroit’s entrepreneurial

Partnerships and collaboration are

Detroit should also look outside

This is not the first burst of energy

key. As bottom-up dreamers and doers seek

the city limits for partnerships with other

reemergance lead to a deep-rooted, durable,

to establish their businesses, they will need

communities in the state and the Great Lakes

and integrated future?

126 1. Photograph. Paul Truba: DU Portfolio.

thedetroitbureau.com/wp-content/

16-17. Photograph & Info. Model D

Web. 27 Jan. 2011. < https://portfolio.

uploads/2009/09/William-Clay-Ford-Jr..

Media: The Young & Entrepreneurial:

du.edu/pc/port.detail?id=152718 >.

jpg>

Q&A with Elevator Building Developer

2. Photograph. Justin Mast: Mike Han in Avalon Bakery. 3. Photograph. CNN Assignment Detroit: Detroit’s Ripple Effect. Web. 27 Jan. 2011.

10. Quote: William Ford at the Revitalization

Randy Lewarchik. Web. 27 Jan. 2011.

and Business Conference at the Ross

<http://modeldmedia.com/features/

School of Business. Jan 21, 2011.

randylewarchikelevatorbuildi

11. Photograph. Metro Mode Media: Guest

<http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/

Blogger: Chris Rizik. Web. 27 Jan. 2011.

smallbusiness/0902/gallery.detroit_

<http://www.metromodemedia.com/

ripples.smb/7.html>

blogs/bloggers/chrisrizik0122.aspx>

ng072710.aspx>.

18. Photograph. Google Maps < http://www. google.com/lochp?hl=en&tab=wl&q= > 19. Photograph. Detroit Yes: Russell

4. Quote. Claire Nelson at the Revitalization

12. Quote: William Ford at the Revitalization

and Business Conference at the Ross

2011. <http://www.detroityes.com/

School of Business.

School of Business. Jan 21, 2011.

news/070419/601pics/101.htm>

5–6. Photograph. The Urbane Life: BareBones

13. Photograph. Google Maps. 27 Jan.

Industrial Center. Web. 27 Jan.

20. Russel Industrial Center Website. Web. 27

Detroit. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www.

2011. <http://www.google.com/

Jan. 2011. <http://www.metromodemedia.

theurbanelife.com/?p=4958>.

lochp?hl=en&tab=wl&q=>

com/blogs/bloggers/chrisrizik0122.aspx>

7–8. Quote. The Urbane Life: BareBones

14. Photograph. Better Than Sex: Resurget

Detroit. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www.

Cineribus <http://guswez.wordpress.

theurbanelife.com/?p=4958>.

com/2009/11/22/resurget-cineribus/>

9. Photograph. The Detroit Bureau: Billions

15. Quotes. Model D Media: Woodward

in UAW Liabilities off Ford Balance

Avenue <http://www.modeldmedia.com/

Sheet. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www.

focusareas/woodwardave.aspx>

21. Photograph. Google Maps <> 22. Omni Corps Website. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://omnicorpdetroit.com/blog/ about-ocd/> 23–25. Photographs. Eastern Market District: Economic Development Strategy < http://

127 www.detroiteasternmarket.com/media/

Indie entrepreneur goes global from

files/60_eastern_market_district_plan_

Russell Industrial Studio. Web. 27 Jan.

sept_2008.pdf >

2011. <http://www.modeldmedia.com/

26. Detroit Eastern Market Website. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. < http://www. detroiteasternmarket.com/index.php >

features/grrldog101210.aspx> 33. Photograph. Model D Media: The

aspx>. 38. Photograph. Justin Mast. Sarah Lipinski. Web. 17 Jan. 2011. 39. Photograph. Model D Media: Model D Speaker Series: Focus on Future of Detroit

Young & Entrepreneurial: Austin Black

Business. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://

of City Living Detroit. Web. 27 Jan.

www.modeldmedia.com/features/

Business Conference at the Ross School of

2011. <http://www.modeldmedia.com/

speakerseries111.aspx>.

Business. Jan 20, 2011.

features/austin083110.aspx>

27. Quote: Phil Cooley at the Revitalization and

28. Photograph. Crains Detroit: Twenty in

34. Photograph. Kate Daugdrill. Detroit

40. Photograph. Model D Media: Fast Company: Torya Blanchard of Good

their Twenties: Phillip Cooley. Web. 27 Jan.

SOUP.Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www.

Girls Go To Paris Crepes. Web. 27 Jan.

2011. <http://www.crainsdetroit.com/

detroitsoup.com/root/photos/>

2011. <http://www.modeldmedia.com/

files/twenty07/20_cooley.html>

35. Wikipedia. Entrepreneurship <

29. Photograph. Ford Motor Company.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

30. Photograph. Detroit RiverFront

Entrepreneurship>

Conservancy. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. < http:// www.detroitriverfront.org/dequindre/ >. 31. Photograph. Flickr: ELIZAJANECURTIS.

36. Scott Belsky. Twitter Post. 18 Jan. 2011. <https://twitter.com/#!/scottbelsky> 37. Quote. Model D Media. The Young &

timnews/toryablanchard20709.aspx>. 41. Photograph. Justin Mast: Wheel House Detroit. 20 Jul. 2010. 42. Photograph. CraftZine: Detroit’s City Bird: Makers, Makers, Everywhere. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://blog.craftzine.com/

Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://

Entreprenerial: Q&A with Sarah Lapinski

archive/2010/03/detroits_city_bird_

www.flickr.com/photos/

of Motor City Sewing and Design. Web. 27

makers_make.html>

elizajanecurtis/3522669159/>

Jan. 2011. <http://www.modeldmedia.

32. Photograph. Model D Media: Go Grrldog:

com/features/sarahlapinskiQA1110.

43. Quote: “The Makeshift Detroit” by Stephen McGee, <http://vimeo.

128 com/17638668> 44. Quote. Noam Kimelman of Get Fresh Detroit, <http://www.getfreshdetroit. com/p/goals-objectives.html> 45. Photograph. Justin Ames. Detroit SOUP. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www.

51. Photograph. Kate Daugdrill. Detroit SOUP. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www. detroitsoup.com/root/photos/> 52. Photograph. Vanessa Miller. Detroit SOUP. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www. detroitsoup.com/root/photos/>

detroitventurepartners.com/> 59. Photograph. Fontinalis Partners: Home Page. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www. fontinalispartners.com/> 60. Fontinalis Partners: Home Page. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www.

detroitsoup.com/root/photos/>

53. Quote. Kate Daugdrill. Detroit SOUP.

46. Photograph. Emanuel Neculai. Detroit

Web. 27 Jan. 2011. < http://www.

61. Photograph. Share This: Home Page. Web.

detroitsoup.com/home/about/>

27 Jan. 2011. <http://sharethis.com/>

SOUP. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www. detroitsoup.com/root/photos/> 47. Photograph. Vanessa Miller. Detroit SOUP. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www. detroitsoup.com/root/photos/> 48. Photograph. Erin Sweeny. Detroit SOUP. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www. detroitsoup.com/root/photos/> 49. Photograph. Vanessa Miller. Detroit SOUP. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www. detroitsoup.com/root/photos/> 50. Photograph. Erin Sweeny. Detroit SOUP. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www. detroitsoup.com/root/photos/>

54. Photograph. Detroit Venture Partners: Home Page. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http:// detroitventurepartners.com/> 55. BizdomU. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http:// www.bizdom.com/> 56. Photograph. Renaissance Venture

fontinalispartners.com/>

62. RPM Ventures: Home Page. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www.rpmvc.com/> 63. Photograph. The MORE Program: Home Page. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www. themoreprogram.com/> 64. The MORE Program: Home Page. Web. 27

Capital Fund: Home Page. Web. 27 Jan.

Jan. 2011. <http://www.themoreprogram.

2011. <http://www.renvcf.com/>

com/>

57. Renaissance Venture Capital Fund: Home

65. Quote. Jacob Cohen. Interview with Jacob

Page. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www.

Cohen of Detroit Venture Partners. 17

renvcf.com/>

Jan. 2011. < http://www.detroitsoup.com/

58. Detroit Venture Partners: Home Page. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://

home/about/>

129

130

131

Cultivating a City Agrarian Detroit Kurt Schleicher

Left : â€œGood Farm Movementâ€? sticker on a city bike rack . 1

132

133

“If people can have a rottweiller, why can’t I have a 3 mini-goat?”

134

“ Of all the innovative solutions offered to solve Detroit’s problems, none has generated such enthusiasm, or so much skepticism, as urban agriculture.”4 To better understand how agriculture can aide in the city’s recovery, one must accept the realities of such an idealism while maintaining a vision for Detroit that stretches beyond actuality. What looks good on paper does not always

or dollars. The problem with this equation

communities and providing educational

translate that well when applied to reality.

is that there is the assumption that it could

training. While this is a good endeavor, it is

Compromises will be made and unseen

ever be solved. Many of the vacant lots

not going to save Detroit any time soon.

obstacles will emerge. This is to say that

in Detroit are toxic, either from industry

things are not as simple as they seem. For

or from different pesticides used in lawn

existing community gardens in Detroit, the

urban agriculture to have a real impact on

maintenance. In addition, farming requires

area would total roughly one square mile.

the future of Detroit, it needs to exist less

a lot of manual labor with little return. Who

Considering the forty square miles of vacant

as an idealized remedy to be implemented

would tend these farms? During the Second

land in the Detroit, this is a small figure.4

throughout the city, and, yet, more than just

World War “it was stylish to garden”5 because

To make a lasting impact on Detroit, urban

a few community gardens slowly taking up

you were a part of a larger, unified whole,

agriculture has to have an audience believe

vacant lots.

supplying food for a country at war. We are

in it. This audience must be proactive

at war today and yet people are eating fast

instead of reactive and made up of larger

of vacant lots in Detroit, and, if cultivated,

food and not gardening. There are a growing

organizations and smaller community

they would produce “Y” amount of crops

number of not for profits working with

groups working together.

It is easy to say there are “X” amount

If one were to gather up all of the

135

Aerial View Nor theast of Lafayette Park , Detroit . 6

136

137

â€œ ...There is a need to engage in diverse communities to create a vision for the form and scale of urban agriculture in Detroit.â€?8 Left : The Peace Keeper s International Garden, Detroit . 7

138

Garden Shitty A productive way of increasing both the yield and the quality of a crop is to apply a high quality fertilizer. This is not to suggest that Ebenezer Howardâ€™s Garden City is shit, so much as it is to understand that it is a fundamental foundation for how we think of urban agriculture today.

Placing emphasis on the adjacencies

and relationships between industrial, residential, and agricultural spaces, Howard calls for the self-sufficient city to be planned well in advance and to be limited in size. The concentric formation will allow greenbelts to encompass the city, creating rural spaces for public parks, while maintaining an urban identity.

The problem with Utopia is that it can

never really exist. It can only exist as an ideal. Designed and written about in 1898, Garden City has served as a guideline for a number of small scale towns or cities across the globe. However many of these sites have ignored

139

Details of Howardâ€™s Garden City 9

140

11 A. Commercial, B. Expandable Industry, C. Non-expandable industry,

11 A. Commercial and Cultural Center, B. Commercial Area, C. Industry

D. Heavy Industry, E. Integrated Industry, F. Small Farms and

D. Heavy Industry, E. Small Farms and Gardens.

Gardens, G. Main Traffic Artery. some of Howard’s most rudimentary guidelines, such as avoiding

drawings above represent Hilberseimer’s study for the reimagining

suburban sprawl and limiting population density, and remain a far cry

of Chicago. The adjacencies of program detailed on the left are

from Howard’s vision in both scale and content.

reminiscent of Howard’s broader plans while the image on the right

more closely resembles an interpretation of outer rings surrounding a

Ludwig Hilberseimer, of the Bauhaus, adopted many similar

designs from Howard’s city in an effort to find a way of decentralizing

central hub, a network of smaller cities to make up the whole.

cities in the future, the desire for which undoubtedly originated with

the demise of the Weimer Republic. Unlike Howard, his universally

city. Howard lays out a clean slate on which to build utopia, while

applicable design were to be nested within existing city limits, focused

Hilberseimer’s plans show no evidence of a prior city whatsoever. In

highly on industry and dissolving city centers. More rural, agricultural

this regard, both planners take the liberty of addressing the city

intentions seemed to be at a smaller scale. The two

Both examples serve as ideal approaches to reinventing the

141

Above: Mass Studies’ Seoul Commune 12; Above Right: MVRDV’s Gwanggyo Power Centre 13; Bottom Right: MVRDV’s Pig City. 14

without acknowledging or adapting the city from its original state of being. Both are ideals independent of the reality of the situation.

More recent projects such as Mass Studies’ and MVRDV’s

competition entries for the future of Seoul, Korea, and MVRDV’s Pig City, project urban agriculture growing vertically, rather than horizontally. While these more closely address trends dealing with urban densification and sustainability today, the, almost naive, idealism they instill is on par with their predecessors and offer little solution to existing problems within existing cities.

142

15 Aerial view of Black Bottom street grid and residential housing with a

1950

red boundary marking the future of Lafayette Park, c. 1944.

One of Hilberseimer’s larger planning

as seen by the street grids in the area

accessing public transportation and other

projects, Lafayette Park, is situated just

formerly known as Black Bottom, a name

cultural ammenities, the potentially short

east of downtown Detroit. The series of

derived from the site’s fertile soil. Over the

distances between work and home, and one’s

photographs above show the transformation

years one observes the erasure of the prior

adjacency with nature.

of Detroit’s primarily residential Black Bottom

city to make room for a more diverse network

neighborhood into what is now Lafayette.

of, or decentralized distribution of, different

Hilberseimer’s “organizational structure did

sized buildings. In this context we are able to

not defer to the abstraction of the grid but

for Chicago that had little site reference,

see the character of the planner’s fixation on

rather was informed by the specifics of the

Hilberseimer’s design for Lafayette Park is

proximity; the ability to walk about without

natural environment...”15 Upon taking a closer

situated within the actual context of the city

the interference of automobiles, the ease of

look, the grid merely becomes

Unlike his almost diagramatic plans

Some would argue that

143

1959

camouflaged to some degree, mostly by nature. While the new cul-de-sacs do not cross through the property, creating more public space, they do line up with the very grids they attempt to split apart. Even the infrasturcture of the waterline continues across the park, influencing the placement of buildings and bubblers thoughout the park.

Utopia is compromised, but Lafayette

stands as a testament to oneâ€™s belief in it.

16 2010

144

Black Bottom street grid, c. 1949.

New Lafayette Park street grid, c. 1963.

145

(Red) Black Bottom, c. 1949, and (Black) New

1949 (Red) and 1963 (Black) property

Lafayette Park, c. 1963, overlaid.

subdivisions overlaid.

146

Give Me a “V” Victory Gardens, sometimes referred to as war gardens or food gardens for defense, started taking root during both the second and first World Wars in an effort to lower the price of vegetables needed to feed the troops overseas. These gardens sprung up not only in more rural areas, but also on urban rooftops and abandoned lots, even public land such as San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.

At one point in 1942, “about 5.5

million gardeners participated in the war garden effort...”5 and the USDA “estimated over 20 million garden plots were planted with an estimated 9-10 million pounds of fruit and vegetables grown a year, 44 percent of the fresh vegetables in the United States.”5

Today, Boston’s Back Bay Fens is

home to one of the few surviving victory gardens in America from the end of WWII. “During the war years, Americans discovered and benefited from gardening’s many advantages. It was stylish to garden...”5 So

147

Victor y gardener s around the countr y. 5

148

5 17 what happened to this mentality and how do we get it back? Surely

wars are not the driving force any longer and relying on fear or a time of crisis to influence a nation has proven to be an unsustainable model. During the World Wars the government had elaborate campaigns expressing the patriotism involved in gardening. This top-down approach motivating people to get involved is not present any longer and it has been up to more local organizations or individuals to encourage people to grow in their own communities.

This bottom-up approach may take a little longer to establish

itself, but, in doing so, may prove to be a more complex, sustainable system in the future. Shifting from the model of a food garden for defense, to a food garden for offense will take time. But the reward of such a shift in mentality has the potential to influence future generations to come.

149

Victor y Garden Campaign Signs During the Fir st and Second World War s.

150

Public ar t as modern day campaigns 1

151

â€œDo young people really want to put down their iPhones to grow vegetables?â€?4

152

Obese_City American obesity has been on the rise since

poor eating habits and lack of excercise, such

the middle of the twentieth century. In 2007,

as complexities stemming from the economy

Forbes Magazine listed Detroit in the top five

and unemployment. Griffioen argues that

of America’s most obese cities with an obese

“... the model we have here is more

population of 30.4%. This statistic, they say,

sustainable, more diverse in its options, and

reflects the apparent “food desert” within

certainly more fun and interesting”24 when

parts of the city where people are deprived of

compared to other cities’ brand-named

healthy and fresh food varieties.

shopping centers.

While the article also lists physical

So why has obesity been on the rise

inactivity and poor eating habits as potential

for more than a half century? Surely not all

causes for Detroit’s current state, it is

cities suffer from “food desert” syndrome.

nonetheless quick to perpetuate, what some

While Detroit has suffered in recent history,

residents consider, the media’s myth of

other cities have flourished, and yet obesity is

Detroit as a “food desert.” One particular

still on the rise almost everywhere one looks.

resident who vehemently despises this myth

is Jim Griffioen, author of the urbanist blog

obesity stems not from any current situation

Sweet Juniper. Griffioen not only points to

within any particular location, but rather

the abundance of independently owned

from a rich history in which Americans have

grocery stores in the area that are too often

been taught to appreciate convenience over

dismissed as discount liquor stores, but also

quality, immediate gratification over patience.

suggests that Detroit’s situation just might be

It seems to be that the faster things get, the

a little more complicated than the result of

slower we move.

A large factor in the current state of

153

154

Fast Lane

Fa( )t Food

Watch What You Eat

The automotive industry provided Americans

The advent of the open road fostered a new

Taking note of the rising trend in convenience

with a sense of unprecedented freedom;

cultural phenomenon: fast food, which, in

foods, the SwansonTV dinner made its debut

mobility beyond the realm of physical

turn, gave birth to chain restaurants across

in 1953, forever redefining the notion of a

exertion. With it came the exodus from the

the United States. Today, national restaurant

home-cooked meal. No more food prepping,

city in search of an undefined suburbia. Henry

chains’ serving sizes have grown in scale,

just pop the meal in the oven and you are

Ford once stated, “the city is doomed...We

ranging anywhere from two to five times their

ready to eat. Other brands such as Banquet

shall solve the city problem by abandoning

size in the 1970s.

began at this time as well. Today, Hungry-

the city;” a fine declaration for someone

Man’s tv dinner comes available in hearty size

selling automobiles indeed.

of XXL.

155

A Hard Pill to Swallow

Good Things Come in Small Packages

As far back as the early 20th century, the idea of one day having to,

When the realization that the food pills of the future were not

or being able to, eat an entire meal in pill form has both terrified

coming anytime soon, Americans grew to rely on nutritional

and excited us. Considering the hype over astronaut food in its early

pills as a means to supplement their daily diet. Taking pill form,

stages, this idea did not seem too far off. Remember Tang? This

appetite suppressants flooded the market. Instead of addressing

promised to be convenience food at its apex.

the problem of weight gain by being proactive, we can sit passively by and order a diet pill we view on tv while eating our Hungry-Man XXL.

