Is Detroit Really Making A Comeback? Let's Check the Transformation Of Corktown. 

Some of you might know... This video is a re-upload! I had issues with a song in the original so I had to take down the old one, edit out that song and re-upload the video to RU-vid. Detroit Playlist: https: //ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OvB6YR_BcxM.html American Hoods Playlist: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hiS5ieFakNQ.html Michigan Playlist: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hiS5ieFakNQ.html Intro: 0:00 - 0:40 Corktown: 0:40 - 9:04 Ambassador Bridge: 9:04 - 10:57 Southwest Detroit: 10:57 - 16:40 Roosevelt Park: 16:40 - 17:57 Michigan Central Station: 17:57 - 21:26 Corktown Again: 21:26 - 23:47 Tiger Stadium: 23:47 - 26:10 Motor City Casino: 26:10 - 27:04 Woodbridge: 27:04 - 31:12 North Corktown: 31:12 - 33:20 Rosa Parks Boulevard: 33:20 - 35:38 Murray Wright High School: 35:38 - 36:20 14th Street: 36:20 - 38:41 ==================================================================== EVERYTHING THAT I USE IN THE FIELD: Main Camera: amzn.to/3iS4vvF Side Cameras: amzn.to/2WuCYIs Media Mod for Camera: amzn.to/3j7CMGF Lav Mic: amzn.to/3lsMkz9 Drone: amzn.to/3ITcKBV SD Cards: amzn.to/3C2co9O Camera Mounts: amzn.to/2UXVR6p Cables Required for Longer Recordings: amzn.to/3BYnr3Q Computer: amzn.to/3787b2j External Hard Drive: amzn.to/3lb23Tf WHAT I USE AT HOME: Computer: amzn.to/3rKIdiN Sound Mixer: amzn.to/3C15Ubx Microphone: amzn.to/2VaCjvo Microphone Accessories: amzn.to/3v7A35Z INTERACTIVE MAP that shows you all of the places that I've made videos on: (Doesn't always work on mobile devices. Will always work on PC.) www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/edit?hl=en&mid=1Lhzf04ocimPu-ROkg4cfXEYEvKMNnlI5&ll=43.06219876674538%2C-83.82163216337808&z=10 SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTACT INFO: Email: ChrisHardenYT@Gmail.com On Twitter: twitter.com/Chris_Harden55 On Instagram: instagram.com/c_harden7/?... On Facebook: facebook.com/ChrisHardenYT/ DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you. As an Amazon Associate I do earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. As always, thank you for supporting my channel!

Detroit does have its issues, but it is a great place that is still working on its come back. It’s a city that has taken hard knocks, yet has a spirit that continues to infuse innovation, art and beauty. Never give up on Detroit. It is improving every be neighborhood at a time.

Not too long ago an Australian camera crew was interviewing homeless men warming themselves with trashcan fires in front of that abandoned Michigan Central Station. That was only like 2009 I think, amazing how time flies!!

I'm from Detroit, no better place. It's had tough times sure hope it comes back.

I heard you say you were going to look for some abandoned railroad tracks and I thought that would be the perfect neighborhood for that. The tracks went right through the alley and picked up my grandfather and it was unbelievable. He took me my mom and my brother for a ride couple times. That was the 30s to 1971

Stumbled upon your channel in the comments section of a video on the 10 states improving on The World According to Briggs. Your format is exceptional in giving the actual feel of the area. I did a lot of trucking into Canada out of Detroit and also a lot of automotive freight and really into the history of what I think was the Silicon Valley of the last century.

Your Videos about Detroit and the burbs are nice . Hey Thanks for driving around and sharing the information about the areas you visit They were always working on I 75.

I enjoyed this tour a LOT. I am from Germany and most likely will never get a chance to see Detroit in person, so this is great for me.

It looks like there were a lot of 4/5 lane to 2/3 lane road conversions freeing up space for buffered bike lanes on existing streets. That’s always a good sign for livability in the area!

