{"id":15789,"date":"2016-05-23T07:00:41","date_gmt":"2016-05-23T07:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/?post_type=blogpost&p=15789"},"modified":"2016-05-23T07:00:41","modified_gmt":"2016-05-23T07:00:41","slug":"fellow-spotlight-devon-seery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/fellow-spotlight-devon-seery\/","title":{"rendered":"Fellow Spotlight: Devon Seery"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tell us about living in Detroit. What neighborhood do you live in and what things make it\u00a0unique and exciting?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"IMG_0527\"I live in Lafayette Park on the east side of downtown Detroit. The neighborhood is\u00a0home to vast array of architectural styles, in particular that of Mies Van Der Rough.\u00a0Much like the larger landscape of Detroit, Lafayette Park has a small community feel\u00a0despite the vast geographical space it covers. Positioned on the outskirts of what is\u00a0commonly refereed to as \u2018\u2019Downtown\u2019\u2019, the area allows ease of access to all\u00a0surrounding amenities including Eastern Market, Riverfront trails, Belle Isle, etc. As\u00a0a runner living in Lafayette Park, due to its geographical relationship to the greater\u00a0landscape of the city of Detroit, it has allowed me the luxury to explore all areas of\u00a0Detroit on my weekend runs.\u00a0Living in Detroit has been a blessing in disguise. Being apart of the fellowship has\u00a0allowed me to discover new intricacies of the city of Detroit I would not uncovered\u00a0otherwise.<\/p>\n

What have you learned from Challenge Detroit so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"IMG_1252Working alongside my likeminded peers has enabled me to gain an in-depth understanding of how other professions work, and the multiple layers and\u00a0talents each and every person posses. Challenge Detroit has opened me eyes to the\u00a0entirety of Detroit, and allowed me to go beyond the media headlines and get hands\u00a0on surface level understanding of Detroit\u2019s present state. Regardless of my long-term future in Detroit, I am thankful for the opportunity to be in the midst of this\u00a0marquee American cities transitions through the trials and tribulations facing the\u00a0city on both a local and national level.<\/p>\n

Tell us about your host company and your role in the organization.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Working at HamiltonAnderson has afforded me the opportunity to work hands on\u00a0with the marquee architectural projects that will help shape the landscape and\u00a0economy of Detroit. At the firm, I am an architectural designer and work on the\u00a0development of construction documents and BIM modeling for our current projects.\u00a0It has allowed me to expand upon my experience and educational background, and\u00a0contribute to the emerging footprint of HAA in Detroit and beyond the boundaries of\u00a0this city.<\/p>\n

What kind of impact do you hope to have with your host company and within the city?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Detroit has impacted me on a daily basis. It has reshaped my understanding of what\u00a0compromises the city, and who is behind the infrastructure both sustaining and\u00a0pushing Detroit forward. The impact I envision myself having in Detroit is two fold. I\u00a0hope to have a positive influence on youth through the medium of sports, and help\u00a0to activate the riches of talents inside Detroit next generation. Second, I hope to\u00a0contribute to the development and construction of architectural-based projects that\u00a0will benefit the often unheard, and unseen areas of the city; the neighborhoods and\u00a0its long time residents.<\/p>\n

Ten years from now how do you envision Detroit?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I envision Detroit as a city who has regained its status and recognition nationally as\u00a0a marquee American city. I see it as a destination. I believe Detroit has created a\u00a0framework that will enable the city to catapult itself to regain its economic and\u00a0social mojo of the early 20th century. I believe in the future trajectory of Detroit\u00a0because of the residents who define the city, and continuously deny its decay.\u00a0Detroit is on the minds of millions, and with future actions centered on the overall\u00a0investment and prosperity of the city, the city will again be the heartbeat and soul of\u00a0America.<\/p>\n

To learn even more about Devon’s time in Detroit check out his spotlight video.<\/p>\n