The Motor City Has Potential: Midtown Detroit 5K

Midtown is the home to Wayne State University, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, The Michigan Science Center, Little Caesar's Arena and many new residential and commercial developments. Since 2017, the M-1 Rail, or, the QLine has ran along Woodward Avenue through Midtown and all the way to Downtown. New residential and retail developments continue to get built throughout Midtown, as the area has drastically changed in the last 10-20 years. Midtown has been the healthiest part of Detroit outside of Downtown for a while now, and it will likely continue to be.
Intro: 0:00 - 1:34
Wayne State University: 1:34 - 6:10
Demographic Makeup: 6:10 - 9:11
The District Detroit: 9:11 - 11:11
Cass Park Area: 11:11 - 12:44
2nd Avenue/Canfield Street: 12:44 - 16:55
Cass Corridor: 16:55 - 19:55
The District Detroit: 19:55 - 21:46
City Modern/Brush Park: 21:46 - 23:48
Hospitals: 23:48 - 26:19
Museums: 26:19 - 27:26
Woodward Avenue: 27:46 - 33:38
City Modern/Brush Park: 33:38 - 35:37
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[@ChrisHarden]

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[@r.pres.4121]

Finally something positive and upbeat about Detroit. Not the usual gloom, doom, decay, and drugs that Detroit is maligned over endlessly. Granted Detroit has its serious problems but than so does the rest of the world. The midtown area is looking great with all the new construction and historic restoration projects. Detroit is on a rebound and is getting better. Anyone who cannot see that cannot see very clearly.

[@joykakes]

I lived in Detroit for over 40yrs and I think your videos are very informative, fair and balanced. I think you are going to have a successful channel.

[@ChrisHarden]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@shelbyz1974]

Looks like a nice area overall! I love those older Canfield & Brush Park homes. Thanks for the great city tour!👍🏻

[@jonr6558]

Such a gorgeous city, especially in summer great video as always

[@leonarddurecki5988]

I remember when this area was all abandoned storefronts, it's much nicer now, I would like the rest of Detroit to follow.

[@manbtm1]

Midtown Detroit, in the 20 years or so I have lived downtown in Detroit, it’s unbelievable the change in Midtown, it’s always been kind of a funky alternative area to live in , but the development is amazing in the last 10 years ,and continues to be so ,everything you possibly want is around here, and a quick walk or ride into downtown Detroit using the Q line or your bike or an ambitious walk. The only problem however is real estate has gone through the roof compared to what it used to be , you can’t buy a place here for under half million in Midtown anymore, some places are pushing between 750,00,000 to 900,000, Would never have thought this would happen in detroit. But it’s a great area..

[@varner313]

I do appreciate your videos, I also think they're fair & balanced as well. I was born & raised in the Detroit, graduated from HS (Southwestern) in '98 and left for college afterwards. I actually commented on the video you posted on the '48217' (polluted) Zip-code. I now live in suburban Indianapolis, but I go back home to visit family often.. I love Detroit, it's unfortunate that some of the gripes it still gets by mainstream media, although some of it is valid. Overall seeing the transformation taking place in Detroit is really a beautiful thing. It's not too many places in the country that can speak about it's history as succinct as Detroit's history.. It's very unique! Again, I appreciate your videos and keep up the great work! 💯

[@williamterry9819]

Thanks, again, great video. Keep ‘‘em coming, Chris! 👍🏻

[@stankaftan5816]

Another great job, Chris! Thanks, as usual, for your very honest portrayal of the Midtown area. It was so nice you included the development going on in Brush Park, too! I honestly cannot say I love the architectural style of the new buildings in Brush Park; however that being said, I prefer growth over what it looked like before anytime. Understandably, the period type architecture that originally occupied that area is pretty much impossible to duplicate today from a financial perspective. It's nice to see a few of the original mansions still in place and cared for. It's been many years since I have been back in that area and wonderful to see portions of Woodward Avenue totally occupied with new buildings and growth!

[@megancloses]

You’re amazing. This is incredible. I love this lore so much.

[@kraigtaylor8777]

Nice edition of your Detroit series

[@schonkable]

Fantastic video Chris! Having lived near Detroit early in this century, I've noticed major improvements in Midtown. As for the negative comments you mentioned near the end of your video, clearly some people are insecure and they get a power trip from being trolls.

[@johnnguyen6159]

Great video thanks for showing both sides of the spectrum when it comes to Detroit.