Ive always had not so great thoughts about Detroit, then several days I week I drive through and curiosity grew. I found this channel and it got me to learn so much more then any media portrays. The history is full of ups and downs, but I have met alot of great people from Detroit and area and I must say, I am falling in love with Detroit. These videos teach me more then I ever could of found on my own. Thank you .... from across the border

Went down to the River Walk a few wks back, beautiful ! Detroit is a great place with great people, love my Motor City !

Nice!! when I lived at the edge of town Five mile and Telegraph Road... Downtown Detroit was rioting !!! Came to Sunny AZ Nice to see the Improvements!!! 1960's!!!

When I was looking for a home, recently, I spent a lot of time exploring Corktown, and Mexican Town. Absolutely beautiful area, with lots of cultural history. I was disappointed, though, because I couldn’t find a home for sale under 300,000, and there were only a few houses on the market, mostly, newer condos and townhomes. With the resurrection of the old train station, the adjacent areas are preparing for the influx of the staff which will be occupying the building, and desirable living nearby.

I'm enjoying your Michigan videos. I'm returning to Michigan from Washington and I get the feeling that opportunity is everywhere.

That door with "Danger" spray painted on it. Oh, the curiosity lol

I grew up in Detroit 50's, 60's, 70's During the Motown Era! Muscle Car Era! When Detroit was in it's Prime!

My great great grandparents moved to Corktown in 1839. My great grandfather was born there as was my grandmother and my dad.

Lack of grocery stores is a big issue. I grew up in mexicantown so we walkways had grocery stores, but the greater Detroit neighborhoods always had a sad lack. Even with the grocery stores, we'd still go to Meijer in Lincoln Park, Sam's Club in Southgate, or Walmart in Taylor before the Walmart in Dearborn was built for shopping on all other items.

I’d happily live in any of the central suburbs you showed us today, there some gorgeous neighbourhoods

Corktown is a pretty cool area to live in, there’s lots of development as you can probably see, the hotel and another large apartment complex are just about completed also along Michigan along with numerous other places. Some very nice residential areas have gone in.. It’s a good place.

And Brooks Lumber is still there - the place where Mickey Mantle’s 600-foot homerun ball landed. 1960.

The more we're doubted the more we do... 💙From Detroit

Looks like it was a nice warm windy summer day! Some of the nicer remaining areas with the old brick homes gives you an idea what Detroit neighborhoods looked like prior to it's downfall.

I don't know why but I am very attracted to Detroit, it looks just soo the All-American City, that warms up your heart immediately. Anyway, would have liked to see the homes of the old captains of industry, Henry Ford, the Fishers, and so on, what they look like today, abandoned or not (I am sure the Fords keep up their old home), and the more historic mansions of the industrial age, old factories remaining, if any.

My father grew up in Cork town. The prices of real estate In Cork town today are almost as much as a mansion in Palmer Woods that are larger and much nicer.

I used to have conversations with my colleagues, over a joint or two, when will Detroit come back? What can it do? Well, I must say that it's going along quite nice and quicker than I thought it would. This was 10 years ago.keep at it my home town 💯👍❤️

I grewu up in Detroit in the 80s-90s. Cork town was one of the places I would hang out. Even in the 80s they had new condos and parks and such. Enough development that it would have been considered a major urban renewal in most cities, but Detroit is large enough it was barely a blip on people's radar.

I wish that you would drive down West Grand Blvd! Beautiful Older Holmes!

Memories. We would walk from Ste Anne and Bagley, under the railroad tunnel down Michigan Ave to Tiger Stadium

I've visited Detroit as a tourist on my vacation. This is incredible city, rapidly recovering and developing, with own unique style and perfect location. I'd like to go there someday again.

Good Video 😊

I agree with Emily from Emily's Across the Street which was located across the street from the Penobscot Bldg in Downtown Detroit. Emily said, "Say nice things about Detroit" and that is what I try to do.

