DETROIT – Paul Martinsky has watched changes happen all around him in northeast Detroit: improved transportation, businesses moving back into neighborhoods and blighted homes torn down.
He's been waiting to see the cleanup on his block, but he found out that he's going to be waiting for a long time.
"As soon as I open the door in the morning, look through the window, walk outside, I see the view," Martinsky said.
Martinsky, 70, has lived on Ryan Road south of McNichols Road for decades in what was his grandfather's home.
He lives in one of the remaining two occupied homes on the end of his block. Across the street, everything is vacant and burned out.
He sees positive changes all around northeast Detroit.
"You have the Ryan Express (that) takes you downtown if you work downtown or have jury duty," Martinsky said.
He's seen the city tear down vacant homes on streets all around him, but he's still waiting for the city to get to his street.
"When? You see that house there? Arson, 2007. It is still standing," Martinsky said.
The neighborhood has schools, parks and a library.
"You would think there would be a housing boom in this area with all of these amenities," Martinsky said.
He believes that his ZIP code has been designated as hardest hit, which means that demolition would be on the way.
"I expected them to come down this year when I saw our area was added to the (hardest-hit) fund, but they are still standing," Martinsky said.
But Martinsky's street doesn't have 70 percent occupancy, and the feds don't want hardest-hit demolition money spent there.
"I know things can change for the better, too, but I keep hoping, but I am starting to give up on hope," Martinsky said.
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