What is poletown east?

Poletown East is a neighborhood located in the east side of Detroit, Michigan, USA. Historically, it was a predominantly Polish-American neighborhood, earning its name from the many Polish immigrants who settled in the area during the early 20th century. The neighborhood is centered around the historic St. Josaphat Church and is home to several other Polish institutions, such as the Polish American Historical Museum and the Polish Army Veterans Association.

In the 1980s, the neighborhood became the site of a controversial urban renewal project that involved the demolition of over 1,000 homes and businesses to make way for a General Motors manufacturing plant. This prompted widespread protests and legal battles, with many residents arguing that the project was discriminatory and violated their property rights. Despite these efforts, the project ultimately went ahead, and thousands of residents were displaced.

Today, Poletown East is still home to a large manufacturing sector, with several factories and industrial sites located in the area. However, there has also been a recent push to revitalize the neighborhood and attract new businesses and residents. This has led to the development of several new housing projects and commercial spaces, as well as the restoration of historic buildings and landmarks, such as the St. Josaphat Church.