*Detroit Photo Essay: 2004 In Review*

[Michi]

Compliments of my friend, tony-detroit from skyscraperpage.com

Goodbye 2004, hello 2005! The Detroit you don't know and love! ;)

Fisher Building, New Center
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/105_jpg.jpg

The Industrial, Southwest Detroit
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/109_jpg.jpg

Downtown over Midtown Detroit, Wayne State University
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/116b_jpg.jpg

From the roof of the Metropolitan Building
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/117_jpg.jpg

Capitol Park, downtown Detroit
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/121_jpg.jpg

Main lobby and prominade, Guardian Building
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/128_jpg.jpg

Renaissance Center and Detroit River at night
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/132_jpg.jpg

Night skyline from Ontario
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/133_jpg.jpg

Lodge Freeway ramps, New Center
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/134b_jpg.jpg

Gratiot Avenue looking northeast
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/143_jpg.jpg

McAbees Building, Midtown
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/34_jpg.jpg

Renaissance Center from Midtown
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/39_jpg.jpg

Fisher Building golden crown and the Belcrest, foreground
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/41_jpg.jpg

Downtown/Skillman Branch of the Detroit Public Library, foreground
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/45_jpg.jpg

Merchants Row, Woodward Avenue
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/50_jpg.jpg

Reflections of the Central Business District
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/6_jpg.jpg

Historic Detroit
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/71_jpg.jpg

America's Thanksgiving Day Parade
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/64_jpg.jpg

Midtown and New Center from Downtown, Woodward Avenue
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/73_jpg.jpg

Renaissance Center from Metropolitan Building
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/76_jpg.jpg

Old Wayne County Building under renovation
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/99_jpg.jpg

Comerica Tower and Guardian Building, Woodward Avenue, CBD
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010003_JPG.jpg

Sidewalk reflections
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010004_JPG.jpg

Dusk skyline behind old Hotel Pick-Fort Shelby
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010007_JPG.jpg

Library and Merchants Row
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010010_JPG.jpg

Lafayette Avenue (left), Michigan Avenue (right)
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010011_JPG.jpg

Lodge Freeway entering downtown, Riverfront Towers condos
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010015_JPG.jpg

Point of Origin, Campus Martius
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010019_JPG.jpg

Fort Street Presbyterian, Casino Windsor
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010020_JPG.jpg

Greyhound Bus Station and Ambassador Bridge
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010028b_JPG.jpg

Downtown skyline and riverwalk under the span of the Ambassador Bridge
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010035_JPG.jpg

Campus Martius Park
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010036_JPG.jpg

Springtime skyline from Windsor, Ontario
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010037_JPG.jpg

Greektown, Old Ste. Mary's, and 1300 Lafayette
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010044_JPG.jpg

211 West Fort Street
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010046_JPG.jpg

http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010047v_JPG.jpg

Pure Detroit, GM Collection, Renaissance Center Wintergarden
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010048_JPG.jpg

Penobscot Building, Bank One, Campus Martius Park
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010057_JPG.jpg

Night time falls over Book Tower (left) and Industrian Building (right), & Trolly Plaza (far right), Capitol Park
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010058_JPG.jpg

Downtown from Midtown, Woodward Avenue
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010076_JPG.jpg

Compuware World Headquarters, Campus Martius
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010081_JPG.jpg

"The Thinker", Detroit Institute of Arts, Midtown Cultural Center
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010084_JPG.jpg

Fisher Building, New Center, Detroit
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010087_JPG.jpg

Freud Building demolition, Campus Martius
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010088_JPG.jpg

Lending a helping hand, Beaubien Street
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010093_JPG.jpg

Night time Central Business District from the top of the Marriott Hotel, Renaissance Center
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010097b_jpg.jpg

Elmo at America's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Woodward Avenue at Kirby Street. Fisher Building in the background.
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010105_JPG.jpg

Detroit Electronic Music Festival, riverfront Hart Plaza, Memorial Day weekend in May
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010105h_JPG.jpg

Broderick Tower, Metropolitan Building, and People Mover track at dusk
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010106_JPG.jpg

Show some love for the Motor City!!
http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/detroit%20pano_jpg.jpg

HOPE YOU ENJOYED!

[Jules]

Great Pictures of America's Third City. :)

[ReddAlert]

excellent pictures

[hudkina]

I love that shot looking west from the top of the Renaissance Center.

[Michi]

Yah, that's a rarely seen view and amazing at night!