[@shawnmcnamara6032]

From out here on the west coast I'm glad seeing Detroit comeback. Grew up across the river. The people that have lived there all there lives probably have ptsd from the last 50 years. So good to see it getting better for the people.

[@mdit21]

Ooo! Came close to the Brewster-Douglass Housing Projects locale.

[@tmhtoo6563]

I like your series, and was glad to know that you are from the Mitten. Two interesting facts about Midtown: The Canfield District is Detroit's first and oldest historic district. It was a response to all of the destruction and house fires in the 70s and 80s. Cass Corridor was one of the areas where the Purple Gang rang back in the day. They were ruthless, and a lot of the small apartment buildings were brothels and the area was filled with bars. There's pictures of the Rolling Stones going into the Masonic Temple and bars in the area when they came to play in the 70s/80s.

[@jonr6558]

I go to Wayne State and I love it! It’s very safe and has a beautiful vibrant campus. We go back to in person again tomorrow.

[@ChrisHarden]

Good. Being social (in person) should be apart of the college experience!

[@khizarbhatti9247]

Oh god pls don’t remind me man 🤦‍♂️

[@davidruffjr6045]

Nice video sir

[@albertmyers7176]

great vid thanks

[@MrNateM]

I really appreciate this approach to portraying a neighborhood. It's probably impossible to be truly objective about any place - least of all one so wrapped up in loud opinions - but a matter-of-fact drive around the neighborhood feels way more valuable for understanding than something from the much more popular "street interview" or "gawking at squalor" genre.

[@michaelbowers3946]

Awesome videos!! I've never been to Detroit, maybe someday. I am interested in the Detroit area as my paycheck from work comes out of Northville, Michigan. I have also seen the movies 8 Mile (Emenim- Why doesn't he do more acting?) and Gran Torino (Clint Eastwood- a Hollywood icon). I do wish you'd do a video showcasing some of the area seen in the movie Gran Torino especially Walt's (Clint Eastwood) house. Thanks for the awesome videos and keep showcasing real America vs. the America that mainstream media wants to portray. One thing though, y'all might be the Motor City, but my hometown, Spartanburg SC has BMW North America Corporation headquarters here. And Michelin North America Headquarters is in nearby Greenville SC. I am afraid that the new Motor City might be Upstate South Carolina!!

[@goldtopazasylum]

I'd like to see Detroit, looks nice...

[@eddielacrosse2]

I stay in Midtown myself, and I think the fact that I am a Black man who grew up in the inner city of Detroit is relevant in this discussion at least. The surrounding areas of Brush Park and Midtown (closer to Downtown) are developing so fast that its 99.9% certain that there will be even more expansive and revenue generating entities in the area. For people criticizing the Illitch's for their development speed in the District, the Illitch's development of Little Caesars Arena really helped to spark a lot of Brush Park and Midtown. Ironic. The Developments of Little Caesars Arena really helped to change that area, which eventually helped the Brush Park area HUGE. So now the Brush Park area in itself is positively spreading around the areas near Mack/MLK, and its only a matter of time before it makes sense to start developing in The District further when other areas catch up, move people move in, etc, With how fast developments have been with Bedrock, I can see this happening sooner than people think or, I'd say even realize.

[@ChrisHarden]

For Detroit’s standards, it is moving fast. For national standards on areas that are considered to be up and coming, it’s moving quite slow. Get away from Woodward Avenue and you barely see that much happening. The issue with the Ilitch’s is that they literally promised that the developments would be here by now. There hasn’t been construction on any new residential buildings at this point. That’s why they’re getting ripped on by so many.

[@crotchwolf1929]

@@ChrisHarden Yeah I doubt people would be so harsh with the Illitch family if they didn't promise to develop the area within a certain time frame. If they had just said something along the lines of, "This is what we want to do with the District Detroit. We don't have a time frame for when we'll be done but this is the end goal." Then they could at least argue that the plan was to develop when the time is right.

[@eddielacrosse2]

The promised to develop it by a certain timeframe, yes. I don’t know how well anyone could have prepared for the changes that come from Pandemics lol

[@witkneemenyon5612]

I lived in midtown for 9 years ! Love that area! It’s honestly the best area

[@thebestchannel5456]

Beautiful campus

[@alekbeaver4088]

At 22:30 I’ve been to that specific spot a couple times. Brush park is some of my favorite in all of Detroit, and after a long time away, it’s nice to see it!

[@fredricardo3272]

Midtown has really come along nicely.

