Authenticity, by definition, is the quality of being genuine and real. As a tourism lover, I always try to find authenticity in my journey. I travel around the world, experiencing different cultures, Unwilling to admit, however, it is hard to understand a place’s authentic culture via a short journey. Often, I spend a lot of time reading tourist guide and searching good restaurant through Yelp rather than being true presence in the place. But this time is different. It is not a short journey, and I have the chance to talk to residents of Detroit. Working at MoGo and working at Downtown Detroit Partnership’s office also provide a valuable opportunity for me to find authenticity and being true presence in Detroit.
Taking advantage of lunch break time, Kevin and I started to explore the city of Detroit every day: we sometimes walk along the Woodward to see the massive buildings and people working inside; we sometimes take the people mover to go around the downtown Detroit; we walk to the riverfront or walk to the Greektown. Last week, we went into General Motors’ headquarter and tried to find a way to get to the top. It is not traveling, but simply a walk at lunch break.
During my time in Detroit, I saw two different Detroit. On weekdays, I am in the vibrant Detroit, with massive skyscrapers and modern renaissance center. When I walk by Campus Martius, I feel no difference walking by Madison Square Park in New York. The riverfront is so beautiful, with nice sculptures such as the Gateway to freedom. On the other hand, I explored other parts of Detroit during the weekend. Last Saturday, I went to a skate park in midtown with Bryan. On our way to the skate park, we saw nice neighborhoods, but I also noticed there was construction going on. Many abandoned houses were torn down. Although I loved the park and enjoyed the time I spend on it, the park itself looks old and shabby. One of the friends told me that if he has money, he will definitely renew this park. The Detroit I saw is conflicting. On weekdays I work in the prosperous Detroit while on weekend, I experience the old Detroit.
But another thing happened last week also prompted me to think. Last Wednesday, the MoGo team went to the Tiger Games together. I met one of MoGo neighborhood ambassador Tatiana. She told me that about ten years ago, downtown Detort was much more different than today. It was a ghost town that nobody would like to go to. With government policies of attracting investment and business, Detroit now has Quicken Loan headquarter, the Little Caesars Headquarters and other small businesses coming in, hosting hosts over 92,000 workers. With over 10 years’ development, Detroit downtown became one of the central business districts of Detroit.
I saw the disparity between different neighborhoods. But I also discover the potential for Detroit’s development. As every people I met in Detroit told me, Detroit is an under-rated city. I believe the potential for Detroit’s development is also underestimated.
Taking advantage of lunch break time, Kevin and I started to explore the city of Detroit every day: we sometimes walk along the Woodward to see the massive buildings and people working inside; we sometimes take the people mover to go around the downtown Detroit; we walk to the riverfront or walk to the Greektown. Last week, we went into General Motors’ headquarter and tried to find a way to get to the top. It is not traveling, but simply a walk at lunch break.
During my time in Detroit, I saw two different Detroit. On weekdays, I am in the vibrant Detroit, with massive skyscrapers and modern renaissance center. When I walk by Campus Martius, I feel no difference walking by Madison Square Park in New York. The riverfront is so beautiful, with nice sculptures such as the Gateway to freedom. On the other hand, I explored other parts of Detroit during the weekend. Last Saturday, I went to a skate park in midtown with Bryan. On our way to the skate park, we saw nice neighborhoods, but I also noticed there was construction going on. Many abandoned houses were torn down. Although I loved the park and enjoyed the time I spend on it, the park itself looks old and shabby. One of the friends told me that if he has money, he will definitely renew this park. The Detroit I saw is conflicting. On weekdays I work in the prosperous Detroit while on weekend, I experience the old Detroit.
But another thing happened last week also prompted me to think. Last Wednesday, the MoGo team went to the Tiger Games together. I met one of MoGo neighborhood ambassador Tatiana. She told me that about ten years ago, downtown Detort was much more different than today. It was a ghost town that nobody would like to go to. With government policies of attracting investment and business, Detroit now has Quicken Loan headquarter, the Little Caesars Headquarters and other small businesses coming in, hosting hosts over 92,000 workers. With over 10 years’ development, Detroit downtown became one of the central business districts of Detroit.
I saw the disparity between different neighborhoods. But I also discover the potential for Detroit’s development. As every people I met in Detroit told me, Detroit is an under-rated city. I believe the potential for Detroit’s development is also underestimated.
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