By the way, why was this moved to the Midwest section? Isn't Detroit a part of the United States? What should I have done differently in order for this to have qualified for the United States forum? :dunno:

[hudkina]

Because the people here are more comfortable with the bad aspects of Detroit and don't know how to deal with the good. If you had reminded them that Detroit is the worst city ever created, it would have had a better chance of staying in the US forum.

[Michi]

4 replies? That's rediculous. I don't see the need to post about Detroit here anymore. It's obviously not a desired topic of discussion or interest. That's fine by me. There's skyscraperpage for that.

[EastSider]

I'm a Detroit supporter but why the negativity? I don't think photo posts create a lot of discussion.

[Michi]

There's no negativity, just a bit of honesty. I like coming here to share a little of Detroit every now and then because there really is no representation on this forum. If there's no interest though, then why waste time? It's really no big deal and I don't take it personal or anything. :)

[jacerw99]

Fantastic photography! There is so much built density in Detroit!

[JivecitySTL]

Seriously spectacular.

[ScraperDude]

I think Detorit is awesome and not many US cities has those beuatiful relics piercing their skylines like Detroit. I know theres a lot of negative shit said about Detroit I know people here in Florida that are from Detroit and talk bad about it, but for someone like me who isnt there I enjoy these posts and this is my only source for insight to Detroits renaissance. I appreciate any photos and updates with the turn around of the city. When you guys post whats going on in Detroit I in turn bring it up in conversation to people here and it lets them know that Detroit is only getting better. :yes:

[Zuelas]

Michi, Thanks for the collection! Some of the summer/spring pics really piss me off that we're having snow/ice tonight and I have to go and drive in it. Oh well, at least the city has 6 months of good weather a year.

What is the building w/all of the ornamentation in the pic of 211 W Fort? Not sure I've noticed that one on my strolls. In some of the night pics, I wish Comerica Tower would have been made w/a better lighting scheme. An opportunity was lost especially with the fancy angles. Also, I know I'm probably the only one but I miss the x-mas tree thing on the Penobscot.... wish it had something up there all year long to give the evening skyline something extra. Great shots tho.

Can't wait to see what's in Detroit's future!

[Michi]

Um, I think one is part of Comerica Bank, and the other is where Julian Scott was. I could be wrong, but will look into that the next time I go by there.

I wish the Penob would have the "Xmas tree" lit all year as well. But I what I would like to see more is the lighting of Comerica Tower, just like you mentioned. That would do so much for the skyline. Two others that HAVE to be lit at night are the Book Tower and the David Stott. Maybe someday soon!

[Neph]

Thanks Michi! This has got to be one of the best photo threads I've ever seen of the great city of Detroit, if not the best. I just love the architecture of the city. Those old skyscrapers are among the very best, anywhere!

[Jaybird]

You can't get any better pictures of Detroit than all of these here, crystal clear and detailed too. Thanks for showing them, Michi, I have already saved A LOT of them in my computer. And my compliments to Tony (wherever he may be) for taking them.

I don't know, but I actually like this shot the best:

http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/109_jpg.jpg

I like the shots of Detroit from the southwest, even though it's the industrial area. It's a great perspective of the city.

I'm kind of like you, ScraperDude, I enjoy posts and things that are good about Detroit as well, no matter what people say about it (if it is bad or not), I think people need to think more positively about the city because Detroit needs all the support and patronage it can get (and I have given it a lot in the last couple of years) and my experiences there have been the best of any city I have visited in my life. Better than New York, Toronto, Ottawa, and Buffalo.

[ScraperDude]

It is still one of the largest cities in the U.S. and to watch it change with the old existing and to hopefully watch some new be built is so awesome! I cant wait for Oakland county population to dwindle as people flee for the city :runaway:

[Michi]

Haha, wishfull thinking! ;)

But people in Oalkand are becoming more "suburban-conscious" meaning they are becoming more aware of the negatives of suburbanization. Not that it's really stopping the process, it is more of a first step in realizing that it eventually has to stop. Hopefully, soon we'll stop wasting our time and money fleeing and start repopulating a city that can support the middle class and families again.

[hudkina]

The Southeastern corner of Oakland County is fine. Old Royal Oak TWP, Southfield, and Birmingham are for the most part progressive cities. It's the rest of the county (save for Pontiac) that we have to worry about.

[ScraperDude]

yea natural growth boundries here in south florida IE: Ocean east Everglades National Park west water to the south and well there were orchards to the north of palm beach county but now those are being engulfed those help all the highrises we have because the open land has almost ran out but we are sprawled 100 miles north to south.

