Detroit Playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLkAKbwTlGHeJx3i32WTMqmE_v6UGEipQY Michigan Playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLkAKbwTlGHeJoyujmAhEMOusr2cLGm_jK Help me grow my 2nd channel! RUclips.com/@ChrisHardenArchives ==================================================================== EVERYTHING THAT I USE IN THE FIELD: Main Camera: amzn.to/3iS4vvF Side Cameras: amzn.to/2WuCYIs Media Mod for Camera: amzn.to/3j7CMGF Lav Mic: amzn.to/3lsMkz9 Drone: amzn.to/3ITcKBV SD Cards: amzn.to/3C2co9O Camera Mounts: amzn.to/2UXVR6p Cables Required for Longer Recordings: amzn.to/3BYnr3Q Computer: amzn.to/3787b2j External Hard Drive: amzn.to/3lb23Tf WHAT I USE AT HOME: Computer: amzn.to/3rKIdiN Sound Mixer: amzn.to/3C15Ubx Microphone: amzn.to/2VaCjvo Microphone Accessories: amzn.to/3v7A35Z INTERACTIVE MAP that shows you all of the places that I've made videos on: (Doesn't always work on mobile devices. Will always work on PC.) www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/edit?hl=en&mid=1Lhzf04ocimPu-ROkg4cfXEYEvKMNnlI5&ll=34.29834970801405%2C-91.53765609999999&z=5 SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTACT INFO: Email: ChrisHardenYT@Gmail.com On Twitter: twitter.com/Chris_Harden55 On Instagram: instagram.com/c_harden7/?... On Facebook: facebook.com/ChrisHardenYT/ DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you. As an Amazon Associate I do earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. As always, thank you for supporting my channel!
CHRIS -- We "thank you so much" for your complete coverage of Detroit!! A truly monumental effort on your part! We've personally seen the changes over the past 70-years+. The good Lord has blessed Detroit in many ways, and He will continue to do so.
I think you may consider doing a "Part II" of the Detroit series, after the following construction/redevelopments have completed just to see how the suburbs have changed (if any) since you started your first Detroit series 1) Michigan Central Station and surrounding Corktown 2) Gordie Howe Bridge 3) Restoration of Downtown Detroit buildings (like the Book Tower) 4) Completion of several Detroit District buildings 5) Joe Louis Greenway 6) Detroit I-375 removal project 7) West Riverfront Park 8) Redevelopment of Brush Park
I grew up in Michigan in the 80’s and 90’s until I was 19, but sadly never visited Belle Isle. In my defense I lived almost 3 ½ hours away and things in the city of Detroit were pretty bad back then. But I still feel bad having big only not visited, but had never even heard of it. In 2018 I returned to visit family in Michigan though and did visit it. It has SO much potential! It truly could become like Detroit’s version of Central Park in NYC. In some ways at least. Obviously it’s disconnected from the city in the middle of the river. But it still say if parts of it continue to be rejuvenated, and some new areas are developed, and if the city of Detroit nearby continues to get better, it really could be amazing.
So glad you uploaded this area today! I am moving to Detroit in a few months and so far my favorite apartment is Water's Edge in the Harbortown community - right on the River Walk! Also considering places south of Boston-Edison and North End. I have never been to Detroit so this series has been really helpful and eye opening. I am so happy I am able to begin learning the history of Detroit through your content. I''ll continue to do my own research too. Thank you!!
so many fond memories at Belle Isle, the zoo was like a mini-safari, Elephants, Lions, Tigers, bears, Eagles, Butterfly exhibit, huge Aquarium, the works, large family reunion picnics and who could forget the Giant Slide....I still visit near the spectacular views of the Detroit River.
Thank you Mr Harden for all the time you take to do this state to state city to suburbans and showing the way the cities look and how good and bad they look.😮
Your videos are amazing! I can see the time, effort and hard work that goes into creating and editing these videos! Keep it up! We appreciate you! The production quality is so good! I am a Detroit native and enjoy your commentary and also the parts where you just drive and let the music play is so relaxing. I learn about Detroit history that I did not know before. Great stuff!
Good strong finish on the Detroit Series Chris! I knew nothing about Belle Isle so thanks for the heads up. Nice drone shots and on site reports. Hope the old zoo can be turned into something positive in time.
Before i retired as a Tradesman, the projection for Detroits' future was as an International Port City . You've got railroads , highways , airports , and lake freighters all passing through . Canada is right across the river . Warehousing & Goods Transfer could, theoretically, come on strong . Again : Only Time Will Tell .
Ironically enough, when I was in high school about a decade ago, I wrote a paper about the topic of Detroit becoming an International Port or Trade Hub.