156

â€œ An average American consumes more than 50 pounds of artificial sweeteners per year, which is a 300% increase since 1965... much of that increase is due to the popularity of diet soft drinks.â€?26

157

158

159

â€œIn 1945, Americans drank more than four times as much milk as carbonated soft drinks; in 1997, they downed nearly two and half times more soda than milk.â€?36

160

Production Line

Early Advertising

Diet Faygo

Feigenson Brothers Bottling Works started

Product sales stretched throughout the state

One calorie Faygo hit the market as sales

at a small scale selling non-carbonated

of Michigan as a result of early advertising

began to stretch beyond the state of

fruit flavored drinks with a short shelf

and marketing campaigns. Commercial

Michigan. The introduction of the can not

life to those in the Detroit area. With the

animations, such as the Faygo Kid, made

only made the beverage easier to ship longer

purchase of a Ford delivery truck and a new

the beverage a household name while the

distances, but also gave the product a new

facility on Gratiot, the company renamed

introduction of preservatives allowed the soft

image that became very popular at parties.38

itself Faygo and soon added carbonation to

drink to be more widely distributed.

their beverages, nicknaming their product â€œpopâ€? after the sound the bottle made upon opening.38

1907-1930

1950

1960

161

Vending Machines

A Niche Market

Throw Back

The Faygo vending machine dispensed cold 16

The introduction of the online Faygo POPshop

Faygo nostalgically reintroduced its 16 ounce

ounce glass bottles , allowing the company

in the late nineties allowed for the company

bottle with retro modifications. The attempt

to sell more product in new environments, all

to supply fans with its product, regardless of

at rebranding the product by looking to the

the while capitalizing on a growing societyâ€™s

which city they lived in, furthering the reach

past immediately paid off.

need for immediate gratification.

of Faygoâ€™s distribution.

1970

1990

2000

162

7 oz

1910

12 oz

1930

32 oz

1950

163

12 oz

1960

16 oz

1970

64 oz

24 oz

2010

164

Betting the Farm In 2009 John Hantz proposed creating a large commercial farm within the city of Detroit, a feat that would be made possible through the acquisition of vacant and abandoned land parcels throughout the city. The farm would employ Detroiters and sell a variety of produce wholesale to large buyers in and out of state, such as hospitals, universities, and retail markets.42

While Hantz, a Detroit businessman,

seems sincere in his vision, there remains skepticism among the community. Many

“ I’m concerned about the corporate takeover of the urban agriculture movement in Detroit.”43 —Malik Yakini

community gardeners question the intent, or

Founder of the Detroit Black

longevity of big businesses in the city given

Community Food Security Network

Detroit’s economic history over the past half century. They also see gardening as an opposition to the corporate structure and take pride in growing their gardens off of the grid. To the majority, gardening is less of a business and more of a means to enrich and empower the community.

Whether or not the future of Detroit’s

165

urban agriculture lies in the hands of a top-down, or bottom-up approach is not the question to be asked. The question is how both systems can mutually benefit from working together. To impose a large scale operation such as Hantz Farm onto a city that is against it, is as idealistic an endeavor as the individual gardener who believes that his garden will have a huge impact on the community, or city.

Urban agriculture in Detroit is an

emergent system and, as such, complexity can only strengthen its sustainability. To pigeon hole urban agriculture as either a big business or a grass roots effort, is to limit its stability in the long run and prevent it from reaching its full potential. If urban agriculture can adapt as a complex system, involving both ends of the spectrum, the future of an agrarian Detroit looks promising.

Hantz Farms Mission: “It’s our dream to rejuvenate our city by returning to our agrarian roots, by creating the world’s largest urban farm right here in Detroit, a sustainable producer and seller of homegrown fruits and vegetables as well as clean energy. Owned, operated and staffed by Detroiters, Hantz Farms will provide:

Hundreds of ‘green’ jobs for local residents, with on-the-job

education.

A generous supply of fresh, local, safe produce for our

families and the region.

A cleaner, greener environment for our children.

Synergy for local businesses.

Consolidation of city resources.”44

166

Garden Resource Program Collaborative/ Detroit Agriculture Network About Us: â€œUrban gardens and farms play an important role in the City of Detroit. They provide thousands of pounds of fresh, nutritious produce for Detroit families and improve our communities by connecting neighbors, providing an attractive alternative to trash-strewn vacant lots, improving property values, and reducing crime.

In an effort to maximize these benefits, The Greening of Detroit, Detroit Agriculture

Network, EarthWorks Urban Farm/Capuchin Soup Kitchen, and Michigan State University began working together in 2003 to provide residents with the supplies and resources they need to grow food in the city.

Now in its seventh year, The Garden Resource Program (GRP) provides support to

more than 875 urban gardens and farms in Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck. GRP members receive resources including seeds and Detroit grown transplants and become part of a growing network of growers and advocates working to promote and encourage urban agriculture and a thriving local food system in the City.â€?45 45

167

The Greening of Detroit

Earthworks Urban Farm

MISSION: “The Greening of Detroit, is a 501 (c)(3) not for profit

MISSION: “Earthworks works to restore our connection to the

organization, established in 1989 to guide and inspire the

environment and community in keeping with the tradition of our

reforestation of Detroit. Our latest strategic plan reflects commitment

spiritual patron, St. Francis. It is a working study in social justice, as

to a clear sense of direction that will guide the organization’s

well as in being more connected to the food we eat... Neighbors and

development over the next five years.

friends of all ages, incomes and faiths join us in our work.

A new vision was established, expanding The Greening’s

‘Earthworks’ has two meanings: First, ‘Earthwork’ from a

mission to guide and inspire others to create a ‘greener’ Detroit

military perspective is an earthen barricade to protect from an

through planting and educational programs environmental leadership,

advancing attack. The concept of our Earthworks is that it protects

advocacy, and by building community capacity.”

the environment and us by showing people how to live in harmony with

nature assisting in building relationships of mutual benefit. Second, ‘Earthworks’ reflects the work that the Earth does. In this sense, we value the Earth’s work and recognize ourselves as shareholders in the natural economy of energy exchange (goods and services) in this living system.”47

168 1. Uploaded Designs. http://www. goodfarmmovement.com/ 2. Novella Carpenter and her Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Oakland, California. http://www.

State University. http://www.physorg.

New York: Prestel Verlag, 2004. p. 25, 56,

com/news/2010-11-detroit-urban-farms-

68, 128,129.

majority-local.html 9. Ebenezer Howard’s Garden Cities of To-

countryfarm-lifestyles.com/nigerian-

Morrow. http://www.library.cornell.edu/

dwarf-goats.html

Reps/DOCS/howard.htm

3. http://www.goatjusticeleague.org/Site/ Legalizing_Goats.html 4. Gallagher, John. Reimagining Detroit.

10. http://www.purebauhaus.com/people/ ludwig-hilberseimer 11. Photoshopped Images. Hilberseimer, L.

Detroit: Wayne State University Press,

The New Regional Pattern. Chicago: Paul

2010. p. 41, 58, 61.

Theobald, 1949. p. 162, 164.

5. Victory Garden Images and Text. http://

12. Mass Studies’ Seoul Commune 2026.

16. Google Earth Image of Lafayette Park, Detroit. 17. Poster, http://vintagraph.com/wwiposters/single-gallery/2362991 18. Poster, http://www.corbisimages.com/ Enlargement/AAKG001021.html 19. Poster, http://www.dinnergarden.org/ victoryGardens.html 20. Poster, http://www.historicpelham.com/ blogarchive/Blog20051107.htm

sidewalksprouts.wordpress.com/history/

http://kostasvoyatzis.wordpress.

wwii/

com/2007/05/19/seoul-commune-2026-

edu/extension/hgic/hot_

rethinking-“towers-in-the-park”-by-mass-

topics/2009/02victory_gardens.html

6. Photoshopped Google Earth Image of Detroit Vacancies. 7. Photograph Taken By Corine Vermeulen,

studies/ 13. MVRDV’s Gwanggyo Power Centre.

The Peacemakers International Gardens,

http://www.dezeen.com/2008/12/03/

Chene Street, Detroit – 2007. http://

gwanggyo-power-centre-by-mvrdv/

heartland.vanabbe.nl/?p=181 8. Mike Ham, Leads C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at Michigan

14. MVRDV’s Pig City. http://www. architecturetoday.co.uk/?p=11754 15. Waldheim, Charles. Lafayette Park Detroit.

21. Poster, http://www.clemson.

22. Poster, http://www.cityfarmer.org/ grandpasVG.html 23. America’s Most Obese Cities, Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/2007/11/14/ health-obesity-cities-forbeslifecx_rr_1114obese_slide_6. html?thisSpeed=undefined

169 24. Grocery Stores in Detroit Do Exist. Griffioen, James. http://www. urbanophile.com/2011/01/25/yes-thereare-grocery-stores-in-detroit-by-jamesgriffioen/ 25. Larry Wright, the Detroit News. http:// www.sitnews.us/RobHolston/031706_ fitness.html 26. Nutrition. http://www.faqs.org/nutrition/ Diab-Em/Dietary-Trends-American.html 27. Fast Lane. http://gregcreason.wordpress. com/ 28. 50s McDonaldâ€™s Sign. http://www.flickr. com/photos/trancefield/2931908144/ 29. Swanson TV Dinner. http://boingboing. net/2005/07/20/tv_dinner_inventor_g. html 30. Food Pills, http://davidszondy.com/ future/Living/foodpills.htm 31. Dietary Supplements. http://health. howstuffworks.com/medicine/ medication/diet-pill.htm

32. http://greensx.com/info/markets.php 33. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ gurjeetkaur/3944926501/ 34. Soft Drink Consumption. http://www. dailyyonder.com/most-fast-food-personand-other-food-facts/2010/02/12/2586 35. Pop Vs. Soda. http://munchcast. com/2009/03/02/173 36. Soda Vs. Milk. http://www.ers.usda.gov/ publications/aib750/aib750g.pdf 37. Photoshopped Faygo Billboard image. http://forkingarounddetroit.blogspot.

42. Hantz Farms. http://detnews.com/ article/20090723/opinion03/907230340/ John-Hantz-envisions-vacant-Detroitland-as-a-working-farm 43. http://www.treehugger.com/ files/2010/01/future-farming-in-detroit. php 44. Hantz Farms Introduction. http://www. hantzfarmsdetroit.com/introduction.html 45. DAN. http://www.detroitagriculture.org/ GRP_Website/Home.html 46. Greening of Detroit Mission. http://www.

com/2008/12/whats-your-favorite-faygo-

greeningofdetroit.com/6_0_our_mission.

flavor.html

php

38. Faygo. http://www.faygo.com/Display. aspx?id=20 39. Production. http://www.livingdetroit. wayne.edu/wiki/index.php/Faygo 40. Early Advertising. http://www. detroitkidshow.com/The_Faygo_Kid.htm 41. Early Diet Faygo Can. http://mx.ioffer. com/c/Collectibles-150000/diet

47. Earthworks Urban Farm Mission. http:// www.cskdetroit.org/EWG/mission.cfm 48. http://detroitk12.org/inside_ dps/2008/10/10/ivan-ludington-magnetmiddle-school/ 49. http://2buildings1blog.org/pulitzer/ category/uncategorized/

170

Left : “Splitting: Four Corner s”, Gordon Matta-Clark , 1974 1 ; Right : Blue-collar housing development , Detroit’s West side, 1927. 2

171

1, Detached Renewed and emerging housing in Detroit

Aaron Weller

172

1, 3 4 9 , 9 0 0 single f amily, 3 de t a ch e d unit s , 2003 2,956 new housing permits in the city, 2005 4 300,726 new housing permits in the suburb, 2005 4

Over 67,000 foreclosures vacant, 2009 5

Opposite left : Russell Woods, Detroit ; opposite right : Twin Maple Ln., West Bloomfield Hills

100ft. 173

“ Decentralization is taking place. It is not a policy, it is a reality—and it is impossible for us to change 6 174 this trend as it is to change the desire of birds to migrate to a more suitable location.” —Seward H. Mott, Senior Federal Housing Administration official, 1939

“ This inconsistency in the application of building and other restrictions to subdivisions in the same area, is merely one indication of the effect of lack of control and coordination.”7 —Michigan State Planning Commission, June 1939

Post-war Detroit was beset with problems

‘nature’, albeit mythical. A new house in

In 1939, the Michigan State Planning

stemming from long-standing structural

the suburb became a tendency induced

Commission voiced concern regarding

issues including housing shortages and

by Federal policy encouragement, namely

informal development occurring on the

an aging central city housing stock. Cities

through long-term financing guarantees from

fringes of Detroit. The plan opposite,

had not attempted to address the Great

the Home Owner’s Loan Corporation (HOLC).

published by the State Planning Commission

Migration of African Americans from the

A new house in the suburb became a reaction

in 1939, exemplifies broad concerns on the

Southern United States, and continued

against misperceived threats to ethnic and

part of stakeholders during this period.

immigration of peoples from Europe, Asia,

urban identities. A new house in the suburb

Subdivision homogeneity was prioritized

and Latin America. For earlier generations of

became in vogue: ubiquitous electrification,

over heterogeneity, both in terms of social

immigrants, already settled and economically

variable point transport via roads and cars,

and economic strata. The Michigan State

mobile, the suburb emerged as a viable

and mass produced gadgets promising leisure

Planning Commission was concerned with

frontier to a burgeoning central city. A new

all seemed congruent in vast open farmland.

the diversity of restrictions in close proximity

house in the suburb put on multifarious

Suburbia emerged unplanned, however, it

with no concern expressed regarding explicit

guises. A new house in the suburb became

provoked a desire for order, and became a

discrimination, instead pronouncing a call to

an intimate domicile in close proximity to

counterpoint against a decentralizing city.

control this emerging type of habitation.

Right : Michigan State Planning Commission study of Garden City and Village of Inkster, 1939. 10

175

176

Another incident of diversity in housing, here

of a comprehensive plan that also included

ects that would accommodate the relocation

with desire for class integration, was con-

riverfront development, cultural and conven-

of residents, largely African Americans, cur-

sciously proposed in the late 1940s.

tion center development, and transporta-

rently living in houses slated for clearance.

In 1949, The Federal Housing Act made

tion. Through its planning efforts the City

The new public housing proposals were sited

available federal money for housing projects

of Detroit was able to secure money from

in dispersed locations throughout the city,

coordinated by local governments which

the federal government. Much of the money

not simply concentrated at the core. Instead,

could include private developers. Detroit

awarded to local municipalities was spent in

new public housing was proposed at the

prior to this federal assistance program initi-

the name of â€œurban renewalâ€?. Areas of the city

municipal edges. It was thought that public

ated studies for a comprehensive master plan

were judged as blighted and slated for slum

housing nearer to the most economic mo-

in 1946 (the plan was not approved as a cohe-

clearance. In addition to this general trend,

bile would be beneficial. The proposals were

sive document until 1951). The plan aspired

The City of Detroit had plans to maintain and

never built. George Edwards was defeated by

to confront issues posed by post-World War II

build new public housing projects. George

Albert Cobo in a 1949 Mayoral race. All public

cities, including housing.

Edwards, then City Council President who

housing sites proposed at the city periphery

Housing initiatives were coordinated

oversaw the City Plan Commission presented

were deleted between 1949-1950. However,

as part of a general land use plan, one part

a document that proposed a number of proj-

urban renewal and slum clearance persisted.

Right : City of Detroit Planning Commission Proposed Generalized Land Use Plan & Proposed System of Trafficways. 12

177

July 15, 1949: President Harry S. Truman signs the Federal Housing Act. 178

Fall 1949: Albert Cobo elected mayor, defeats George Edwards, then president of the Common Council (agency that overlooks City Planning Commission). January 19, 1950: Housing Commission applies for two-year program reservation of $4,311,440 in capital grants for slum clearance and urban redevelopment. January 24, 1950: Common Council deletes site no. 11 from cityâ€™s public low-rent housing program. March 14, 1950: Common Council deletes sites no. 5, 6, 7, 7A, 8, 9; approves site no. 1, 2, 3 and 4. May 2, 1950: Common Council deletes site no. 4 from the cityâ€™s public housing program.13 Right : Proposed public housing sites for Detroit in the 1940s. 14

179

â€œEach side of a block was rated from a slowly moving automobile. Two raters were used in order to minimize individual bias. The ratings were based on two general criteria: 1. the condition of the residential structures; 2. the environment. It was found that the following external factors were indicative of poor housing: 1. structure out of plumb; 2. Rotting of building members; 3. makeshift or deteriorated roof; 4. poor foundations; 5. lack of central heating.â€?15 180

181

Behind: Fisher Freeway, Detroit . 16

182

183

Left : Sanborn Fire Insurance Map with notes on demolition of Black Bottom, 1950. 17 Above left : Gratiot and Orleans street in Black Bottom after demolition, 1951. 18 Above right : Shift change at the Ford River Rouge Plant . 19

184

Housing projects built during urban renewal

area.20 Soon thereafter, demolition became

issues in place that persisted previously, only

benefitted families in need, however, many

an active revitalization strategy. Also in the

now, in a new form? Does the housing short-

factors led to quick deterioration and subse-

1990s, The City of Detroit applied for Hope VI

age that inspired black “pioneers” to venture

quent demolition, not least was a high con-

Federal grants. This program was developed

into all white neighborhoods after the 1948

centration of low-income families with mini-

“to plan for the eradication of severely dis-

Shelley v Kraemer / McGee v Sipes Supreme

mal proximity to economic and social capital.

tressed public housing.” Hope VI has been

Court ruling in favor of open housing still

Most public housing is situated in marginal-

instrumental in providing funds for the demo-

persist? In the wake of urban renewal, “black

ized areas of the city, and is consistently

lition and construction of new public hous-

bottom” and “paradise valley” evaporated,

adjacent to large scale infrastructure and

ing in Detroit. Three projects are currently

many public housing sites have only recently

industrial areas. As a result, public housing

under construction, albeit in the exact same

begun to bustle again with tractors moving

became politically difficult to defend. Federal

location as the demolished projects with only

dirt after 15-plus years left untended, and De-

support has waned during shifts in political

altered architectural characteristics. In most

troit’s central city single-family housing stock

power and during economic recessions.

instances, stick framed townhouses have re-

has steadily dwindled since deindustrializa-

placed brick veneered mega-blocks.

tion and decentralization became prominent

However in 1994, The City of Detroit

Will a wholesale replacement do any-

characteristics of Detroit. Yes, the population

gram with 100mil. Federal dollars allocated

thing more than superficially confront low-

of Detroit has declined, but I wonder if in tan-

to a seemingly arbitrary defined central city

income housing? Are not the same structural

dem with the demand for housing.

instituted a notable urban revitalization pro-

Opposite left : Edsel Ford Freeway, Detroit . Opposite right : House near Mack Ave. & Gratiot Ave. 22

185

186

187

Opposite: occupied housing in Detroit , 2010 23 ; above: City of Detroit Master Plan, “Public Housing”, 1951. 24

188

Harriet Tubman Apar tment s

Village at Parkside IV, rebuilt

Scattered Sites, formerly Jeffries Homes

Sojourner Truth, rebuilt

Diggs Jr. Homes, rebuilt

New Brewster Homes, formerly Brewster -Douglass

Existing Public Housing Sites in the City of Detroit , 2010. 25

189

Jeffries Homes, rebuilt

Garden View Apar tment s, formerly Herman Gardens

Fredrick Douglass Homes

Emerald Springs, formerly Charles Terrace

Jeffries East , formerly Jeffries East

Village at Parkside II, rebuilt

190

These modest and standardized houses in the photograph were built in 1927 for single bluecollar families and measure 2,600 ft2. The houses are located in and around the neighborhood of Russell Woods, which is situated within one of the largest areas not bisected by an expressway and in close proximity to the Central city and Hamtramck. The housing typologies emerging from this neighborhood stand in contrast to both suburban and public housing homogeneity and isolation. Today, most of these brick houses accommodate two residents.

