up voted you and I agree. I grew up in what is referred to as the "Down River" area; the suburbs south of Detroit and I now live ~10-15 miles north of Detroit. After living here some 30+ years I'm ready to pack it up. Until Detroit can get rid of it's crime and the stigma that seems to linger, I have a hard time imagining anyone wanting to spend any time near the city after dark.
I own my own company and I have clients in the city; the Comerica building just to name one. If we are on a project that puts any of us down there after 5pm, we'er in pairs.
I'm originally from New York; parents moved to Detroit area when I was kid. I remember growing up listening to family constantly being concerned for our safety and when I got married about 10 years ago, I had a hard time convincing my NY relatives that Livonia was safe to visit. (Livonia is North & East of Detroit).
My mom worked in Detroit (McNamara building). She would take the bus into the city. If she missed the bus ride home, my dad and I would have to drive down to pick her up. We would always get this nervous feeling coming off I-75 by the old Tiger Stadium. The McNamara building is a federal building so it had high security which I think gave my dad some comfort but still, Detroit's crime has always over shadowed the place for as long as I've been here.
We even have stupid comments big celeberties like Ted Nugent who say we're the murder captial not because we shoot more people but because we're better shooters.
I digress... I'm hopeful things will turn around but as a father now with kids, I'm always on the lookout to get out still. Including moving my company HQ.
Hey! I grew up in the Downriver area as well (Lincoln Park specifically, about which the less said the better).
Growing up, I only ever went into Detroit for concerts and the semi-annual "Greektown" pilgrimage. Outside of that, it was blight everywhere, and I thought that is how a big city looked. It wasn't until my college years that I seen a bit more of the world and my perspective changed on urban areas.
Overall, I think Techstars moving in will be enormously positive. Cheap rents, stalwart employees (because of the bitter winters), and a "we can only go up from here" attitude is a good mix.
I own my own company and I have clients in the city; the Comerica building just to name one. If we are on a project that puts any of us down there after 5pm, we'er in pairs.
I'm originally from New York; parents moved to Detroit area when I was kid. I remember growing up listening to family constantly being concerned for our safety and when I got married about 10 years ago, I had a hard time convincing my NY relatives that Livonia was safe to visit. (Livonia is North & East of Detroit).
My mom worked in Detroit (McNamara building). She would take the bus into the city. If she missed the bus ride home, my dad and I would have to drive down to pick her up. We would always get this nervous feeling coming off I-75 by the old Tiger Stadium. The McNamara building is a federal building so it had high security which I think gave my dad some comfort but still, Detroit's crime has always over shadowed the place for as long as I've been here.
We even have stupid comments big celeberties like Ted Nugent who say we're the murder captial not because we shoot more people but because we're better shooters.
I digress... I'm hopeful things will turn around but as a father now with kids, I'm always on the lookout to get out still. Including moving my company HQ.