March 17, 2022
Detroit is a burgeoning city, that’s for sure. One thing I appreciate about growing up here and attending the Detroit School of Arts (DSA) in Midtown is the sense of “city” I felt from being right in the middle of everything. I witnessed the city blossoming, particularly how it blossomed into a place that supplies almost everything you want in one area.
I had a firsthand view of the transformation slowly taking place on this side of downtown. This included the growth of Black-owned restaurants such as The Block, the swarm of innovative businesses moving into the area, the architectural landscape shifting toward a more rustic-meets-modern aesthetic, and the introduction of businesses you usually don’t see in cities like Detroit, such as Whole Foods.
Drastic changes happened particularly to the Midtown landscape while I was a student. It’s crazy to drive past and see the construction projects that I once found so annoying now come to be fully realized structures.
One thing that you feel walking through Midtown is the presence of the arts, from the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, to the Detroit Institute of Arts Museum, to all the hidden gems that you find in between. I might’ve taken for granted the presence of having so many artistic organizations within arm’s length as a student, especially as someone who’s becoming more of a professional member of the creative community. From 90.9 WRCJ being housed inside my high school to the Ford Auditorium being close by and connected to my school, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, a place that serves as the stage you want to cross as you graduate – all of these places are now highlights that I didn’t often take the time to recognize and enjoy as a student.
Some of my favorite memories of being a student in Midtown and being a resident of the city come from watching the development of Whole Foods, from murals being painted to its grand opening, and the joy of walking over to get some food after classes or before a school performance. I also enjoyed being surrounded by the delicacies available nearby, whether Midtown Grille – which had the best food but is now closed – or the spot with the best homemade oatmeal raisin cookies in the game.
All in all, I’m grateful to have been able to go to school in Midtown and witness its transformation. You can only expect more businesses, artistic communal spaces, and creativity to exceed the walls of the region. On a personal note, it’s cool to say that I was around before the M-1 Rail – now known as the QLINE – and got to step on its tracks during development. Now, that’s some Detroit History for ‘ya!
Written by Ejiro Enajero, Spring 2022 Campus Ambassador
