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loving the signshowing and telling mewhere the sidewalk endsdifferent today than yesterday.
—
-stephen king
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May19
Tag Archives: city
Jun23
saving Michigan Central.
opening of Michigan Central Train Station, 1913, Detroit, Michgan, USA
one of the great historic icons in Detroit
the last train came through in 1988
it became a victim of neglect. abuse, theft, time, and the elements
the locale for a number of end of world/armageddon films
the city couldn’t afford to demolish it
bill ford (grandson of henry) bought it in 2018
these 2 pics, above and below
show how it looked on the last day we could go in
before it was shut down and renovation plans began
he had plans to
make it ford world headquarters
create a newlab technology hub
support the surrounding neighborhood
develop a 30 acre campus
restore the parks around it
after 6 long and incredibly challenging years
at last restored and ready
he returned this landmark
to it’s original luster
the city could not have a greater gift.
“how soon country people forget. when they fall in love with a city it is forever, and it is like forever. as thought there never was a time when we didn’t love it. the minute they arrive at the train station or get off the ferry and glimpse the wide streets and the wasteful lamps lighting them, they know they are born for it. there, in a city, they are not so much new as themselves; their stronger, riskier selves.”
-toni morrison
Nov26
downtown.
downtown detroit
on a very chilly and beautiful november evening
sparkling christmas tree
ice
music
family from near and far
laughter
winter market
lots and lots of food
warm drinks
lights
comfort.
—
“downtown. lights on buildings and everything that makes you wonder.
and in that moment, i swear we were infinite.”
stephen chbosky
Oct14
game day.
early morning ann arbor
outside of washtenaw dairy
on a home game day
calm before the storm
go blue.
—
“you don’t show up on game day and expect to be great.
greatness happens in practice.
you have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.”
-michael jordan
—
photo credit: washtenaw dairy
Aug14
park it.
here are the only ones allowed to park on the closed-off street
look at them making the most of it and taking all the good spots
they must know someone or have special licenses.
—
“when i get real bored i like to drive downtown and get a great parking spot,
then sit in my car and count how many people ask when i am leaving.”
-steven wright
Aug8
pride.
ann arbor pride fest 2023
—
so happy to live in a city that takes pride in all people and celebrates everyone.
—
“festivals promote diversity, they bring neighbors into dialogue, they increase creativity,
they offer opportunities for civic pride, they improve our general psychological well-being.
in short, they make cities better places to live.”
-david binder
Jul14
music is a moral law.
50+ years as a band
los lobos
came to town
blocked off the street
set up
for a free concert
on a sunny afternoon
first time for my grandson
everyone
loving
their unique brand
of rock, blues, country, and rhythm and blues
from the first chord
there was dancing in the street.
—
“music is a moral law.
it gives soul to the universe,
wings to the mind,
flight to the imagination,
and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.”
-plato
Jul3
main street.
main street is soooooooo close to reopening…
—
“main street is almost alright.”
-robert venturi, american architect
—
photo credit: ann arbor townies
Jun17
day in the d.
fun day with colleagues in detroit
starting on the detroit river
visiting the only mailboat in the world with its own zip code
still waiting for someone to claim this bag
then off to the detroit river fire boat
and one of the oldest fire stations in the city
sculpture in riverside park
featuring steel from the old joe louis arena
made my detroit’s nordin brothers
and on to detroit’s central station
brought back to life
and lovingly restored
by ford motor company
soon to be their new world headquarters
so many people in the city, working hard
keeping it running and building it back
—
“i think detroit is where muscle meets brains.”
-*dan gilbert
—
*Dan Gilbert is an American billionaire, Detroit businessman, and philanthropist. He is the co-founder and majority owner of Rocket Mortgage, founder of Rock Ventures, and owner of the National Basketball Association’s Cleveland Cavaliers. Dan Gilbert cofounded what would become Quicken Loans, the largest mortgage lender in the U.S., in 1985 at 22 years old. He and his companies have invested $5.6 billion to purchase and rehab a swath of buildings in downtown Detroit, with a plan to create 24,000 jobs.
Jun4
a drama in time.
on my walk downtown-
live jazz
delightful garden
peaceful space-
all in one place
—
” city is more than just a place in space it is a drama in time.”
-patrick geddes
I didn't have my glasses on.... 