Yes, Detroit is a fun place. Downtown is nice and midtown and some of the surrounding spots are pretty hip

I love these videos, the good the bad and the ugly!! The awful repetition of the bass back beat which I'm noticing that it is usual jingle for the ghetto hoods. I'm sharing your clips with all who I think can appreciate your talented work.

Chris can you do a video on Detroit subdivision? Like Indian Village, Palmer woods, Sherwood forest?

I've never been to Michigan. From the middle of this century forward, the Great Lakes region may be the most habitable area of the country. I probably won't be around for that. The new condos seem like a step in the right direction but so many of these type of units do not age well. Who wouldn't be thrilled to see that massive train station brought back to life by FORD. Great for them. Do trails still run to the depot? It would be wonderful to see that as part of a transportation hub. I think one major bummer is the difficulty and hassle crossing the border into Canada now that passports are required.

It was called the city of the future for a reason. Enjoy the Creation and imagination showcase that is about to move the world forward once again!! Motown has been patiently awaiting the spotlight for a birth of what is to come in the very near future!!

I grew up in Detroit. Glad to see some good news about it. Used to hang out in Greek Town.

I'll correct you on one thing-There is a supermarket (Apollo) on 7 Mile & Evergreen. i think it's one on Greenfield and i think it's one on Grand River. I shopped at the one 7 Mile while visiting in 2020 & 2021. there aren't big name markets but they are markets.

I absolutely love your videos. It would be amazing to see a video on Eastpointe and it's history with Detroit, as I've moved into Eastpointe recently and I've been eager to learn about its history. This place has seemed to change quite a bit in the last 30 years. With the population demographic change as drastic as it has, as well as the name change from East Detroit

That's OK Chris, It's fine. You might like my reply below. I think it's a real crowd pleaser 😀

What is the name of that music 🎵 playing between 36:58 thru 38:41, nice piano sound and beat going on there! ❤

Michigan Central Station had a beautiful landscaped Victorian park at the front, it included a grande tree lined avenue with a circular round about for picking up and dropping off. There were tree lined footpaths, fountains, statues and electric lights throughout the park. To say the park didn’t ever create a sense of grandeur does not do the original architects any favours. There are many photos at the end of a google search which showcase the incredible asset this station was.

This is a great report! California needs 100 Corktowns!

Go underneath central station Back in the eighties I use to sneak down under there There are massive apartments and lots of stuff down there

This was one of the last neighborhood's I was in cause everything was in arms lenght.sept2022.

The house that ". . . has seen better days" is one of the original houses. I believe it is an archeological site. Wayne State was conducting a study of it.

GREAT comprehensive videos! Thank you for your efforts. One puzzling note we often hear is the "rumored fact" 🤫 that foreign countries (namely China) are buying buildings and land in USA cities. Have you heard this trend in Detroit??

Hey man, absolutely love these videos! If you're ever up for it, I feel like a video like this of Flint would be great (I see you have a live stream of you driving around, but unfortunately not an analysis). Grand Rapids may also be some great content, but be aware that crime is on the rise. Seems like there's a new shooting every day in GR, the murders per capita is higher than NYC, and depending on the source you're using it's comparable to Chicago's murders per capita.

What's up with the bars on the windows near the Sec of State at 12:37 ?

Praying that Detroit actually is having a real renewal. So much possibility; but so much dissention! If my grandchildren and their peers are truly less hostile to ethnic, cultural and religious differences, their is hope!

When checking the historical records of many of these buildings, they were originally constructed during economically depressive times and often completed within just a year or two -- nothing short of amazing. The Michigan Central Railroad building, was likened to many buildings, Saginaw Water Works building and other structures with superb architecture in the Chicago area, constructed during the world's fair of the late 1800's -- still using mud roads and horse drawn wagons. There was an area (Baraga Park) across from the old Plymouth plant between the RR tracks and 94 (west side of Mt Elliot -- presently a condo project). For years, it remained undeveloped -- possibly there was something there at one time. Doesn't seem likely that it was always an undeveloped area. I'll check the abstract of that area. I wonder if there's a tunnel system under the city as in other cities such as those in Chicago, Wisconsin and the New England cities and elsewhere. Lotsa fascinating history here. 🙂

i just got a prostate advertisement followed by one for cadburys chocolate fingers wtf ahaha

