Detroit is such a burned out, broken down Hellhole that I’m not sure what can bring it back. Perhaps spending $20 or $30 million to plow over a big chunk of it isn’t such a bad idea.
I last visited Detroit in 1979 when I had some business with GM. It was a hell hole then of sullen street thugs glaring at you because you were white. My hotel was like a set from “Blade Runner.” Filthy, noisy buses that appeared to be burning coal screeched and lumbered through the night in front of the hotel, making the windows in my room vibrate noisily. Everyone on the streets hurried along, eyes downcast, except for the thugs. I stopped at the luncheonette in the GM Building. One well-dressed middle-aged executive suddenly threw-down his menu, screamed at the waitress for not moving quickly enough, and stormed out, overturning his chair. It was like a bad dream. Taxis were adventures in abusive, dangerous drivers and high fees. Restaurants smelled bad. That was in 1979. I try to imagine how bad it is now and fail.