I grew up in Detroit in the mid/late 70s and moved out of state in 1992. I ended up moving back to southeast Michigan (Metro Detroit) a little over a year ago. Detroit will always have a special place in my heart. Your videos going through the city are awesome. It fills my heart with joy to see that Detroit is making a comeback! I've heard the rumors over the last few years. Despite all of the work that still needs to be done, the areas that have been renovated sure offer hope! Also, I'm getting over my fears of big city driving and have plans to visit downtown and Belle Isle in just a few weeks. 😁
Chris, You did a good job. Rivertown and downtown is looking up. We made to 14:46 in this video before we got the "mean streets" hood music. . The Dossin Great Lakes Museum is worth checking out, it has a lot of interesting maritime history items including the pilot house of the lake freighter William Clay Ford which was one of the ships along with the Arthur Anderson that went back out in Lake Superior to look for survivors of the Edmund Fitzgerald when the Fitzgerald went down in a storm on November 10,1975. The anchor from the Fitzgerald that Chis showed fell off the Fitzgerald in the early 70`s in the Detroit River and was retrieved in the 90s.The anchor that fell off was replaced before the ship went down. Gorden Lightfoot's tribute song that he wrote days after the wreck has one minor mistake, the Fitzgerald was headed to Zug Island in Detroit not Cleveland. The Fitzgerald was built in River Rouge on the Detroit River in 1958.
Given the statue guy's lifestyle, wouldn't it be appropriate to swim in the fountain in honor of him? If it were only that windy on hot summer nights in MI. I enjoyed the Det series. Brought me back to the early years of my life.
Yes Sir, we grew in in Brightmoor after me moved from Highland Park and for a long time I has to take my dad to Redford or Livonia just to get groceries so having some markets is a step up. 👍🏼
Thanks for highlighting Belle Isle, the hidden jewel of Detroit. I have many fond memories of Belle Isle growing up to include the Giant Slide and watching the hydro boat races. Outstanding work Sir!
I am not a native but I love this place so deeply. Your conscientious and thorough work is appreciated. Its the next best thing to getting back out to explore. And an inspiration to do more. Peace to you Chris.
I remember coming Belle Isle on a family vacation probably close to 10 years ago. I had mostly forgotten about this place until it popped up that you did a video over it. I've been following your videos for a while, they're nice to put on as I work. Entertaining but not overly distracting. What a great way to end your Detroit travels, thanks for a trip down memory lane!
love the video, wanted to make a correction about belle isle though. the park is definitely still owned by detroit it’s just operated through the state under a 30 year lease
Growing up in the late 70' and 80's.... everything was WORKING....THE AQUARIUM THE MUSEUM i think it was a small zoo. The GIANT SLIDE with the BURLAP MATS ,THE BEACH,THE PICNIC SPOTS IT WAS AWESOME.
Belle Isle used to be so nice growing up. It was still on a decline, but I remember there being a zoo, horse riding and a putting green where my parents would hit golf balls.
The best ever! The Belle Isle Zoo! I haven't been appropriately mad at Kwame until learning he permanently closed the zoo. I think you just may love Detroit as much as I do. Thanks!
Detroit had let Belle Isle deteriorate into despair. I remember when they closed the aquarium and by then the park was a disaster. I used to go there with my extended family back in the early 60's. Then they stopped taking care of the park and we stopped going. Nothing except private ownership could have better than the state taking over. I'm glad to see the comeback.
As a NorthWest Fort Worth, Texas resident and an owner of a Riverfront Condo that overlooks the Detroit River and Windsor, Canada to the South, I love Detroit in the summertime. I have seen the significant improvement in the city. If Detroit were a New York Stock exchange, stock Jim Kramer would shout, Buy, Buy, Buy!!!
Detroit uma cidade muito bonita de se conhecer deve ser o máximo morar lá prédios históricos lugares lindos parabéns pra vc (Cris Hardem)eu adoro ver estes lugares aí que vc grava os seu vídeos
Another great video... First off, Belle Isle needs more trees. The Detroit Boat Club (right next to the MacArthur Bridge) desperately needs to be restored...before it is no more. The wonderful Nancy Brown Peace Memorial tower needs the same. No, it doesn't need a loud colored mural painted on the side. Rather, these structures need RESTORATION (unlike what they're doing to the United Artists building!). BTW, the Livingstone lighthouse also enjoys the distinction of being the only such structure to have been rendered in an art deco style. Finally, Belle Isle needs still more trees. Just a frightening thought...I hope to GOD that the folks who are "repairing" the Anna Scripps Whitcomb botanical building, do JUST that..and don't attempt to change it, or "improve" its look and overall shape and contour. It's a classic as is. Just fix it and leave it alone.
Did you know that that fountain you walked up to was used in the movie called scarecrow with Gene Hackman and Al Pacino. right at the end of the movie.great video my friend!!
It seems it wouldn’t take too much imagination to make the old zoo into a family fun park. You know something like a crazy golf, couple of cafes, maybe an outdoor roller skating/Ice rink, a skate park. A zip wire etc. A tots playground. A few pickle-ball courts….🤷🏻♀️Try and keep some of the original quirky structures.
And famously, the pace car crashed during the opening pace laps in 2018 for the second race. The driver simply lost the rear coming out of turn two. Nobody was hurt in the incident though.