Curious did you do a video on the Heidelberg project

Thanks for record video do you like Detroit life

The bicycle infrastructure is really well developed. On some through streets they took out a lane from each side of the road and added street parking and a bike lane in each direction. In other places, it's just a painted gutter but it's there. They should keep building around that. The biggest problem with city development is we made it exclusively for the car. It's not fun to be on such a street, with cars flying past you at 55 mph. If you want people to come to cities, you have to design the streets for people, bikes, and in particular, the kids who live here. That's how you get them back, because being a kid in a subdivision that you can't leave unless you're inside a car is part of the reason we feel so isolated. Walkable cities don't have that problem.

Chris could you go by 4247 western my mother grew up there starting in the 30,s. My grandfather was a train engineer and the tracks were right behind their house on Western they would honk the horn and he would just go out back through the fence and jump on the train. You can still see where the tracks used to be and every now and then there’s a piece of track showing and then head to the west and you can see the mainline where iit hook up. Thanks I’d appreciate it. James

Thanks for what you do. these are good people and they deserve help. giving a hand should be what we do. not destroy people. ; If we can give Billions to corporations we can help working people. - Corporate America destroyed Detroit.

I went to Tiger Stadium a few times, including the last year it was open. That's cool they were able to redevelop the park. It reminds me of what they did to League Park in Cleveland, where the Indians/Guardians played way back in the day. They restored the ballfield and put a museum in the buildings that were still standing.

I noticed there is a lot of large green lots. And I have been told that Detroit has a food poverty problem. Well it shouldn't really, because those large green plots can be used for growing food and keeping livestock.

pretty much all development in Detoilet is done by grants. like quicken loans (rocket) they dumped 250M on them to simply buy up the hi rise abandoned buildings (all of them basically) and breath new life into them. all stadiums are also funded from grants. to pay for these grants the city sells 30 year bonds. and thats why these projects take so long as you said there. however, by the time they get to the next project the residents have destroyed the ones they did. Rocket has been given 250M also to mop up the ghettos homes and rehab for their rental (section 8 welfare) business, Bedrock. These homes will no doubt be destroyed in short order.

Liquor Stores/markets are called Party Stores in Detroit.

I grown up in Corktown. From 82 till now Corktown has changed alot but this area has always been a beautiful area to live at and I lived in a lot of areas in Detroit. It's good to see a change because nothing stays the same for ever ,one day it will crumble. My 48 yrs living in Detroit I've seen its ups and downs and Corktown has always been a nice area to live in.

The area by Michigan Central Terminal is leftover Postal and Railway Express Facilities

Oh I'm bummed you didn't go through core city and the interesting architecture that is being developed there! So close!

Is the D area as flat as it looks in your videos? Corktown area looks table-top level. Have there been any historic floods, due to proximity of the Detroit River? Glad you featured old Tiger Stadium, and sad that it is no more. I saw it briefly when my son interned at GM, summer of '98.

Check out State fair and Woodward

I have been hearing Detroit's "come back" stories since the seventies after the riot. I like your positive thinking, however, I not buying it anymore, just look at Detroit's population as just one factor and I can go on and on. Sorry, but nice video.

