Tag Archives: economic development

My thoughts on International Village

Yesterday, someone on Twitter called me out for being silent on the subject of International Village, the $350+ million dollar retail and housing development being proposed for Ypsilanti’s 36-acre Water Street property. According to this person, who was posting under a pseudonym, my silence on the matter was “deafening.” It’s something I’ve heard several times […]

Posted in Ann Arbor, Architecture, Corporate Crime, Economics, Uncategorized, Ypsilanti | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 62 Comments

Richard Florida visits Ann Arbor, advocates for affordable housing, warns “When places get boring, even the rich leave”

Richard Florida, the man credited with popularizing the belief that the so-called “creative class” is the primary driver of urban redevelopment, was in Ann Arbor yesterday to address a regional economic forum hosted by Ann Arbor Spark. As I didn’t take very good notes, and don’t have the time this evening to provide anything even […]

Posted in Ann Arbor, Art and Culture, Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Landline Creative Labs in Metromode

A few weeks ago, in an kind of oblique way, I referenced the debarking of a 400-pound slab of black walnut. Well, here, thanks to the good folks at Metromode, is a photo of me standing next to the aforementioned piece of wood in what will eventually be the Landline Creative Labs conference room at […]

Posted in 209 Pearl, Ypsilanti | Also tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Former Ypsi CIty Planner Richard Murphy weighs in with data on gentrification

Last night, prompted by the social media dustup over news that Ann Arbor’s Babo would be opening a location in Depot Town, I posted something here about the looming threat of gentrification in Ypsilanti. I’d encourage you, if you haven’t already, to read through the comments, as, for the most part, they’re pretty thoughtful. Here, […]

Posted in Ann Arbor, Uncategorized, Ypsilanti | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 31 Comments

OK, Ypsilanti, let’s talk about gentrification

In a text I received today, someone I know referred to Depot Town as “little Ann Arbor.” My sense, given the ensuing exchange, is that he didn’t intend it to be a compliment. He asked me if, since I took a stand way back when about the Quizno’s that had opened in Depot Town, I’d […]

Posted in Ann Arbor, Uncategorized, Ypsilanti | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 79 Comments

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