I am quite disappointed Chris harden! For the simple fact that when going on to Belle Isle, you have to indicate specific landmarks! 1st of all you did acknowledge the aquarium, but you didn't indicate that it's one of the countries oldest being over a 100 years old. And when you did the drive by you didn't indicate the green roof was the actual building that was the aquarium! Secondly you did not mention the 2 municipal golf courses 1 that is still active and the other 1 is set in disarray. 3 the Nature center as you drove past it you did not acknowledge it or mention anything of it. Also there are 2 yacht clubs that are on the island one just as you pass by where the beach is at and to the other 1 as you leave the island! And 1 last thing, you didn't indicate anything about the beach or the place escape which border each other! When you are doing a documentary or as you call them your videos on the series of Detroit, anybody and everybody who has ever gone on to Belle Isle knows of these structures and sometimes would like to hear exactly what they were in the history on them. I am not trying to criticize, but when you give facts sometimes there are a little bit generic and people already know what the individual structure may be but they like to hear the history on it. Keep up the great work! I do love your videos and series such as the Flint, and Detroit.
Thanks for the tour. I wish you had included some brief comments about the last major building on the loop, the Detroit Yacht Club, and more specifically the Motor City Mile... an annual endurance swimming event hosted by the club and held in the river between Belle Isle and Detroit. (The ships travel on the other side between the island and Windsor.)
Tech companies moving from California to Michigan would be like jumping from the fry pan into the fire. Most companies moving from CA go to Texas as they are very friendly towards business. Chris, maybe start getting out of your car more, it really adds to the video and as always great drone work. The zoo on Belle Isle has a very interesting history, it could be a whole video in itself. What a great end for the Detroit series.
@@ryanscott4866 Not really. From online sources: Tesla, Oracle, Caterpillar, and Hewlett Packard are just some of the big names that are moving to Texas, and it is not just a corporate, bottom-line decision. It has as much to do with lifestyle. Case in point: Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, who can live anywhere he wants on the planet (and soon maybe another planet), is reportedly shopping for homes in Texas. Report: More California companies moving headquarters out-of-state than ever before. Companies moving to Texas With its pro-business climate, access to talent, solid fundamentals and low tax rates, Texas has seen more corporate relocations since the onset of the pandemic than any other state in the country.Jun 3, 2022 Businesses Moving to Texas are on the Rise in 2023. Moving to Texas, The Land of Opportunity In 2021, Texas ranked as U-Haul's number 1 growth state based on its migration trends measurement. "Just saying"
They horse and buggy trail you could rent a row boat and ride the canel I lived like up the street from bell Isle on Canton born and raised we used to take the tunnel on the boulevard to cross Jefferson to walk across the bridge so beautiful back then walk the hold bell ilse
Great video. The last time on Belle Isle it was in pretty bad shape. Turning it over to the state was a smart move. What are the crime rates there now? Is there an island police presence? In the future I can see the state charging an entrance fee to Belle Isle with toll booths and quick lanes for those with season toll tags.
It’s so nice that Belle Isle was restored. Back in the late 80’s it was a hot mess of garbage and druggies. You didn’t stop your car and park back then. It’s so gorgeous now and a great place for families and bikers again.
@@ChrisHarden We saw a guy getting ready to fly a drone and he got some grieve from a DNR official. Claiming he was within a five mile radius of an airport!! I guess a "no-fly" zone connotation of sorts. Anyway, loved your episode.
@@Klaatu-ij9uz Thank you, and some people “in charge” have no clue what they’re talking about when it comes to drone laws. There are apps that show you how high above the ground (agl) you’re allowed to fly when you’re in close proximity to a large enough airport… which the Detroit city airport is large enough to create height limits on flying your drone within a certain radius of the airport, however Belle Isle is far enough away to where it’s not affected. Windsor’s airport is actually closer, but since it’s in Canada it doesn’t apply when you’re flying it in U.S. airspace. Additionally, Michigan doesn’t allow municipalities to create their own rules on flying drones, therefore it’s one of the few states that depends directly on the federal law, which makes things much easier to understand. Other states that don’t have that rule in place can have municipalities create their own ordinances and what not and things can get really complicated that way. California for example is a state that has hundreds of different rules and regulations when it comes to flying drones, which can give anyone a headache when it comes to trying to find out if what they want to do is legal or not.
@@ChrisHarden Thank you for the thorough drone use explanation!! I'm certain all of your RUclips work you've accomplished will someday be historical treasures. They're all incredibly interesting.
On Belle Isle, you didn’t mention if there are any sports fields, water parks, or concession stands. I know there use to be a nice yacht club at one time. What happened to that? Are there any interesting event venues there now? The park also would have shown much better if you had chosen to film on a pretty day with sunshine and leaves on the trees. Looks pretty dreary, which I know it isn’t.
I haven’t been since I was a kid in the 1980s. I remember the huge slide and seem to remember a small aquarium. Am I wrong about the aquarium? I remember the zoo too. It’s sad to see what shape it’s in today.
Honestly, wish they'd put in a bridge to Windsor on Belle Isle as well. Would have to make sure it didn't become a commuter crossing; maybe make it pedestrian and bike only?
A pedestrian bridge would be interesting. Would have to make it high enough for ships to pass underneath. Don’t think an auto bridge would ever happen because ppl would use it as a commuter crossing and traffic would be nuts.