[@theresaleek7750]

I love your videos and watch them often. If you need a drink that's high in caffeine there's one that I like even better it's Starbucks double shots the they have mocha vanilla and white chocolate which is really good. $2.50 - $3.00 in Mobil gas station or Walmart & others, has B vitamins too

[@vytasrauckis6703]

As an alum of Center for Creative Studies in the 70s behind the Detroit Institute of Art on John R. I was hoping you could drive by that area, especially around the "Tinker Toy" building designed by William Kessler.

[@jmuench420]

I wish people would be more patient with the District Detroit. Unless you want to see a bunch of cheap townhouses or stick-built low rise apartments it isn't going to happen overnight. For anything decent quality you're probably looking at $100 million per block average, up to and over $1 billion per block if you're getting into big high rises. That's $5 billion absolute minimum to fully build out the district, probably way more than that in reality. 2040 is a good and realistic estimate to see the district reasonably complete.

[@ChrisHarden]

The only thing I’d say to that is, look at City Modern.

[@jmuench420]

@@ChrisHarden City Modern's speed of development has been impressive but those are still mostly just stick built low rises and the area is much smaller. I'm sure such buildings will make up some of District Detroit but I'd hope for some buildings to be a little more grand. I do think the Illich's could/should be doing more. IMO there's no reason for any of the older/historic buildings they own to just sit there, they should just bite the bullet and get them renovated.

[@manbtm1]

I agree, what they have built is beautiful, it is disappointing the whole thing hasn’t been developed according to the schedule, but this seems to happen all the time not only from this group of investors. I always find it interesting how so many people in Detroit, particularly people who have moved in more recently, love to beat up on the Illitches, , they have no idea what the whole area looked like in the late 80s or early 90 when we first moved here..the whole area was blighted totally, Wouldn’t even dare walk in those areas during the day or night, Despite numerous attempts by both the Detroit Economic Authority the city, and other smaller investors, absolutely nobody could muster any interest or capital to get the area renovated. If it wasn't for the Ilitchs coming in, and starting the total renovation of the Fox theater , moving Little Ceasars HQ downtown from the burbs and some buildings in its immediate area, it would’ve been an absolute disaster today . They did an enormous amount of development and Mike Illitch had faith in the city, He was the major incentive behind convincing the Tigers to not move to the far suburbs from Tiger Stadium ,when it had been announced it was going to be taken down, so few people don’t seem to understand what happened back then, the Tigers were very seriously thinking of moving out to the suburbs to be near the Pistons, and Illitch was the guy that convinced them to stay downtown and promised he would build a 1st class ballpark for them. Of course they’ve made a lot of money off this, their business people and that’s what business people do, I see no reason to fault them for that, He was granted material tax credits, it was most definitely and proven to be today a win-win situation for both sides , also, this is what got Dan Gilbert to jump on board and do the tremendous things that he has done for the city of Detroit , even Gilbert himself admitted several years ago that he would never had gotten interested in the type of investment he did, if it wasn’t for the Illitches and the momentum that they started, and his faith that Detroit could continue in a great way. Nobody was even remotely interested in that area, Illitches then further expanded the entertainment area with restaurants as well as the building of Comerica Park. They did did tear down the two apartment buildings across from the stadium and next to the opera house, when they had mentioned that they would redevelop then, and we’re basically heavily criticized by many in the city for doing that . Most cities tear down those sort of buildings in a minute...I just wish people would also remember everything that they have done for the city, They and the city have done very well off all of this development. They have not been perfect by any means, but on the other hand they have materially contributed to Detroits redevelopment in the last several decades, and if you took them out of the formula, this whole thing most likely would never have started to the degree it has , nobody was even close to being interested except for them.

[@stewlittle13]

It could be done faster if Ilitch would sell off some lots to other developers.

[@timwilder508]

I work at the central train station that Fords bought in 2018 we doing the remodel on the historical building

[@murdermittenman]

Went to a couple bars on cass Ave recently

[@stewlittle13]

Big Sean is a Cass Tech alum & currently serves as the Pistons’ Director of Creativity

[@crotchwolf1929]

God the District Detroit is really an awful eyesore. Also 20:00 The Hotel Eddystone deal wasn't just to build the arena, the Illitch family could have done that without renovating the Eddystone. The deal was the Eddystone was to be renovated in exchange for allowing Olympia to demolish the Park Avenue Hotel which stood nextdoor. Both hotels were historic properties and Olympia argued that they needed the hotel gone so they could build a proper loading dock for the arena. The city OKed the hotel's demolition in exchange for renovating the Eddystone which they obviously dragged their feet in finally doing.

