Detroit wants to save itself by shrinking

msnbc ^ | 3-8-10 | Associated Press

[cajuncow]

DETROIT - Detroit, the very symbol of American industrial might for most of the 20th century, is drawing up a radical renewal plan that calls for turning large swaths of this now-blighted, rusted-out city back into the fields and farmland that existed before the automobile.

Operating on a scale never before attempted in this country, the city would demolish houses in some of the most desolate sections of Detroit and move residents into stronger neighborhoods. Roughly a quarter of the 139-square-mile city could go from urban to semi-rural.

[LukeL]

So Detroit is going Green?

[MrEdd]

A really big Devil's night?

[mlocher]

Roughly a quarter of the 139-square-mile city could go from urban to semi-rural.

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

Bing-O!

[Graybeard58]

I hear it’s going muzzie.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Seems like a prudent plan. I’d also recommend this approach for 95% of New Orleans.

[digger48]

Here’e your forty acres....

[Cicero]

OK. And who gets to pay for this? Us?

[Second Amendment First]

The network of city halls was established by former Mayor Coleman A. Young, who believed it was important to bring City Hall to the people instead of forcing them to visit downtown, where the Central District office exists in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center.

Need we say more?

[cherry]

I think this would be amazing if they could do it.....understand that even people in run down neighborhoods who have been there a long time will not want to leave....

but the possibilities are enormous...

imagine driving into a city to find lovely gardens and walking paths and birds and butterflies...

Dave Bing ...good luck.....you might be the answer for Detroit...

[Second Amendment First]

Here’e your forty acres....

Sorry, all out of mules, here's an old chevy.

[Gay State Conservative]

Somehow I doubt that there’ll be a single welfare sponge parasite that will leave Detroit as a result of this shrinkage.

[Vince Ferrer]

If they made Detroit the setting for the next Transformers or Blues Brothers movie, they could make money tearing down all those buildings.

[cranked]

Reminds me of “New Detroit” concept in RoboCop....

[tflabo]

Pros and cons with this decision. While it’s good that the city consolidates its services and expenses it’s bad that federal $$ will be necessary for the transition and also that some homeowners will be forced to move out against their wishes. Leftist liberalism helped destroy a once thriving city.

[HiTech RedNeck]

I don’t think that’s the goal. If Detroit can gather all the sponges together that would free up areas to be greened.

[Second Amendment First]

Before any changes are made a marketing campaign will inform residents, said Carnell, whose responsibilities as a group executive for the mayor's office include community relations, health and human services. "People have to understand what the rationale for change is and how it will affect them," she said. "You can't just shut the door." Still, Detroiter LaNell Buffington, 73, is dubious about the proposed changes, and questioned whether they would be economical. "What's wrong with these people?" she asked. "They're closing all these things ... It don't make no sense."

[1rudeboy]

I think this is fantastic. Good luck to Detroit. God knows it needs it.

[Kozak]

imagine driving into a city to find lovely gardens and walking paths and birds and butterflies...

Such wonderful sources of jobs, economic activity and a strong tax base......

[martin_fierro]

Roughly a quarter of the 139-square-mile city could go from urban to semi-rural.

Make it 3/4 and you're talking.