I live in Michigan and I lived in Detroit. Some people just cannot take the truth. Yes go to a good part restaurant or whatever walk a mile down and you’re in danger that’s just how it is it’s the truth. it took 75 to 80 years to ruin the city to what it is today with all the corruption, the killings destroying that’s why everybody left the city and went to different states it’s gonna take another 75 to 80 years to rebuild it if they ever do it is what it is, so anybody that does not like it take a drive down there for yourself. You must go through the bad parts to get to something good it’s just plain dangerous flat out.
Try and keep the Walmart's out, they lead to small businesses closing. There is a charm in a downtown and surrounding area with a diverse selection of shops and businesses, a shoe story, Ace Hardware, coffee shops, suit stores, casual dress stores and so on.
I wasn't necessarily advocating for Walmart, more-so was just making a point that most of Detroit only has crappy dollar stores and party stores to choose from in their neighborhood when it comes to groceries and other daily needs. Detroit doesn't have a diverse selection of shops and businesses... far from it sadly.
@@ChrisHarden Chris, this has been a great series. Years back a friend and I took two three-month trips across the USA by car. What you're doing must be as much fun as what we did. Between the two trips we made it to 48 of the 50 states, good times. your series on Detroit may help the "City Fathers" move things along a little faster.
When we were in Detroit Dave Bing was working with the state of Michigan and had proposed just this thing of Michigan taking the park over, fixing it, then giving it back to the city. The Council opposed to it so it didn't go through at that time. Did Kirkpatrick close the zoo because he thought it would be more money he could steal?
At 30 minutes and 47 seconds you use the term walkway, that was the scenario that you took at this being the only zoo in the United States that people walked and looked down on the exhibits whereas like the Detroit zoo, you stood at ground level and looked out to the animals.
Gentrification? Is that a term? It sounds like a good thing to me. The term"gentleman" was not just a behavior, but it was a "landed heir" in England, where only certain people were able to own land. However, the behavioral aspect sounds like a good thing to me. I'd say it was certainly lacking around 1967 in parts of Detroit!
Yep being poor ain't easy. The trick is to find a gentrified area or what have you and move into a spot that is less likely to go ghetto or be developed into unaffordable unit. FYI developers putting affordable units into new buildings is window dressing - bllsht - they are not there to assist with housing needs what so ever in reality.
It's a theory, and I think that's all it will ever be. I was told that Miami would be under water by 2050 back in 2005. Now they're saying that it won't happen until 2100. "Experts" will just keep extending the date over and over again.
Detroit is definitely not the largest city area wise in the U.S. Look at Indianapolis, Columbus, Jacksonville, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Oklahoma City or Kansas City.
Your understanding of gentrification is incredibly shallow, and seems you don't ever reach the actual root. Also these videos are actually decent but when you make up these boogeymen arguments you come off as needlessly defensive and it detracts from the overall video. Be objective, which in general I think you are, and leave it there. Keep up the good work dude.
look at TORONTO.....its amazing what they have done over the years and are continuing to this day with amazing redevelopment along the shores of Lake Ontario......Detroit has a ways to go before it ever gets anything like Toronto's waterfront development
Hey man, I absolutely love your work. This has been one of the best serier of videos I have seen that has educated us and shown us the great city of Detroit. I live here in Woodbridge and I one of the biggest fans of the city. Grew up in the burbs and have been down here for over 10 years now. Keep up the great work you do. I wish you all the best and success in what you want to do in life. Jason Abro
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Congrats on finishing this incredibly long and in-depth series. It’s amazing work.
CHRIS -- We "thank you so much" for your complete coverage of Detroit!! A truly monumental effort on your part! We've personally seen the changes over the past 70-years+. The good Lord has blessed Detroit in many ways, and He will continue to do so.
Chris, you have done an excellent job on these Detroit vid series. Thank you very much!
I think you may consider doing a "Part II" of the Detroit series, after the following construction/redevelopments have completed just to see how the suburbs have changed (if any) since you started your first Detroit series
1) Michigan Central Station and surrounding Corktown
2) Gordie Howe Bridge
3) Restoration of Downtown Detroit buildings (like the Book Tower)
4) Completion of several Detroit District buildings
5) Joe Louis Greenway
6) Detroit I-375 removal project
7) West Riverfront Park
8) Redevelopment of Brush Park
I grew up in Michigan in the 80’s and 90’s until I was 19, but sadly never visited Belle Isle. In my defense I lived almost 3 ½ hours away and things in the city of Detroit were pretty bad back then. But I still feel bad having big only not visited, but had never even heard of it. In 2018 I returned to visit family in Michigan though and did visit it. It has SO much potential! It truly could become like Detroit’s version of Central Park in NYC. In some ways at least. Obviously it’s disconnected from the city in the middle of the river. But it still say if parts of it continue to be rejuvenated, and some new areas are developed, and if the city of Detroit nearby continues to get better, it really could be amazing.
That's funny you mentioned Central Park because that's what I compare it to.
So glad you uploaded this area today! I am moving to Detroit in a few months and so far my favorite apartment is Water's Edge in the Harbortown community - right on the River Walk! Also considering places south of Boston-Edison and North End. I have never been to Detroit so this series has been really helpful and eye opening. I am so happy I am able to begin learning the history of Detroit through your content. I''ll continue to do my own research too. Thank you!!
