The biggest danger to the revitalization of Detroit’s Midtown — and, by extension, the city itself — doesn’t pack a gun or wield foreclosure papers. He wears a backpack and chews bubble gum. Children — and their parents’ perceptions about local schools — will determine whether the young professionals now streaming into Midtown stay in […]
Quality of Life
Michigan is a great place to live. Bridge will report that fact often — and on potential threats to the assets that make it so.
Posted inQuality of Life
Young activist finds energy, challenges in SW Detroit
Two women painted on the wall of Sean Mann’s historic home sum up the story of present-day Detroit. The murals flanking his dining room window portray the women seen in the city’s official seal. A weeping woman on the left symbolizes despair. To the right of the window, a woman represents hope. Mann, 31, acknowledges […]
Posted inQuality of Life
Group pushes belief in Detroit
When it comes to the city of Detroit, it seems everyone has an opinion — and all too often it’s not a positive one. Yet, not all Detroiters are standing idle as others make snap judgments about the city they love. After attending a state conference on Mackinac Island back in 2009, Sandy Hermanoff, CEO […]
Posted inQuality of Life
Advocate keeps selling Detroit to young professionals
Dave Egner has traveled a long way to end up right where he started. Egner’s hometown is a third of the population it was in 1950. It has a high poverty rate and high crime rate. Ninety percent of its residents are African American. It’s surrounded by richer communities. Having grown up in East St. […]
Posted inQuality of Life
Fresh food firm grows into Detroit role
How many of you would raise an eyebrow at a story linking the term “food desert” with Detroit? Just one more bit of tough news for a city with a plate piled high with challenges, right? Well, the reality is different — and better. There are more grocery stores in Michigan’s largest city than most […]
Posted inQuality of Life
Veteran's tears reflect progress
I was talking to a Vietnam vet — who happens to be a member of the gay community — about the repeal of the federal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” rules for military service. When this Michigan native got the news the ban had been lifted, he just sat down and cried. These were no tears of sadness, […]
Posted inQuality of Life
Michigan poised for better days
The idea that no one would ever think of moving to Michigan because our economy is an utter wreck has, sadly, seeped into the pores of our body politic. It’s almost beyond debate now that we can’t sell Michigan to those who don’t live here. I’m still not buying the argument. And my reasons rest […]
Posted inQuality of Life
Guest column: Dunes decision troubling for all
By Alison Swan A quirk in Michigan case law makes it possible for a land speculator with deep pockets to force a change in local zoning rules that forever squelches any meaningful public participation. And it nullifies — again forever — local ordinances. Yes, “forever” is a strong word. Let me explain why it is so […]
Posted inQuality of Life
Get out of jail free
Anyone who’s played Monopoly knows the importance of having a “Get Out of Jail Free” card in their pocket. If a physician friend of mine is right, some Michigan teens have something similar stuffed in their wallets and purses. The doctor and his colleagues have seen an influx of parents coming in with their teen […]
Posted inQuality of Life
Expert: Just stop getting fatter
In anticipation of Gov. Rick Snyder’s special message on health and wellness in September, Bridge Magazine spoke with Dee Edington, one of the nation’s top experts on designing workplace wellness plans.
You must be logged in to post a comment.