Detroit Idea Factory

04/18/2016

"Comfort the afflicted, and inflict the comfortable?"

Deadline Detroit I'm not sure what the point of this post is. Judging by the comments, many people find it funny. There are conversations to be had here about municipal panhandling ordinances (and freedom of speech), homelessness (not making any assumptions about this person's living situation) and poverty. Another conversation might be about empathy and human dignity.

Posting this picture without context or comment addresses nothing, so what was the point?

Also, it's a special kind of horrible when people with homes discuss when they will or won't give money to someone they presume to be homeless. Whether you give or not, and the circumstances that dictate your decisions are immaterial. Have a heart, and keep it to yourself.

#Detroit #Empathy #Dignity

On the service drive of the Fisher Freeway near Woodward

10/31/2015

An investigation is needed to determine if Flint's lead problems were just incompetence or...

Incompetence + We don't care about you, Flint residents. Also you, Detroit residents. Because of your skin color and income level. #Water #Justice

You know things are bad when the best defense you can conjure is incompetence. But that's exactly what Dan Wyant, director of Michigan's Department of...

10/31/2015

An investigation is needed to determine if Flint's lead problems were just incompetence or...

An investigation is needed to determine if Flint's lead problems were just incompetence or...

You know things are bad when the best defense you can conjure is incompetence. But that's exactly what Dan Wyant, director of Michigan's Department of...

10/31/2015

Detroit Metro Times

As usual, the students are the Best Part of WSU! #Detroit #WayneState

Wayne State University's Zombie Parade breaks out into a choreographed re-creation of "Thriller." Read more here: http://bit.ly/1P9tRjw (Video via Sarah Rahal.)

10/22/2015

A MARVELOUS ORDER

Hell yes. The opera we have been waiting for! #UrbanPlanning #AMarvelousOrder
https://vimeo.com/142466205

This is a video includes footage recorded at a private workshop presentation of our work-in-progress held on May 12, 2015. A MARVELOUS ORDER The opera about…

10/04/2015

The Great Lakes in Ojibwe V2

https://decolonialatlas.wordpress.com/2015/04/14/the-great-lakes-in-ojibwe-v2/

Nayaano-nibiimaang Gichigamiin means “The Five Freshwater Seas” in Anishinaabemowin. The cultural impact of the Anishinaabe on the region is everywhere, as evidenced by this map. The toponyms that ...

04/28/2015

Obama Calls Police Violence a "Crisis," Condemns Mass Neglect of Poor

The President should stop using the word "thug." This is not the greatest speech, but it does deal with actual issues, including that the #BaltimoreUprising is not about a CVS. #FreddieGray #BlackLivesMatter

Fielding a question about Baltimore during a press conference with Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, President Obama spoke at length about crime and police brutality. Obama condemned Monday night's rioting and expressed sympathy with injured officers, but also called the persistence of police viol…

04/26/2015

Protests do not "turn violent." The violence has been ongoing for over 400 years now. #FreddieGray #BlackLivesMatter

04/21/2015

So I'm having this conversation right now. #DetroitWater #WTF

04/20/2015

Let's Get Real: It's Our Money

Let's Get Real: It's Our Money

Watching construction workers appear before Detroit City Council, one after another, to advocate for the rezoning of the new Olympia arena development, I worried that it might actually happen. As a...

04/20/2015

Let's Get Real: It's Our Money

This Vote is Tomorrow! #Detroit #CassCorridor #District6

Watching construction workers appear before Detroit City Council, one after another, to advocate for the rezoning of the new Olympia arena development, I worried that it might actually happen. As a...

04/20/2015

Records: Detroit mistakenly shut off water to 900+ houses with no payment issues

This is so bizarre. Are we all clear that these are human beings and not just invoice numbers? #DetroitWater

Instead of halting water shutoffs until the problem was resolved, Mayor Duggan's administration accelerated the process, especially on homeowners.

04/20/2015

Improve Detroit | Mobile Apps | How Do I | City of Detroit | www.detroitmi.gov

Improve Detroit | Mobile Apps | How Do I | City of Detroit | www.detroitmi.gov

Improve Detroit Description

04/20/2015

Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan

Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan

Mission Statement Our mission is to manage and secure transportation resources that significantly enhance mobility options, to improve quality of life for the residents and to increase economic...

04/20/2015

Let's Get Real: It's Our Money

City Council takes this up again tomorrow! Let them know that #ItsOurMoney being spent! #Detroit #CassCorridor #District6

Watching construction workers appear before Detroit City Council, one after another, to advocate for the rezoning of the new Olympia arena development, I worried that it might actually happen. As a...

04/20/2015

Detroit Water Brigade

Detroit Water Brigade

Literally 99% of Detroiters who got on payment plans last year to avoid shutoff are facing it again because they can't keep up payments. #DetroitOnePercent

04/20/2015

Detroit Police Department

Serious Missing:
Bre'Auncia was last seen at her home, located in the 16700 block of Archdale by her Mother on April 12, 2015. Ms. Edwards-Lawrence stated she had a verbal argument with her daughter and when she woke up to check on her she discovered her missing.