Seems like a high note to end a quality series of videos that have consistently improved with each new release.
so many fond memories at Belle Isle, the zoo was like a mini-safari, Elephants, Lions, Tigers, bears, Eagles, Butterfly exhibit, huge Aquarium, the works, large family reunion picnics and who could forget the Giant Slide....I still visit near the spectacular views of the Detroit River.
Thank you Mr Harden for all the time you take to do this state to state city to suburbans and showing the way the cities look and how good and bad they look.😮
Your videos are amazing! I can see the time, effort and hard work that goes into creating and editing these videos! Keep it up! We appreciate you! The production quality is so good! I am a Detroit native and enjoy your commentary and also the parts where you just drive and let the music play is so relaxing. I learn about Detroit history that I did not know before. Great stuff!
Thanks for the kind words, Much appreciated!
Good strong finish on the Detroit Series Chris! I knew nothing about Belle Isle so thanks for the heads up. Nice drone shots and on site reports. Hope the old zoo can be turned into something positive in time.
Before i retired as a Tradesman, the projection for Detroits' future was as an International Port City . You've got railroads , highways , airports , and lake freighters all passing through . Canada is right across the river . Warehousing & Goods Transfer could, theoretically, come on strong . Again : Only Time Will Tell .
The potential is certainly there. A lot of pieces are in the right place. No doubt.
Ironically enough, when I was in high school about a decade ago, I wrote a paper about the topic of Detroit becoming an International Port or Trade Hub.
I grew up in Detroit in the mid/late 70s and moved out of state in 1992. I ended up moving back to southeast Michigan (Metro Detroit) a little over a year ago. Detroit will always have a special place in my heart. Your videos going through the city are awesome. It fills my heart with joy to see that Detroit is making a comeback! I've heard the rumors over the last few years. Despite all of the work that still needs to be done, the areas that have been renovated sure offer hope!
Also, I'm getting over my fears of big city driving and have plans to visit downtown and Belle Isle in just a few weeks. 😁
Chris, You did a good job. Rivertown and downtown is looking up. We made to 14:46 in this video before we got the "mean streets" hood music. . The Dossin Great Lakes Museum is worth checking out, it has a lot of interesting maritime history items including the pilot house of the lake freighter William Clay Ford which was one of the ships along with the Arthur Anderson that went back out in Lake Superior to look for survivors of the Edmund Fitzgerald when the Fitzgerald went down in a storm on November 10,1975. The anchor from the Fitzgerald that Chis showed fell off the Fitzgerald in the early 70`s in the Detroit River and was retrieved in the 90s.The anchor that fell off was replaced before the ship went down. Gorden Lightfoot's tribute song that he wrote days after the wreck has one minor mistake, the Fitzgerald was headed to Zug Island in Detroit not Cleveland. The Fitzgerald was built in River Rouge on the Detroit River in 1958.
Thanks for the in depth view. It had improved after 1990’s when I was there. Then it went off a cliff. So sad.
Absolutely stunning footage! You have outdone yourself! I'm planning a trip to Belle Isle this summer too. Can't wait to see some of this stuff!
Given the statue guy's lifestyle, wouldn't it be appropriate to swim in the fountain in honor of him? If it were only that windy on hot summer nights in MI.
I enjoyed the Det series. Brought me back to the early years of my life.
Thanks for all the videos on Detroit. Has been fantastic!
Great job, Chris, and greetings from former Grandmont-Rosedale resident.
Thanks! Appreciate it
Yes Sir, we grew in in Brightmoor after me moved from Highland Park and for a long time I has to take my dad to Redford or Livonia just to get groceries so having some markets is a step up. 👍🏼
Thanks!
Thank you! Just saw this now for the first time
Detroit is a Great city
Great vid
Thanks for highlighting Belle Isle, the hidden jewel of Detroit. I have many fond memories of Belle Isle growing up to include the Giant Slide and watching the hydro boat races. Outstanding work Sir!
I am not a native but I love this place so deeply. Your conscientious and thorough work is appreciated. Its the next best thing to getting back out to explore. And an inspiration to do more. Peace to you Chris.
I remember coming Belle Isle on a family vacation probably close to 10 years ago. I had mostly forgotten about this place until it popped up that you did a video over it. I've been following your videos for a while, they're nice to put on as I work. Entertaining but not overly distracting. What a great way to end your Detroit travels, thanks for a trip down memory lane!
Belle ISLE WAS THE *SPOT* GROWING UP IN THE 80'S AND EARLY 90'S.
love the video, wanted to make a correction about belle isle though. the park is definitely still owned by detroit it’s just operated through the state under a 30 year lease
Thanks for covering my home city Detroit. Best catalogs of videos about the city on RUclips.
My first time seeing his videos and i love how articulate he is. That's very refreshing. I'll def watch more. Great job!
Chris is the real MVP!
Growing up in the late 70' and 80's.... everything was WORKING....THE AQUARIUM THE MUSEUM i think it was a small zoo. The GIANT SLIDE with the BURLAP MATS ,THE BEACH,THE PICNIC SPOTS IT WAS AWESOME.
More of you and your reactions please!!!!! Amazing series.
The cool thing about Belle Isle you could THROW A PARTY AT ANYTIME AND IT WAS NEVER A COVER CHARGE. IT REALLY WAS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO GO CHILL.
