THE OTHER AMERICA

Alter Road is the symbolic dividing line between the city of Detroit and the suburb Grosse Pointe.  The division is extreme, both racially and financially.  It can be witnessed physically through the contrasting character of houses, upkeep of landscape, condition of roads, and sounds of the street. Originally, there were no constructed, physical barriers preventing residents from commingling or entering shopping and restaurant areas, yet psychological and socially constituted divisions kept the communities segregated/apart. Since the 1980s, physical barriers have been erected by Grosse Pointe’s city planning department to further isolate the suburb and protect it from Detroit. Of the twelve streets that cross Alter Road, connecting Detroit to Grosse Pointe, four have been physically blocked off, three are without direct access into Detroit, two are one way streets, two run adjacent to the front and rear of the main police station, and the last remaining street is now approved to be closed.  A continuing physical and psychological segregation at the Alter Road border has been quietly but efficiently implemented. The following photographs document these border barriers.

Detroit side of Brooks Street closing

Grosse Pointe side of Brooks Street closing

Detroit side of Brooks Street closing. No curbs or manicured sidewalks.

Detroit side of Brooks Street closing, sidewalk is also closed.

Grosse Pointe Side of Brooks Street Closing showing how not only did the street end, but also the sidewalk into Detroit. The Homeowner chose to also fence in their yard.

Grosse Pointe side of Goethe Street closing, sidewalk also closed off and homeowner put up privacy fence.

Detroit side of Goethe Street closing

This was the first closing starting in the early 1980s. Detroit side.

Grosse Pointe side of Korte

Detroit side of Korte, sidewalk also closed.

Grosse Pointe side of Wayburn Street closure.

Detroit side of Wayburn Street closure.

Shed standing in the center of the street not allowing traffic.

Kercheval roundabout and street closed off with farmers market shed.

Detroit side, Kercheval street closed with farmers market shed facing Grosse Pointe. 

Beginning of Kercheval roundabout construction.

Grosse Pointe side of Kercheval roundabout, with a one-way entrance into Grosse Pointe

Detroit side of Kercheval roundabout. The shed was removed and replaced with these large planters designating border.

Detroit side of Kercheval at night

Grosse Pointe City puts in Fire Hydrant to close off Grayton Street that enters into Detroit. In addition, Grosse Pointe home owner decides to put large privacy fence in front of home facing Detroit.