About a week ago I did something that, quite frankly, was a long time coming considering with my love for and fascination of Detroit. I, along with a small group of friends ventured into the D for a day to do something other than attend the usual Tiger’s game. Your humble tour-guide for the day had it all planned out and I was literally giddy the morning of as I waited for my friends so we could head down to the city.
The day’s tour started over in Eastern Market where all was quiet being that it was a weekday morning. We stopped by the legendary Rocky’s Peanut Company and Eastern Market Antiques before we headed out to out next stop down Gratiot.
It was the first time that any of my friends had been to the Heidelberg Project off of Gratiot, which of course made the stop even more interesting and exciting. The Heidelberg Project, for those who don’t know, was created by Tyree Guyton, who grew up as a child on Heidelberg St and witnessed the tragic riots in ’67. The Project is a mixture of trippy, awe-inspiring with a hint of “what-was-this-guy-on?” art that makes for an unforgettable experience. Needless to say my friends got a kick out of it and you can always count on the Heidelberg Project to provide some unique photo ops.
After the Heidelberg, it was time to venture down Jefferson into downtown. Once downtown the tour took us through the GM Ren Cen, by the Spirit of Detroit and the down Michigan Avenue on the Corner of Lafayette for a stop at the iconic American Coney Island (for the record Lafayette Coney Island was packed but that would’ve been my first choice). We also ventured across the street and into the Guardian Building on Griswold. For those who have never been inside the Guardian Building, you have to check it out! The classic art deco architecture is truly breathtaking and one-of-a-kind.
One last stop for the day took us down Michigan Avenue and through Corktown to the old Michigan Central Train Station. Sure this place has been the most photographed modern-industrial ruin in the past few years but no photo can compare to seeing this thing up close and in person. Of course the thing is fenced in like a maximum-security prison but the outside still offers enough marvel to satisfy the curious suburban teenager.
At the end of the day, I really felt proud that I got the opportunity to show my friends around the city, even if we only barely scraped the surface. On our drive home, cruising up Woodward, I veered off onto a side street and ended up in the historic Boston Edison district neighborhoods. At that point it occurred to me how truly remarkable and special Detroit is. You can make your way through the city, driving down one street to the next and suddenly find yourself immersed in a different time. This history of Detroit and it’s extraordinary past is right there in front of you.
That’s why this city means so much to me, and that’s why I wanted my friends to see it. The Detroit that I know and love can and does exist, even if it may be hidden under the cracked sidewalks, or the decayed buildings or the overgrown abandoned lots. We just need some more people to have faith. We need some more people to take their friends on a Detroit day, so that they can then take their friends. I know how much this city means to me and now it’s my job to make sure everybody else knows.