Belle Isle used to be so nice growing up. It was still on a decline, but I remember there being a zoo, horse riding and a putting green where my parents would hit golf balls.
It’s back to being nice today I would say. Sure the zoo sits there abandoned but it’s a nice and safe place to spend some time.
The best ever! The Belle Isle Zoo! I haven't been appropriately mad at Kwame until learning he permanently closed the zoo. I think you just may love Detroit as much as I do. Thanks!
At least they finally busted him for fraud and racketeering resulting in time in Federal prison.
At 14:56 in your video, that used to be Detroit's one and only blockbuster's store or actually the last!
Detroit had let Belle Isle deteriorate into despair. I remember when they closed the aquarium and by then the park was a disaster. I used to go there with my extended family back in the early 60's. Then they stopped taking care of the park and we stopped going. Nothing except private ownership could have better than the state taking over. I'm glad to see the comeback.
Your commentary is hilarious yet true
Good to see some improvement
20 years ago we missed going to Belle Island.
We needed to go one more mile and didn't. 😢It's been fixed up more since then anyway.
As a NorthWest Fort Worth, Texas resident and an owner of a Riverfront Condo that overlooks the Detroit River and Windsor, Canada to the South, I love Detroit in the summertime. I have seen the significant improvement in the city. If Detroit were a New York Stock exchange, stock Jim Kramer would shout, Buy, Buy, Buy!!!
Very nice. Thanks.
Detroit uma cidade muito bonita de se conhecer deve ser o máximo morar lá prédios históricos lugares lindos parabéns pra vc (Cris Hardem)eu adoro ver estes lugares aí que vc grava os seu vídeos
Another great video...
First off, Belle Isle needs more trees.
The Detroit Boat Club (right next to the MacArthur Bridge) desperately needs to be restored...before it is no more.
The wonderful Nancy Brown Peace Memorial tower needs the same. No, it doesn't need a loud colored mural painted on the side. Rather, these structures need RESTORATION (unlike what they're doing to the United Artists building!).
BTW, the Livingstone lighthouse also enjoys the distinction of being the only such structure to have been rendered in an art deco style.
Finally, Belle Isle needs still more trees.
Just a frightening thought...I hope to GOD that the folks who are "repairing" the Anna Scripps Whitcomb botanical building, do JUST that..and don't attempt to change it, or "improve" its look and overall shape and contour. It's a classic as is. Just fix it and leave it alone.
Did you know that that fountain you walked up to was used in the movie called scarecrow with Gene Hackman and Al Pacino. right at the end of the movie.great video my friend!!
Thanks. For the great series!
It seems it wouldn’t take too much imagination to make the old zoo into a family fun park. You know something like a crazy golf, couple of cafes, maybe an outdoor roller skating/Ice rink, a skate park. A zip wire etc. A tots playground. A few pickle-ball courts….🤷🏻♀️Try and keep some of the original quirky structures.
And famously, the pace car crashed during the opening pace laps in 2018 for the second race. The driver simply lost the rear coming out of turn two. Nobody was hurt in the incident though.
MILWAUKEE has some beautiful parks, two of them right in downtown area!
Can’t wait to see them one day
Pretty cool. i miss my city. it's not perfect but i hope to return someday.
I think the bad of cities should be shown more, maybe it will get people to get more involved with their bad parts of the city
It was shown we know what’s needs to be done how about no focus so much on showing the bad and show the progress the city has made
You must not watch too many of Chris’ videos
Would be nice if they tore down that old Zoo and built a nice Stable and Corral area for the Detroit Mounted Police..
I am quite disappointed Chris harden! For the simple fact that when going on to Belle Isle, you have to indicate specific landmarks! 1st of all you did acknowledge the aquarium, but you didn't indicate that it's one of the countries oldest being over a 100 years old. And when you did the drive by you didn't indicate the green roof was the actual building that was the aquarium! Secondly you did not mention the 2 municipal golf courses 1 that is still active and the other 1 is set in disarray. 3 the Nature center as you drove past it you did not acknowledge it or mention anything of it. Also there are 2 yacht clubs that are on the island one just as you pass by where the beach is at and to the other 1 as you leave the island! And 1 last thing, you didn't indicate anything about the beach or the place escape which border each other!
When you are doing a documentary or as you call them your videos on the series of Detroit, anybody and everybody who has ever gone on to Belle Isle knows of these structures and sometimes would like to hear exactly what they were in the history on them.
I am not trying to criticize, but when you give facts sometimes there are a little bit generic and people already know what the individual structure may be but they like to hear the history on it.
Keep up the great work! I do love your videos and series such as the Flint, and Detroit.
Oh dear.
Thanks for the tour. I wish you had included some brief comments about the last major building on the loop, the Detroit Yacht Club, and more specifically the Motor City Mile... an annual endurance swimming event hosted by the club and held in the river between Belle Isle and Detroit. (The ships travel on the other side between the island and Windsor.)
11:31 St. Antonie? Do these type-ups not even get a second look? St. Antoine!
Its not bad where you're at, I grew up in Cork Town, now live in Grosse Pointe but still
go down there every weekend. No issues.
