I recently read a posting on TIME.com that was part of their “Assignment Detroit: Blog.” The post detailed the recent upswing in activity surrounding regional development projects in Southeast MI. But I have to ask whether or not this notion of wanting to create a string of suburban downtowns, rather than focus on creating a Mecca of development, is part of the reason we are in the position we are today? The fact that investors, entrepreneurs and the like are focusing on investing heavily in creating “mini-cities” within suburbs like Auburn Hills and Ann Arbor is both puzzling and troubling at the same time. Why are we not focusing our efforts on revitalizing our already existing urban center that is the city of Detroit? Instead of expanding our expressways, why aren’t we implementing a comprehensive mass transit system or expanding the people mover? Why are we not encouraging green development and implementing so-called “green spaces” throughout the various abandoned lots downtown or along the riverfront? When people think of Southeast MI they think of Detroit and the last thing we need is to continue on with this “every-city-for-itself” mentality that has already caused us so many problems while simultaneously crippling Detroit. Cities like Auburn Hills, Ann Arbor, Southfield and so on should be complimenting the city of Detroit not competing with it.

Here’s the link to the TIME post.

http://detroit.blogs.time.com/2010/02/17/regional-development-moving-forward/