Red Pill: Project M Detroit - (Part 1) Two weeks later.

I thought I would be able to post on the Red Pill everyday while I was conducting Project M in Detroit, not even close, I didn't get a single posting in! From the second I set foot in my hometown I was over run with responsibility and the pain of transitioning away from clients. I left Detroit ten years ago, and though I've returned many times the city seemed completely new to me this trip. Maybe it's because we were based in Corktown, or the fact that we explored many places that I had never visited while growing up here. Mostly I think it was because the city itself seemed deserted, many parts completely void of people.

Since I have thousands of photos and many stories I'm going to break this up into as many postings as it takes to tell our story.

So here it is...

The first thing we did as a group was meet up at Slows BBQ, famous in Detroit not only for the best BBQ but also for the simple fact that they chose Corktown as their home. Void of businesses and people, Slows relies on a steady stream of clients from the burbs, with some locals mixed in. The fence around back is made from repurposed wood from an abandoned home. Owner Phil Cooley is regarded as a Saint by most of the locals we talked to, donating time, and money to the community, plus some spectacular Q. Besides a few Irish bars in the vicinity, Slows is pretty much alone on the former strip that catered to the old Tiger Stadium. I'm puzzled as to why there aren't more businesses riding the success of Slows, filling up the vacancies surrounding their little oasis.

Next we went to our new home base at 1414 Bagley where we accidently set off the house alarm. Police promptly arrived at the front door, along with the owner's brother and a few neighbors. Our street felt unsafe until this very moment, when we experienced a true community that looked out for one another, watching each others backs. Corktown is an oasis with a post apocalyptic back drop, empty streets and crumbling buildings in every direction. After a second visit from the police and a call from the owner, Project M was fully moved in and we knew immediately that this was going to be a life experience that will never be forgotten. Much more to come...

Project M Detroit Blog

Metropolis Articl e

Welcome to Corktown..