Do you think Detroit suburbs would ever have growth boundries and the second question is would you like to see a metro merger? Like Louisville and Toronto and some other cities have done? If yes do you think that would improve Detroit CBD and metro or do you think it would be a bad move? Is Detroit locked in by suburbs on all sides so any annexation is impossible?

[Michi]

Yah, Detroit is pretty much locked in on all sides. Worse yet, there are boundaries of corporation limits that spread for 30-50 miles continuously in each direction from the city.

There is no growth boundary here except for the Great Lakes' shorelines. Detroit could sprawl all the way to the Upper Peninsula and all the way to Chicago. It's really a difficult situation to deal with, but I wouldn't say annexation would be a cure. I would like to see the city rebound as its current self, but more realistically than annexation would be downsizing the city boundaries because the geographical size of the city is just too big for the city's shrinking, poor, corrupt population to support.

[hudkina]

ScraperDude, Michigan is very different from most other states in how it deals with municipalities, "unincorporated areas", and annexation.

For starters, every last square inch of the state is incorporated. There is no land "out there" that a city can just grab up, because it is already controlled by another entity. This is because every county in the state is broken down into units called townships (TWP, for short). They are similar to New England towns.

So, if Kalamazoo wanted to go and annex a bit of land to the south so a new business can build their factory, they have to go through a long legal process as well as hold a vote before they can annex the land. Most townships are going to put up a fight because they want the revenue from the factory just as much as the city. To make matters worse, about 60 years ago there was a huge movement among those living in townships to fight off the suburbanization that was eating away at their boundaries, so they set up something called a Charter TWP. It is similar to a standard TWP, except that it has even more power to resist annexation among other things. Though the Charter TWP didn't catch on all across the state, there were many that were set up outside the boundaries of just about every major city in the state.

So while it is possible for a city to annex more land, it is very unlikely.

One successful case is a recent one where Pontiac was looking to annex some land to build a new urban-style district. Though Bloomfield TWP put up a fight, Pontiac was able to get the land annexed.

[ScraperDude]

I see. Ohio has townships as well and incorporated and unincorporated areas as well but it seems like Columbus has a lot of ease annexing all the open land outside suburbs so it doesnt get choked in.

So on the subject of a metro merger..... granted with the politics you just gave examples of, (I know this would never happen) but if Detroit and all cities in Wayne county merged what do you think the outcome would be for the region?

[hudkina]

Ohio and Indiana are different with the way their towns/townships are set up. They don't have the same power that the towns/townships do in Michigan or Wisconsin. I'm not sure how Illinois runs their towns/townships. I'd guess its more like Indiana and Ohio than Michigan and Wisconsin.

And though I don't see Wayne County ever merging with Detroit, I don't know what would happen. I doubt we'd see the mass-exodus that Detroit saw from the 70's to the 90's, but I do think there would be some sort of a power struggle. The residents in Wayne County are so ingrained in their community that none would want to give up power.

Maybe, if each community was able to keep its own identity and maybe set up a representative body of government that helped control the larger issues facing the county, while still controlling much of its own local issues, it could work. But Dearborn no more wants to be controlled by Detroit than Detroit wants to be controlled by Canton TWP, and so on.

[Lmichigan]

The other huge reason why townships rarely merge with cities, here, is because townships have MUCH less strict zoning laws (meaning you can build just about anything anywhere), and taxes are lower.

What I hate about many Michigan townships (particularly, Lansing Township that is a bunch of broken pieces on all sides of Lansing) is that they feed off the cities resources (fire, police, schools) without paying for them all the time. I mean, the Groesbeck and Urbandale neighborhoods (completely developed) that are completely surrounded by Lansing on the eastside yet are part of Lansing Township enjoy all of Lansing's anemities for free basically.

Home rule is HUGE in Michigan, and no city can legally "annex" land anymore. They can have landsharing agreements, but can't annex land.

[Michi]

It would seem as though those TWPs in Lansing would be threatened and forced to pay for the service they are provided, or face annexation with the city that rightly provides for them.

[Lmichigan]

You'd think, huh?

But, now actually, I'm not completely sure what I said was right. Maybe they do pay for Lansing city services. I'll have to find out.

[JivecitySTL]

I rarely respond to threads that I already posted about on SSP, but this one is an exception. Motown is a hell of a place. I love every inch of Detroit.

[hudkina]

Even all those inches over by Zug Island?!

