Detroit Slowly Returns to the Earth

A lot of discussion has occurred recently about closing schools in Grand Rapids, and GRPS's Transformation Plan. And recently I got into a discussion online with someone who is looking at moving here, and whether Grand Rapids was as "rough" as Detroit. And then on top of it all, I stumbled on a blog about Detroit's "urban prairies" and that about 40 square miles of Detroit and Highland Park are now vacant, due to their populations dropping more than half since the 1950's and 1960's.

I'm not making this a blog to beat up on Detroit, or make comparisons between Grand Rapids and Detroit (we are very fortunate in this area compared to a lot of Midwestern cities and metro areas), or perpetuate the "ruin porn" movement; I just think it's fascinating. How would it feel to be the last house standing on a block? Or for a square mile? Do you feel safe, because there's no one else around? Or totally isolated?

I noticed in one of the abandoned Detroit photos there was a picture of an abandoned school with what looked like a fairly new piece of playground equipment; as if their last thrust to try and keep kids and families there was to buy a new swingset.

So I zoomed in on an interactive census map of Detroit, figured out which census tracts were some of the hardest hit in population losses in the last 10 years (40 - 60% loss) then hopped on Google Street View to get a closer look at the schools in these areas. Definitely many of the homes are gone, but churches and schools seem to be some of the last holdouts in those abandoned areas. 

What a bizarre world I found.

This is a school on Leland Street in the triangle between Gratiot, I-75 and I-94. Not sure when it was abandoned, but take a look at it on Street View. Swing the camera shots around in a circle, or move around the block if you want. To turn the Google Streetview, click on the arrows in the upper left corner or click and drag the picture around. I particularly noticed how the sidewalks and curbs are virtually disappearing, being reclaimed back to the earth. All of that empty land used to contain tightly packed homes built in the early 1900's, now long gone.

This is a school on Georgia Street and Concord near City Airport and Mt Olivet Cemetary.

It was that playset that caught my attention. In the satellite shot, the school is now gone. Google Street View.

There's still a nice fire station in the area. That shot reminds me more of rural up north towns than a large midwestern city.

This one was identified as Communities in Schools of Detroit. I took Google Streetview around the block and didn't find one window in the place, although it looks like it's being used.

The next one is Highland Park Community High School on Woodward Avenue. The place resembles a minimum security prison, complete with security patrol car caught in the Streetview camera.

Go here to check out the Birds-Eye View. One thing you notice is the tennis courts that have been reclaimed by mother nature out behind the school.

The next is a school on Brush Street. I can't "exactly" tell if it's closed or not, but it appears to be the only standing structure left on this block. Google Streetview and take a peak around the neighborhood.

The next shot isn't a school. It's the Department of Human Services outside the famed epically vacant Packard Plant, an area that has seen a 70 - 80% drop in population. Imagine having to report to work there, or to receive HHS services. Even the trees don't like being there... (by the sidewalk in front)

Google Streetview

George W Ferris Elementary. I'm not sure who George was, but I would imagine he's not thrilled about having his name still on the building. Google Streetview.

School in Highland Park. "Do Not Enter" says the sign. Ya think? Google Streetview.

McNichols Road always fascinated me. Beautiful homes that back up to the Detroit Country Club on one side of the street, crumbling curbs, sidewalks and abandoned apartments across the street. Streetview.

The area around the old State Fairgrounds site has been hit particularly hard. Since it was closed down in 2009, the blocks around it seem to have given up the fight.

This is a school across the street and in view of the fairgrounds on Bauman. I don't know that the school is closed, but the fact that all the windows are boarded over doesn't leave much guesswork. Streetview.

At least there's a nice playset...

There's still a cool water/landscaping feature in the shape of Michigan that you can still see from the air (seen above). Word is they're looking at putting the Fairgrounds back into use...

This was an interesting find in the same area. Ives Field looks like a football practice field, surrounded by abandoned buildings but still in use. Am I the only one who thinks kids shouldn't have to live like this? Streetview.

The Detroit Aerospace Technical School near City Airport. Great concept, but yikes. Streetview.

Holmes School, which doesn't look too bad despite the surrounding blocks virtually abandoned for wildlife. New homes are going up in the immediate vicinity. Let's hope they make it. Streetview. (and check out the difference in sidewalks in front of the new homes vs the abandoned lots).

Crockett High School on the city's North side. All those streets to the left used to have homes on them. Streetview will take your breath away.

I don't know if this is a school, but it is (was) an interesting building on Harper. Aerial views show that it's gone now (torn down or burned down). It contains a connected theater...  Streetview.

This is called the Lodge Playground with Crockett High School way off in the distance. Streetview.

Moving over toward the Northwest, Sanders School on Byron Street. Streetview.

It's hard to make out in the picture, but the school sign out front has a large A+ on it. You can zoom in on the Streetview and see it.

Huchins School is hanging on, with decay creeping in around it. Streetview.

And lastly I found little Doty School. A gorgeous little school not far from the Cathedral on Woodward. Looks to be up and running, hope it makes it. Streetview.

There's definitely a lot of rebuilding to do, on a mammoth scale. Hopefully the momentum of the downtown revitalization and the Woodward corridor will slowly permeate back into these neighborhoods. It has to, right?