Can Michigan recover?
Now I’m not one to pile on – especially when discussing Michigan. After all, this is the state that me and my family call home. Goodness knows that there are issues, especially in the metro Detroit area. What many don’t realize, though, is that there is a real fighting spirit here. And those with that spirit are working to make Michigan a better place.
My reason for creating this image was very simple, and it hit me as soon as I saw this scene. In fact I saw it as I was driving and wheeled hard into the side street so I could stop and snap it. You see, it’s easy to make fun of Michigan in general, especially in view of all of the challenges that it faces. This picture perfectly illustrates much of this. The building is obviously decayed and abandoned. The faded sign, the abandoned items, and the boarded and blocked up parts of the building all represent the drain occurring throughout the state.
But this situation doesn’t have to continue. Just like this decayed building can be salvaged, so can this state.
In line with this, today I attended the Future Midwest conference (Twitter stream here). If anyone has a shot of doing it, it’s this group. They had a stellar lineup of speakers who acknowledged the current conditions of the state, but showed that there is a way forward. Most reports focus on the negative – but there are many positives. There’s a strong entrepreneurial spirit here ready to capitalize on these positives to help turn the area around. While it may never enjoy the splendor from 50 years ago, it certainly won’t simply be a punchline to a joke anymore. Check out the presenters and their backgrounds at the Future Midwest site. Those in attendance weren’t any less enthusiastic either. To see that, go to Twitter and check out the hashtag #FMW10.
So sit down, buckle up, and hang on. I predict the road to recovery will be just as wild as the road that got us here.
Congratulations to all involved with the conference and for bringing something positive to the D.
UPDATE: Here is the opening video from the FutureMidwest conference. Art like this deserves a mention on Lens Artwork.
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I agree that there has been a lot of entrepreneurial interest in Michigan, especially the Detroit area. I had the privilege of giving my two cents’ input into the urban development of the Detroit area a few years ago. Landowners, architects and realtors help to round out the army that Chris met at the Future Midwest conference – all looking for a better Motown. Unfortunately there is a point where starting from scratch is more practical and economical than renovating. Let’s hope Michigan doesn’t reach that point.
At any rate, this photo perfectly captures the current condition of the state. The building is rundown, decayed, yet I can’t hardly take my eyes off of it. I want it to get better, to rise above.
Thanks for stopping by Lens Artwork Boz. We’ve discussed architecture in Detroit a number of times, and I appreciate your feedback and perspective.