Blue-collar housing development , Detroitâ€™s West side, 1927. 26

191

192

Public housing in Detroit

193

Opposite: occupied housing in Detroit , 2010 27 ; above: City of Detroit Master Plan, â€œRedevelopment Areasâ€?, 1951. 28

194

Kendall Street

Clement s Street

W Grand Street

Blue-collar housing development , Detroitâ€™s West side, 2010. 29

195

Clement s Street

Waverly Street

W Grand Street

Tyler Street

196

1. Photograph of “Splitting: Four Corners”. Gordon Matta-Clark. Englewood, NJ. 1974. 2. Photograph printed in The Origins of the Urban Crisis: Race and Inequality in Postwar Detroit. Thomas J. Sugrue. (New

Estate Appraisal: The Home Owners Loan

Resistance and the Rise of Antiliberalism”.

Corporation and the Federal Housing

p. 209.

Administration.” Kenneth T. Jackson. Journal of Urban History, 6:4 1990. p. 420. 7. Michigan State Planning Commission. A

Jersey: Princeton University Press). 1996,

Study of Subdivision Development in the

2005. p. 21.

Detroit Metropolitan Area. June, 1939. p. 20

3. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

8. See The Origins of the Urban Crisis:

10. Michigan State Planning Commission. A Study of Subdivision Development in the Detroit Metropolitan Area. June, 1939. p. 21 11. Detroit City Plan Commission prepared a report in five parts consisting of: 1. Proposed Plan for the Redevelopment of

Development and U.S. Census Bureau.

Race and Inequality in Postwar Detroit.

the Riverfront, 1946; 2. Proposed System of

American Housing Survey for Detroit

Thomas J. Sugrue. (New Jersey: Princeton

Recreational Facilities, 1946; 3. The Civic

Metropolitan Area, 2003.

University Press). 1996, 2005. Ch. 2:

Center Plan, 1946; 4. Proposed System of

“‘Detroit’s Time Bomb’: Race and Housing

Trafficways, 1946; 5. Proposed Generalized

Detroit”. Office Philipp Oswalt. 2004.

in the 1940s”. Also see City: Urbanism

Land Use Plan: an explanation of a basic

http://www.shrinkingcities.com.

and its End. Douglas W. Rae. (New Haven:

plan designed to make Detroit a better

[accessed Jan 2011]

Yale University Press, 2003). Ch. 8: “Race,

place to live and work, 1947. The separate

Place and the Emergence of Spatial

reports were consolidated in altered and

Hierarchy.” p. 254.

amended form in the 1951 City of Detroit

4. “Shrinking Cities, Working Papers:

5. Detroit City Planning and Development Department. Neighborhood Stabilization Program Plan. Rev. January, 2009. p. 3. 6. Quoted in “Race, Ethnicity, and Real

9. See Origins. Thomas J. Sugrue. 1996, 2005. Ch. 8: “‘Homeowners’ Rights’: White

Master Plan.

197

12. Detroit City Plan Commission. Proposed

17. Map printed in Case: Hilberseimer / Mies

System of Trafficways. 1946. pgs. 1,8, 11.;

Van Der Rohe, Lafayette Park, Detroit.

Proposed Generalized Land Use Plan: an

Charles Waldheim, ed. (Munich: Prestel

explanation of a basic plan designed to

Verlag). 2004.

make Detroit a better place to live and work, 1947. pgs. 1, 12-15. 13. Time line from Profile of a Metropolis: A Case Book. Robert J. Mowitz & Deil S. Wright. (Detroit: Wayne State University Press). 1962. pgs. 25-26. 14. Document printed in Origins Thomas J. Sugrue. 1996, 2005. p. 21. 15. Detroit City Plan Commission. Redevelopment Study: Selection of Areas and Assignment of Priorities. June 1954. p. 6. 16. Photograph by Alex Mclean printed Stalking Detroit. Georgia Daskalakis,

18. Photograph printed in Origins. Thomas J. Sugrue. 1996, 2005. p. 49.

25. Photographs taken from Google Street Map, 2011. 26. Photograph printed in Origins. Thomas J. Sugrue. 1996, 2005. p. 21. 27. Map by author, 2010. 28. Detroit Master Plan. Detroit City Plan

19. Ibid. p. 20

Commission & The City of Detroit. 1951.

20. Detroit Empowerment Zone. http://www.

“Redevelopment Areas”. p. 87.

detez.org/index.asp [accessed, 2010]. 21. Hope VI. http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/ programs/ph/hope6 [accessed, 2010]. Hope VI is now Choice Neighborhoods. http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/ programs/ph/cn [accessed, 2010]. 22. Photographs by author, 2010. 23. Map by author, 2010. 24. Detroit Master Plan. Detroit City Plan

Charles Waldheim and Jason Young, eds.

Commission & The City of Detroit. 1951.

(Barcelona: Actar, 2001). p. 152.

“Public Housing”. p. 89.

29. Photographs taken from Google Street Map, 2011.

ADAPTIVE REUSE 198

199

Tectonic Adaptation Legal and Illegal Constructions of Detroit

Tarlton Long

200

Michigan Theater, built 1926, par tially demolished 1976 2

Heidelberg Project , 1986-present 3

Space Security Reuse201 Introduction In Detroit, adaptive reuse as an architectural typology has its

haphazard assembly of discarded materials and community

own variation, a unique normal. Adaptive reuse is defined as “the

commitment. Though one is more of an act of engineering, and the

process of adapting old structures for purposes other than those

other art, the two projects nonetheless offer a glimpse of the extreme

initially intended.”4 Traditionally, adaptive reuse is considered an

range of the processes and purposes of adaptive reuse projects in

improvement over the existing condition or previous use of the

Detroit. While the critics of the Michigan Theater adaptation were

structure. In Detroit, not only is this not always the case, but the

surely merited in their criticism of that project, their attitude towards

processes and purposes of adaptation tend to have distinct qualities.

greater Detroit fails to recognize the potential of the marginalized

As a city full of vacant buildings, a condition that has existed for

adaptive reuse projects, even the most ad hoc ones. Stemming from

decades, adaptive reuse is common in Detroit and evolved to take

a deeply embedded do-it-yourself culture in Detroit, a culture that

on many forms. Two examples show the significantly varied nature of

emerged as government services declined dramatically throughout the

adaptive reuse in Detroit: the Michigan Theater and the Heidelberg

city, there exists evidence of residents, building owners, architects,

project. The Michigan Theatre represents a form of adaptive reuse

and artists branding the city in their own way through a range of

in which the outcome does not result in an improved condition; a

unique adaptations and modifications to the built environment. From

once magnificent theater was adapted into a parking garage. Criticism

art installations and commissioned renovation projects, to security

ensued: “The Michigan Theater is therefore not merely careless, it is

systems, messy additions, and vacant lot appropriation, there is ample

anti-architectural.”5 As a result of the Michigan Theater adaptation,

evidence that seemingly ad hoc constructions of Detroit are actually

and similar ones throughout Detroit, scholars studying the decline

changing the city for the better. The purpose of many of these projects

of Detroit argued “ad hoc dismantling and ad hoc construction have

are firmly rooted in a desire to improve quality of life. The processes

become the dominate modes of forming and inhabiting the city,”5

to implement these projects stem from a set of tectonics unique

framing many adaptive practices in Detroit as detrimental to the city.

to Detroit that emerged from the do-it-yourself cultural and the

On the other hand, though even more ad hoc and actually illegal, the

abundance of a range of discarded materials and space. The purposes,

Heidelberg Project represents a more optimistic version of adaptive

processes of construction, motivations, and stories behind these

reuse in which once vacant homes were transformed by means of

projects reveal a lot about the normal in Detroit.

202

Space 203

Vernacular addition Improvised assemblies from discarded materials can be found throughout Detroit. Most commonly, building owners and residents use discarded materials to shutter doors and windows in order to provide security from scrappers, arsons, and trespassers. These “vernacular security” systems take many forms, from openings being completely and permanently barricaded by using concrete, CMU blocks, and bricks, to even more informal collections of doors, screens, and scraps of metal densely layered. However, there are also examples of residents constructing spaces from discarded materials. Detroit contains an extensive material pallet at no cost and residents take advantage of this resource in a variety of ways. As shown in the pictures here, the resident of the top unit of this converted home used insulation panels, plastic, screws, and tape to construct a small entry space to their upstairs unit. Though messy, this ad hoc assembly shows citizens taking action to improve quality of life with what is immediately available and free with no regard for adhering to codes. Dubois St and Leland St 7

204

Designed for ease of assembly utilizing simple tools, par t s, and fastener s

Meredith Miller, R. O. 9

Thom Moran: Tables and Chair s 8

Space 205

2010: Five Fellows Full Scale The Five Fellows project, installations designed and constructed by fellows from the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, is a series of interventions that represent individual design research.10 Each fellow, using a variety of materials and construction techniques, re-appropriated defunct domestic space to introduce new moments of inhabitation. For example, Thom Moran’s Tables and Chairs provides the house with its missing staircase and acts as a space for collection and lingering. The construction techniques are extremely simple and the methods for assembly are a response to the lack of infrastructure at the site. Rosalyne Sheih’s installation anticipates future vacancy next door while Meredith Miller’s adds a mobile transition space.

Space opens to adjacent lot to anticipate vacancy and re-orient the building to the empty lot

Rosalyne Shieh: About-Face 11

206

2006: Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit The Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit showcases a commissioned adaptation in which the design attempts to leverage Detroitâ€™s unique sensibilities and history. Instead of denying the circumstances from which the project emerged, a museum housed in an abandoned car dealership, the architect Andrew Zago decided to further emphasize the situation. While budget limitations certainly played a roll in his design, the building is left intentionally raw, with the pealing painted walls revealed and the cracked concrete floor left unfinished. Zago made no attempts to alter the original building in order to hide its true identity. The result is a building that more resembles the normal of Detroit rather than attempting to import a clean, glossy sensibility typical of contemporary museums but completely foreign to Detroit. Similar attitudes towards adaptive reuse are common in the Detroit design community.

Right : Museum of Contemporar y Ar t Detroit (MOCAD)

Space 207

“...its intentionally raw aesthetic is conceived as an act of guerilla architecture, one that accepts decay as a fact rather than attempt to create a false vision of urban density.” Nicolai Ouroussoff, New York Times 12

Above: Vintage “ Victor y Garden” poster s from the 20th centur y

208

2007-2010: Vernacular Security, Photography by James Griffioen 14 Discarded concrete junks

Former store-front

densely piled

windows filled in with CMU block

Series of ad hoc assemblies meant to provide security, locations unknown 14

Security 足足 209

Collection of door s,

CMU block filling former

wood, steel par t s, and

garage opening

planks densely assembled

210

Securing the gap On Moran Street, the space between is considered a moment of weakness. Traditional property boundaries are ignored and the gap between the detached homes is either re-appropriated for new use, or fortified for protection against intruders. However, the means of protection has a unique variation; intimidating, sharp sculptural barriers assembled with a collection of discarded materials not only physically protect space, but also illicit intimidation from their appearance. Vacancies, common owners between properties, and lack of significant oversight allows this space to develop a new character.

Moran St . and Lawley St .

15 Platform to connect two residences at roof grade

Security 足足 211

17 Jagged sculpture assembled from discarded materials to provide security

212

2001-Present: FireBreak FireBreak is a series of guerilla insertions designed and constructed by the Detroit Collaborative Design Center. The goal of the projects is to transform “the private individual space into a collective community place.”19 The motivation behind the project is the group’s desire to turn the urban blight so common throughout Detroit into an asset and refers to these projects as a type of “productive residue”. The two projects shown here have unique purposes; Publishing House has purpose in providing the neighborhood in which it is situated a collective, informal space to communicate, advertise, and illicit visual connections. HayHouse’s purpose is slightly more fleeting; the project draws attention to a property to accelerate demolition and provoke discourse on urban blight.

Reuse 足足 213

Publishing House, 2008 20

HayHouse, 2001 21

Pallet s attached to facade

Bundles of hay attached

to provide communication

to facade to draw

space for neighborhood

attention to the proper ty

214

2010-Present: Powerhouse Design 99 teamed up with Dutch arts organization Fonds BKVB with the goal of bringing international artists to a Detroit neighborhood.22 The Powerhouse is an experimental project at the center of the initiative. The house was purchased in extremely poor condition and was completely gutted by scrappers. Furthermore, it lacked basic services as it was essentially detached from the grid. Instead of attempting to reconnect to the grid, Design 99 re-designed and adapted the house in an attempt to operate off the grid; they added solar panels and a small wind turbine to provide electricity. Also, in an attempt to indicate to

Multi-colored facade helps emphasize owner ship

scrappers that the house is occupied, they applied a colorful paint scheme to the facades and windows. The Powerhouse has become the nucleus of a neighborhood full of interesting installations and adaptations supported by a growing artist community.

Solar panels and a small wind turbine were added provide energy needs

Reuse 足足 215

Top: Nor th Facade 23

Top: Under construction 25

Bottom: Design 24

Bottom: At night 26

216

Tectonic Destruction Methods of deconstructing Detroit

Right : Recent demolition claimed as an act of civic ser vice, W Grand st and Lincoln St 27

217

218

Demolition In Detroit un-building is vastly prevalent to building. As a result, the tectonics of unbuilding also have a profound effect on the city. While the city has codes and regulations which they hope contracted demolition companies follow, there is not always adequate oversight. Demolition contractors are supposed to remove the basements of single family homes, but this is often the most time consuming aspect of a demolition. Sometimes, they simply fill in the basements instead.28 These cut corners to save money and time result in a damaged ecology. The concrete basements act as tubs that collect water and turn the former footprint of the building into an urban swamp. While these overgrown plots are interesting in their ability to register the existence of prior inhabitants on the landscape, they also threaten the prospects of a fertile Detroit from which urban agriculture practices can grow.

Urban Swamp, Kitchiner and Essex St . 29

Reuse 219

1993: Erasing Detroit Erasing Detroit is a project conducted by a group of Cranbrook Academy students, led by Dan Hoffman, in which the group wanted to foreground the potential of Detroit’s primary asset: vacant buildings. The project presented a unique reversal; the architects started with a building rather than a plan, and through meticulous deconstruction and excavation, then discovered the plan. All of the accumulated material was then brought to a gallery space and organized in order to reveal their process, but also to provide commentary and initiate broader discourse on the material value of these vacant structures, a value that is often overlooked as an important resource of Detroit.30

All material disassembled and placed in a galler y 32

Original House 31

220

Architectural Salvage Warehouse Detroit Detroit has a wealth of architecture waiting for reuse. However, the city demolishes Detroit without recognizing much value in the vast quantities of material sent to landfills daily, citing the added cost and time of deconstruction when compared to demolition. Though much of the building stock in Detroit has decayed beyond salvage, there is still a wealth of resources and materials. Architectural Salvage Warehouse, though a small operation, recognizes the value of Detroitâ€™s buildings. They collect a range of 33

materials for reuse, diverting at least some of Detroit from permanent burial.35

Reuse 足足 221

Large Scale Salvage Salvage and reuse can also be found in Detroit at larger scales. Sometimes, the city deems certain components of larger buildings as valuable and saves them with the hope of a future condition in which they might come back to life. In the case pictured to the right, an entire facade of a six storey structure was saved while the rest was demolished. A large, temporary steel frame was constructed to keep the facade in place. Meanwhile, there is no indication the space behind the facade will be filled anytime soon.

Park Ave and W Adams St . 36

222

Above: A lifejacket made of milkweed which was nicknamed â€œMae Westâ€? after a favorite bousty centerfold

Reuse ÂÂ 223

2010: Goiter Ben Wolf designed and constructed the Goiter project using the burned and damaged dormer windows removed from other vacant homes in Detroit.38 Wolf doesnâ€™t wait for others to deconstruct Detroit, instead, he removes architectural artifacts himself to then reassemble and attach to an existing vacant home, giving the dormer window a new life and use, saving it from the landfill.

Moran St . and Lawley St . 37

224

Tectonic Landscape Constructing a “New Suburbanism” in Detroit

225

25th St and Merrick St 40

Case Study Three: Courtyard Blot The expansion and re-orientation of Victor Toral’s house indicates the blot’s potential for creating new residential configurations. Ten years ago, Victor owned one house on a 30' x226 135' lot (fig. 3). The house, like most Detroit bungalows, was oriented front to back. Victor later bought the vacant lot next to his property and erected two additions, reorienting the house in a direction parallel to the street. Later again, he built a fence around his land as well as the city-owned lot next door, turning his property into a courtyard house. He has since added a tree-house and swing-set for his children in the courtyard. The property enclosed by the fence is 90’ x 135’.

41 42 Diagram, Improve your Lot! , 2006Fig. Diagram, Improve your in Lot!, 2006 1. Garden Blot. Above, the blot’s evolution over time, with city-owned lots shown green and the

Fig. 3. Courtyard Blot. Above, in context on a block full of blots, with blots shown in pink; below, the blot’s evolution and re-orientation over time. (Illustration by Interboro)

blot shown in red; below, blots and their owners on the block. (Illustration by Interboro)

Space 227

New Suburbanism Interboro, a design firm based in Brooklyn, conducted a study on what they call the “New Suburbanism” of Detroit. They define “The New Suburbanism” as “the process through which entrepreneurial homeowners take, borrow, or buy adjacent vacant lots”43 as a means to adopt a suburban lifestyle in a once urban location. They argue this process, via “vernacular improvements”, completely transforms the domestic experience through bottom-up, individual changes rather than large scale plans implemented by city officials or planners. This condition is almost entirely unique to Detroit due to the city’s unique emergence as a city built almost entirely on the single-family, detached home sitting within a 30’ x 100’ lot. Now that many of those lots are vacant, and can be purchased very cheaply, the residents that remain are spreading out to these adjacent lots.43

There are a wide range of techniques residents employ for the

adaptive reuse of adjacent spaces. Some build barriers, using chainlink, wood, or hedges, to provide security and privacy to their new slice of suburbia. Some appropriate discarded materials and arrange them at their new borders to mark the land as occupied. Some build additions to their existing homes, and in the process, discard the status quo orientation of their home towards the street and instead favor their newly expanded lawn. The following pages showcase the many variations and detail the processes of appropriation.

