What are you thankful for about your city?

I’m hijacking Aaron Renn’s (Urbanophile) idea for a blog post to re-purpose here.   He asks, “What are you thankful for about your city?” and writes:

For Chicago, I’m thankful for the positive changes that have been coming to the city in Rahm’s administration. I was no Daley hater, nor do I agree with everything Rahm’s done, but clearly there has been progress on a number of fronts: 8,000 new jobs downtown announced, bringing in Gabe Klein to run CDOT, putting together a budget that doesn’t rely on gimmicks, etc. We’ll see how things develop from here, esp. as Chicago is a city and region with massive problems, but so far so good.

What I’m thankful for in Ann Arbor & Detroit:

• Tree Town:  Mary Morgan & Dave Askins, founders of the Ann Arbor Chronicle, who’ve labored for many years to build an alternative local news source.  The greenbelt millage; the strong (for a metro its size) transit system;  the generally tolerant citizenry; the tremendous support for the arts;  the natural beauty of the area.
• Motown:  The amazing riverfront, showcased thanks to the efforts of the Riverfront Conservancy.  That so many of the city’s architectural treasures remain intact and occupied.  The way the Feds have been cleaning house in city and now county government ever since 2008, giving Detroiters the chance for less corrupt, more accountable governance.  The grassroots leadership of people like State Rep. Rashida Tlaib & Transportation Riders United Executive Director Megan Owens, who have advocated for the disadvantaged in their city.  The reporting of M. L. Elrick.

Leave a comment to share what you’re thankful for in your city.