Comments for The Motor(less) City http://www.themotorlesscity.com Rantings and photos of Metro Detroit in a post-industrial era. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:19:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 Comment on Holidays in Detroit and the downside of home ownership by Ryan http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2010/02/24/holidays-in-detroit/#comment-204 Ryan Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:51:08 +0000 http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2010/02/24/holidays-in-detroit/#comment-204 I agree, great blog. I originally started reading for the abandonment porn, but now I am actually interested in Detroit and its struggles. I agree, great blog. I originally started reading for the abandonment porn, but now I am actually interested in Detroit and its struggles.

]]> Comment on Detroit’s abandoned house of the week by Holly http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2010/02/15/detroits-abandoned-house-of-the-week-5/#comment-203 Holly Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:29:09 +0000 http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2010/02/15/detroits-abandoned-house-of-the-week-5/#comment-203 Yahoo news report about demolishing the abandoned buildings. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100308/ap_on_bi_ge/us_downsizing_detroit I don't know why they don't offer the vacant lots owned by the city to adjacent homeowners that want to stay. Even given to them for free will create revenue with property tax. Yes, that increases the homeowner's tax, however they also have more greenscape than they previously had. With some people moving to the suburbs or farther north, it's the want for a pool, a garden, a larger garage and other things that drives them away from wanting a city lot, not just the crime issue. Privacy and personal space. Some communities are also creating spaces for gardens so those that don't have the property can plant vegetables and flowers for themselves. The gardens are nice to look at, saves money on groceries and creates a new sense of community - for when it works. Also, vacant lots that have some greenery - like mature or maturing trees - would also be something to attract one to buying that lot. These city lots need to be larger lots than in the past, when you pull your car in and skid it up against the house next door. 90x90 isn't much, that's what my lot was, even then I had a "double lot". The city can save money by telling people if they clean it, it's their's. If the lot has a burned out house and someone wants the land, once they clear it, sign it over to them. The cost is on the "new owner" to remove the garbage, and the city gets clean. The city needs to get more agressive in repossessing these neglected properties. If there's a safety hazard or major blight, several violations should just speed up the time frame from which someone would lose that lot if they don't comply. The people who care about the city the most don't have the time or the money usually to help. I think each person who agrees that is what their issue is needs to look deeper and ask, can I donate even $25 or a Saturday of my time? That $25 can go a long way towards a lawnmower or a dumpster. Adopt a lot - adopt a street. Something, because I know if you are reading this you feel the same way I do, sick of Detroit being the black eye or butt of every joke. I do a lot research in Lapeer County on it's former residents. In the 1840's, 50's and 60's they moved in one after another. In the 1910's, 1920's it was fashoinable to move to Detroit to be a part of the city life, then they'd "summer" in Lapeer County. It's time for us to repair in the 2010's and have another roaring 20's! Yahoo news report about demolishing the abandoned buildings. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100308/ap_on_bi_ge/us_downsizing_detroit

I don’t know why they don’t offer the vacant lots owned by the city to adjacent homeowners that want to stay. Even given to them for free will create revenue with property tax. Yes, that increases the homeowner’s tax, however they also have more greenscape than they previously had. With some people moving to the suburbs or farther north, it’s the want for a pool, a garden, a larger garage and other things that drives them away from wanting a city lot, not just the crime issue. Privacy and personal space. Some communities are also creating spaces for gardens so those that don’t have the property can plant vegetables and flowers for themselves. The gardens are nice to look at, saves money on groceries and creates a new sense of community - for when it works. Also, vacant lots that have some greenery - like mature or maturing trees - would also be something to attract one to buying that lot. These city lots need to be larger lots than in the past, when you pull your car in and skid it up against the house next door. 90×90 isn’t much, that’s what my lot was, even then I had a “double lot”.

The city can save money by telling people if they clean it, it’s their’s. If the lot has a burned out house and someone wants the land, once they clear it, sign it over to them. The cost is on the “new owner” to remove the garbage, and the city gets clean.

The city needs to get more agressive in repossessing these neglected properties. If there’s a safety hazard or major blight, several violations should just speed up the time frame from which someone would lose that lot if they don’t comply.

The people who care about the city the most don’t have the time or the money usually to help. I think each person who agrees that is what their issue is needs to look deeper and ask, can I donate even $25 or a Saturday of my time? That $25 can go a long way towards a lawnmower or a dumpster. Adopt a lot - adopt a street. Something, because I know if you are reading this you feel the same way I do, sick of Detroit being the black eye or butt of every joke.

