The City and the ‘Burbs: The Battle Continues

In the twilight of the past Detroit Tigers baseball season - the time when
there was fast fading yet lingering hope for a playoff spot - I attended a
college alumni event at Comerica Park. The pre-game event took
place at one of the picnic party decks. I attended alone, and not spotting
anyone I knew, sat down with a group of friendly looking name-tag people and
proceeded to enjoy my ballpark hot dog and hamburger. Light cocktail party
type conversation ensued as my new companions and I struggled to read the
name tags in the harshness of the setting sun. The distinguished looking
coiffed brunette sitting across from me remarked that she had recently
served two terms as mayor of an upscale suburb north of the City. She then
mentioned that her children lived in California. I remarked that I had
recently moved back to Michigan from the Los Angeles area. The former
suburban mayor politely asked me "And what community do you live in?" "I
live right down the street from here - in Brush Park," I replied. "In fact
I rode my bicycle down to the park tonight." The FSM looked at me for a few
seconds (it felt much longer) with a speechless mannequinesque stare. Like
she was waiting for the punchline of a joke. The kind of stare I'd expect if
I had told her I just landed from Mars. I briefly thought that maybe the
FSM didn't hear me. The FSM stirred, and in a prosecutorial tone, said,
"Well, I need to ask you some questions." At least she didn't try to tell
me I was under oath!

Question #1: "Where do you shop for groceries?"
Reply: "I regularly shop at the Eastern Market." I also pointed out that
there are stores in the Eastern Market vicinity, such as the butcher shops
in the Gratiot Central Market, that are open thoughout the week. "My
favorite market is the Honey Bee / La Colmena Market in Mexicantown on
Bagley." The FSM didn't acknowledge my response, and rapidly turned to the
next question.

Question #2: "Where do you go for dry cleaning?"
Reply: "I went to University Cleaners on Cass and Forest earlier today.
Next to Wayne State." Again, no response from the FSM.

Question #3: "Ok. Where is your doctor's office?"
Reply: Getting in to the rhythm of the cross-examination, I officiously
responded, "My physician is at the Henry Ford Hospital complex on West Grand
Blvd. My eye doctor's office is on Woodward next to the Detroit Medical
Center. In fact I can see his office from my balcony."

The FSM gave me the "no further questions for this witness" look and turned
away to talk to someone else. I doubt the FSM believed a word I said.

I was dismayed - even angered - at the ignorance of the FSM. Uncharitably I
thought, she probably lives in a suburban "little boxes" community,

gets on an expressway in her tinted windows SUV, and then
magically winds up at Comerica Park, the DSO, the Fox, the Joe, or some
other downtown venue. Without seeing anything but cars, trucks, and Exit
signs in between. She probably thinks that the only people who actually
live in the City are those who are too poor or maybe too deranged (me?) to
get out.

My much more rational sister had a much more rational response than me. She
suggested that I look upon conversations with people like the FSM as an
opportunity to educate. She pointed out that the FSM and others like her
have read about the new lofts and housing developments downtown, but have
never actually met someone who lives there. Someone like me. And my sister
is probably right. I shouldn't be angry at people like the FSM. I should
work to educate them.

On the other hand, the next time I’m asked "Where do you shop
for groceries?" I think I’ll answer "meals on wheels."

Route 125: A SMART way to get to the airport from downtown

By

Tom Page

About three years, I moved back from Los Angeles and bought a condo in Brush Park in Midtown just east of Woodward Avenue in Midtown. Why Brush Park? I wanted to be within walking and cycling distance of downtown, the DSO, Comerica Park, Wayne State, the DIA and the many other cultural institutions. I also travel frequently for both business and pleasure.

Easy and inexpensive access to Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)

Most people told me the only way to get to the airport, outside of driving oneself or begging a ride from a friend, was by cab or limousine. There was no way that I was going to regularly pay the $40 and more for a one-way cab ride from midtown Detroit to DTW.

So I did a little research on-line, and I found that SMART 125 makes 35 trips each weekday from downtown Detroit to DTW. About every half-hour from 4:14 AM to 10:35 PM, SMART 125 begins its journey from downtown to DTW. And I’ve become a regular customer.

I’d like to spread the word about one of the best deals in town: $1.50 from downtown Detroit to the airport. $3.00 round trip! And there’s no parking charge!

SMART 125 is not only inexpensive, climate-controlled transportation; it’s probably the best tour of the southwest side you’ll ever have!

The trip from downtown Detroit to DTW takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. So, yes, the bus is significantly slower than a car. But don’t forget this is all the way to the terminal. Figure in the time spent parking (just try to find a spot at holiday time!) and riding a parking shuttle to the terminal, and the time difference is much smaller. And that time can be spent reading, working or doing whatever else you want, not stressing out in traffic, staring at the bumper in front of you.

As they say, do the math! Driving this 42-mile round-trip costs $21.21 (based on the federal mileage rate of $.505 per mile) plus $10 a day or more in parking. A cab or limousine rode costs $80 or more. Compare this to $3.00 round-trip bus fare! Clearly taking the bus is a real money saver.

SMART 125 provides tour of the southwest side

From downtown, Route 125 travels the old streets of Detroit’s Delray neighborhood. Delray still contains many relics of its historical industrial might, plus historic churches and angels hung from storefronts of West Jefferson Avenue. Check out Kovacs bar and historic Fort Wayne on the Detroit River. Route 125 continues into River Rouge, skims Ecorse, Lincoln Park, Wyandotte, and Southgate before stopping at the Southland Shopping Center (Macy’s, JC Penney, Tom’s Collectibles (no relation), and much more) and the adjacent Meijer in Taylor. Then on to the back door of DTW (on Wick Road). Route 125’s DTW stops, which alternate between the Smith and McNamara terminals, are conveniently located adjacent to the baggage claim areas. Complementary shuttles link the terminals.

Suggestions to make your SMART airport trip easy

Travel light. SMART buses aren’t equipped to handle luggage, so two small carry-ons are probably the maximum you should take. Traveling light will also make your odyssey through airport check-in much faster. And there won’t be any luggage for your airline to lose!

Grab a daily newspaper, bring some of the magazines stacked up at home, a book, and/or some cool tunes on to your MP3 player. Be considerate of your fellow passengers and keep the volume down.

One morning last February I woke to the aftermath of a blizzard that had buried area streets. Having an early morning flight to catch, I briefly weighed my options, and decided to take SMART to the airport. SMART 125 arrived right on schedule. Despite the snowy roads, we made it to the McNamara terminal at DTW only five minutes behind schedule. I didn’t have to fight the snowdrifts, the icy streets nor the salt trucks. My flight was only half-filled as many other passengers never made it to the airport.

I also should point out that any SMART or DDOT route that goes downtown connects with SMART 125. Or you can hail a taxi for the final leg home. For example, one evening, I arrived downtown from the airport and rather than walk home, I hailed a taxi near a downtown hotel. $5 and 5 minutes later I was home.

SMART 125 may be just the ticket to save you some money and some wear and tear on your vehicle. You may even do your family and friends a favor by letting them sleep in! See you on the bus!