Volunteers were out on Saturday breathing some new life into a forgotten Detroit neighborhood. They say the city won't help clean up the 2,000 block of Pingree, so they're doing it themselves.
Click on the video player to watch Robin Schwartz's Fox 2 follow-up
Fresh new boards will cover up years of deterioration and decay. Volunteers with the Grand River Creative Corridor got to work Saturday cleaning up a section of Pingree. The street has seen better days. During the 1967 riots, many homes in the once prosperous neighborhood burned to the ground and it's never been the same.
"I think it's criminal," said one long time resident about the blight all around her. "It's a shame and a lot of things need to be done that have not been done."
Neighbors say they've tried for years to get help from the city but nothing's happened. Until now.
"You have pockets doing really well, Downtown, Midtown, there's a lot of excitement," said cleanup organizer Derek Weaver. "But I think people forget the actual neighborhoods of Detroit."
Weaver is heading up the effort to board up abandoned homes and paint them. There are only four houses left on the block where people actually live. The Detroit Mower Gang also turned an overgrown park into usable space again. The volunteers want to save the neighborhood and bring it back.
"I like my neighborhood," said Kenneth Lee. "I'm a Detroiter through and through and I just don't like that my side of town has gone down so drastically."
Weaver is also the managing director of 4731, an arts incubator on Grand River.
For information on available studios and upcoming events contact: Derek Weaver, (313) 355-3273 or email: derek@4731group.com
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:51:26 GMT
A church community in Canton is reeling over the death of a young man. He was just married on Saturday and less than 24 hours later killed in a car crash on the way to the couple's honeymoon. His bride survived.
A church community in Canton is reeling over the death of a young man. He was just married on Saturday and less than 24 hours later killed in a car crash on the way to the couple's honeymoon. His bride survived.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 9:22 PM EDT2013-05-16 01:22:48 GMT
A Detroit-based startup is taking off and installing green energy systems across the globe. They are taking a unique approach using a network of expert "freelancers."
A Detroit-based startup is taking off and installing green energy systems across the globe. They are taking a unique approach using a network of expert "freelancers."
Monday, May 13 2013 6:19 PM EDT2013-05-13 22:19:48 GMT
A suspect is in custody after a bomb scare at Westland City Hall. We're told a man held a worker hostage as SWAT teams surrounded a building on Ford Road. Nobody was hurt.
A suspect is in custody after a bomb scare at Westland City Hall. We're told a man held a worker hostage as SWAT teams surrounded a building on Ford Road. Nobody was hurt.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:39 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:39:46 GMT
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:53:47 GMT
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:21:55 GMT
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:38:56 GMT
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
