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**PlanTaleks** · 02-13-2009, 08:47 AM

Statewide unemployment in Michigan is over 10%. With its mayor in jail, collapse of the auto industry, highest violent crime rate in the US, and a football team that had a record setting zero-wins last season, you'd figure Detroit is due to catch a break.

But it turns out that Dubai's only sister city in the Western Hemisphere is - Detroit

So much for Detroit's great sister city
By NICHOLE CHRISTIAN
FREE PRESS EDITORIAL WRITER

Detroit couldn’t even manage to pick a prosperous sister city. Dubai is sliding of the economic cliff, too.

Dubai’s not on the tip of most Detroiters’ tongues, but back in 2003 the Kilpatrick administration looked upon it as the perfect sister city. The international hot spot, dubbed the Middle East’s land of good and plenty, was supposed to be Detroit’s great teacher. With its teeming buildings and pricey vacation playgrounds, Dubai drew the eyes of the world.

The Detroit/Dubai alliance was dubious at the time and it’s still doubtful Detroit got anything more than a few headlines. Today, though the cities seem closer than ever, both tethered to widespread and rapid decline.

“Real estate prices, which rose dramatically during Dubai’s six-year boom, have dropped 30% or more over the past two or three months in some parts of the city,’’ according to a grim profile of Dubai in today’s New York Times.

“Last week, Moody’s Investor’s Service announced that it might downgrade its ratings on six of Dubai’s most prominent government-owned companies, citing deterioration in the economic outlook. So many used luxury cars are for sale, they are sometimes sold for 40% less than the asking price two months ago, car dealers say. Dubai’s roads, usually thick with traffic at this time of year, are now mostly clear. ‘’ See the full Time’s story here: http://tinyurl.com/aqg5wr

Will it be Dubai or Detroit that manages the faster comeback? Or are both cities doomed?

02-13-2009, 08:47 AM	#6
PlanTaleks Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 480 Senior Member	Statewide unemployment in Michigan is over 10%. With its mayor in jail, collapse of the auto industry, highest violent crime rate in the US, and a football team that had a record setting zero-wins last season, you'd figure Detroit is due to catch a break. But it turns out that Dubai's only sister city in the Western Hemisphere is - Detroit So much for Detroit's great sister city By NICHOLE CHRISTIAN FREE PRESS EDITORIAL WRITER Detroit couldn’t even manage to pick a prosperous sister city. Dubai is sliding of the economic cliff, too. Dubai’s not on the tip of most Detroiters’ tongues, but back in 2003 the Kilpatrick administration looked upon it as the perfect sister city. The international hot spot, dubbed the Middle East’s land of good and plenty, was supposed to be Detroit’s great teacher. With its teeming buildings and pricey vacation playgrounds, Dubai drew the eyes of the world. The Detroit/Dubai alliance was dubious at the time and it’s still doubtful Detroit got anything more than a few headlines. Today, though the cities seem closer than ever, both tethered to widespread and rapid decline. “Real estate prices, which rose dramatically during Dubai’s six-year boom, have dropped 30% or more over the past two or three months in some parts of the city,’’ according to a grim profile of Dubai in today’s New York Times. “Last week, Moody’s Investor’s Service announced that it might downgrade its ratings on six of Dubai’s most prominent government-owned companies, citing deterioration in the economic outlook. So many used luxury cars are for sale, they are sometimes sold for 40% less than the asking price two months ago, car dealers say. Dubai’s roads, usually thick with traffic at this time of year, are now mostly clear. ‘’ See the full Time’s story here: http://tinyurl.com/aqg5wr Will it be Dubai or Detroit that manages the faster comeback? Or are both cities doomed?
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