Oh look how nice it looks at noon on a summer day. And then the sun goes down and the residents come out.

how long ago did you shoot this? A lot of CorkTown doesnt even look like that right now

Hi there. Pretty good video. Better than most about my old neighborhood. I might add though that revitalizing Detroit neighborhoods should protect law abiding, clean and safe citizens with lower tax rates that are "grandfathered" in. I'm not referring to or making any claim to any racial gentrification. However these neighborhoods were somewhat preserved by what few people were preserving what was left. And if it weren't for them, Investors who are improving these neighborhoods today, wouldn't be making a dime on it. Pre boomers and boomers themselves abandoned these communities as blighty citizens made it worse. Now boomers and their kids are coming in (rightfully so) but incidentally yet grossly overlooking at the achievements of the "neighborhood watch, cleanup, art, sports, church community and "rough-it-out with hope" culture. The pre-exisitng citizens would be more receptive to these improvements if these developers would only "DEVELOPE" some sort of plan for local culture community involvement. Otherwise they are sending the following message to communities : Thanks for fixing your house, raising good children, volunteering for cleanups, reporting and preventing crime, getting stabbed for protecting old ladies,, maintaining a good repore among your community BUT- your tax rate is shooting up out of your reach, we see no need to establish an community center and or group so we don't need you anymore. The new plan is for "bottom line and non-community, detached suburban culture. Most suburbanites are just wonderful However they need to develope more social, cultural, street-wise awareness. Otherwise they will have serous problems. Reasonable housing and small retail costs, taxes, and preserving community is essential. Thank you sir for your genuine interests in my community. I hope someday you meet some origional Cookstown inhabitant. You would enjoy some great stories about about some amazing people. You will laugh, you will raise one eyebrow , then two, water up an eye a little. Yet all the same , be quite intrigued with how this neighborhood (because of its variety) became the strongest neighborhood in the U.S.! P.S. please research community groups, Interview seniors from Corktown, hand out soup and meet the cleanup group. You don't have to pick up old tires just pass out some gloves, new trash bags and some encouragement. That's all they need!

I love Detroit. Feel bad folks from outside Michigan will never understand our beloved city but if your willing to try you find that Detroit is as blue collar American as it gets. Its not the slum that it’s always made out to be. Sure there’s neighborhoods you simply don’t go to after dark but you get this in most city’s. Race has almost nothing to do with crime in Detroit as most of it is poverty driven.

I think it would be good for the Ambassador Bridge to be rebuilt once the Gordie Howe bridge is built because Canadian and U.S. trade will only grow in the future and i don't know what the grounds look like around there but one bridge should have rail crossing like many major new bridges around the world have and the Gordie Howe bridge i don't think does so....

I live in cork town and overall I enjoy it, but there has been a few incidents that make me unsure, but I’m sure once the elements causing it, the klement kern garden complex is demolished, the neighborhood should be a great place to live, as klement kern on bagley street is the cause of all the shootings and one homicide recently, I’ve lived here now over 10yrs. It’s actually exciting to see the construction going on. I did sit in on the NCA-neighborhood community association meetings, and you don’t get the vision until you see the plans from that side. The pandemic did slow down projects in the city period, but things have slowly gotten back on track, but I do think there will be some projects pushed farther back now as people rethink about moving into the city, because of the outrageous high homicides taking place now. I’ll continue living here a bit longer, as overall I feel I am in one of the safest neighborhoods, but a lot more has to be done to keep me here, I’ll see how progress is in a few years.

Cork town is my Old Neighborhood!

Yes.

Whether Detroit or anywhere else, people who complain about "gentrification" are the same ones who complained about "disinvestment in the community". They're generally the same people who didn't bother to lift a finger to improve the area, and lacked the initiative to purchase or rent in the area when things were much cheaper....despite that banks were required by law to lend to them. Still, as it is, 100 of the 139 sq miles in the city is still unlivable.

Do you have any videos of the Indian Village area?

this reminds me of my own home town. we are also trying to make life better. I always say we are a bunch of ants just pushing our dirt around. Lol. So I try not to take it too seriously but Detroit isn't far from us. We have some connections. my brother-in-law even has family up there so my sister and his family go up periodically… a lot of the same problems that have to do with only a small percentage of the world having all the wealth in the rest of us living as peasants

Played many a game of paintball in that train station.

The depot has possibilities, the whole area is so desolate that it's going to be a long time before the project doesn't look strangely out of places with the fields and vacant lots surrounding it.

Mackinac Bridge huh lol it’s bigger than the Golden Gate..

