Southwestern Detroit neighborhood to be demolished (Wayne: homes, living in, costs)

[urbanliving99]

PS - Marathon said today that the buyouts would remain voluntary and that the company has no plans to acquire the homes through eminent-domain legal proceedings.

We can all smile now =)

[Coldjensens]

I do not know the neighborhood, but this general area is horrid. I woudl be happy to move out of there. It smells terribly most of the time. Much of the general vicinity is scary and dangerous. They are secluded. There is hardly anythign or anyone over there.

They said there are 500 homes in the neighborhood, but not how many of them are occupied. How many of the residents own the homes that are being sold? Are the renters getting relocation funds?

I doubt any of those homes are worth $100,000. The most expensive house that I could find in North Rosedale Park (one of Detroits nicer neighborhoods) was $109,000. It is not likely that any homes in one of the worst palces tolive in Detroit are worth $100,000. Speaking of North rosedale park. If they are getting $40K for their homes, they could move there. There are quite a few homes for sale in that price range. It is nicer and does not stink 24/7.

If these people have health issues they believe are caused by pollution, then they should not sign the release. they should go see a plaintiff's lawyer. Maybe a Fieger type will pop up to take advantage of them - - I mean take them on as a client.

Buyouts are voluntary. So what are the hold outs supposed to do? Will Marathon just build arond them?

[MS313]

Originally Posted by 313Weather

Pretty much.

How long ago was this? And is there a reason why someone is JUST NOW trying to build the neighborhood back up?
I can see the new homes that they built over there but that should of been done instantly after they knew nothing was going to be there instead of letting the neighborhood go to hell.

The city should make them sign a contract stating if they back out in any way that they will be completely responsible for rebuilding that entire neighborhood. The last thing we need is a PURPOSELY abandon neighborhood.

[SadieMirsade]

Originally Posted by Tyveker

Oh Retroit, you dangle the carrot only to rip it back last minute. You write something coherent, and then this. Again, did you read these articles? A lot of the "basis-less" issues you adduce are given basis. One instance (it's easy to see where this conversation is going, so hopefully brevity will prevent the eternally recurrent themes from popping back up; no need to argue): the fact that if everyone in zone 1 is first relocated, the neighborhood will be of such low population and poor quality that property values will decrease even more. Subsequently, Marathon can easily (and probably) change their offering price, of which they have yet to make to zone 2.

Of course, you accuse these people of fearmongering and then don't recognize that this is the crux of why you yourself argue. Which is why you so frequently become sententious:

"In response to the question "In what world is it acceptable for a government to provide security to a private factory?" Answer: in a world where terrorists target private property and not just public property."

No. The likelihood of a terrorist attacking Zug Island is very low. It is not iconic, it has no symbolic value (except for residents of Delray and Detroit, perhaps, though many Detroiters know little about it), and absolutely no international attention is given to it. Logistically it wouldn't make sense. Logistically what does make sense is that the private corporation has defended its perceived right to pollute by using public services, which, from any angle, is unethical.

They're talking about something strange going on Zug...
Mysterious noise escalates in Windsor, Ont. - Yahoo! News

"We're hoping the federal government will step up because in that report it said that another investigation is necessary to establish the source now that they have the location on Zug Island," Maghnieh said.
Some people claim the noise makes them sick and others say it keeps them awake at night, he said.
Government officials and a consultant hired by the City of River Rouge admit the rumbles and vibrations are an airborne sound wave originating from the general vicinity of Zug Island, home to several industries..

[fmax]

Sadie,

Good find. Evidence of "Project Blue Beam" perhaps.

[zthatzmanz28]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

If these people have health issues they believe are caused by pollution, then they should not sign the release. they should go see a plaintiff's lawyer. Maybe a Fieger type will pop up to take advantage of them - - I mean take them on as a client.

Buyouts are voluntary. So what are the hold outs supposed to do? Will Marathon just build arond them?

Seriously, it's a loss for people and a win for corporations are people too.

I thought the houses were being bought up for two reasons--

1. To be razed and create a "buffer" zone that would in essence be a green zone (kind of an oxy-moron in itself?)

2. To get the people to sell out their claim or future claims to any and all harm that might or probably will occur as a result of living in the shadows of toxic substances.

Now I know folks have said the refineries were there first--BUT someone built houses there and convinced a whole lot of people it was safe--why would they build houses for families in a dangerous area?

Standad or Marathon had no concerns when the houses were being built? Probably not because the houses gave the refinery credibility as being SAFE--much like we were told similar stories about tobacco, PCBs, rGBH, Agent Orange, GMOs, and all the other toxins the government has approved as being beneficial and SAFE.

We as a sociey are once again at the crossroads of economics---

DO we allow industry to do whatever they want in the name of economic progress and the promise of jobs---

Or will we require enviromental responsibility and accountability be partnered with economic progress?

We can have both, but it will not be free...

[animatedmartian]

Originally Posted by zthatzmanz28

Seriously, it's a loss for people and a win for corporations are people too.

I thought the houses were being bought up for two reasons--

1. To be razed and create a "buffer" zone that would in essence be a green zone (kind of an oxy-moron in itself?)

2. To get the people to sell out their claim or future claims to any and all harm that might or probably will occur as a result of living in the shadows of toxic substances.

Now I know folks have said the refineries were there first--BUT someone built houses there and convinced a whole lot of people it was safe--why would they build houses for families in a dangerous area?

Standad or Marathon had no concerns when the houses were being built? Probably not because the houses gave the refinery credibility as being SAFE--much like we were told similar stories about tobacco, PCBs, rGBH, Agent Orange, GMOs, and all the other toxins the government has approved as being beneficial and SAFE.

We as a sociey are once again at the crossroads of economics---

DO we allow industry to do whatever they want in the name of economic progress and the promise of jobs---

Or will we require enviromental responsibility and accountability be partnered with economic progress?

We can have both, but it will not be free...

You forget what times were like then. They were built in a time when children still worked full time in heavy polluting factories and when it wasn't uncommon for people to get sick living near such hazardous areas. It's only relatively recently (like 40s-70s) that the government stepped in and actually worried about people's health.

[malamute]

It's always kind of sad to see old houses torn down -- no matter who is living in them.

An old house has it's own character, it was home to a variety of people, as long as the house stays standing it's like it holds memories of the people who once lived in it. The children who played in it's rooms, the happy times and sad times -- I don't think anyone likes having the house they grew up in torn down.

[zthatzmanz28]

Originally Posted by animatedmartian

You forget what times were like then. They were built in a time when children still worked full time in heavy polluting factories and when it wasn't uncommon for people to get sick living near such hazardous areas. It's only relatively recently (like 40s-70s) that the government stepped in and actually worried about people's health.

In the 1940s & 1950s we had children working full time in heavy polluting factories?

I think those days went out in the 1920s? And the government has started caring about people's health? Not in the 1940s, 50s, 60s or 70s..There has been some effort only because of pressure, not because government has a sudden case of altruism..

[Retroit]

That neighborhood is a lot older than 1940. Here's a map from 1883 that shows the streets were already laid out (although the surrounding area is still farmland): http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/...roit/Michigan/