Welcome back to Hottest Week! In this crazy Round Two vote we are doing two heats at the same time! One lady realtor and one gentleman realtor will advance to the final when voting ends at noon tomorrow. Derek or J.P.? Erica or Jan? Now is the time to decide.
This time we asked just one simple question. If you could buy any property in Detroit right now to be your personal home (and money were no object), what would you buy?
Derek: I would buy and live in the Zip Code: 48208! According to Business Insider, this zip code is one of the "15 cheapest zip codes in the U.S." with an extraordinarily high crime rate, a robbery risk six times the national average, and a murder rate eight times the national average.....(NOT TRUE!)
I read this in an article by Business Insider last year and was really bothered by it. I operate the 4731 Arts Incubator building in this zip code and couldn't believe that was the image that was being portrayed to the rest of the country. That article lingered in the back of my mind for months. Then it struck me that I needed to do something about it. On July 15th I launched the "Grand River Creative Corridor" project with the goal transforming this neighborhood into a creative hub that attracts: tourists, artists, entrepreneurs, and investors alike. We're a month into the project and the plan is in underway! 48208 will soon be portrayed differently...
JP: The Historic Hecker-Smiley Mansion located in Midtown.
And now the ladies...
Erica: If I could turn any property in Detroit into my home in would be The Fox Theatre. It was one of the first buildings I'd ever admired. I remember going there as a child to see Sesame Street or The Rockettes and time and time again, I would be completely preoccupied looking at the interior design rather than the show. If there was a way to reside in an upper level (and maybe there is!) that would be ideal for me. My most favorite performance was when Kid Rock had the benefit concert with the DSO there in May. I was fortunate enough to be in the 10th row-to have raised that dollar amount to save an organization with one performance was incredible and to feel the energy in the crowd was very moving. I think it really was a demonstration of what Detroit is capable of.
Jan: I would buy location for the old trailer park site at the foot of Alter Road and build a contemporary home. The site is the most beautiful I have seen on the Riverfront, you feel like you are in the water.
Both Polls close at noon tomorrow!
·Hottest Week: Recap Of Round One, A Look At Round Two [Curbed Detroit]