A few weeks ago, the Detroit News did a not-so-flattering story on Brush Park, one of Detroit’s oldest neighborhoods. Having taken a 3-hour tour of some new development properties in Brush Park just days before the piece, “How Not to Rebuild Detroit”, ran, I was disappointed that the article only briefly mentioned the rehabilitations that are happening, which include new loft-condominiums at The Carlton; new units at the Lamar Lofts and Carolla Condominiums; a mansion being turned into a bed-and-breakfast; and, plans to turn the Hotel Eddystone into condominiums.

Don’t get me wrong – I am not denying that the houses in the neighborhood are in need of restoration. Most of them are. But these things don’t happen overnight. It takes time to rebuild a neighborhood that was neglected for 30 years. And I think that is starting to happen right now with the developers that are sticking their necks out to restore buildings in an area where no one else will. One thing I do know, though, is that bashing the neighborhood
isn’t going to help restore it – it’s going to make it more difficult.

To find out what’s really going on in Brush Park, head over there sometime and take a tour through some of the new developments. Or, attend tonight’s Illuminate event at The Carlton from 6 – 10 pm. There is a recommended $5 donation, but with art, music, food and drinks, it’ll be well worth it.