Briggs

I still remember the day my car broke down on the way to my job at DTE Energy. I was on the Lodge when the engine failed, and I came up on the service drive of Grand River. My car coasted, then came to a complete stop in front of an abandoned building. Some rough looking dude was standing there, sizing me up. I had to walk the rest of the way to work. The only reason the car was still there when I returned later was because all of the hoods standing around knew the car didn't work, so they didn't bother with it. Surprisingly the windows, radio, and tires remained intact.

I sincerely hate judging people who have to live in bad neighborhoods, because it may be through circumstances that are not their fault. But this place is just bad. If there is one street that doesn't have at least two vacant lots and one abandoned house, I would be surprised.

Although the Motor City Casino is right there, you don't even feel safe going in and out. It's like people are watching you to see if you win big, so they can follow you out to the parking lot. I had the feeling that eyes were watching me the whole time I was there. You just have to watch your back if you find yourself around here.

There is busing on all the major streets, but one street I would not feel comfortable waiting on a bus is Martin Luther King Blvd. Especially in the predawn morning or after dusk. Shady looking folks are prowling the streets in that area all the time.

Now don't get me wrong, there is a bit of revitalization going on, with a few housing developments springing up. But overall the area is empty.
The Lodge Freeway, I-96, I-75 all surround this neighborhood so there is no problem getting back forth to different parts of the city. And you are minutes away from Downtown. But, overall, I would pass on trying to find a decent home here and look elsewhere.

Briggs is one of those neighborhoods that is mixed in the sense that is is barren but being improved upon. This is unfortunately the depiction that you see on the news that has become the standard for the city of Detroit, but it's only half of the story. Though one half of town is desserted and stands idle, the other half is being built up and has great plans for it.

This is close to the old Tiger Stadium and perhaps that's part of the problem. When that came down so too did the desire for the area and the potential that it held. It happens to be close to the Motor City Casino and therefore gets visitors nearby each and every day. There are in fact great plans for revitalization and rebuilding in this area and that means a lot of potential for many.

This is an area that you will likely see rebuilt very soon, and that holds promise. Though it was once a thriving area many hope it will get back to that very soon.