Titles are no elixir for urban problems (Detroit)

BaltimoreSun.com ^ | 10-23-06 | Rick Maese

[JZelle]

DETROIT // Next door to Comerica Park sits St. John's Episcopal Church, where an electronic sign beckons with bright orange letters, "Pray here for the Tigers." The plea should erase any doubt that religion and baseball intersect sharply in the Motor City.

But the role sports plays - the role the Tigers play - can be a bit tougher to dissect.

[JZelle]

"The electricity that flowed through the stadium for last night's World Series opener was evident - so evident, in fact, that first glance would lead you to believe it lit up the whole neighborhood. But actually, that was the doing of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who had three empty buildings illuminated so television images wouldn't depict a barren downtown."

[kinoxi]

I inadvertently suggested potions.

[johnny7]

When's Hell-Night?

[pinz-n-needlez]

Devil's Night is the night before Halloween.

[70times7]

Yeah, that's Detroit's version of urban renewal - empty buildings are torched by vandals for fun. I don't know what day it is, but who knows? Maybe we will be able to hear the sirens and see the smoke and flames when the series comes back to Detroit. People can light up empty buildings for the mayor and save him the trouble.

[DemforBush]

I wonder if anything can "fix" Detroit, really. Between the rampant crime, the lousy schools, and a freeloading mayor, I don't think even Robocop could clean up the town now.

[johnny7]

That's what I thought... kind'a like urban purification-by-fire.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

'swhy the family on my dad's side escaped Detroit 30 years ago.

[PGalt]

Their success is a great respite. But with history as our guide, we know that when the World Series is over, the real world awaits.

Good article. Businessmen have invested lots of money in Detroit. There are some areas that are developing. The tension that was around in 1967 is gone. There is a spark of spirit in Detroit. Almost 40 years later and still a long way to go.

Baghdad might turn around faster with millions invested.