I'm so shocked at.the improvement of Belle Isle. Was last there when I was 12, used to live in Mi. Of course it wasn't this nice or clean
Build short and all over instead of building tall skyscrapers. I hope to get back there this year to see the improvements, it's been about 5 years.
Tech companies moving from California to Michigan would be like jumping from the fry pan into the fire. Most companies moving from CA go to Texas as they are very friendly towards business. Chris, maybe start getting out of your car more, it really adds to the video and as always great drone work. The zoo on Belle Isle has a very interesting history, it could be a whole video in itself. What a great end for the Detroit series.
That’s very much an exaggeration
@@ryanscott4866 Not really. From online sources:
Tesla, Oracle, Caterpillar, and Hewlett Packard are just some of the big names that are moving to Texas, and it is not just a corporate, bottom-line decision. It has as much to do with lifestyle. Case in point: Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, who can live anywhere he wants on the planet (and soon maybe another planet), is reportedly shopping for homes in Texas.
Report: More California companies moving headquarters out-of-state than ever before.
Companies moving to Texas
With its pro-business climate, access to talent, solid fundamentals and low tax rates, Texas has seen more corporate relocations since the onset of the pandemic than any other state in the country.Jun 3, 2022
Businesses Moving to Texas are on the Rise in 2023. Moving to Texas, The Land of Opportunity In 2021, Texas ranked as U-Haul's number 1 growth state based on its migration trends measurement.
"Just saying"
They horse and buggy trail you could rent a row boat and ride the canel I lived like up the street from bell Isle on Canton born and raised we used to take the tunnel on the boulevard to cross Jefferson to walk across the bridge so beautiful back then walk the hold bell ilse
Great video. The last time on Belle Isle it was in pretty bad shape. Turning it over to the state was a smart move. What are the crime rates there now? Is there an island police presence? In the future I can see the state charging an entrance fee to Belle Isle with toll booths and quick lanes for those with season toll tags.
It’s so nice that Belle Isle was restored. Back in the late 80’s it was a hot mess of garbage and druggies. You didn’t stop your car and park back then. It’s so gorgeous now and a great place for families and bikers again.
Great work on the Detroit videos, Chris! Do you have any other plans for Metro Detroit?
Thanks! - and yes, a video for every city eventually
You totally forgot Detroit's Gold Coast Area..Supposedly there's plans for the Riverwalk will extend there ...we shall see
What is the music toward the end it starts right after zoo footage? Thank you
That fountain lights up at night btw.
CHRIS -- One GREAT episode! QUESTION -- How were you able to fly a drone on the Belle Isle property??
Thanks! And flying a drone on Belle Isle is legal
@@ChrisHarden We saw a guy getting ready to fly a drone and he got some grieve from a DNR official. Claiming he was within a five mile radius of an airport!! I guess a "no-fly" zone connotation of sorts. Anyway, loved your episode.
@@Klaatu-ij9uz Thank you, and some people “in charge” have no clue what they’re talking about when it comes to drone laws.
There are apps that show you how high above the ground (agl) you’re allowed to fly when you’re in close proximity to a large enough airport… which the Detroit city airport is large enough to create height limits on flying your drone within a certain radius of the airport, however Belle Isle is far enough away to where it’s not affected.
Windsor’s airport is actually closer, but since it’s in Canada it doesn’t apply when you’re flying it in U.S. airspace. Additionally, Michigan doesn’t allow municipalities to create their own rules on flying drones, therefore it’s one of the few states that depends directly on the federal law, which makes things much easier to understand.
Other states that don’t have that rule in place can have municipalities create their own ordinances and what not and things can get really complicated that way. California for example is a state that has hundreds of different rules and regulations when it comes to flying drones, which can give anyone a headache when it comes to trying to find out if what they want to do is legal or not.
@@ChrisHarden Thank you for the thorough drone use explanation!! I'm certain all of your RUclips work you've accomplished will someday be historical treasures. They're all incredibly interesting.
Great series, only things I’ll add is the Belle Isle is too home to an aquarium, I believe the oldest in the country, or at least one of the oldest!
Tate, Georgia is the Marble Capital. I don't live too far from it. Hope Detroit recovers. Kwame deserves more punishment for what he did.
On Belle Isle, you didn’t mention if there are any sports fields, water parks, or concession stands. I know there use to be a nice yacht club at one time. What happened to that? Are there any interesting event venues there now? The park also would have shown much better if you had chosen to film on a pretty day with sunshine and leaves on the trees. Looks pretty dreary, which I know it isn’t.
thank you sir
I live in suburbs and can’t imagine ever dealing with the daily headache of living in Detroit
You sound weak and dramatic. It's not a headache every day. People act like it's the worst thing in the world being here. Shut up.
I haven’t been since I was a kid in the 1980s. I remember the huge slide and seem to remember a small aquarium. Am I wrong about the aquarium? I remember the zoo too. It’s sad to see what shape it’s in today.
Nope. Aquarium is still there.
Honestly, wish they'd put in a bridge to Windsor on Belle Isle as well. Would have to make sure it didn't become a commuter crossing; maybe make it pedestrian and bike only?
A pedestrian bridge would be interesting. Would have to make it high enough for ships to pass underneath.