“...what sets the New Suburbanism apart is the fact that it is gradual, unplanned, uncoordinated, and bottom-up.” Interboro, Improve your Lot! 44

228

Wooden fence for security

Series of detached

and privacy

garages

Wesson St and Nowak St 45

Seyburn St and Charlevoix 46

Space 足足 229

Space utilized to park

Large discarded concrete

additional vehicles

blocks to keep lawn free of unwanted vehicles

Raymond Ave and Woodlawn Ave 47

Canton St and St Paul St 48

230

Colorful vegetation to

Addition faces new

distinguish new proper ty

proper ty, re-orienting the home away from the street

Bangor St and Buchanan St 49

Wesson St and Horatio St 50

Space 足足 231

Lot used for adver tising

Land also utilized for

Simple chain-link fence

to nearby inter state (I-94)

farming/garden

provides safe space for playground and other suburban activities

Wesson St and Herber t St 51

25th St and Edsel Ford W 52

232

Addition faces new proper ty Extensive gardens, pool

Lot straddles former alley

Space 足足

Mega-lot : Dubois St and Leland St 53

233

Extremely well maintained

Hedge-row for privacy

Lawn ar t

Iron fence

home

234

Fence constructed of

Zip-tie fastener

discarded tree branches

Moran St .and Lawley St . 56

Space 235

“In Detroit, there is something to be done, so we do.”

Claire Nelson

Owner of Bureau of Urban Living, Detroit at the R+D Focus Detroit Conference, Ann Arbor, Januar y 21, 2011

236 1.

Photograph. Daskalakis, Georgia,

10.

Five Fellows: Full Scale. Taubman

19.

Wilkens, Gretchen. Distributed

Waldheim, Charles, and Young, Jason.

College of Architecture and Urban

Urbanism: Cities After Google Earth New

Stalking Detroit. Barcelona: Actar, 2001.

Planning. 2010. Web. 1 February

York: Routledge, 2010.

Photograph. http://www.detroityes.

2011. http://taubmancollege.

com/downtown/38michtheat_pan.htm

umich.edu/architecture/faculty/

net/2010/09/07/01hayhousenecorner-

Author’s Photograph.

fellowships/5fellows/

960x720.jpg

Adaptive Reuse. Wikipedia- The Free

11.

Photograph. Five Fellows: Full Scale.

21.

Photograph. http://www.spatialagency.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/

Encyclopedia. 6 January 2011. Web. 1

Taubman College of Architecture

Detroit-Collaborative-Design-

February 2011. http://en.wikipedia.org/

and Urban Planning. 2010. Web. 1

Center-University-of-Detroit-

wiki/Adaptive_reuse

February 2011. http://taubmancollege.

Mercy/312066473480

Kleinman, Kent and Van Duzer, Leslie.

umich.edu/architecture/faculty/

“Detroit’s Michigan.” Dimensions Volume

fellowships/5fellows/

Web 1 February 2011. http://www.

Ouroussoff, Nicolai. “Seeing the

visitdesign99.com/index.php?/studio/ power-house-project/

10 (1996): Page 151.

12.

Author’s Photograph.

Seediness, and Celebrating It.” The New

Author’s Photograph.

York Times 30 November 2006.

Photograph. Five Fellows: Full Scale.

22.

23.

Power House Project. Design 99. 2010.

Photograph. Power House Project.

Photograph. Detroit Zeal. 2011. http://

Design 99. 2010. Web 1 February 2011.

Taubman College of Architecture

www.detroitzeal.com/wp-content/

http://www.visitdesign99.com/index.

and Urban Planning. 2010. Web. 1

uploads/2010/12/mocad.jpg

php?/studio/power-house-project/

February 2011. http://taubmancollege.

20.

13.

14.

James D. Griffioen Photography.

24.

Photograph. Power House Project.

umich.edu/architecture/faculty/

2010. Web. 1 February 2011. http://

Design 99. 2010. Web 1 February 2011.

fellowships/5fellows/

www.jamesgriffioen.net/index.php?/

http://www.visitdesign99.com/index.

Photograph. Five Fellows: Full Scale.

photography/vernacular-security/

php?/studio/power-house-project/

Taubman College of Architecture

15.

Author’s Photograph.

and Urban Planning. 2010. Web. 1

16.

Author’s Photograph.

Design 99. 2010. Web 1 February 2011.

February 2011. http://taubmancollege.

17.

Author’s Photograph.

http://www.visitdesign99.com/index.

umich.edu/architecture/faculty/

18.

Author’s Photograph.

php?/studio/power-house-project/

fellowships/5fellows/

25.

Photograph. Power House Project.

237 26.

Photograph. Power House Project.

35.

Architectural Salvage Warehouse of

43.

Armborst, Tobias, D’Oca, Daniel, and

Design 99. 2010. Web 1 February 2011.

Detroit. Web. 1 February 2011. http://

Theodore, Georgeen (INTERBORO).

http://www.visitdesign99.com/index.

www.aswdetroit.org/about.htm

Improve Your Lot! 2006. Available from:

php?/studio/power-house-project/

36.

Author’s Photograph.

http://www.interboropartners.net/2008/

27.

Author’s photograph

37.

Author’s Photograph.

improve-your-lot/

28.

Detroit: Brewster-Douglass and the

38.

Goiter. Power House Productions. 2010.

29.

30.

31.

32.

44.

Armborst, Tobias, D’Oca, Daniel, and

Urban Swamp. Staley, Willy. Next

Web. 1 February 2011. http://www.

Theodore, Georgeen (INTERBORO).

American City. 2 December 2010. Web. 1

powerhouseproject.com/index.php?/

Improve Your Lot! 2006. Available from:

February 2011. http://americancity.org/

projects/goiter/

http://www.interboropartners.net/2008/ improve-your-lot/

columns/entry/2780/

39.

Author’s Photograph.

Photograph. Google Street View. Google.

40.

Photograph. Google Street View. Google.

45-55 Photographs. Google Street View.

Web. 1 February 2011. http://maps.

Google. Web. 1 February 2011. http://

google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

Daskalakis, Georgia, Waldheim, Charles,

Diagram. Armborst, Tobias, D’Oca,

56.

Author’s Photograph

and Young, Jason. Stalking Detroit.

Daniel, and Theodore, Georgeen

57.

Author’s Photograph

Barcelona: Actar, 2001.

(INTERBORO). Improve Your Lot!

Photograph. Daskalakis, Georgia,

2006. Available from: http://www.

Waldheim, Charles, and Young, Jason.

interboropartners.net/2008/improve-

Stalking Detroit. Barcelona: Actar, 2001.

your-lot/

Photograph. Daskalakis, Georgia,

41.

42.

Diagram. Armborst, Tobias, D’Oca,

Waldheim, Charles, and Young, Jason.

Daniel, and Theodore, Georgeen

Stalking Detroit. Barcelona: Actar, 2001.

(INTERBORO). Improve Your Lot!

33.

Author’s Photograph

2006. Available from: http://www.

34.

Author’s Photograph

interboropartners.net/2008/improveyour-lot/

238

239

Raw Space Painting a New Face for Detroit James Bevilacqua

Opposite: 2010 Festival of the Ar t s, Grand Rapids, MI. 1

240

During the emergence of the artist community in SoHo in the 1960s, was the phrase used to describe a loft with “cracked walls and ceilings, broken or leaky windows, an abundance of garbage and lumpy floors.” described “the procedures necessary to make it usable , if not livable.”2

“raw space’’

“Renovation’’

241

In effect, Detroitâ€™s raw space does not exist within the walls of the abandoned warehouses and factories; it exists amongst the streets, the empty shops, the burnt-down homes, the vacant lots, the sense of identity . . .

. . . and Detroitâ€™s renovation will be the

work art. of

242

Cities don’t stand still. Since the end of World War II and the implementation of urban renewal programs across the country, United States cities have been radically altered again and again.

Economic restructuring has had an enormous

behind spaces whose character changed

1980s and again during the dotcom boom at

impact on the fate of cities as areas have

with the arrival of new city dwellers, whether

the end of the 1990s, through the historically

shed their manufacturing identity in favor

from other countries or within the United

unprecedented housing bubble that finally

of service and tourism industries. Changes

States. During the past generation a populist

popped in 2008.

in transportation fueled by the interstate

opposition to urban gentrification has

highway system and freeway construction

emerged, starting with the struggles to

“Artists have long been leaders of an urban

programs led to the mass exodus from the

prevent the 1960s “urban renewal” programs

vanguard that colonizes blighted areas. Now,

cities to the suburbs during the 1950s and

from displacing whole populations. Massive

the current housing crisis has created a new

1960s. The populations that occupy various

upscale development and gentrification

class of urban pioneer. Nationwide, home

neighborhoods in cities, once relatively

efforts have occurred in major U.S. cities in

foreclosure proceedings increased 81% in

stable for generations, moved away, leaving

conjunction with the real estate booms of the

2008 from the previous year, rising to 2.3

243

million, according to one California-based foreclosure listing firm RealtyTrac. Homes in hard-hit cities such as Detroit and Cleveland are selling for as little as one dollar. Drawn by available spaces and cheap rents, artists are filling in some of the neighborhoods being emptied by foreclosures. City officials and community groups seeking ways to stop the rash of vacancies are offering them incentives to move in, from low rents and mortgages to creative control over renovation projects.â€?3 Population changes of major U.S. cities, 1790Ââ€“2009.4

244

Demographic History of Detroit Urban Renewal, the Suburbs, and “White Flight”

The Industrial revolution and in particular,

extensive freeway system and the escalating

Prior to this movement towards suburban

the invention of the automobile led to

racial divisions, led to the movement of

migration, the segregation of Detroit’s

economic growth during the first half of the

much of the white population to the newly

neighborhoods was more closely associated

20th century. The city attracted thousands

developed surrounding suburbs. This massive

with ethnicity. In the 1990s, an effort to

of new workers from the South and European

population shift is commonly referred to

revive the city centered in the Downtown and

immigrants. Following World War II, increased

as “white flight”. Detroit’s population fell

Midtown areas. In the ensuing years, three

competition for jobs and the displacement

from a peak of roughly 1.8 million in 1950

casinos opened in Detroit: the MGM Grand

of African American workers in favor of

to just over 900 thousand today. Not only

Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Greektown

returning white soldiers led to a high degree

did Detroit’s population—along with its tax

Casino, and downtown baseball and football

of racial tension that eventually resulted in a

base—decrease, but the city became more

stadiums were built, as Detroit sought to

series of major riots. The construction of an

segregated solely based on racial differences.

increase its appeal as a destination city.

245

Tom Toles on Gentrification, 1998.5

246

1960

1970

1980

247

Left: Detroit African American Population, 1960-2000.6

1990

2 00 0

248

Los Angeles

New York

Chicago Above and opposite: Eric Fischer, Race and Ethnicity Maps for Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Detroit.7

249

Detroit

250

SoHo is well known for its cast-iron buildings.8

251

Historical Perspective SoHo and Other Artist Communities

Opposite: Streets of SoHo from the 1950s to present day.9, 10, 11

252

New York SoHo

It is well documented that artists have been

Based on the repeat occurrence of this

New York City neighborhood located South

predicators for contemporary gentrification

socioeconomic phenomenon, these stories

of Houston Street, as its name implies. In

and successful urban development of largely

beget a certain sense of inevitability. It has

the 1950s, SoHo was a struggling industrial

abandoned, dilapidated areas. Stories of

become common belief that the collective

area, known to some as “The Wastelands of

artists moving to a rundown neighborhood,

efforts of artists within a community will

New York”, leading to a proposal for a cross-

renovating homes in the area only to have

eventually drive up property values and cause

Manhattan freeway to cut through it. The

wealthier prospective residents and boutique

restaurants and shops to move-in to once

freeway project efforts were rebuffed in large

shop owners discover the newly thriving,

under-invested and forgotten neighborhoods.

part to the strong protest of Jane Jacobs

socially accepting, geographically linked

and other opponents to urban displacement

enclave, drive up rental prices, and force

The primary example among these narratives

initiatives. Subsequently, in the 1960s,

the artists’ migration are all too familiar.

of artist-led urban rebuilding is SoHo, the

artists, lured by the neighborhood’s large

253

inexpensive loft spaces, began moving into

SoHo was clearly the center of the New York

percentage of art-related residents—artists,

SoHo. They filled many of the large buildings

City art scene, with galleries, boutiques and

photographers, professors, curators, dealers,

that the former industrial enterprises and

restaurants located near loft residences. In

writers—because there are laws in place that

warehousing companies abandoned. New

1974 New York Magazine named SoHo “The

require a minimum percentage of artists, but

art galleries started opening in SoHo in the

Most Exciting Place to Live in the City.”

there are just as many investment bankers,

late 1960s. Subsequently, other commercial

Although it remains an artist haven in

lawyers, stockbrokers, movie stars, and

enterprises such as increasingly upscale

reputation; today, SoHo is no longer an arts

other “upper-class” professionals in the area.

restaurants and boutique shops, moved in.

district. Most the galleries have moved to

Today, the artists that brought life back to the

As visitors to the now vibrant area increased,

Chelsea while high-end fashion and design

area can find more affordable studio space

more non-artists began to see SoHo as an

companies now occupy most the street level

in Brooklyn, Queens, the Lower East Side, or

alternative place to live. In the mid-1970s

storefronts. The lofts still maintain a high

New Jersey.12

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“ SoHo barely existed when I moved there in ’67. There were maybe 10 people living between Canal and Houston Streets . . . During the week there were trucks, rats, and rags, garbage trucks, because it was part of the carting area, so rats were just running everywhere. And the streets were filled with bales of rags and stuff like that.” —Chuck Close SoHo: The Rise and Fall of an Artist’s Colony

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SoHo is now home to trendy boutiques, high-end retail stores, and high-priced luxury apartments.13

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Boston Fort Point Channel

In the 1920s Fort Point Channel was a major

Fort Point Arts Community, an organization

participant in the wool trade. Other goods

representing the interests of the artists

manufactured in the area included iron,

and act as a facilitator for studio space. At

glass, brick, machinery, soap, elevators, and

the beginning of the 21st century, Fort Point

beer. In the 1940s many businesses moved

was home to the largest concentration of

elsewhere and buildings were left vacant.

artists in New England. Though, in the 2000s,

The first artist believed to have entered the

many properties were sold to developers

Fort Point Channel area in looking for studio

and converted to mix-use residential. The

space was Christopher Sproat, in 1976. By the

neighborhood experienced healthy population

early 1980s the neighborhood opened its first

growth while businesses moved in, but at the

Open Studios and saw the formation of the

expense of fewer resident artists.14

Right: The abandoned industrial buildings of Fort Point Channel were ideal for artist lofts.15, 16, 17

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Los Angeles Downtown—The Arts District

Following World War II, suburbanization

way for parking lots. The drastic reduction

Angeles. It is filled with former industrial

and the development of the Los Angeles

in the number of residents in the area

and railroad buildings. In 1981, the City of

freeway network led to decreased investment

further reduced the viability of street front

Los Angeles passed its “Artist in Residence”

in Downtown Los Angeles. Corporations

businesses and Downtown became a drive-

ordinance, which allowed resident use of

slowly dispersed to new suburbs. From

in-drive-out destination. The Arts District,

former industrial buildings. In the 1970s,

1930 to the 1960s, many historic buildings

previously known as the Warehouse District,

these buildings became popular with the Los

in the Plaza area were demolished to make

occupies the eastern side of Downtown Los

Angeles Art Community, and artists began

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buying and renting the buildings for art

attracting wealthy residents looking for the

lofts. In 1999, the Los Angeles City Council

â€œartist lifestyleâ€?. However, many of the new

passed an adaptive reuse ordinance, making

residential developments of the 21st century

it easier for developers to convert outmoded,

have been done by traditional real estate

vacant office and commercial buildings into

developers and recent gentrification has

renovated lofts and luxury condos and the

priced out many of the artists who helped

popularity of the neighborhood started

develop the neighborhood.

The ex-industrial feel of The Arts District in downtown Los Angeles.18

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Chicago River North

In 1960, River North was an industrial center

neighborhoods in Chicago. Famous for its

built since 2000. Along with them have come

that subsequently became the Warehouse

art galleries and nightlife, it has had one of

offices, hotels, eateries, clubs, art galleries

District. In the 1970s, most of the warehouses

the largest population booms of all Chicago

and shops. The central location makes

closed, and the large, vacant buildings drew

neighborhoods in recent years. According to

whatever isn’t there an easy walk or cab ride

writers and artists to the area. The spacious,

the Chicago Tribune, “The Near North Chicago

away.”19

open buildings were perfect for creative work.

neighborhood has 25 thousand new residents

River North is now one of the fastest growing

occupying ten thousand new housing units

Opposite: The density of industrial urbanism and mid-rise, multi-family dwellings in River North, Chicago.20

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Above and right: The industrial waterfront of Williamsburg along the East River and Rafael Vinolyâ€™s proposed new development.21, 22

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Brooklyn Williamsburg

Prior to World War II, Williamsburg was the

This continued through the 1980s and to a

most densely populated neighborhood in New

greater degree in the 1990s as areas such as

York City. After the war, a wave of immigrants

SoHo and the East Village became gentrified.

moved in, including Hasidic Jews, Puerto

The community was small at first, but by

Ricans, and Dominicans. The eventual decline

1996 Williamsburg had accumulated an artist

of industry and the increased population led

population of about three thousand. Since

to more poverty, crime, and drug use. Many

the early 1990s Williamsburg has experienced

residents moved away and the area became

its own process of gentrification. In 2005

known for its problems. In the 1970s, Artists

much of the waterfront district was rezoned

moved to Williamsburg, drawn by low rents,

to accommodate high density residential uses

large spaces and convenient transportation.

and mixed use development.

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In Detroit, artists can purchase a house for as little as $100 per lot and are starting to create small artists colonies that include live/work spaces and residency programs. This is not a new trend; artists have been creating bohemian villages in blighted areas as early as the 1960s. SoHo and Tribeca in Manhattan, Williamsburg in Brooklyn, Fort Point Channel in Boston, River North and Wicker Park in Chicago, and the Arts District in downtown Los Angeles are examples of the transformational power that artists possess. In most cases, the artists are ultimately displaced once their inside-out form of urban renewal spurs gentrification. But now, with the real estate market collapse, economists and urban planners believe that artists have an opportunity for ownership in communities. The widespread economic hardships may help create a new model for the urban artist colony.

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Detroit “Artists vs. Blight”—A New Model

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â€œ Art is one of the last things outsiders associate with Detroit. But drive the streets and you quickly realize the city possesses an energetic, grassroots creative

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class that not only spreads color, whimsy and provocation across the landscape, but also serves as an engine of redevelopment.â€? â€”Bill McGraw Free Press Columnist December 18, 2007

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Sign on the front of the Detroit Artist Market building.23

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Detroit Artists Market Midtown

“The Detroit Artists Market (DAM) was founded in 1932, in the midst of the Great Depression. A group of local art patrons recognized that local artists needed a place to exhibit and sell their work. Originally called Detroit Young Artists Market, the gallery was created to provide a source of income for artists under the age of thirty. In 1936, the gallery’s name changed to Detroit Artists Market, which reflected the growth of the organization as it began to exhibit both emerging and established Detroit artists of all ages and stature. In addition to providing artists with the means of a livelihood, DAM’s founders had another goal: educating public taste through the exhibition and sale of work by the finest of Detroit’s local artists.”24

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Power House Productions Hamtramck

The “program focuses on integrating artists live/work spaces and using art and cultural resources to revitalize the neighborhood.”25 It provides affordable housing for incoming artists from worldwide destinations to allow them to develop long-term projects in Detroit and contribute to the rebuilding of Detroit’s neighborhoods. The founders of Power House Productions have organized neighborhood groups to address infrastructural concerns. They are committed to the belief that art is a catalyst for community development—and one that will be able to sustain gentrifying influences from the typical art collecting community.

