Detroit's growth trend reversal is transforming the city's neighborhoods, with renovated homes and duplexes, larger rehabilitations, and new developments all pointing to an increased demand for quality housing. While many Detroiters welcome this new growth, individual projects can still generate local pushback.
A proposal to add affordable housing units in Boston-Edison's north neighborhood has become a point of contention. A long-vacant office building is set to be redeveloped into 49 apartments, but two neighbors are fighting the project in court and through media campaigns. Kyle Scannell, who owns a three-quarter acre property adjacent to the site, has filed a lawsuit against the city's Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED) after successfully delaying the project with his previous suit. Nearby resident Carole Hall penned an opinion piece expressing her opposition to developing residential apartment buildings in the neighborhood.
However, their reasons for opposing the development are questionable and lack substance. Both Scannell and Hall express concerns about parking availability and "blight" and "crime," despite the fact that parking spaces are rarely occupied in the area. They also seem to be motivated by a desire to prevent affordable housing from being built near their homes, which is unfair to those who cannot afford to buy or rent in other areas.
The real issue here is not about Scannell's financial losses or Hall's concerns about "generational wealth," but rather about the need for more housing options in Detroit. The city's population recovery relies on adding houses and apartments where residents can live, which will help sustain its tax base and fund necessary services.
It's time to put aside narrow-minded objections and prioritize the needs of all Detroiters. By ignoring these objections and moving forward with development projects like the one in Boston-Edison, we can keep our city's renaissance going and create a more inclusive and sustainable community for everyone.
A proposal to add affordable housing units in Boston-Edison's north neighborhood has become a point of contention. A long-vacant office building is set to be redeveloped into 49 apartments, but two neighbors are fighting the project in court and through media campaigns. Kyle Scannell, who owns a three-quarter acre property adjacent to the site, has filed a lawsuit against the city's Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED) after successfully delaying the project with his previous suit. Nearby resident Carole Hall penned an opinion piece expressing her opposition to developing residential apartment buildings in the neighborhood.
However, their reasons for opposing the development are questionable and lack substance. Both Scannell and Hall express concerns about parking availability and "blight" and "crime," despite the fact that parking spaces are rarely occupied in the area. They also seem to be motivated by a desire to prevent affordable housing from being built near their homes, which is unfair to those who cannot afford to buy or rent in other areas.
The real issue here is not about Scannell's financial losses or Hall's concerns about "generational wealth," but rather about the need for more housing options in Detroit. The city's population recovery relies on adding houses and apartments where residents can live, which will help sustain its tax base and fund necessary services.
It's time to put aside narrow-minded objections and prioritize the needs of all Detroiters. By ignoring these objections and moving forward with development projects like the one in Boston-Edison, we can keep our city's renaissance going and create a more inclusive and sustainable community for everyone.
. Like, come on guys! You can't just sit there and think that the world revolves around you 
. The city needs growth and new homes, especially affordable ones. It's not like these developers are taking over the whole neighborhood or anything. They're just trying to make a living and contribute to the community too 
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I'm sure some people need places to live, and this development might be exactly what they're looking for. Can't we just focus on making the city a better place for everyone instead of playing "me vs you"? 
. I mean, come on, two empty lots aren't gonna make or break someone's life, but they're worried about parking and crime like it's the apocalypse 
. Meanwhile, a whole bunch of people need affordable housing options, and we're stuck with some selfish individuals who just don't wanna share their block 
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. If you can't afford to live in Detroit but someone else is trying to build something that might increase the property value (and tax base) then it's time to get on board 
. We need more housing options, not less 
. It's not rocket science, people!
parking spaces are barely used in the area, so yeah that's not a valid reason to fight it. And I get where they're coming from with the "blight" and "crime" stuff, but that's just a bunch of scare tactics 
. The real problem is the lack of affordable housing options for regular people 
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and trust me, ppl in detroit will thank them for it later 
. It's time for us to put aside our selfish interests and think about the bigger picture – Detroit needs more housing options, period! 
. Like, come on, if you're worried about parking or "blight," that's not the project's problem. It's about providing affordable homes for people who can't afford anywhere else 
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. It's not about the individual, it's about the bigger picture - a city that needs more housing options to recover! 
. We should be supporting initiatives that bring people in & provide opportunities for everyone, not just worrying about their own selfish interests 
I'm so tired of people just trying to block progress for their own gain 
And Carole Hall's concerns about "blight" and "crime" are just smoke and mirrors - have you even talked to anyone who lives around there, it's a super safe area! 
. We can't keep relying on the same old model of people paying top dollar for houses or else they just get priced out - it's time to think outside the box (or in this case, the apartment building 
. Let's focus on creating a community that's inclusive and sustainable for everyone, not just those with deep pockets 
Parking spaces empty as a ghost town, but somehow it's still about them. And what's this nonsense about "generational wealth"? 
The real reason they're opposed is because it's not going to be a luxury building or a boutique hotel, but actual housing for people who need it. We should be focusing on the bigger picture here – Detroit needs more affordable housing options and if Scannell and Hall are worried about "blight" then maybe they can take a look around at all the abandoned buildings still standing on their own properties 
! This growth trend reversal is a game-changer for the city's neighborhoods. Those renovated homes and duplexes are giving new life to Detroit's communities, and it's time we focus on providing quality housing for all residents, not just those who can afford it 
. If we don't address the shortage of affordable housing options in Detroit, we'll never see our city thrive financially and sustainably