Don’t think an auto bridge would ever happen because ppl would use it as a commuter crossing and traffic would be nuts.
Scheudle this week and are you planning to do a poll on what will come after Detroit tour?
I live in Michigan and I lived in Detroit. Some people just cannot take the truth. Yes go to a good part restaurant or whatever walk a mile down and you’re in danger that’s just how it is it’s the truth. it took 75 to 80 years to ruin the city to what it is today with all the corruption, the killings destroying that’s why everybody left the city and went to different states it’s gonna take another 75 to 80 years to rebuild it if they ever do it is what it is, so anybody that does not like it take a drive down there for yourself. You must go through the bad parts to get to something good it’s just plain dangerous flat out.
The elevated walkway was actually a trian ride. I'm a baby boomer! I know these things! Ha!
Try and keep the Walmart's out, they lead to small businesses closing. There is a charm in a downtown and surrounding area with a diverse selection of shops and businesses, a shoe story, Ace Hardware, coffee shops, suit stores, casual dress stores and so on.
I wasn't necessarily advocating for Walmart, more-so was just making a point that most of Detroit only has crappy dollar stores and party stores to choose from in their neighborhood when it comes to groceries and other daily needs. Detroit doesn't have a diverse selection of shops and businesses... far from it sadly.
@@ChrisHarden Chris, this has been a great series. Years back a friend and I took two three-month trips across the USA by car. What you're doing must be as much fun as what we did. Between the two trips we made it to 48 of the 50 states, good times. your series on Detroit may help the "City Fathers" move things along a little faster.
When we were in Detroit Dave Bing was working with the state of Michigan and had proposed just this thing of Michigan taking the park over, fixing it, then giving it back to the city. The Council opposed to it so it didn't go through at that time. Did Kirkpatrick close the zoo because he thought it would be more money he could steal?
Haha possibly so. If he wasn’t stealing so much money to begin with the zoo might still be open today. We will never know though.
Wasn't the golf course on Berg , Edgewater Park?
Yes, that was Edgewater Park while the public golf course was called Redford
Edgewater Park was the Amusement Park on the North side of 7 Mile, while Redford Golf Course was on the South side of Seven Mile Road.
At 30 minutes and 47 seconds you use the term walkway, that was the scenario that you took at this being the only zoo in the United States that people walked and looked down on the exhibits whereas like the Detroit zoo, you stood at ground level and looked out to the animals.
Gentrification? Is that a term? It sounds like a good thing to me.
The term"gentleman" was not just a behavior, but it was a "landed heir" in England, where only certain people were able to own land. However, the behavioral aspect sounds like a good thing to me. I'd say it was certainly lacking around 1967 in parts of Detroit!
Will you still be filming in Michigan in the future?
Yup
@@ChrisHarden nice, your videos are really entertaining. Keep up the good work
What about the aquarium?
What about it?
@@ChrisHarden maybe l missed it but l didn’t hear any mention of it or the carrilon if it still exists.
Yep being poor ain't easy. The trick is to find a gentrified area or what have you and move into a spot that is less likely to go ghetto or be developed into unaffordable unit. FYI developers putting affordable units into new buildings is window dressing - bllsht - they are not there to assist with housing needs what so ever in reality.
Do you think Detroit might grow due to climate change. I have heard on several documentaries that Detroit is considered a climate refuge city.
It's a theory, and I think that's all it will ever be. I was told that Miami would be under water by 2050 back in 2005. Now they're saying that it won't happen until 2100. "Experts" will just keep extending the date over and over again.
@@ChrisHarden It changes every few years. It was another ice age within 30 years back in the 70’s. 😂🤷♀️
Former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick sure didn't help the rebirth of the city with his fraud and racketeering. At least he did time in federal prison.
White flight people do not know how big Detroit in area!!!! Detroit ; Area ; City, 142.89 sq mi the larges city area wise in theUS!
Detroit is definitely not the largest city area wise in the U.S. Look at Indianapolis, Columbus, Jacksonville, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Oklahoma City or Kansas City.
Your understanding of gentrification is incredibly shallow, and seems you don't ever reach the actual root.
Also these videos are actually decent but when you make up these boogeymen arguments you come off as needlessly defensive and it detracts from the overall video.
Be objective, which in general I think you are, and leave it there. Keep up the good work dude.
You're awesome Brenden. Have a good day.
@Joan In Florida okay Joan In Florida, enlighten me, what do you think the actual root is?
Detroit dont BLACK TOP NONE OF THEIR ROADS SEEMS LIKE.
New Delta City had promise. Detroit less so.
look at TORONTO.....its amazing what they have done over the years and are continuing to this day with amazing redevelopment along the shores of Lake Ontario......Detroit has a ways to go before it ever gets anything like Toronto's waterfront development
DETROIT, MI IS BETTER THAN HOUSTON, TX
Thanks!
Hey man, I absolutely love your work. This has been one of the best serier of videos I have seen that has educated us and shown us the great city of Detroit. I live here in Woodbridge and I one of the biggest fans of the city. Grew up in the burbs and have been down here for over 10 years now. Keep up the great work you do. I wish you all the best and success in what you want to do in life.
Jason Abro
Thank you, Jason!