Right and opposite: A house project done by Power House Productions.26, 27

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Above and opposite: The Power House.28, 29

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Every neighborhood in every city has its own tale to tell.

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“Detroit can be amazing and profound, like no other, yet you will most likely at some point get scratched and hurt but you must not run. Instead stand your ground and try again. If you stick it out and your relationship with this fine city grows into a healthy one you will love Detroit but you will also hate it too, it’s only natural. That is why we think it is the greatest place to live. It’s a very real place.”30

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Opposite: Urban camouflage and the Power House.31

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Dflux Hamtramck

Founded by Sarah Wagner and Jon Brumit, a team of artists and part-time faculty at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Dflux is a community artists organization aimed at artistic research and experimentation at the scale of the community. The â€œ$100 houseâ€? in Hamtramck Heights / Banglatown Detroit serves as a meeting point and studio for visiting resident artists. The Spring of 2010 marked the beginning of their residency program.

Right and opposite: Dflux Studio - $100 House.32, 33

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Hatch Hamtramck

Hatch is an art collective founded in 2006 by Christopher Schneider and Erik Tungate, the former Director of Community and Economic Development for Hamtramck. They perceived a need for an artist community which would provide a positive image of Hamtramck. Artists could collaborate on projects and use their collective resources to benefit the surrounding community. The organizations currently consists of over 50 members including architects, emerging artists, cartoonists, photographers, painters, students, teachers, art enthusiasts, and sculptors. Hatch is in the process of converting the former Hamtramck Police Station into a full-time exhibition and studio space.

Above: Former Hamtramck Police Station; opposite: artistsâ€™ depictions of the future Hatch building.34, 35, 36

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“ It’s kind of nice to be part of this positive like, revolution instead of just part of status quo of some other places already well-off as it is.” —Chris Schneider Founder of Hatch

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555 Gallery and Studios Cass Corridor

The 555 Gallery and Studio Residency Program provides free studio space in Detroit to local, regional, and international artists. It also has free gallery space for the artists to exhibit their work. Participating artists are encouraged to interact with Detroitâ€™s people to make inspiring work that reflects the distinct spirit of place that the city has to offer. The artists are hosted by local families and therefore fully immerse themselves in the culture of Detroit. The studioâ€™s aim is to create art with and about the community and display the works for the community. 555 is working to provide affordable live/work space at the former Burton Elementary School. Artist live/work studios at the abandoned Burton Elementary School.37

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4731 Detroit Studio Grand River

The 26 thousand square-foot four-story building was built in 1908 by the Leonard Storage Company and mainly served as storage space for Detroit businesses before being bought by Ric Geyer, known as an urban revivalist. He planned that the space would serve as an arts incubator consisting of gallery and studio space. The Detroit Free Press named 4731 Studio the “Best Arts Building of 2004” and it was awarded a “Cool Cities Award” from the state government. The current property management firm for the building, is leasing space out to artists at $1 per square foot. The first floor consists of a gallery, an exhibition space, and retail venue for the artists. Other retailers, artists, and photographers occupy the remaining spaces. Above: Artist studio building at 4731 Grand River.38

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“ New York has closed itself off to the young and the struggling. But there are other cities. ” —Patti Smith

Detroit.

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Potential Urban Artist’s Colony A yelp.com post by Kimber “Stormer” S.

Calling all artists, bohemians, idealists, activists, and others! I am seeking tenants for what could potentially become an urban artists’ colony. Seven well-maintained homes (3 Two-family flats and 1 Single family home) on the same block await a group of creative, positive, community-oriented individuals who care about preserving the city’s often overlooked residential neighborhoods. Students welcome! Low rent less than $500 negotiable! Help to transform the vibe/aesthetic of this block while devoting your attentions to creating art, promoting progress, gardening and/or building community.

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“ I felt like this was the kind of place where you could get things done. If you want to start an art collective you can, if you want to get cheap studio space you can. Or, I bought a house, a crackhouse from the government, and I’m fixing it up, you know. I could never do that in New York or someplace.” —Chris Schneider

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How will the building typology of many Detroit artist studiosâ€”the single family houseâ€”influence different results than seen in the abandoned factory neighborhoods of SoHo and other artist communities that inherently had greater mixed-use development potential? What difference does it make that the artist communities in Detroit are not concentrated in a singular vacated area surrounded by healthy levels of adjacent density, but rather spread throughout an entire city that has been mostly abandoned?

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Is Detroit poised to succeed where most other artist-led urban renewal has failedâ€” by creating a sustainable artist culture and community while rejecting the inevitable arrival of the forces of gentrification?

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. . . will Detroit be

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different?

“From SoHo to Detro?” Detroit Free Press Article written by Andrew Herscher, April 1, 2009

“. . . It might seem utterly bizarre to decry the future effects of gentrification in Detroit, a city that is now desperate for investments of any sort and hopes of any kind. And yet, what might be even more bizarre is how just this same desperation and hope once characterized SoHo itself. In 1962, the City Club of New York published a report entitled The Wastelands of New York, which focused on the area that is now known as SoHo. The report described that area as an ‘enormous commercial slum’ with disastrously low property values. A few decades later, of course, the problems facing SoHo became entirely different—the problems of a massively overdeveloped enclave of and for the wealthy.”

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38. 4731 Grand River. Digital image. google earth street view. Google. Web. 2 Feb. 2011.

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Art In The Streets, Detroit tracking the history of street art Ivan Adelson

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A New Urbanity Street art, as its name implies, encompasses

The new concept of art resists being caged

an all-encompassing term that describes a

all artistic incursions into the urban

within the walls of factories in outlying areas.

myriad of artistic and creative endeavors

landscape and derives directly from the

Its motives are much broader than those

from graffiti to clothing, from graphic design

graffiti painted on Harlem (New York) train

thirty years ago—we can speak of a new

to photography. It refers to a certain kind of

cars in the late 1970s. Its philosophy and

“renaissance,” an explosion of creativity, new

creative person, whether they be amateur or

raison d’être have evolved, as have those of

ideas, and talent with thousands of artists

professional, the kind of person who has their

all the arts and artistic movements, as society

from all over the world who display their

own way of doing things; perhaps they like

has undergone socio-political and cultural

innovative works of art on the streets, using

to go against the grain, or what they have in

changes, but its essence remains the same

them as a gigantic museum.

common is a certain low-brow charm mixed

with a highly-developed aesthetic sense and

(delinquent and antisystem). Many artists call this movement ‘post-graffiti.’

Go forward with the idea that street art is

an obsessive attention to detail.2

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“I know guys who wear suits and ties all day only to rush home, grab their cans and markers, and go out bombin’ the city until it’s time to go 3 to work the next day.” —Shades

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A New Visual Landscape The object, the aim, is to trace the evolution

to investigate, not only current trends but

a storm of positivity for a city deemed by

of what is generally classified as “street art,”

also historical methods of taking an idea, an

media as negative and bleak. The city itself is

and discover its role in the redevelopment/

emotion, or a belief to the street.

now becoming the source of inspiration for

resurfacing of a great “American City,” Detroit.

artists, local and abroad. “Art is one of the

Street art, includes a vast array of artistic

In the last 50 years, Detroit has been home

last things outsiders associate with Detroit.

forms and mediums, but each variation

to racial tension, riot, protest, strike,

But drive the streets and you quickly realize

has one component in common, the use of

automotive and architectural decay; “ruin

the city possesses an energetic, grassroots

the urban landscape as the canvas and the

porn” is at the forefront representing

creative class that not only spreads color,

notion of taking it to the streets. There is

Detroit’s historical aftermath; meanwhile,

whimsy, and provocation across the

an opportunity to broaden the spectrum

most recently there have been sparks of

landscape, but also serves as an engine of

of what qualifies as street art and begin

creativity beginning to fill the voids and ignite

redevelopment.”4

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“Being a Detroiter, I can realize that this stuff is art. We want to learn the good from the bad so that we don’t take down the stuff that should be preserved.”5 —Al Fields, Detroit Deputy Chief Operating Officer, organizer of Detroit Street Art, an informal task force aimed at the preservation and promotion of quality works.

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HDL, Hygienic Dress League is a brand, a marketing tool, a corporation....[They] create hype and branding without producing any commodity at all—unless curiosity can be considered a product.6

“Detroit’s a place where people are really receptive to new ideas and it seems like there’s a community out there that’s willing to do a lot to help these kinds of projects be realized.”7 —Steve Coy,

founder of Hygienic Dress League

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Seven years before its grand unveiling, what is

fantastically bizarre 6-foot-tall flora spring

for the city of Detroit, thanks to the Detroit

commonly referred to now as the Dequindre

from the earth. Birds sing. And graffiti art

Riverfront Conservancy’s efforts to transform

Cut Greenway, was described as, “This

flourishes, while cars in rush-hour fury

and preserve this area and developing a

underground art gallery has no welcome mat

race 50 feet above. Known variously as the

public means of access, transportation,

or street address. The entrance is a hole in a

Dequindre Line, the St. Aubin rail spike

recreation.

Cyclone fence that leads down a treacherous,

or the Eastern Market yard, this mile-long

trash-littered slope. Fight through shrubbery

stretch of abandoned railroad tracks is one

and fast-food containers; avoid jagged glass,

of several ever-evolving canvases for Detroit’s

water-filled tires and hulking scrap metal,

graffiti-art community.”8 Rest assure all art

leap over an open sewer system—and arrive

remains, and it continues to be the central

in a strangely serene corner of Detroit. Here,

hub and mainstay of contemporary street art

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“The point of ‘street art’

is for it to exist in its natural environment. It is by nature temporary. Disappointing when a good piece fades away? 9 Yes. But that’s life.”

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“Art is not just for museums anymore —it’s a way to redevelop and redefine a city by changing its visual 10 landscape.”

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A History Graffiti, is a derivation of sgraffio, Italian

protest to the general public. For example,

been the breeding-ground for the first graffiti

for ‘scratch’, and has been around since the

‘The White Rose’, was a group of German

artists, bringing together many different

beginning of man. The Lascaux Cave in France

nonconformists who spoke out against Hitler

cultures and class issues in one single place.

is covered with carvings made from bone or

and his regime in 1942 through leaflets

Many artists sought recognition, either by

stone; early man also anticipated the stencil

and painted slogans, until capture in 1943.

spray-painting the most trains or the best

and spray technique by blowing colored

Furthermore, student revolts of the 1960s

pieces. These artists wanted to communicate

powder through hollow bones around his

and 1970s made their views public through

with the passerby or shape their environment

hand in order to craft silhouettes. In addition,

posters and painted words. French students

without any constraints. By the mid-1980s,

fragments of clay were found in ancient

often turned to pochoir (French for stencil

the European scene of graffiti started to

Greece on which notes had been carved,

graffiti), the precursor of the present-day

take off, and although slow to start, Asia and

while in Pompeii, excavations brought to life a

stencil movement.

South America would begin to catch up at a

wealth of graffiti, including election slogans, drawings, and obscenities.

phenomenal rate.11 Graffiti as it is known today, originated in New York City and Philadelphia, by artists painting

The Nazis would write on walls during WWII,

names on walls or in subway stations. The

as a means to propagate hatred toward the

unique make-up of New York City—in which

Jews and other dissidents. However, graffiti

the Harlem slums and the glamorous world of

as a tool for resistance was a way to publicize

Broadway stand side by side—seems to have

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“ One of the city’s best graf artists is a Detroit Police 12 Officer.” —Kevin Hanson, co-owner of Johanson Charles Gallery

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Detroit and Its Geographic Landscape Are we talking about art that comments on

streets to voice an opinion? To be heard?

mass; there are 140 square miles of terrain

the urban/human condition and represents

To see and be seen? To make a statement

to tackle, and an infinite number of political/

personal expression, without the rubber

via the masses? Detroit is a city built for, by

social/economic issues to make noticed. If it

stamp of the art world? Does it necessarily

and around the automobile, due to its scale

does not occur in the street, via traditional

need to be seen on the street? Or is it a case

and vastness, a resistance to the traditional

standards, the tactics will be innovative and

that the wider access, when pedestrians and

trend of â€œgatheringâ€? presents itself; it used to

released into the natural urban condition,

drivers view the work in the environment, is

be, the only place to assemble and rally was

that which is Detroit.

the democratizing process?

literally in the street, not just off the street.

The physical make up and geographical In contrast, what has happened to the

landscape allows for various means of

traditional notion of congregating in the

presentation/representation of oneself, or a

322

*63

323

*64

*65

In the case of Detroit, â€œâ€Śthe work is literally manipulating urban architecture and interacting with the street furniture itself. Sometimes the work is about adding something to the streetscape rather than defacing or destroying it. The definition of vandalism blurs.â€?14

*66

324

*67

325

“Like the throbbing beats of techno, Detroit art reflects the city’s gritty flavor. The city’s shot-callers should stop running from it and start embracing this edgy vibe as a catalyst for change.”15

326

“One of the most serious concerns in the development and design of today’s cities is the so-called urban landscape. Street art turns big-city streets into open-air exhibitions, producing significant sociocultural impact and making for more universal conversation…”16

327

*68

328

“Detroit’s unique profile [is] a kind of laboratory of extreme urban dilapidation and nascent revitalization.”17 *69

329

*70

330

A New Media In the 1970s street art had emerged in New

of achieving those 15 minutes of fame, where

performing the new found phenomenon of

York City as a way of claiming individual glory.

else, but the internet? With the advent of the

flash-mobbing? Flash mob as defined by

Post 9/11, it suddenly became one of the few

internet, there is a growing intrigue of being

Webster, is â€œa group of people summoned (as

uncensored channels of expression in an

captured and displayed online than there is

by e-mail or text message) to a designated

almost fascistic political climate, where our

anywhere else. The internet is a ubiquitous

location at a specified time to perform an

democratic institutions had seemingly been

entity which could leverage a critique of

indicated action before dispersing.â€? What

neutered, and where much of the media was

media and technologies current role within

does this mean? Are we now only able to

collaborating with the cabal governments

the demise of student protest, the lack of

raise concern and have our voice heard via a

to misinform the People. The West had lost

opinionated individuals, as seen in the 1960s

screen? Do we only exist in virtual space as

any ability to really rebel (compare with the

and 1970s; post 9/11 there was a burst of

these powerful social activists? Or could the

1960s), but a brilliant bunch of artists used

enragement, but this was only temporary,

flash mob be the positioning of a return to

hyper-eloquent graffiti to give voice to the

we must have realized we couldnâ€™t leave the

the street, as the main stage for displaying

sense of fury most opinion felt at runaway

workplace or the academic arena to voice our

reactionary measures?

government.18

opinions and share our concerns, this is a democracy after all.

Have our desires to see and be seen in the streets, whether rallying for something we

Have we come to an age where it is more

believe in or not, resorted to the necessity

important to be seen in a mass of people

331

*71

332

*72

*73

*74

Detroiters may not be flash-mobbing but the use of the internet is key in relaying a message to the masses, however it is not for 15 minutes of fame. These citizens are taking measures into their own hands and working to produce a fresh and positive psyche for the city.

333

*75

*78

*76

*77

*79

334

*80

335

“ There’s an atmosphere out here in Detroit where if you want something done you just have to do it yourself and definitely out here it feels like it’s more possible to do things because, not that the city’s in such a negative state, but it’s in such a malleable state to where things can be formed into something new.”19 —Jason Jaworski, Juxtapoz Magazine

336 1, 16.

10, 15.

21, 25-26, 52-53, 58, 63-67, 69-70, 79.

Bou, Louis. Street Art: the spray files. New

Gerritt, Jeff. “Artistic Stroke Fights City’s

Adelson, Ivan. 2011. JPG file.

York: Collins Design: Harper Collins, 2005.

Blight.” Detroit Free Press 29 Sep 2008:

22.

2, 13.

Web. 20 Jan 2011. <http://www.freep.

Mueller, Edgar. Ice Age. 2008. Germany. Street

Blackshaw, Ric and Liz Farrelly. The Street Art

com>

Art: Edgar Mueller. Web. 21 Jan. 2011.

Book: 60 artists in their own words. New

11.

23.

York: Collins Design: Harper Collins, 2008.

Ganz, Nicholas. Graffiti World: new edition.

Revolutionary Road. Dir. Sam Mendes. Perf.

London: Thames & Hudson, 2009.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet.

3, 5, 8, 12. Stanfel, Adam. “All the world’s a canvas.” Metro Times 10 Feb 2002: Web 13 Jan 2011.

14.

Paramount, 2009. Film.

Gavin, Francesca. Street Renegades: new

<http://www2.metrotimes.com/...>

underground art. London: Laurence King,

2007.

McGraw, Bill. “Surprise from the streets: Art!.” Detroit Free Press 18 Dec 2007: Web 13 Jan

18. Street Art and the War on Terror. London:

6, 7. Terek, Donna. “Street Artists Put Unique Brand on Detroit.” Detroit News 14 Nov

Davidson, Bruce. USA. Protestors with placards. one reads Jim Crow Must Go.. 1962. Photograph. ARTstor.

Mathieson, Eleanor, and Xavier A. Tapies.

2011. <http://www.freep.com>

24.

Rebellion Books, 2007.

27-34. Han, Mike. 2010 THE YEAR OF THE LIGER-BOT. 2010. streetculturesmash blog, Detroit,

19.

Michigan. streetculturesmash. Web. 21

Jaworski, Jason. Juxtapoz Interview by Jason

Jan. 2011.

2010: Web 13 Jan 2011. <http://detnews.

Jaworski. Oct 2010. Magazine. Web. 19

35-38, 49.

com>

Jan 2011. <http://www.juxtapoz.com/

Platts, Adrian. Detroit’s Murals, Frescoes,

9, 17. Stryker, Mark. “Graffiti artist Banksy leaves mark on Detroit and ignites firestorm.”

Features/featuremitch-and-gina...>

Graffiti & Streetart. N.d. n/a, Detroit,

20.

Michigan. Detroit BikeBlog. Web. 13 Jan.

John Lee Hooker on Hastings Street, Detroit..

2011.

Detroit Free Press 15 May 2010: Web 13

Detroit, Michigan. Jas Obrecht Music

Jan 2011. <http://detnews.com>

Archive. Web. 21 Jan. 2011.

337 39.

54.

61.

“Grand Army of the Republic Building.” flickr

Hall of the Bulls. Photograph. ARTstor,

Keith Haring. 1980. New York, NY. Graphic

user: senor miller. Web. 20 Jan 2011. <http://www.flickr.com>. 40.