[@manbtm1]

It is frustrating, compared to what the overall proposed development was , however, looking at the arena area itself, as well as the two large buildings next to it, and finally the Eddystone ( a friend if mine just moved in there== very nice ), represents well over 1 1/4 billion dollars of development, maybe we should be thankful for that happening at least, behind it and around needs some attention, which hopefully in time will happen, but I wouldn’t exactly say that the whole arena area is a write off by any means. The areas that are complete are first class,Love them or hate them, the Illitch family did a beautiful job on Little Caesars arena, one of the best.

[@crotchwolf1929]

@@manbtm1 I have a hard time being thankful for unkept promises especially considering how much real estate is literally just sitting their unused or providing parking for the occasional game. That could be a thriving neghborhood like it used to be instead of a parking lot ghetto.

[@tarahutton9942]

Nice but a bit zoomey, you fly by important structures like those designed by Yamasaki, didn't say a word about Wayne States Old Main building and there was construction going on and you didn't mention what was being built. Still I enjoyed it for what it was.

[@Tangobutton]

You skipped College for Creative Studies! One of the best art colleges in the country! It is behind the DIA.

[@davidhead5943]

Where's the MLS Soccer team stadium at ?

[@timlucasentertainment]

I live across the border in Windsor and even though its a 15 min drive I feel like I'm so far away for some reason (watching this)

[@cynthiafeagin6956]

Way to go Wayne state university

[@lmc958]

Chris said in one of his videos that the average house in Detroit was $64,000! What site is he looking on because I look on all the realtor sites and I see very few houses for that price! So what is he going by?

[@davidroush8718]

Brush Park is still Brush Park. City Modern is a real estate development within Brush Park.

[@ChrisHarden]

Never said that brush park wasn’t brush park.

[@rachellynn1507]

Where's the steam (from those pipes) coming from❓

[@bobwallace9814]

Well that was a pleasant surprise. I would guess that the three money families that own everything are rich because they tend to make good sound money decisions so the appearance of dragging their heels in development is really all about timing.

[@ChrisHarden]

Hopefully it gets done. I think it will, but it’s hard to tell.

[@lindagsmith7846]

Dan Gilbert, The Illitch family & the Ford family have brought downtown back to life with the sports (Lions, Tigers, Pistons & The Red Wings) complex. Wayne State has grown so much since I lived in Pontiac. Great restaurants, Corktown, Greek Town & Mexican Village & Eastern Market great way to spend a day. Hart Plaza has music festivals & Belle Isle for family activities. Be pleasantly surprised & enjoy a visit!

[@bobwallace9814]

@@lindagsmith7846 Don't leave out Gore. They are concentrating all the money and growth on downtown out to mid town. The other Detroit will eventually become a meadow. They are smart and know reality. The new bridge in my opinion is a direct link to Windsor with a population more than a third of Detroit and their money. Why do you think the Lions, Pistons, Tigers and Redwings all located downtown? The Canadian money and season tickets, that's why. Even the bridge was given the name Gordie Howe over something like Rosa Parks for the same reason. Downtown will continue to grow and prosper as long as they don't build "affordable housing" aka section 8 there. Let the free market dictate.

[@thebestchannel5456]

Gucci store is coming downtown, and a sugar factory restaurant

[@ChrisHarden]

Saw that last week.

[@jimmywambles3705]

Someone traveling to Detroit that has never been to the city . Recommendations of safe areas to stay in and explore.

[@ChrisHarden]

Downtown, Midtown, New Center, Belle Isle, Corktown, Mexicantown and Eastern Market are all safe areas. You could also go visit Henry Ford Village in the suburb of Dearborn, or the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak.

[@jimmywambles3705]

@@ChrisHarden Thank you so much for your reply and suggestions. I know from some of the vids it seems like you can end up somewhere you don't want to be pretty fast even though the area a few blocks back was ok. Just someone traveling along to the city I would like to try and afford that .

[@Andromeda_M31]

I currently live in the western suburbs of Boston and I can say this place with all the money they collect looks like hell compared to Detroit midtown and downtown. Everything looks so nice with very little tax revenue. I wonder if the local politicians are corrupt here because it should look like it does there

[@rv6914]

I'm surprised they even have a part classified as midtown. It's a big city but not a metropolitan.