[Michi]

^DUDE! Those are the best kind!! :)

Totally ZUGULAR!
http://gr8lkships.tripod.com/americanmariner01.jpg

RESCUE ME!

[24gotham]

Michi, Thanks for given us a taste of all that is Detroit. I have yet to visit, but I do want to spend some time there....

I especially like this pic:

http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010058_JPG.jpg

[hudkina]

ZUGTASTIC!!
http://www.boatnerd.com/news/newpictures03b/dmdjack2003_0921CT.jpg

ZUGURIFFIC!!
http://www.boatnerd.com/news/newpictures02/Algolake_zug11_02.jpg

ZUGENDOUS!!
http://www.boatnerd.com/news/newpictures03b/MESABIMINERs5408-24-03mn.jpg

ZUGCELLENT!!
http://www.boatnerd.com/news/newpictures02/WHITEFREDRJRs1012-21-02mn.jpg

ZUGLICIOUS!!
http://www.boatnerd.com/pictures/special/coles/stinsonunloading-7.jpg

OK. I'm done...

Thanks, www.boatnerd.com!

[steel]

http://www.downtownmotown.8k.com/images/P1010011_JPG.jpg

The Laffayette Conies in this building are the best!

[Michi]

lol hudkina!

Michi, Thanks for given us a taste of all that is Detroit. I have yet to visit, but I do want to spend some time there....

I especially like this pic:


Yah, Loop, you are welcome in our fair city any time! Come this summer. We're working on planning a forum get-together (for Skyscraperpage), and I'll put up a post on this website if we do!

That's one of my favorite photos too. You can thank Tony-Detroit for them all, they are his pics.

Steel, a lot of people prefer Lafayette Coney over the others as well. Also, we are waiting patiently on proposals for the Lafayette Building to be renovated. It sits right next to the Book Cadillac that is also waiting for financial clearance for the go-ahead in restoration. These two buildings would be a great asset to our reviving street life.

Heck, they tore down the historic building on the left in this pic in order to extend that nasty parking garage next to it.

[gt650]

Tight pics

[the pope]

this thread blows even worse the second time around and tony isn't even here to be made fun of

[Michi]

That's ok, you can make fun of me.

[hemanrulez]

You certainly have an eye for taking good pictures.

[MSPtoMKE]

Hey I remember this thread! It was fun looking through it again now that i have had a small taste of Detroit Style. Some great shots, no doubt. Cheers to Tony and Cheers to Michi for being his voice at SSC ;)

[Michi]

Haha...yah, those aren't my pics, herman.

[kavok]

Great Pics

[DrEngineer-001]

You sure have some beautiful pictures here! I was born and raised in Detroit. It's a beautiful, fascinating place. Living & working in the Metro Area, I visit it frequently for business and pleasure. I love it, and it'll always be my home town!:wave:

[Unionstation13]

that is so gorgouse! Very European, the street layout, the dozens of cathedrals, the historical buildings! Detriot is truely a feast of architecture!

[NorthernIL Mike]

A nice collection of photos, does any else think the GM buildings make the skyline look goofy though? With Detroits rich history and older building stock the GM buildings i think maybe throw off the skyline a bit....just my opinion.

[Iggui]

there are some really great pictures here. i really liked the ones on the first page.

i'm the lone Detroit representative on the Latinscrapers subforum here on SSC and i've only done two threads on Detroit, one showing the neighborhood where I live (in the Chilean subsubforum) and this one, from a thread titled "Urban Archaeology" (Arqueologia Urbana), all pics taken by me:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=381405&page=4

i haven't posted any pictures here on the midwest forum b/c all i've done so far in Detroit is explore the city's many ruins, and i know how sensitive people here can be about the negative image detroit has. i'm waiting for the spring to come so i can go out and photograph the beautiful part of the city.

[astyrrian]

Took this one today while at the auto show.

http://img9.imagepile.net/img9/143242007-1-13151.jpg

[NaptownBoy]

Nice.

[Ian604]

I was in Detroit a couple summers ago and it's even better in person.

[hudkina]

geez. This thread is like 2 years old...;)

[Michi]

No kidding. lol. I feel like a different person posted these.

Most cities are better in person, Ian! :)

[bnk]

geez. This thread is like 2 years old...;)

Ya but this is the best photo thread of detroit ever.

[BuffCity]

wow, what a city. great thread even if it is an oldie.

Detroit and Buffalo look so much the same...I can't explain it...I just see the rawness in these photos compared to stuff from Buffalo.

Detroit is a wonderful city, great downtown and tremendous architecture.

MORE DETROIT!!!