Fear and Loathing in Corktown: Detroit’s Oldest Surviving Neighborhood Deals with Change

Detroit Free Press columnist John Carlisle joins Detroit Today to talk about his recent series of profiles on Corktown residents.

Jake Neher/WDET

Change is happening in Corktown. But not all residents see it as change for the better.

Corktown is Detroit’s oldest surviving neighborhood, and a place where change has been a constant. It was anchored by a transportation hub and a baseball stadium that both went dormant, but it is now at the forefront of Detroit’s recent growth. There are expensive homes being renovated or built, and sold. There are trendy restaurants and bars along Michigan Avenue. And now Ford says it will invest hundreds of millions to fix up Michigan Central Station and move thousands of new workers to the neighborhood.

Free Press columnist John Carlisle recently wrote a series of profiles on Corktown residents and their changing neighborhood.

He joins Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson, and residents of the neighborhood join the conversation to talk about their own fears and hopes for the future of Corktown.

Click on the audio player above to hear that conversation.

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  • Detroit Today
    Dynamic and diverse voices. News, politics, community and the issues that define our region. Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Henderson, Detroit Today brings you fresh and perceptive views weekdays at 9 am and 7 pm.