[@penskepc2374]

Maybe if it's stops tearing down landmarks Detroit will have potential. One of it's biggest advantages is all the beautiful buildings left because it didn't go through massive development in the last 40 years, but people there only see it as "blight"

[@glennso47]

Does that monster have an interesting hairdo? Monsters must have interesting hairdos or they are not interesting monsters! I had a cold in “Detroit “ and I took de cough medicine and I’m okay now. 😬

[@Jimmy82102000]

I see that they torn down the original Motown studio around the fisher freeway

[@mdit21]

The building was hastily razed in 2006 because of the Superbowl.

[@dougclendening5896]

Brush park felt deserted but could be a lot of fun if people actually move in. Amazing location. Midtown is basically a mix of ypsi's depot town vibe and Ann arbor's size. It could still use more shops and restaurants but it's easily livable in today. The biggest downside is that the surrounding areas don't feel great. Otherwise, for this channel, you should summarize this and make a 5 minute video to spread the word. This video is way too long even for people already interested in the city.

[@ChrisHarden]

About Midtown, I agree with what you’ve said. Brush Park feels deserted still in areas, but if more people continue to move in it could be more exciting in the future. Same story for the rest of midtown. The potential is definitely there. As for the video… too long? I disagree. Most people actually say that I leave out a ton of info in my videos. Most people say that they should be longer. (I disagree with those people too.) 30 minutes or so is a good length for a tour video on a place like midtown. 5 minutes isn’t long enough to show all of Wayne State, the museums, City Modern, what’s supposed to be “the district” and the Woodward Avenue corridor. Maybe a 5 minute video for Wayne State.

[@dougclendening5896]

@@ChrisHarden think about reaching a wider audience with the most important aspects of Detroit. Hype it up.

[@thebestchannel5456]

I don't think they are done with Brush Park yet, but yeah, there are still gaps

[@dougclendening5896]

@@thebestchannel5456 they aren't even close and are 3 years behind. If it finishes, it will be a big step for the downtown area. It will be the first cleanly renovated patch with high property values in a near-perfect location for people who enjoy city life.

[@manbtm1]

Gosh, I’m in brush park all the time, it’s hardly deserted? It’s been very quiet because of the pandemic but the vast majority of all of those buildings are fully occupied, they’ve sold over 85% of those town houses that are between 700,000 to 1 million also, and there’s much construction going on now, now behind there there are many fields but that’s slated for development, I really don’t know how someone could say brush park is deserted, the buildings that are up are all totally cool. Try to park your car in any of those streets, good luck.

[@howardcitizen2471]

As an outsider watching your videos, I've noticed one feature of Detroit that you seem to take for granted: the area is incredibly flat,

[@ChrisHarden]

I notice it. Just so many other things to talk about I guess.

[@piedmontatl]

Where are the people?

[@thebestchannel5456]

Hell, I live in Chiraq, and it's worse

[@brasp]

Objective video, solid work. The extra made up scenarios you created are unnecessary tho.

[@David53D]

I moved out in 1974 but have visited a few times. Moving from Detroit was the best decision especially moving to Honolulu.

[@ChrisHarden]

Went to Honolulu last year. Great place to visit. I got the sense though that making Hawaii a permanent place to live would be tough sledding for most people.

[@michaelakins7961]

I am from Detroit and currently live in Mililani. I prefer Detroit overall.

[@nealfry2230]

" Welcome to DETROIT "

[@witkneemenyon5612]

I’m upset you didn’t mention the Detroit School of Arts High School !!!!!! Off Cass Wtf and the legend Aaliyah came from that school lol ! Do better 😂 jk

[@ChrisHarden]

🥶

[@timlucasentertainment]

OMG did she really? That's amazing. If anyone reading this had classes with her I wanna hear about it!

[@glennso47]

Does that monster have an interesting hairdo? 😐

[@ChrisHarden]

I'd imagine so.

[@samusvi2693]

cannot help but laugh at the optimism. the main theme seems to be few cars and no people in the videos no matter where you go

[@bulgingbattery2050]

Detroit is much like Pyongyang.

[@crotchwolf1929]

Minus the dictator.

[@antoinemoorman5754]

Not even remotely. Shows how much you know about either city

[@manbtm1]

You obviously don’t know what you’re talking about, maybe you should move there??

[@JordanA101]

I hate the Illitches’ lack of commitment to make good on their revitalization promise, but taxpayers DID NOT pay 324 million to help fund the arena. The city issued bonds which will be repaid by 2050 using income from taxes on the new business generated by the arena.