Passed Spaulding Court at 33:41 and failed to make any mention of it (a community founded rescue and renovation success).

With all the miles of touring in this video, it's become evident that there's no "Continuity" in any of the newly revitalized areas. Masses of empty properties, no grocery stores(!), no pedestrians, no bus services, etc. Hate to complain.....but everything appears that it's only geared for the young. In that sense, they're able to "pull-up-stakes" on a whim if necessary.

I played there if by Corktown you mean old Tiger stadium, it is what it is called now it is literally made out of cork the field that is, it's really nice, Oh oh Maroon's may have to get a real job :) It isn't Detroit's fault that they sent all the jobs to Mexico and China, brilliant move eh? Just think, the Michigan central station back in the 20's and 30's Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig walked there, I am a bit disapointed you didnt show the field would have maybe taken 5 minutes to get out of the car,oh well still good stuff thanks! Do Mount Clemens or Royal Oak the hip town in Mi

i think detroit is mostly blight with little "come back" sections but i think its just a trendy thing for yuppies who stay a year or 2 before moving out of town altogether or out to suburbs , we need real middle and working class areas and it wont happen because its not profitable to demolish a blighted area and build 1000 sq ft homes but theres money in building 400k dollar condos

Do a video on Farmington hills please

I believe the last chain grocery store to serve the city of Detroit was Farmer Jack. They've been long gone though.

Cities need to do more to encourage people to ride bicycles. Safe protected bike lanes and trails are needed so adults and children can ride safely. Speak up for bicycles in your community. Bicycles make life and cities better.

38 minutes to answer a yes or no question. I haven’t got all day to watch home videos. When do you make your point? It would take less time if I went to Detroit and looked for myself

They have been saying that Detroit has been making a comeback for decades now.

The average cost of most of those units is half a million to buy. So although there are developments in those areas they remain vacant or accessible to the rich.

I added some comments just minutes ago and now they are gone. I only spoke the truth. Tough to take the truth huh. I was born and raised in the 48025 ZIP code. Trumbull and W. Alexandrine. I loved it. I attended Edmonson Elementary School. But after the 1967 riots, we got out while the getting was good. Our duplex is still there and occupied. Amazing it hasn't been destroyed.

I also can say up here in Charlotte( really just a Caucasian hood) they have Family Dollar, Dollar Tree and stuff like that and a Cork & Bottle Liquor store.

the great thing about all the mistakes a city makes when it falls apart like detroit did - they can fix all their mistakes!! Nation rebuild whole cities so working with private/city/local/state/central governments it should be no problem building a neighborhood no matter how large. Detroit fell off so bad all levels of governments should have already came together to rebuild the city faster than they have and better than the city was before as a statement. but it can still be done.

Murphy's law... Make a rather upbeat and positive video about Detroit three months ago, and then the downtown is reminiscent of the second battle of Fallujah in December.

I'm from Detroit. I would love to buy the house I grew up in on Piedmont and Kendall and fix it up. But, I think I'd have problems with crime and lack of schools, playground, parks, stores, corrupt politicians, drugs(I'm recovering). Abused and neglected dogs and kids. Stray dogs and people. Rude people, drivers, businesses. Pot holes, vacant buildings, lots... Other than that it's a nice place to drive thru. Lol

Dear Chris, love the vid. What I’m wondering about when you’re talking about these old neighborhoods of Detroit is the utter ugliness of the ‘newer nicer developments.’ There’s nothing, like absolutely nothing which makes this kind of architecture add to the face of the city of Detroit. In fact it has no face whatsoever. My humble apparition wouldn’t wanna live in those oversized ‘refrigerator rendering,’ even if they truly are newer and nicer. Might be nice if you would do a video on these glass facades separately. And especially on the subject how this kind of architecture doesn’t add to the character of any city and in this case Detroit.

I think we need to have an intervention about your frequent gambling, Chris.

People are rolling over in their graves when you compare Birmingham with Fabulous Ferndale. 😆😆😆