Lascaux, France.

Statement. Web. 20 Jan. 2011.

55.

62.

Writing on Pompeii’s Walls. The Art Archive/

http://www.maps.google.com

No vacancy. Detroit, Michigan. The Great American Pixel. Web. 21 Jan. 2011.

Alamy, Pompeii. Reading the Writing on

68.

Pompeii’s Walls. Web. 26 Jan. 2011.

The Thanksgiving Day parade. 1960. Detroit

41.

56.

News archive, Detroit, Michigan. Detroit

Detroit Revolution. Detroit, Michigan. No

Long Live the Fuher! Long Live Germany!

News 3 Jan. 2011.

Vacancy - A Hygienic Dress League Inchervention. Web. 21 Jan. 2011. 42.

Psyop Dissemination. Web. 26 Jan. 2011. 57.

71. USA Flag Abu Ghraib. Arabad Peace Poster

Depardon , Raymond . Anti-war protestors

Terek, Donna. “Street Artists Put Unique

Design Contest. Web. 26 Jan. 2011.

confront Federal troops in Grant park.

72-77.

Brand on Detroit.” Detroit News 14 Nov

1968. Photograph. ARTstor, Chicago,

The T-Mobile Dance. London, England.

2010: Web 13 Jan 2011. <http://detnews.

Illinois.

com> 43-48.

59.

78.

The Intersection of 12th Street and

Griffiths, Philip Jones . Anti-Iraq War Protests.

Dequindre Cut. Detroit, Michigan. The Detroit

Clairmount. N.d. n/a, Detroit, Michigan.

Riverfront. Web. 13 Jan. 2011 50-51. Beck Davis. “Diamond Girl.” Detroit Moxie: Web. 20 Jan 2011. <http://www. detroitmoxie.com>.

youtube. Web. 27 Jan. 2011.

2003. Photograph. ARTstor, New York, NY.

Black Past: Detroit Race Riot (1967). Web.

80.

13 Jan. 2011.

Barbey , Bruno . Demonstrators with molotov

60.

cocktail. 1968. Photograph. ARTstor,

Leibovitz, Annie. Keith Haring. 1987. Vanity

Paris, France.

Fair Nov. 2008: Web. 20 Jan 2011

338

339

Motorcycle Club Detroit Running Motown on two wheels Bruce Findling

Left : Outlaw Motorcycle Cub, Detroit 1

Black paint and a little bit of chrome can go a long way in defining a 340 movement…what began as nothing more than a bicycle with a motor quickly turned into a symbol for rebellion, freedom and the open road.

Though the motorcycle has existed in

July 4th, 1947. Hollister, California.

America since 1901, its place in our social

Though there were over four thousand

the public image of both motorcycles

fabric really began in the aftermath of World

motorcyclists attending the Hollister rally,

and motorcyclists.” The “One Percenter”

War II. American veterans returning home

the Boozefighters Motorcycle Club received

motorcycle club had been born. Bent on a life

from war found motorcycles as an adequate

the most press through their heavy drinking,

beyond the law, One Percenter gangs formed

replacement for the excitement, danger, and

bar fights, and illegal street races. A picture

throughout every major city across the US.

speed at which combat had previously given

of one of their members seen sitting on his

These outlaw motorcycle clubs maintained

them. Clubs quickly formed based on the

bike amid a pile of beer bottles was published

the brotherhood and loyalty of their military

camaraderie and loyalty that their military

in Life Magazine shortly after, giving rise to a

past, but applied it to drug trafficking,

units had instilled within the motorcyclists.

new public perception of motorcycle owners

prostitution, extortion, and murder. Major

It would be less than two years after the

of the time.

‘1%er’ organizations such as the Hell’s Angels,

surrender of Japan that the general public

Mongols, and Banditos continue to dominate

would be given their first real glimpse of the

rally organizers gave a press conference in

American ‘Biker’ as we regard then today.3

which they said that “the trouble was caused

Following the Hollister incident, the

by the one percent deviant that tarnishes

our perception of what a Motorcycle Club is.4

The Boozefighter s make a name for themselves at the Holllister, CA bike 341 rally on July 4, 1947 2

342

343

American media has been infatuated with biker culture since the 1953 release of The Wild One starring Marlon Brando.11

“ You’re not just cruising. Your in charge— kicked back on a throne of machined metal surveying your domain.”12 www.harley-davidson.com

344

1945

Harley Davidson Solo 45

345

(Surplus WWII)

1968

Harley Davidson Panhead

2010

Harley Davidson Softail

346

Detroit M/C

Detroit is currently home to over 36

gun violations.21 The once mighty Highwaymen

motorcycle clubs, with the Highwaymen and

have seen over 40 members arrested

Outlaws being the largest. Crime continues

since 2007 along with the seizure of their

to be a major aspect of the majority of these

headquarters by government officials.

organizations, though not all. On December

8th of 2010, three people were wounded

and well…or does it? The turn of the century

and one person killed during a shooting

has seen the motorcycle (Harley-Davidson in

outside the Wildcats Motorcycle Club.

particular) normalized by the general public.

It seems the ‘Biker’ persona is alive

In 2007, fourteen members of the Outlaws

Lawyers, doctors, and engineers now ride

were arrested on a 18-count indictment

side by side with truckers and factory workers

alleging various counts of violent crimes,

(though they’re still easy to spot). Milwaukee

including, murder, racketeering, drugs and

Iron is no longer the ultimate expression

347

of rebellion. Couple this with Michigan’s 4

current Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.22 They

crime may have been an attractor for clubs

month riding season, and you can take the

are situated in blue collared neighborhoods,

to locate here beginning in the late 60s. The

motorcycle component out of the equation

correlating to a high dependency on low

Outlaws, for example, were so enticed by

completely. The truth is that the motorcycle

income communities situated in close

Detroit that they moved their headquarters

is a mere façade for a majority of these clubs,

proximity to industrial complexes. In relation

here in 1984 after being in Chicago for

which are nothing more than violent gangs.

to law enforcement, a majority of the clubs

almost 50 years.23 The 2007 crackdown of the

The legitimacy of the symbols that once

are located within four major precincts of

Highwaymen, Detroit’s most dangerous club,

defined an outlaw have pushed these groups

the Detroit police department (the 6th &

also saw the indictment of 4 police officers

further and further out to the edges of normal

2nd on the west side, and 9th & 11th on the

who were tied up with the gang.24 The tougher

society. Clubs continue to attract military

east). Detroit police have recently stepped up

the town, the greater the respect. Detroit has

veterans, with membership spikes occurring

efforts to curb the criminal activity of these

never been known soft, and niether should

after WWII, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and the

clubs, however Detroit’s past challenges with

those who display the city on their jacket.

348

349

350

The Anatomy of a Motorcycle Clubhouse

Streetside Security Cameras Barbed Wire at Parapet Club Signage Reinforced Window Openings CMU Construction Monochromatic Paint Scheme Steel Bars Over Door Club Name Club Logo

City of Chapter

351

352

Map of Detroit with Motorcycle Club locations marked out 27

1 5

8 11

7 10

9 39

4 7

1 6

Highland

4 9

9 13

1 1 2

11 4

9 8

11 10 9

75 75

375

8 7

12 75

353

5 4

Precinct

Map of Detroit divided by

13 2

1 7

10 Scout Car Area

10 3

Hamtramck

Police Precint 28

4 8

10 12

5 7

354

No Clubs Present

14831 Grand River Ave.

Precinct 1

Precinct 2

12406 Grand River Ave.

“Outlaw clubs are self regulating. The Major force that prevents the emergence of even more outlaw motorcycle clubs than exist today is not a lack of interest or a shortage of prospective recruits…it is other outlaw clubs.”29 — Daniel R Wolfe

12733 Fullerton St.

13344 Plymouth Rd.

15306 Joy Rd.

355

356

4453 14th St.

4527 Michigan Ave.

Precinct 3

Precinct 4

8434 Dearborn St.

357

No Clubs Present

8480 South St.

22131 Fenkell St.

Precinct 5

Precinct 6

358

21607 Fenkell St.

20801 Fenkell St.

12727 Stout St.

359

16815 W. Warren Ave.

2228 Bellevue St.

Precinct 7

6138 Concord St.

360

8929 Gratiot Ave.

17118 W. McNichols Rd.

9311 Gratiot Ave.

Precinct 8

Precinct 9

361

7521 Lynch Rd.

10320 Van Dyke Ave.

11829 Harper Ave.

362

12721 Woodrow Wilson St.

319 W. 8 Mile Rd.

Precinct 10

Precinct 11

1326 E. State Fair Rd.

363

No Clubs Present

4301 E. Davidson St.

7337 Fenkell St.

Precinct 12

Precinct 13

364

America’s dominant motorcycle clubs: the old…

365

…and the new.

366 The Outlaws of the 1960s maintained the

wire coils.

sponsoring Harley dealership and will end

biker image of danger, camaraderie, and

at some participating bar or club, attracting

a disregard for the law. The black leather

inter-club rivalry and warfare can completely

both experienced bikers and prospective

jackets, tattoos, and custom bikes were

override the considerations of the common

customers into showrooms. This does not

once a hallmark of those who wished to

bonds of biking” according to Daniel

however give a green light to anyone who

operate at the fringes of society. Today, those

Wolfe’s investigation into the life of outlaw

wants to wear a black leather jacket and club

characteristics are just another aspect of

motorcycle clubs. Legitimate motorcycle

patch. Outlaw biker emotions remain strong

mainstream America. Though the motorcycle

clubs such as those sponsored by the AMA

on this point. As a member from the Rebel’s

may have given birth to these groups, the

are left alone on the basis that their existence

Motorcycle Club in Calgary put it, “The last

outlaw club is defined more by the crimes

doesn’t pose a threat of territory to the illegal

thing I want is some dipshit on a Honda

they commit than by the bikes they ride.

activities of the outlaw club. The most famous

pulling up beside me wearing a back patch.

Everything in biker culture is just a facade, on

of these clubs is the Harley Owner Group,

Fucking embarrassing”.38

down to the clubhouse with its black exterior,

or HOG, which attend rallies from Daytona

bricked over window openings, and barbed

to Sturgis. HOG events typically start at a

large part of outlaw biker gangs throughout

“When the situation calls for it,

Motorcycles will continue to be a

367 Detroit, as will drugs, violence and a basic existence outside the norms of society. Regardless of what clubs come and go, the motorcycle will remain only as an ancient relic of their self proclaimed rebellion. For those who truly live to ride, a cool summer breeze and an open stretch of highway are all that really matter. Everything else just tends to get in the way.

368 1. Photograph. “Sam 1%er (sitting).“

<http://www.moviepostershop.com/the-

Roberts, Beverly V., and Jim Miteff. Portraits of American Bikers: Life in the

wild-one-movie-poster/GF4208>. 6. Photograph. “Easy A Easy Rider (special

9. Photograph. “West Coast Choppers MySpace Graphics and Comments.” CoolChaser. Web. 03 Feb. 2011. <http://

1960s: The Flash Collection. Birmingham,

Edition) Movie Poster, Easy A Easy

www.coolchaser.com/graphics/tag/west

MI: Flash Productions, 2008. Print.

Rider (special Edition) DVD Cover.”

coast choppers>.

2. Photograph. “Members of Booze Fighters

freecodesource.com. Web. 03 Feb. 2011.

10. Photograph. Touchstone Pictures. “Wild

MC.” Hutton, Joss. “Custom Belts: Art

<http://freecodesource.com/movie-

Hogs Movie Poster - Wild Hogs Poster,

You Can Wear — from Concho to Emo.”

posters/B000022TSY--easy-a-easy-rider-

Starring Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin

Welovecreative. 24 Aug. 2010. Web. 03 Feb.

(special-edition)-movie-poster.html>.

Lawrence and William H Macy.” About

Photograph. Harpin, Michael. “Gig Poster

Hollywood Movies. Web. 03 Feb. 2011.

com/2010/08/24/custom-belts-art-you-

/ BRMC on the Behance Network.” Behance

<http://movies.about.com/library/

can-wear/>.

Network :: Gallery. Web. 03 Feb. 2011.

weekly/blwildhogsposter.htm>.

2011. <http://welovecreative.wordpress.

3. “Motorcycle History.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Feb. 2009. Web. 03 Feb. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Motorcycle_history>. 4. “Hollister Riot.” Wikipedia, the Free

<http://www.behance.net/Gallery/GigPoster/139306>. 8. Photograph. “Watch Sons of Anarchy (S03E12) “June Wedding” Season 3 Episode 12 Streaming Online Free.” Free

11. “Hollister Riot.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Sept. 2009. Web. 03 Feb. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Hollister_riot>. 12. Harley-Davidson. “2011 Fat Boy Lo.”

Encyclopedia. Sept. 2009. Web. 03 Feb.

Online Movies. 24 Nov. 2010. Web. 03 Feb.

Harley-Davidson USA. Web. 03 Feb. 2011.

2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

2011. <http://freeonlinesmovies.com/

<http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/

Hollister_riot>.

watch-sons-of-anarchy-s03e12-june-

Motorcycles/fat-boy-lo.html>.

5. Photograph. “The Wild One.” Moviepostershop. Web. 03 Feb. 2011.

wedding-season-3-episode-12-streamingonline-free/>.

13. Photograph. Bristol, Horace. “Grumman Avengers Flying in Formation.” Corbis

369 Images. Web. 04 Feb. 2011. <http://

Harley-Davidson Panhead Squish Exhaust

www.corbisimages.com/Enlargement/

Systems From Paughco.html>.

HC002452.html>. 14. Photograph. “Choppers to Bombers--

18. Photograph. Harley-Davidson. “2011 Fat

de073009.htm>. 22. “Motorcycle History.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Feb. 2009. Web. 03 Feb.

Boy Lo.” Harley-Davidson USA. Web. 03

2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Flying the Vietnam Conflict.” The Museum

Feb. 2011. <http://www.harley-davidson.

Motorcycle_history>.

of Flight. 02 Nov. 2009. Web. 04 Feb.

com/en_US/Motorcycles/fat-boy-lo.html>.

2011. <http://www.museumofflight.org/

19. Photograph. Wright, Travis R. “Outlaw

23. “International Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs.” Free Ppts. Web. 04 Feb. 2011.

press/choppers-bombers-flying-vietnam-

Country.” Detroit Metro Times. 27 Oct.

<http://www.freeppts.net/powerpoint/

conflict>.

2010. Web. 04 Feb. 2011. <http://

international-outlaw-motorcycle-

metrotimes.com/culture/outlaw-

clubs-28220.html>

15. Photograph. “Iraq War: Desert Storm.” Terroristplanet.com. Web. 04 Feb. 2011. <http://www.terroristplanet. com/2010/02/iraq-war-desert-storm/>. 16. Photograph. “Gene’s Old Rides.” Saber

country-1.1054469>. 20. Wiley, Alexis. “Woman Fatally Shot

24. “Highwaymen Motorcycle Club.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 04

Outside Detroit Motorcycle Club.” MyFOX

Feb. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Detroit. 08 Dec. 2010. Web. 04 Feb. 2011.

Highwaymen_Motorcycle_Club>.

Cycle. 13 May 2010. Web. 04 Feb. 2011.

<http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/

<http://www.saber-cycle.com/genes-old-

news/local/woman-killed,-3-injured-

Drury, Patricia. “Detroit: Motorcycle

rides/>.

after-shooting-at-detroit-motorcyle-club-

Stuff.” Flickr. Web. 04 Feb. 2011. <http://

20101208-mr>.

www.flickr.com/photos/patriciadrury/

17. Photograph. “Harley-Davidson Panhead Squish Exhaust Systems From Paughco.”

21. “Federal Bureau of Investigation: Press

25. Photograph (All logos on spread).

sets/72157623068088787/>.

Welcome To The Paughco, Inc. Web

Release.” Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Site. Web. 04 Feb. 2011. <http://www.

30 July 2009. Web. 04 Feb. 2011. <http://

Angels M.C. Detroit.” Flickr. Web. 04 Feb.

paughco.com/2008-catalog/indivpages/

detroit.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel09/

2011. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/

26. Photograph. Drury, Patricia. “Blue

370 27. Findling, Bruce. “MC Detroit.” Google

Portraits of American Bikers: Life in the

36. Photograph. Ellis, Eric. “Myrtle Beach

Maps. 24 Jan. 2011. Web. 04 Feb. 2011.

1960s: The Flash Collection. Birmingham,

Motorcycle Rally” Hot Bike Magazine. 20

<http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=e

MI: Flash Productions, 2008. Print.

Jan. 2009. Web. 04 Feb. 2011. <http://

n&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=217711277926

32. Photograph. “National Run - Near

blogs.hotbikeweb.com/6426223/

916754555.00049aa4b3cccce385621&t=h

Kenosha, WI.“ Roberts, Beverly V., and

harley-davidson-events/myrtle-beach-

&z=12>.

Jim Miteff. Portraits of American Bikers:

motorcycle-rally/index.html>.

28. Wayne State University. “Crime Maps

Life in the 1960s: The Flash Collection.

37. Wolf, Daniel R. The Rebels: a Brotherhood

1999.” Center For Urban Studies. Sept.

Birmingham, MI: Flash Productions, 2008.

of Outlaw Bikers. Toronto: University of

2000. Web. 04 Feb. 2011. <http://www.

Print.

Toronto, 1991. p307. Print.

cus.wayne.edu/search_list.aspx?TopicAre aID=&DocTypeID=6&submitlist=Submit>. 29. Wolf, Daniel R. The Rebels: a Brotherhood

33. Photograph. Roberts, Beverly V., and Jim Miteff. Portraits of American Bikers:

of Outlaw Bikers. Toronto: University of

Life in the 1960s: The Flash Collection.

Toronto, 1991. p315. Print.

of Outlaw Bikers. Toronto: University of

Birmingham, MI: Flash Productions, 2008.

Toronto, 1991. p307. Print.

Print.

30. Photograph (All clubhouses pages 17-

34. Photograph. Grand Rapids Harley-

26). Drury, Patricia. “Detroit: Motorcycle

Davidson, Michigan. Web. 04 Feb. 2011.

Stuff.” Flickr. Web. 04 Feb. 2011. <http://

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sets/72157623068088787/>.

35. Photograph. “April 2008.” Glory Road. 16 Apr. 2008. Web. 04 Feb. 2011. <http://

31. Photograph. “Ladies love Outlaws.“ Roberts, Beverly V., and Jim Miteff.

38. Wolf, Daniel R. The Rebels: a Brotherhood

gloryroad.typepad.com/weblog/2008/04/ index.html>

39. Photograph. Findling, Bruce. Chrome Desert. 2004. Fountain Hills, AZ.

371

372

373

[Normal] Sign Detroitâ€™s Painted Supergraphic Ben Rambadt

Image Left : Hopps Hardware ghost sign (ca. 1950) and Sponge Bob Square Pant s (ca. 2009) share a wall in Detroit , MI 1 Photograph taken May 5, 2010

374

[Ghost] Sign Detroitâ€™s Painted Past

Image Right : Honor Bright Ghost Sign (ca. 1920). Downtown Detroit , MI 2 Photograph taken December 19, 2010

375

376

“ They are the wall signs of a lost civilization—America’s early supergraphics. These signs speak of another time, the infancy of American advertising.”3

Image Right : Goodrich Ser vice Station (ca. 1940) Downtown Detroit , MI. 4 Photograph taken July 24, 2010

377

378

The Early Painted Ad In the late 19th century and first half of the 20th century Ghost Signs took off when the development of cities escalated and vacant sides of buildings were prime spots for ads. Prior to and after the development of the roadside billboard, hand-painted advertisements were the most effective and logical way to expose a companyâ€™s logo to the public consumer. Large corporations would commission and send out talented artists, who were skilled chemists and daredevils, to take on the job of traveling around the city and countryside to paint large format ads on commissioned buildings . Not only had these signs created an image for companies, they also provided employment, unique ways of utilizing architecture, and subconsciously printed a history of Detroit that has lasted to today.

