Attached are the instructions and what I already started to complete summary of survey.
Within the Detroit metropolitan area sits the intriguing community known as the Aviation Subdivision. Although it is not well-known, its distinctive qualities make it stand out. West Detroit and Northeast Dearborn are the two cities that the Aviation Subdivision crosses. Joy Road, Schaefer Highway, Wyoming Avenue, and Warren Avenue encircle it. This square-shaped neighborhood measures one square mile, and is cleanly divided by Tireman Avenue, where Littlefield Boulevard and Esper Street, two diagonal streets, meet. The community features a variety of architectural styles, including ranch style homes, colonials, bungalows, and tudors of between 1,000 and 4,000 square feet. Several of these homes include elaborate plaster ceilings and spacious glass windows, most of the houses have spacious backyards.
Since the late 1960s, the Aviation Subdivision has been a stable neighborhood. Locals take immense pleasure in the upkeep of their houses and grounds. I often notice neighbors in their yards prepping for spring. Obvious signs of children playing in the area, like bikes, toys, swimming pools and trampolines in the yards. The Detroit side of the area still has a high occupancy rate and crime rates that are comparable to Dearborn’s, despite considerable deterioration. The Detroit side has a few desolate homes and vacant lots, but compared to the Dearborn side I could only find a vacant church with a for sale sign and no trespassing warning. The demographics have changed over time, with many people living in Detroit being African American and most people living in Dearborn being Middle Eastern. A neighborhood resident stated in a article ‘You can definitely tell the difference when the winter comes,” Stringer says. “The streets across Tireman are done and the streets on this side are not.”
“You also see it when the spring kicks in,” she continues. “The trees have blossomed on the Dearborn side, and on this side they haven’t. If you pay attention, there’s a water or fertilizer truck that comes down and takes care of the Dearborn side.”
According to Stringer, things got tough for the Aviation Subdivision following the recession of 2008, but with the economy bouncing back, things are on the upswing.”
The name Aviation District is interesting because many locals (me included) think that Henry Ford formerly owned an old airstrip where the Aviation Subdivision is located, with the large two-lane diagonal streets that were obviously used to serve as former landing and take-off strips. Another theory suggests that Ford built the subdivision to provide homes for his engineers. Despite these theories, the exact origin remains mysterious, and even the Detroit Public Library’s archives lack an index file for the Aviation Subdivision.
In summary, the Aviation Subdivision is a hidden gem with a rich history, architectural diversity, and a unique position straddling two cities. Whether it is the remnants of an old airfield or Ford’s housing vision, the neighborhood continues to intrigue residents and visitors alike ( )