I do a lot research in Lapeer County on it’s former residents. In the 1840’s, 50’s and 60’s they moved in one after another. In the 1910’s, 1920’s it was fashoinable to move to Detroit to be a part of the city life, then they’d “summer” in Lapeer County. It’s time for us to repair in the 2010’s and have another roaring 20’s!

]]> Comment on Updated Map of Abandonment by never left ,never will http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2009/11/14/updated-map-of-abandonment-2/#comment-202 never left ,never will Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:12:36 +0000 http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2009/11/14/updated-map-of-abandonment-2/#comment-202 lame;horrible use of earth the whole map might as well have abandonment on it waste lame;horrible use of earth
the whole map might as well have abandonment on it
waste

]]> Comment on The abandoned house of the week…cheap houses, a smoking ban, and mass transit? by me http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2009/03/19/the-abandoned-house-of-the-weekcheap-houses-a-smoking-ban-and-mass-transit/#comment-201 me Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:31:28 +0000 http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2009/03/19/the-abandoned-house-of-the-weekcheap-houses-a-smoking-ban-and-mass-transit/#comment-201 YOu can have the house in Detroit for 2009 taxes... period YOu can have the house in Detroit for 2009 taxes… period

]]> Comment on Socialism, and other isms, and of course, some abandoned houses by admin http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2009/09/15/socialism-and-other-isms-and-of-course-some-abandoned-houses/#comment-199 admin Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:19:07 +0000 http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2009/09/15/socialism-and-other-isms-and-of-course-some-abandoned-houses/#comment-199 <p>Can you be more specific? Because if you are referring to the image above, I can show you the negative. Any similarity to an image of your own is purely coincidental</p> Can you be more specific? Because if you are referring to the image above, I can show you the negative. Any similarity to an image of your own is purely coincidental

]]> Comment on Socialism, and other isms, and of course, some abandoned houses by Buckshot http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2009/09/15/socialism-and-other-isms-and-of-course-some-abandoned-houses/#comment-197 Buckshot Sat, 27 Feb 2010 14:09:16 +0000 http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2009/09/15/socialism-and-other-isms-and-of-course-some-abandoned-houses/#comment-197 Socialism is a concept you must be completely in tune with seeing that you view my photpgraphs as community property. In the future ask for permission before you use my work and please credit my work when you post it on your site. Scott Socialism is a concept you must be completely in tune with seeing that you view my photpgraphs as community property. In the future ask for permission before you use my work and please credit my work when you post it on your site.

Scott

]]> Comment on Holidays in Detroit and the downside of home ownership by anon http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2010/02/24/holidays-in-detroit/#comment-196 anon Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:19:34 +0000 http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2010/02/24/holidays-in-detroit/#comment-196 Being upside down on a house sucks.... you have a great site. I have to get out there and check this city out. Being upside down on a house sucks….

you have a great site. I have to get out there and check this city out.

]]> Comment on Holidays in Detroit and the downside of home ownership by admin http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2010/02/24/holidays-in-detroit/#comment-193 admin Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:24:51 +0000 http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2010/02/24/holidays-in-detroit/#comment-193 Thanks Cody...I too am mortified. A bit depressing on the surface, but all is not bad. If someone is a home buyer in the metro area, with a rock steady source of income, and actually wants to live in the area for the long term, there are some unbelievable bargains... Unfortunately, I am not that person. Thanks Cody…I too am mortified. A bit depressing on the surface, but all is not bad. If someone is a home buyer in the metro area, with a rock steady source of income, and actually wants to live in the area for the long term, there are some unbelievable bargains… Unfortunately, I am not that person.

]]> Comment on Holidays in Detroit and the downside of home ownership by Cody http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2010/02/24/holidays-in-detroit/#comment-192 Cody Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:13:16 +0000 http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2010/02/24/holidays-in-detroit/#comment-192 I enjoyed reading through your blog....or was mortified by it.....I can't decide which. Keep it up. I enjoyed reading through your blog….or was mortified by it…..I can’t decide which.

Keep it up.

]]> Comment on The abandoned neighborhood of the week by johnson http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2009/08/17/the-abandoned-neighborhood-of-the-week/#comment-190 johnson Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:45:17 +0000 http://www.themotorlesscity.com/2009/08/17/the-abandoned-neighborhood-of-the-week/#comment-190 detroit should be called the 'forgotten city' detroit should be called the ‘forgotten city’

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