Detroit: Renewal

The byline on a June 2 Detroit News op-ed piece should be familiar to the online Ann Arbor community – Rob Goodspeed was one of the first stewards of the now defunct ArborUpdate, a news and discussion website. Goodspeed’s op-ed, which focuses on how to revitalize Detroit, concludes: “But as the difficult conversation about what can be done for a better future continues, it should draw from the important lessons from the city’s past.” The piece cites the study Goodspeed undertook about the demolition of Hastings Street, including a look at voices that opposed the urban renewal project. Goodspeed calls for Detroit mayor Dave Bing to make sure that citizens’ voices are heard this time around. [Source]