Image Right : Woodward Avenue Detroit , MI (ca. 1910). 5

379

380

Atlas Furniture Company

Har tz Building Ghost Sign

Gratiot Ave. Detroit , MI (ca. 1930) 6

Detroit , MI (ca. 1930) 7

Photograph taken Januar y 16, 2010

Photograph taken June 16, 2010

381

Corner For t St . near Ambassador Bridge Detroit , MI (ca. 1935) 8 Photograph taken July 31, 2008

382

Wrigley’s Double Mint Gum (ca. 1910) 9

Wall Dogs with scaffolding 9 Photograph taken May 31, 2009

The people who worked for the large companies during the heydays of

companies that still remain in the United States.

hand painted advertisements were called “Wall Dogs” or “Letterheads”.

The Wall Dogs would travel around the city with their paint kits to

Work was a combination of grunt, chemistry, and art; giving Wall Dogs

commissioned wall spaces, working as quickly as possible to get one

their own unique character of being rough yet skilled artists. Most of

sign painted per day. Then they would camp over night in a makeshift

the men doing this job had backgrounds in the arts from either aca-

shelter or hotel and move on to the next location early in the morning.

demia or from being an apprentice. The first couple of years on the job

These artists would be gone from home for months at a time, improv-

a painter would not even paint a sign, they would stand back, watch

ing their skill and creating images of America’s past.

the master-painter, and learn the trade as a handed-down skill. This method of learning is still being used today by the larger sign painting

Image Right : Two people painting sign on scaffolding. (ca. 1940) 10

383

384

385

â€œ...Detroit ghost ads become a part of the local 12 landscape...â€? Image Left : Carhar tt Ghost Sign (ca. 1955) Corner Kercheval and Eastlawn Detroit , MI 11 Photograph taken May 31, 2008

386

“...in a way that’s far different from modern printed 12 billboard ads.” Image Right : Chips and Beer Ghost Signs (ca. 1965) Detroit , MI 13 Photograph taken Februar y 28, 2009

387

388

[Commercial Folk] Sign Detroitâ€™s Normal Sign On The Street

Image Right : Abandoned Beer and Wine shop Detroit , MI 14 Photograph taken December 10, 2003

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390

â€œ The most effective signs are the most succinct and the 15 least subtle.â€? Image Right : Abandoned Auto Repair Shop Detroit , MI 16 Photograph taken October 1, 2010

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392

The New Painted Sign The ghost sign heyday lives on in spirit throughout Detroit on the walls that host the craftsmanship of artists from the turn of the nineteenth century. Today in Detroit, there still lives a craftsmanship of sign painting that has pronounced itself on all the secondary streets from Greenfield and Puritan. These signs are the products of small businesses looking to make a name for themselves by means of either subtle or sensational spectacles of art in advertising. This form of art is one that does not fully employ a single level of art skill like the sign painters from the early 1900s. They have trained for years to acquire the proficiency we see today in the ghost signs, but today rather a mixture of both skilled and novice artists occupy the work that is called, â€œCommercial Folk Art.â€?

Image Right : Phase One Car Wash 7714 Gratiot Ave. Detroit , MI 17

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394

Images 18-26: Photographs of Detroit , MI storefront s on secondar y street s display an array of ar tist s experience and quality.

395

â€œIn Detroit, wall ads are found mostly along secondary roads in the neighborhoods, on the sides of small brick buildings. Some are ill-proportioned, crookedly lettered, or poorly drawn. Others are nothing more than a few colorful words scrawled next to a door.â€?27 26

396

“ ...they’re inexpensive, eye-catching, and long-lasting, and in a city mired in economic misery, they’re still in demand.”28

397

In response to Detroitâ€™s recent economy, business owners have been

its people do the best they can with what they have. These elaborate

more compelled to resort to an advertisement different than the

store front pieces of commerce and art display a spirit and hope that

normal, more expensive billboard or vinyl signage. The paint used for

the people of Detroit hold onto and believe in as they continue to re-

these signs is wielded by either the store owner themselves, a friend

paint or touch up possibly their only and best means of marketing.

who knows a thing or two about painting signs, or hiring an actual artist who has trained in the trade and has much more experience. It is interesting to see the range of skill and detail in the signage. Commercial Folk Art illustrates an ambitious attitude of Detroit and

Image Left : Abandoned local Grandy Market . Detroit , MI 29 Photograph taken May 3, 2008

398

399

“They seek to be independent of, and free from, the burden of the second-class treatment and to be equitably compensated for their physical, mental, and economic contributions. In this regard each sign, whether unselfconsciously sincere, deliberately ironic, calculated, or naive, is as articulate as the Declaration of Independence. It is about the desire to have a piece of the dream.”31 Image Left : Sam’s Loans, Money in 1 Min. Corner Michigan and Wabash Detroit , MI 30 Photograph taken June 30, 2008

400

401

â€œA muralist once told Sweet Juniper that Detroit hardware stores paint their wares on the sides of the buildings to advertise products to those who are illiterate. In 1998, the National Institute for Literacy estimated that 47% of Detroit adults were functionally illiterate.â€?33 Image Left : M c Dougall Hardware On street corner in Detroit , MI 32 Photograph taken May 23, 2009

402

An apparent difference from this generation of hand-painted wall

their whole building and painting ads on every surface of it. This may

ads from that of the earlier hand-painted ads at the beginning of

seem like an overly desperate approach to advertising, but in Detroit

the twentieth century is the use of wall space and the building

desperate is something that allows businesses to be seen. This form

types available. In Detroit the best available spaces for business

of advertisement in Detroit is unique because it displays a side of

owners to display their products is either on their own building or

Detroitâ€™s people who survive for themselves and for the benefit of the

on another building besides their own if their budget permits. With

city.

these businesses lacking deep pockets, they must turn to utilizing

Image Right : Mr. Fix-It 5916 W. Warren Detroit , MI 34

403

404

The artists commissioned to paint these elaborate store fronts and

lift up from the blight that seems to consume the city and the exterior

building sized advertisements do their job partially for the money,

of the buildings. Each artist has their own quality and characteristic

but mostly for the joy that they get out of utilizing their artistic skills.

flair, from the bright colors used, to cartoon-like characters, and

Some names that appear on these paintings are some of the more

more abstract â€œkaleidoscopicâ€? colorful works of art like that of Kevin

advanced and experienced artists in this line of work: Michael Wilson,

Patrick. Many of these artists paint ads and store business signs

Scott Caudle, Jeff Young, Kevin Patrick, Marty (MPH), Klein, Norman,

on the side to help finance some of their personal endeavors of

and Richard. These artists are the handy work for those needing a

supplying their own paint studios for their art work.

Images 36, 37, 38, 39: Michael Wilson 36 Scott Caudle 37 Scott Caudleâ€™s Paint Van 38 Talkative Michael Wilson 39

405

406

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“ It makes them believe. It gives them hope that they have a 43 future.” Images: 40, 41, 42 Nakoma’s Car Wash, Detroit , MI 40 —Photograph taken May 13, 2009 Washitaw Barber N Hair Stylist , 11391 E. McNichols, Detroit , MI 41 Aunt Dot s Fish & Chips, Detroit , MI—Photograph taken April 9, 2009 42

408

Can a greater more positive effect be made in Detroit from these types of hand-painted signage?

409

When Detroit improves, will there continue to be a need for hand-painted signs on second hand stores?

410

1. Photograph, Flickr User: The Gallopping Geezer, Web

January 28, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/

gallopping_geezer/4597259929/.

detroitliger/2559408149/.

Photograph, Flickr User: Detroit Liger, Web.

painting are century-old ghosts,” The Detroit News,

detroitliger/5287082600/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Last Updated: May 30, 2007 1:00am, Web January

Arthur Krim, foreword to Ghost Signs: Brick Wall

18, 2011. http://detnews.com/article/20070530/

Signs in America. by WM. Stage. (ST Publications Inc. ,

METRO/108010013/Signs-of-the-times--Exterior-ad-

1989).

paintings-are-century-old-ghosts.

Photograph, Flickr User: DerekDetroit Photography,

January 28, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/

detroitderek/4866035522/.

daycoppens/3330053772/in/set-72157603986418960/.

Photograph, “Eureka Vacuum,” Web. January 21, 2011. Photograph, Flickr User: LindaB., Web January 25,

2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/38056591@ N00/3573754894/. 15. Harris, Bill, foreword to Talking Shops: Detroit Commercial Folk Art. by David Clements. (A Great

Photograph, Flickr User: Adore707, Web January

Lakes Books Publication, 2005), 7. 16. Photograph, Flickr User: Detroit Liger, Web

N03/4712519510/.

January 26, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/

Photograph, Flickr User: LindaB., Web January 25,

detroitliger/5066706232/in/photostream/.

2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/14672929@ 9.

14. Photograph, Flickr User: wdebalt, Web January 21,

N02/4288738915/. 25, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/42814161@ 8.

13. Photograph, Flickr User: daycoppens, Web

Web. January 31, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/

2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/14672929@ 7.

12. Brian O’Connor, “Signs of the Times: Exterior ad

January 31, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/

http://www.shorpy.com/node/9767. 6.

11. Photograph, Flickr User: Detroit Liger, Web

January 31, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/

17. Photograph, David Clements, Talking Shops:

20. Photograph, Flickr User: Joey Harrison: Web January 30, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ joeyharrison/238119473/. 21. Photograph, Flickr User: buckshot.jones, Web February 1, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ buckshotjones/1719988565/sizes/l/. 22. Photograph, Flickr User: pjchmiel, Web January 30, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ pjchmiel/4099484155/. 23. Photograph, Flickr User: Friend_in_Detroit, February 1, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/41647002@ N08/4432600094/sizes/l/. 24.

Photograph, Flickr User: jesjozwik, January 30, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jesjozwik/2822455153/.

25. Photograph, Flickr User: HiperOranz, Web January 30, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ mushrie/3016543053/in/set-72157608797605173/. 26. Photograph, Flickr User: Friend_in_Detroit, Web February 1, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/ photos/41647002@N08/4431314061/sizes/l/in/ photostream/. 27. Detroitblogger John, “The writing on the wall,”

N02/2719686255/.

Detroit Commercial Folk Art, (A Great Lakes Books

Metro Times, September 16, 2009, Web January 13,

Photograph, Flickr User: retrosigns, Web January

Publication, 2005), 64.

2011. http://www2.metrotimes.com/news/story.

26, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/38963759@ N03/3581138429/in/set-72157619327713736/. 10. Photograph, “Sign painters, Ames, Iowa,” Web January 26, 2011. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/ fsa1997005725/PP/.

18. Photograph, Flickr User: Katherine of Chicago, Web January 30, 2011. 19. Photograph, Flickr User: Katherine of Chicago, Web January 30, 2011.

asp?id=14357. 28. Detroitblogger John, “The writing on the wall,” Metro Times, September 16, 2009, Web January 13, 2011. http://www2.metrotimes.com/news/story. asp?id=14357.

411

29. Photograph, Flickr User: Detroit Liger, Web

38. Photograph, Detroitblogger John, “The writing on the

January 26, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/

wall,” Metro Times, September 16, 2009, Web January

detroitliger/2571899564/.

13, 2011. http://www2.metrotimes.com/news/story.

30. Photograph, Flickr User: Detroit Liger, Web January 26, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ detroitliger/2627148182/. 31. Harris, Bill, foreword to Talking Shops: Detroit Commercial Folk Art. by David Clements. (A Great Lakes Books Publication, 2005), 7. 32. Photograph, Flickr User: metroblossom, Web January 30, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ metroblossom/3560994148/. 33. Flickr User: metroblossom, Web January 30, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ metroblossom/3560994148/. 34. Photograph, David Clements, Talking Shops: Detroit Commercial Folk Art, (A Great Lakes Books Publication, 2005), 13. 35. Detroitblogger John, “The writing on the wall,” Metro Times, September 16, 2009, Web January 13, 2011. http://www2.metrotimes.com/news/story. asp?id=14357. 36. Photograph, Detroitblogger John, “The writing on the wall,” Metro Times, September 16, 2009, Web January 13, 2011. http://www2.metrotimes.com/news/story. asp?id=14357 37. Photograph, Detroitblogger John, “The writing on the wall,” Metro Times, September 16, 2009, Web January 13, 2011. http://www2.metrotimes.com/news/story. asp?id=14357.

asp?id=14357. 39. Photograph, Detroitblogger John, “The writing on the wall,” Metro Times, September 16, 2009, Web January 13, 2011. http://www2.metrotimes.com/news/story. asp?id=14357. 40. Photograph, ¬Flickr User: Joey Harrison, Web January 21, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ joeyharrison/3790432701/. 41. Photograph, David Clements, Talking Shops: Detroit Commercial Folk Art, (A Great Lakes Books Publication, 2005), 163. 42. Photograph, Flickr User: Detroit Liger, Web January 26, 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ detroitliger/3427305127/. 43. Detroitblogger John, “The writing on the wall,” Metro Times, September 16, 2009, Web January 13, 2011. http://www2.metrotimes.com/news/ =14357.

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THIS IS DETROIT

413 In a local school, 123 pupils were asked by a teacher, “Were you born in Detroit?” Sixty-nine replied, “Yes.” Fifty-four said, “No.” Since nearly 45 percent of these students had moved to Detroit from some other place, the teacher and the classes became interested in determining how many of their parents were native Detroiters. Upon inquiry it was found that in only seven cases were both parents born here. In twenty cases one of the parents was born here, but in ninety-six cases neither father nor mother had been born in Detroit. In other words, most of these parents were not native Detroiters. Citizenship in Detroit, Prepared by the Department of Social Studies under the supervision of C.C. Barnes, the director of Social Studies in 1938. Excerpt from Chapter 1, pg.1.

Dialogues with the City “Were you born in Detroit?” Sean Baxter

414 Pages 1 and 4 are a spread from the City of Detroit’s proposed generalized

Detroit, like every other city on Earth, is a city of people. If Detroit is to

land use plan published in 1947. It introduces it’s plan using the images

be successful again, it must harness the diverse stories that Detroit’s

shown on both the adjacent page and the previous page. These pictures

citizens can offer. One may finally recognize the importance of the

of the good and bad parts of Detroit are immediatley followed by the

individual’s quality of life and the story that one person will tell of their

planning rhetoric that proposes to remove the bad parts of Detroit as

experience living and navigating the city.

part of a movement to make Detroit a better place to live and work. The following chapter concerns exerpts from various interviews and This way of framing problems and their solutions through images,

conversations that take the rhetoric of what the city is, and can be, to a

data, and generalized rhetoric ignores the people and the individual

new level; the level of the personal story.

stories that are most affected by the changes. Historically, progress and improvement in Detroit have served as representations of how not to pursue urban renewal. It could be argued that the plan’s greatest failure was its ignorance in regard to the lives and desires of the people who were to become the subject of the massive changes in the 1950’s and up into present day Detroit, and the inability to integrate its own citizens’ dreams into its plan. Very few cities could boast of having a population as diverse and dynamic as the population of people that lived in Detroit in 1950, but the city failed miserably at utilizing that enormous asset to its advantage.

415

THIS ALSO IS DETROIT

416 I think the Detroit community is very well developed. In my community on the Detroit east side I trust my neighbors. We’re together, Black and White. In some ways, my moving to Detroit was almost a political statement. I did not want to live and raise my kids in white suburbia. I wanted to live in congruency with my politics. When I decided to buy a house—a large financial investment—I decided to do it in Detroit. My neighborhood is aesthetically beautiful. My neighbors are very close. At any point we can have a party just by calling all the neighbors together. [laughs] I just can’t see living anywhere else. I’m involved in politics partly because I’m so angry. Last night [November7, 1990] some comrades and I watched that terribly onesided ABC TV show ‘Prime Time” that focused on Detroit and Mayor Young. It said nothing about the good side, the good people, the positives of Detroit. Moira Kennedy being quoted in Detroit Lives, by Robert H. Mast (1994)

417

In my community on the Detroit east side I trust my neighbors.

It said nothing about the good side, the good people, the positives of Detroit.

418 I’ve lived in Detroit since I was born in 1950 and I’ve watched the neighborhoods change. The first neighborhood I lived in, where my parents still live, was in an area of Lothrop and West Grand Boulevard. It’s made up of all kinds of flats and duplexes. It was a middle class neighborhood in the 1950s. There was one Black family when I was born. By the time I was fifteen it was almost all Black. I grew up with the advantages of a multicultural background. On my block there was a German family, a Japanese family, a Polish family, an Irish family—all first generation—along with two Arab families: mine and another of Lebanese background. Then Black families moved in. The second Black family on the block was Roger Short’s family. He’s now the auditor-general of the city of Detroit. When I moved here onto Parkside Street, I was one of the last whites to move onto his block. We had divisions in the neighborhood, but they were geographical, not racial. Roger Short was the big ally on my block. He was the kid who scared away the gangs from the other blocks, all of whom were white. He was protecting us. Frank Rashid being quoted in Detroit Lives, by Robert H. Mast (1994)

419

Images taken from Detroit News’ Online Archive’s Detroit News PhotoStore Collection titled Michigan’s greatest treasure—its people. Images are of Greek (and AfricanAmerican), Scottish, Austrian, Polish, Japanese, Arab, and Palestinian Detroiters.

420

421 I moved to Detroit to work for the Associated Press. I was miserable in that environment. It was the most racist and sexist place I ever had the lack of pleasure to work in. I fell in love with Detroit. My involvement in Poletown started in 1981. The first time I visited a Poletown neighborhood council meeting, the people really won my heart. They were hard-working, working-class, union people who were gradually putting together a pretty sophisticated analysis of what was being done to them in the destruction of their community. I wanted to put my skills at their disposal, so I don’t think I missed another meeting after that. The resilience of the people in Poletown is one of the things that I found most striking. People were having their neighborhood decimated, houses were on fire, there was construction dust. People would come into the church center and say, “I can’t breathe, I can’t sleep at night.” The folks in Poletown invited the daughter of the chairman of General Motors to have her wedding at the Immaculate Conception Church [scheduled for demolition] when it became public that she was getting married. They rented a bulldozer and took it to the house of the chairman of General Motors to let him know how it felt to have bulldozers pull up on his lawn. Once the church had been taken over by the police, they wove flowers through the fence that was between them and church demolition. Police officers were put every twelve feet along the fence to keep people from scaling the fence to stop the demolition. The ladies went and got red vigil candles from the church that they had saved and put them beside the feet of every police officer. The neighborhood was not saved. The Cadillac plant was built. It’s not been a very productive or worthwile plant, even from GM’s perspective. Ironically, the analysts have said that the plant’s too big. [Laughs] Shortly after opening the plant, they permanently laid off 17,000 Michigan workers. The City Council was quoted as saying that was a real slap in the face after all they had done for GM. But I wouldn’t say the struggle for Poletown was for nothing.

