My community organization has recently been trying to deal with a revamped drainage crew the city of Detroit is trying to enforce on property owners. They’d have to pay almost a thousand dollars monthly for impermeable spaces on their property. It’s pushed me to learn about this new fee and also understand that it’s been imposed to replenish funds lost from cleaning bodies of water close to Detroit. My community organization also seems very detached from its work. I love their mission to provide affordable housing and convenient but important services to residents, however there hasn’t been much interaction between Develop Detroit and the communities their trying to target. I’d rather be in the communities, doing site visits, and talking to other nonprofits about services they provide than being stuck in the office located in the downtown business district. Maybe Develop Detroit just isn’t far enough to start being heavily entrenched in their targeted areas of Detroit.
I haven’t noticed much about Detroit itself – besides the gentrification that’s an itch with a b (credit to Dominique Witten). That’s the main thing I see happening, especially since I work downtown where the city has closed roads for a “temporary” project. I’m pretty sure that closing the rest of Woodward where the Qline doesn’t run won’t be temporary and it’ll ruin more of the mass transportation system as more days pass by. I can only hope that won’t be the case, but we never know what the future will hold.
Hey Zoe,
I feel the same sentiment towards the organization I am in. Right now I’m doing a lot of research for Focus:HOPE for an upcoming survey given to the residents in the surrounding community. However, looking at previous statistics relating to crime, resident feelings, and demolitions in the area, I have yet to go to the community and speak to residents, so I feel like I have not truly understood the wants and needs of community members. I hope to tour the area soon to get a better feel as to what the community desires.
Hi Zoe,
I’m really glad that you’re getting more into your work and learning more about Detroit’s changing systems (i.e. gentrification). I also appreciate how honest you are in your blogs, it makes them so much more interesting to read because of how real your insight is. Anyways, I’ll see you later.
– Daria
Zoe,
I think its interesting how much you summarized what is happening to Detroit in such a short post. Its sad that so many people and organizations can have such a huge impact on Detroit without going out and asking what the people in Detroit actually want. I hope you get the chance to go into more communities are talk to them soon.