Detroit Suburbs

The cancellation of plans for a light rail line running down Detroit's Woodward Avenue may be something of a blessing in disguise for the Motor City, ...

Detroit is a city that is all about division. Today's obvious divides -- rich and poor, black and white, downtown and neighborhoods -- are nothing new. We've always loved to find (or invent) ways to separate ourselves.

It's time to end this fighting about ownership of Detroit and its future. The more we fight amongst ourselves, the more ownership we all have in the negative image of the city.

There isn't a reason to battle over who will save Detroit. The reality is that we all need each other. Why do I have to choose between the suburbs and the city?

There is certainly a revival in the Motor City and we should all be excited about the possibilities. But I want to caution Toby Barlow and anyone who believes that to be part of the renaissance one has to relocate to Downtown Detroit.

The suburbs have been trying to run away from Detroit for half a century and all it has brought is ruin and depression for all. It's time to embrace this place. Luckily, right now, it's a wonderful town to embrace.