Newsweek says Grand Rapids Michigan is dying. A GR answer gone viral

[blackwolfe]

Newsweek labeled Grand Rapids, Michigan, No. 10 in a list of dying cities.  While Michigan and Grand Rapids do have it their challenges and problems, Grand Rapids has not earned that title when you look at the bigger picture.   This is one Grand Rapids response to Newsweek.  The comments are well worth reading.  I was recently in downtown Grand Rapids.  I don't really care for large Cities or Metropolitan areas, but I was impressed by Grand Rapids.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPjjZCO67WI

This video is one continuous shot without editing.



More on the "dying city" news here:   
 http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2011/01/newsweek_grand_rapids_is_not_j.html

Newsweek article here:     http://www.newsweek.com/2011/01/21/america-s-dying-cities.html



Rob Bliss, the guy who organized this lip dub, has organized a number of other "social experiments" in Grand Rapids.

Included are a Zombie Walk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx7qEXsAsdU&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5KNNJFnmDo&feature=fvwrel

A pillow fight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kICK_MlLWq8&NR=1

A 500 foot street water slide:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-Mf0kG7-to

A 100,000 paper airplane drop:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXxJ9i91vfE

A water balloon fight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGwrF1xgTus

[Timothy]

Don't take these surveys too seriously.  I was born, grew up in GR and lived there for a few years after I separated from active duty in the late 70's and early 80's and again in 89-91 when my Pop was ill.  GR is a vibrant town of good, down home Midwestern folks.  I have a brother that lives outside of town and most of the folks I went to HS with are still in the area.  The growth in the surrounding communities is extensive and though I've not been back in 10 years or so, I doubt I'd recognize some of the neighborhoods I haunted in my youth.

Government Motors is gone yes, that happened some time ago.  I'd move back in a heartbeat if the wife would commit to a change.

[fightingquaker13]

Dittos. One of my best friends from grad school is there teaching. Its a nice little town. Some blight, but on the whole a nice place to raise a kid if you don't mind snowfall measured in feet. Plus, the fishing is good,
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

Hate to be the wet blanket here, but GR probably is dieing.
Look at the past few decades, not just in Mich but the entire North.
All the Northern states are losing industries to either foreign countries or states with warmer climates and lower heating costs.
As the jobs go the cities die.
If the Civil War were refought today it would be at best a toss up as the industrial heart of America has shifted Southward.

[Timothy]

Unlike Detroit or Flint and even Lansing, Grand Rapidians adapt and make due!  Sure, there are some areas that aren't great but the area isn't just based on manufacturing anymore.  They'll manage in the long run I'm sure!

Many of my old friends, men and women I would give my life for, still live within a few miles from where we grew up.  I hold these folks as dear to my heart as my own family and I will till the day I die!  We Michiganders are a hearty breed of mutts.....

[Sponsor]

[r_w]

They are dieing from the parasites in Detroit.

[Ping]

Tombogan stated: If the Civil War were refought today it would be at best a toss up as the industrial heart of America has shifted Southward.

Larger companies moved South to destroy labor unions. It also was a plus for NAFTA since many companies moved some or most of their operations South of the Border for cheaper labor costs.

[fightingquaker13]

You know, I finally got my new 'puter all tuned up and ready. I saw the initial GR video Blackwolfe posted. If you haven't seen it watch. That is about the most amazing piece of propaganda/advertising I've ever seen. Who ever designed it deserves to be rich and the fact that the comunity rallied to make it shows that they aren't going anywhere. They'll stand. Now, what we need is someting just as compelling for the 2A. Sorry I'm late to the party due to new machine issues, but that kicked ass. I have rarely seen a better piece of political messaging.
FQ13

[Bill Stryker]

I was born in GR. So I will come to her defense here.

Unlike several other cities on the list, a person can walk around downtown and feel safe, and have good food and fun.

You can fish for steelhead right downtown in the Grand River!

West Michigan is a wonderful area to raise kids with the Lakes and Lake Michigan all within reasonable drive. The city has lots to do in and around. Grand Valley U, Calvin, Hope, are just a few of the colleges there or nearby that provide cultural events for not a lot of money. Importantly GR is a good regional medical center. Driving around you can see it has an entrepreneurial spirit that will drive jobs for the future.

I think the city will weather this storm as it has others. It is a vibrant place, with good people, good shopping, and lots of good places to eat good American Dutch food.

The reports of Grand Rapids death are a bit premature. IMHO

[Timothy]

I was born in GR. So I will come to her defense here.

Unlike several other cities on the list, a person can walk around downtown and feel safe, and have good food and fun.

You can fish for steelhead right downtown in the Grand River!

West Michigan is a wonderful area to raise kids with the Lakes and Lake Michigan all within reasonable drive. The city has lots to do in and around. Grand Valley U, Calvin, Hope, are just a few of the colleges there or nearby that provide cultural events for not a lot of money. Importantly GR is a good regional medical center. Driving around you can see it has an entrepreneurial spirit that will drive jobs for the future.

I think the city will weather this storm as it has others. It is a vibrant place, with good people, good shopping, and lots of good places to eat good American Dutch food.

The reports of Grand Rapids death are a bit premature. IMHO

Bill, do you remember the WLAV Raft Races back a few decades ago?  What a hoot that was....make something that floats, bring as much beer as it could or would carry and race to Riverside Park!  Most never made the entire journey but the bands, food, beer, friends and sunny weather made up for the shame.