Nationally-prominent planner takes in-depth look at Detroit’s revival

Mike Lydon, an urban planner with Duany Plater-Zyberk and Co. a
highly-regarded firm located in Miami. He recounts his longtime
curiosity with Detroit and his observations about over several visits
over several years.  

Excerpt:

The downtown and midtown districts are experiencing considerable
reinvestment and regeneration. According to the University Cultural
Center Association, the steward of development in midtown, more than
$1.5 billion has been invested into what is now metro Detroit’s
cultural and educational epicenter.

This includes loft
conversions, property redevelopment, museum restoration and expansion,
and several new restaurants and galleries. The momentum is tangible and
with the 32,000-student Wayne State University campus transforming
itself from a commuter school into a residential one, an optimist could
sense that midtown will soon become a truly livable and funky urban
district.

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