Jeanie Wylie-Kellermann being quoted in Detroit Lives, by Robert H. Mast (1994). Images Left and Opposite taken from Jenny Nolan’s January 27, 2000 Detroit News article, Auto palnt vs. Neighborhood: The Poletown Battle.

422 I was born in Puerto Rico in 1953. When my mother was pregnant with me, my father came to Detroit to do labor. His entry to Detroit in the early â€˜50s was part of the second migration of Puerto Ricans to the mainland. This was part of Operation Bootstrap, which included a major exportation of labor from Puerto Rico. The second wave settled in an established Mexican community in the Corktown area, the Holy Trinity area. Thatâ€™s where I was brought up. The second wave was much more reflective of the island as it is now: a rainbow of colors. I came to Detroit when I was five years old. I was an altar boy at Holy Trinity Church where Monsignor Clement Kern was the pastor. He was a community organizer in the Latino community. All the good stories about him are very true. We were in one of the most progressive churches in the city. They ministered to the poor. Skid Row used to be located close to Holy Trinity, and Father Kern and his people ministered to those folks. Osvaldo Rivera being quoted in Detroit Lives, by Robert H. Mast (1994) Osvaldo Rivera is the director of Latino Family Services, in the southwest section of Detroit.

All the good

423

stories about him are very true. When I grew up, the reason I didn’t steal wasn’t because there was police around, ‘cause there wasn’t no police around. I didn’t steal because I didn’t want the neighbors to know I would steal. The conscience of the community was your policeman. Now, when you get in the city, because everybody don’t have nothing to do with nobody’s business, everybody, therefore, can do anything and there’s nobody to chastise them. There’s no discipline on you. The alienation took place in the way we live, in production, the way we related to each other. Then as we got all of these refrigerators, those electric gadgets, I don’t need the neighbors next door for nothing. I got my own TV, my own movies. I’ve got my own icebox. I don’t have to borrow nothing from them. Now you can’t borrow nothing from your neighbors because they don’t relate to each other. James Boggs being quoted in Detroit Lives, by Robert H. Mast (1994)

424

We can talk. I ain’t doing nothing today, just sitting around. That’s the truth! I ain’t lying! I ain’t got no water nowhere but in my kitchen. And then that be cold. That be cold. I ain’t had no...I can’t wash my dishes today! Because I ain’t got no hot water! He going to tell me something else. No, no! I don’t live in a damn slum like this! Never lived like this before. ‘Til I come here. That factual truth. I ain’t got no - now, how am I going to take a bath? Tote water from out of the kitchen sink! And I ain’t got no hot water right now to wash dishes in there. I can’t wash my dishes! I had to go to my sister’s house to take a bath! It been cut off for going on three or four weeks, a month now. I ain’t got no hot water. In my bathtub, in my kitchen, neither. Listen, I ain’t got no water. What am I going to wash dishes in cold water for? You can’t wash grease off a plate, can you. My boss is Mr. Ricket. I got nothing but rats up in here. Now I got to tote hot water? Naw, no, no! I mean, I pay him so much money a week. An interview of Catherine Foster taken from Voices from the Corner, by Raphael S. Ezekiel (1984, field work done between 1967–1972)

425 I can give you a story. My life. Starting when I was a little kid, going on about three or four years old. I was living in the area around Hastings. Hastings was the worst street in Detroit. They still got prostitutes over there now, in the old condemned houses. I used to go down Hastings, them prostitutes used to get kids, nine, ten years old, they’d get them to go down to the five-and-ten-cent-store, and have them to stealing perfume and lipstick, little cheap perfume, go down and steal a batch, they’d give us a quarter for it. ‘Til my father found out I skipped school stealing it. That was the last time. Google Street images joined into panorama at the Detroit intersection of Willis and Grandy.

We can talk. I ain’t doing nothing today, just sitting around. That’s all we’ll be doing all day. Sitting around, seeing the guys, having a drink. I don’t go to work ‘til six. An interview of Nathan Coolidge taken from Voices from the Corner, by Raphael S. Ezekiel (1984, field work done between 1967-1972)

426 Now I have a son in college. And I’m really interested in what they’re doing in college today. It cost quite a deal of money to send your kids to college today. It’s not just like getting a high school education. It costs you money. I’m sending my son to college. I’m not married. I’m a single woman and I work and I’m trying to send my son through college because I’m trying to make him responsible. I’m trying to open up things that could happen today, the ways of life and the ways that people should live regardless to whether they do live this way or not. I have a very open heart. And I’m Christian-hearted. My mother raised me. My mother was a very Christian woman and she knows nothing but Christianity. And she raised me in this respect. Respect. And do unto others as you would have them do unto you. And this I was raised with and I respect that as of today. And I teach it to my son the same thing down the line. Now my son is nineteen years old. He graduated at the age of sixteen. And, I never had any trouble with my son. He doesn’t have his name on any police records as of today. And he’s a very respectable kid around the city. And, as being a mother, working hard, doing the things that I think a mother should do, I’ve given up very much for the kid. I try to teach him the right way to go.

An interview of Joanne taken from Voices from the Corner, by Raphael S. Ezekiel (1984, field work done between 1967–1972). Joanne came over one afternoon to talk to Catherine. JoAnne is a bus driver for the city, one of the first women in that position.

427

Stanford University Protest

Images of Student Protest during the time of the interview on the opposite page.

And Iâ€™m really interested in what theyâ€™re doing in college today.

428

University of Miami Memorial Classroom

I needed a good, hard look, close up. Here was the world I wished to understand. Hampton University Graduates

429 I received a visit from a student I had

warm, and intact. We throughly enjoyed

taught at the Univeristy of Michigan, where

working with them. This particularly surprised

I am employed as a faculty member in social

us, and the surprise gave us pause.

psychology. She wanted to tell me how her life was going; among other things, she told

We realized we had expected a world of

me about her work, teaching in a Black High

shattered souls rather than brisk students

School in Detroit. I asked to come and visit her

who played chess and warm neighbors who

eleventh graders.

liked us. Recent descriptions of broken lives in the ghetto had led me to very different

I went to school and taught several classes

expectations. I needed a good, hard look, close

with her. The school was in an all-Black

up. Here was the world I wished to understand.

neighborhood, and [my wife] and I had several surprises. Initially, we were frightened when we walked from our car to the school. This disturbed us. We had forgotten how alien one could feel. Later, however, after having a wholly enjoyable time in the school, we found ourselves smiling and easy when we walked back to our car - and found ourselves smiling happily at friendly people on porches, who greeted us with warmth. Finally, the students were a pleasure. They were bright, intelligent

from the introduction Voices from the Corner, by Raphael S. Ezekiel (1984, field work done between 1967â€“1972). Raphael Ezekiel is describing his initial experience in 1966, of a neighborhood in Detroit prior to beginning the field work for the book from which this quote is taken.

430

People say, life is what you make out of it.

Some years you progress and there’s some, regardless what you do to try to get ahead, it’s always something come up that will pull you right back to where you started. I have experienced these things up from nineteen fifty-eight up until now, off and on. Everything is running smooth and all of a sudden something, that puts you in a rut, makes you fall right down it. Then again, it could be one of the kids gets sick. That’s a lot of worry and unhappiness. There’s a lot of things that can happen make you unhappy. Then, there’s the other times. When everything is running smooth. The kids happy and healthy and well. Your husband, he happy, and you happy, and he’s trying to progress. And, you know, I couldn’t think of anything that would make anybody happier. You know, have your health and everything. It would mean a lot. That’s the way life is. Changes. God didn’t promise that every day would be fine. You have to put up with, you have to accept, the bad with the good. People say, life is what you make out of it. No. Maybe to some people it is. But a lot of things in life you have to accept it as it comes.

An interview of Rebecca Stone taken from Voices from the Corner, by Raphael S. Ezekiel (1984, field work done between 1967–1972).

431

No. Maybe to some people it is. But a lot of things in life you have to accept it as it comes.

432

It’s one of the benefits of living here: sometimes there’s just nobody around to say you can’t do something.

433

We were all by ourselves at dusk along the river, just a few blocks from home. We’d walked as far as the path would go, and there we saw a place where a field had flooded and frozen and I went out to investigate the ice: just a few inches thick, but wide and unscarred. I could smell memories: the inside of hockey gloves; inevitable hot chocolate. We came back the next day with our skates. The boy is still too small for skating, so the poor thing had to settle for scuttling along in his boots, and those moments where I’d scoop him up and charge across the ice, setting his feet down to glide while he cackled. No one hassled us; we didn’t see another soul. We’ve gone to the public rink downtown several times, but with gangling teens learning to skate by gripping the boards and swinging their blades face-level to a four-year-old, this trespass was markedly safer. It’s one of the benefits of living here: sometimes there’s just nobody around to say you can’t do something. After an hour or so, the girl could have kept going, but the boy had fangs of snot and a strong case of not fair. The virgin ice was scarred with all our fun, and a thermos of hot chocolate waited by our boots. Our Rink, Sweet Juniper Blog, Posted: Friday, January 8th, 2010. Opposite: Photos from Our Rink, Sweet Juniper Blog, Posted: Friday, January 8th, 2010.

434 I got a great freelance job out of the blue the

does he sleep? When does he see his kids?

other day and spent that evening with a se-

When does he relax? Whenever he can, “which

curity guard hired by a Detroit neighborhood

ain’t often.”

association to patrol its streets at night, responding to resident safety concerns because

I don’t tell him that I went to law school, or

the police don’t. When I meet him he is obvi-

quit a good job on purpose, or moved to De-

ously wearing a bulletproof vest. After stories

troit because San Francisco seemed too nice.

of crackheads stabbing him with screwdrivers

All of these things that seemed to make so

and evicted tenants setting fires in alleys, we

much sense suddenly sound so ridiculous. In-

fall into a customary silence. Most nights are

stead I wear a mask. I pretend like we actually

long and dull, he admits. I consider asking

have something in common, which of course

if he ever listens to books on tape, but then

we do (and all that truth would just get in the

think better of it. “Is this what you do?” he

way of it). “I was working at a brake plant be-

asks. “You’re a photographer?”

fore they moved it to Mexico,” he says. “I was earning $25 an hour and I thought I was going

“No,” I say. “Not really. I don’t have a job right

to do that till the day I retired. Now I got these

now. We have two kids and I take care of

two jobs and I’m lucky to have them. Still we

them.”

just can’t seem to get ahead.”

The air softens. “Playing Mr. Mom? I did that

What would he say if he knew the truth?

for two-and-a-half years, after I lost my job.”

Someone once commended me for the sacri-

We talk about the ups and downs. His kids are

fices I’ve made. But, I think, I’m so privileged I

the same ages as mine. “I miss it,” he says. “I’m

don’t even know the meaning of sacrifice.

working two jobs right now. I haul concrete for a waterproofer all day, and I have a couple of these twelve-hour shifts a week.” When

No title_ I got a great freelance job out of the blue, Sweet Juniper Blog, Posted: Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

435

I donâ€™t tell him that I went to law school, or quit a good job on purpose, or moved to Detroit because San Francisco seemed too nice. All of these things that seemed to make so much sense suddenly sound so ridiculous.

436

We finally got busted breaking into buildings.

437

We finally got busted breaking into buildings.

We got into the Lenox part of the complex. The hotel interior was not as cool as expect-

We were in an alley behind the Madison Lenox

ed. An unrepaired hole in the roof had caused

Hotel, and I was looking up as D was about

years of interior damage that left plaster from

to leap from a window, and suddenly a cop

the ceilings on the floor, plaster crumbling

car comes flying up to my car, slams on the

from walls, and water damage everywhere on

brakes, and the cop gets out and draws his

the upper floors. Little was left in the way of

gun. I put my hands up and yelled, “I’m un-

artifacts. A lot of newspapers and magazines

armed!” He didn’t care. “What the fuck are you

from the early 90s were in there, left right

doing in there?” he asks. “Nothing! Just taking

when the hotel finally closed. Obvious signs

pictures” I reply. The gun is still out. “I got

of squatters were all over the place as well.

enough trouble with the bums goin’ in and out

We went to the roof, but had to be careful

of there,” he yelled. D sheepishly climbs out

because 50,000 suburbanites, and hundreds

of the window, and luckily the cop tells us to

of police to protect them, were swarming the

move on without ticketing or arresting us. But

area because of the Lions game. Bad day for

damn, the week had just begun and already

exploring.

someone is pointing a gun at me.

Please don’t shoot me, Detroit Blog: Stories from the Motor City, Posted: Monday, October 20th, 2003

438 He packs away the CDs and the old cassettes, leaving the posters on

A little store in the inner city often has a strong relationship with

the wall for last.

the neighborhood it’s in, especially in an area where most of the businesses have closed. Those living in the blocks around it will make

“I guess maybe it hasn’t hit me yet,” says 52-year-old Walter Esaw,

a point of shopping there to keep that one alive. A smart store owner

as he boxes the stock of his little record store, Pearl’s Music, on

knows this and returns the favor.

Kercheval near Van Dyke. That’s why Esaw would organize customer appreciation block parties But the phone keeps ringing, bringing reminders. “Yes, next week is

with bands, food and games on blocked-off streets. It’s why he’s taken

our last day,” he tells each caller who phones him after hearing the

folks from the neighborhood on bus trips to Cedar Point, with new CDs

news somewhere. “We’re gonna be OK,” he adds. All the calls are going

playing on the stereo the whole way down there. And it’s the reason he

the same way.

handed out $1,000 scholarships every year to promising high school students in the city. He’d have them write an essay on a topic like what

After almost two decades at this spot, and 80 years total in Detroit,

they’d do if they were president. “We’d sit up at night going through,

the store can’t make it anymore.

reading them all,” Esaw says.

“It comes down to economics,” Esaw says. “The sales are just down. We

“It was never about having a record store. We knew that through

never were just for profits, but we were always saying that as long as it

having a record store, and the music, that we could get kids to come in

paid the bills then we would be here.”

and talk to us and maybe we could be able to help them do something. We always wanted to do something where we could give something

Business tanked about a year ago, he says. Though the store

back.”

survived the rise of digital music and the easy-to-find bootlegs in the neighborhood, it couldn’t outlast a terrible economy.

Gestures like these made the neighbors fiercely loyal to Pearl’s. Even

439 among the area’s thugs, word was to leave this store alone, which sat

“It got to the point I had to reduce my hours, because I was paying

vulnerable with no bulletproof glass, no anti-theft door alarms, no iron

someone $80 a day and I was making $60, so the math don’t add up.

bars on its big windows.

And if the math don’t add up, you got to make a decision.”

“People in the neighborhood, guys in the neighborhood, the ones that

As he presides over the last days of an 18-year dream, music plays

kind of run the neighborhood, they tell everybody, ‘Don’t mess with

from a speaker set on a milk crate outside the door. A sign in the

Pearl’s,’ and that all came from a respect thing for all that we did. You

window announces reduced store hours, where before it was a sign

never see people come in here with a smoke, you never see someone

warning that the end was near. And the phone keeps ringing, bringing

come in with a drink.”

calls from more customers who had to hear it themselves from the owner himself, who has to relay the news, over and over, one customer

Once, the store got robbed by an armed gunman. When the neighbors

at a time.

heard what happened, they told Esaw they’d handle it. “Music is a luxury,” Esaw says, standing behind the store counter, “Just to tell you about the neighborhood, two days after we got robbed

looking through the window at the quiet street outside. “You have

— they’d taken some cassettes and stuff — they put the money in a

to eat, but you don’t have to hear some music. Detroit and the state

cassette with a note saying, ‘Sorry we robbed you,’ and put it back

of Michigan are just going through hard times. They just can’t afford

in the mail chute. I called the police and they said they’d never seen

music anymore.”

nothing like that before.” Esaw is a full-time accountant, so this job has been a weekend labor of love that started costing too much time and bringing too little money.

The Last Song, Detroit Blog: Stories from the Motor City, Posted: Monday, December 6th, 2010, this story originally appeared in the Metro Times.

440

THIS IS DETROIT

441

Images that depict the common stories of Detroit: GM, Henry Ford, Jimmy Hoffa/Unionized Labor, Motown, Red Wings, Tigers, Racisl Violence and Riots, Abandoned buildings, 8 Mile

442

Images that depict the people of Detroit: Images from People of Detroit Blog, Detroit News Archives

443

THIS ALSO IS DETROIT

444

Citizenship in Detroit: a supplementary reader in

Oates, N. Stanley. Proposed generalized land use plan, an

News One. More African-Americans Attend College, But

community civics.. Detroit, Mich.: Board of Education,

explanation of a basic plan designed to make Detroit

Graduation Lags. N.d. More African-Americans Attend

1938. Print.

a better place in which to live and work.. Detroit:

College, But Graduation Lags, Hampton University,

Detroit City Plan Commission, 1947. Print.

Virginia. NewsOne for Black America. Web. 28 Jan.

Ezekiel, Raphael S.. Voices from the corner: poverty and racism in the inner city. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1984. Print. Griffioen, James. “sweet juniper!.” sweet juniper!. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2011. <http://www.sweet-juniper.com/>. Kornhauser, Arthur W.. Detroit as the people see it: a

The Detroit News. “Michigan’s greatest treasure -- its people.” The Detroit News PhotoStore. The Detroit

2011. Student Protest Images. “The History Cooperative.” The

News, n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2011. <apps.detnews.com/

History Cooperative. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2011.

pictopia/index.php?project=MichiganPeople>.

<http://www.historycooperative.org>.

“The People Of Detroit.” The People Of Detroit. N.p., n.d.

University of Miami. Students in Memorial Classroom.

survey of attitudes in an industrial city. Westport,

Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www.thepeopleofdetroit.

N.d. University of Miami Legacy, Coral Gables, FL.

Conn.: Greenwood Press, 19761952. Print.

com/>.

University of Miami Libraries. Web. 28 Jan. 2011.

Mast, Robert H.. Detroit lives . Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1994. Print. Nolan, Jenny. “Auto Plant vs. Neighborhood: The Poletown

“detroitblog .” detroitblog . N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2011. <http://www.detroitblog.org/>. Students took action in the 1960s and 70s.. N.d. CHANGING

Battle.” Michigan History. The Detroit News, 27 Jan.

TIMES & CAMPUS, Stanford University Campus.

2000. Web. 25 Jan. 2011. <apps.detnews.com/apps/

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history/index.php?id=18>.

445

446 The Normal is a research book assembled by students in the M.Arch graduate option architecture studio at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning under the direction of studio critic Christian Unverzagt in the Winter of 2011. The work is produced as an academic inquiry into the history of Detroit and its current condition relative to fifty-years of post-war American prosperity. The students have attempted to cite sources whenever possible and make no claim of ownership to the visual imagery or statistical data used. http://thenormal-detroit.tumblr.com

The Normal. Grotesque. Research.