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In his first installment of a Michigan Chronicle feature labeled "Just So You Know," historian and author Ken Coleman looks at signs of progress change in Detroit neighborhoods.


Next week's Michigan Chronicle feature.

"Your Detroit neighborhood may be getting gentrified if . . ." Coleman says above five photos and 10 short items placed into evidence. (The presentation will be in the Nov. 1 edition and is previewed on social media by the author.)

The contributing writer mixes social commentary with humor. Examples:

  • Your neighborhood has a new name.
  • You have an urban garden or greenhouse the size of a football field.
  • Slow Roll has been to your neighborhood more than once.
  • You have a MoGo bike share stand. [Such as one shown at Brush and East Bethune.]
  • Your neighborhood greasy spoon is now a Bucharest Grill. [Coleman misses Dave's at Piquette and John R.]
  • White people walk tall dogs in the morning.

The reporter misses Dave's, which closed at this corner. (Facebook photo by Ken Coleman)

As part of his research, Coleman invited suggestions on Facebook. Some replies have a decidedly sharper edge:

  • Your renamed neighborhood boundaries change.
  • The police start patrolling on a regular basis.
  • The closest liquor store starts selling beard combs.
  • The city creates a new official plan for redevelopment.
  • The homeless take credit card donations.
  • People of color aren't the majority.
  • You can't tell if the woman on Woodward is a hipster fundraising or a homeless woman begging.