Bre'Auncia is described as a B/F/15, 5'2", 125 lbs., light complexion, brown eyes and blond hair and possibly wearing a pink coat. Bre'Auncia is in good physical and mental health.

If anyone has seen Bre'Auncia Lawrence, please contact the Eighth's Precinct's Detective's Unit at (313) 596-5840.

04/20/2015

Let's Get Real: It's Our Money

#Detroit and #Michigan residents keep paying the tab for people with more than enough money.

Watching construction workers appear before Detroit City Council, one after another, to advocate for the rezoning of the new Olympia arena development, I worried that it might actually happen. As a...

04/20/2015

Shipping Great Lakes water? That's California dreaming

Peggy Case from Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation: Air and water are the commons.

Multiple protections prevent the thirsty West from getting its hands on Great Lakes water.

04/20/2015

Raquel Castaneda-Lopez, City Councilwoman of Detroit District 6

Thank you to Americorp & the 75+ Detroit Police Officers & trainees that came out today to board up houses & make our community safer!

04/20/2015

Nothin says #Detroit like adult contemporary... #VagueBooking

04/20/2015

Let's Get Real: It's Our Money

When someone says there is no money in #Detroit they mean there's no money for you. #Detroit #District6 #CassCorridor #RedWings

Watching construction workers appear before Detroit City Council, one after another, to advocate for the rezoning of the new Olympia arena development, I worried that it might actually happen. As a...

04/14/2015

The graying of Michigan

An article about what our legislature has done to my hair, prematurely. Gray is #PureMichigan

In more than a dozen Michigan counties, the median age is now over 50. Statewide, as of two years ago, almost half the population was over 40 – the oldest ever recorded.

04/13/2015

Duggan to unveil $50M Brewster redevelopment plan

I had hoped for this. I also hope it is reopened as public space!

Detroit mayor to detail vision Tuesday for historic center, planned efforts to rebuild surrounding neighborhood

04/12/2015

Yes Participatory Budgeting in #Detroit #District6 !

Learning about participatory budgeting process with the one and only Brooklyn Council Member Carlos Menchaca. Community driven development sounds amazing to me- definitely bringing this idea back to Detroit!

04/12/2015

Raquel Castaneda-Lopez, City Councilwoman of Detroit District 6

Learning about participatory budgeting process with the one and only Brooklyn Council Member Carlos Menchaca. Community driven development sounds amazing to me- definitely bringing this idea back to Detroit!

04/12/2015

District 6 in #Detroit and District 38 in #Brooklyn have a good deal in common. Somehow that is encouraging.

So honored to be present at NY City Council Member Carlos Menchaca State of the District 38 Address- the similarities between his district & our #District6 are amazing! I am inspired by @menchaca commitment to community, inclusive democracy & social justice.

04/12/2015

What is up with the weird video about Detroit?

The Onion has competition.

What the hell is up with this weird video about Detroit?

04/07/2015

Aftermath of Tigers Opening Day: Red cups, blood, rotting food, vomit, broken windows & beer bottles

Aftermath of Tigers Opening Day: Red cups, blood, rotting food, vomit, broken windows & beer bottles

Cars left in parking lots were broken into. Wind-blown red cups drifted onto exit ramps. Shards of glass were scattered across busy streets and sidewalks.

04/06/2015

I'm refusing to click on this, but I think something this bad needs to be shared. It's like evil met stupid and made a funny.

01/13/2015

Duggan wants affordable housing goal

I guess now would be a good time to ask a lot of questions:

1. how is "affordability" determined?
2. are there geographic restrictions?
3. how long will it be affordable?
4. who would have thought we would ever need rent control?

http://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2015/01/13/duggan-midtown-gentrification/21691065/

Duggan's goal of 20%-40% of units reserved for lower-income renters could ease fears that the current revitalization boom in the greater downtown will benefit only upscale renters and buyers.

04/05/2013

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/03/sp01-detroit-electric-sports-car_n_3011274.html

04/04/2013

http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/4313/wireless_gondola_lifts_may_be_the_next_big_thing_downto

:)

http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/4313/wireless_gondola_lifts_may_be_the_next_big_thing_downtown

04/01/2013

The solution to urban blight: parking lots

i am buying this book.

Urban planner Eran Ben-Joseph believes parking lots can serve as a focal point for social and cultural activity in Israeli cities.

03/20/2013

Company to manufacture electric sports car in metro Detroit

this is so cool.
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20130319/NEWS/130319856/company-to-manufacture-electric-sports-car-in-metro-detroit?useStandardLogin=1

Nearly five years after the name was revived, the Detroit Electric Car Co. announced Tuesday its plans to manufacture an electric sports car in metro Detroit. The currently Netherlands-based carmaker, re-formed by former Lotus Engineering Group CEO Albert Lam in 2008, plans to fill 180 jobs locally ...