Yep I cannot wait for the day I can pack up and leave sorry ass decatur. Between the low life worthless ghetto hood people and everything else here this town is a dump. Soon as I find a job and a place to live im leaving first chance I get.
i enjoyed thys video its whut i see everyday when i walk these streets , i love how u really caught thu grime of thys place i call home , but sumhow missed thu viaduct completely , btw send a link to me for that third song im curious bout who performed it
I grew up in Decatur because my parents moved there after my dad got out of the Navy in 1969 when I was three yrs old. In 1992 if you told me I would of lived elsewhere by 2011(Arizona with my hs crush I wouldnt of believed you, but my family and good people are still there, but I only care to visit now, but I loved growing up there and working there for a time, but once you live elsewhere you only want to visit. Hugs to Home!!!
I have lived on the Northside of Chicago, northwest suburbs of Chicago, and Springfield. I lived in Decatur for 2 1/2 years. I can honestly say it is the worst place I have ever seen. The word that comes to mind is "tired" The city is tired looking. No new money is spent. Since moving to Decatur in November 2007, I saw 3 car washes, 2 Mexican restaurants, 3 Chinese restaurants, 2 car dealerships, and many, many more businesses close down. I was there last week and their all sitting empty still!
I've lived in Decatur all my life, and I will say this. If the city council spent as much of our tax dollars by beautifying the ENTIRE CITY, and lobbying harder for new and more diverse businesses than the standard Chinese/Mexican joint...car wash and a McDonald's on every corner, as they do bricking and rebricking and rebricking and rebricking again the streets in and around Millikin University...well, that would solve a miniscule portion of the problem.
This is not a realistic view of Decatur, I was born here. The video was pick and choose in mostly the bad parts of town that have ALWAYS been bad only now they're worse. This conveys the image that things were boarded up and bankrupt in a few years ~ or overnight! Yes the economy is bad- everywhere, not just here. Yes population has gone down, people moved to smaller towns like Forsyth, MtZion and that's natural. I don't know what the purpose of this video was???
@calli505 I'm not sure if you've been back in awhile but I took footage from all over Decatur, Downtown, Pershing, Eldo, Main, Water, East neighborhoods, West neighborhoods. Many of which I wouldn't consider "bad" parts of Decatur. And the point of this video is different for everyone. For me it reminds me of the places I remember growing up. For others who haven't been back in awhile it shows how Decatur has transformed.
@calli505 - Funny how defensive people can get about issues that carry emotion. Bad or good? A fact is a fact. 20% population loss is a fact. Thats alot of empty buildings - Alot of closed businesses. Of course the property with the least value will be abandoned first! But count the stores at the mall if you think it is only bad neighborhoods - Malls are typically the highest value real estate and the are an anchor store away from .... ?
ok..... i'm sure almost ANY town in America can make an 8 minute video of closed businesses and ghettos big deal... Decatur isn't NEAR as bad as some cities.
@ecanham2007 I think you missed the point of this video, It wasn't some kind of contest to see who's city was worse. It was simply a realistic view of what has happened to some places in the town I grew up in.
It breaks my heart, but this is the Decatur I now know. I have lived here for the past 19 years but associated with the city all my life. Not to worry, we will build more subsidized housing, move in a few more folks from Chicago and East St Louis and all will be fine!
@CJGK51 In the last several years there have been great strides to revitalize Decatur. Is it working? I think its still too soon to say. I haven't had time lately but Im working on a second video of this revitalization. I still think Decatur is a great place to live. No matter what it will always be MY Hometown.
I was bummed that Tom's Bar & Grill was also closed, my Dad worked there briefly when I was a kid and I worked as a busboy there in high school. Also.. the Sonics across from Cub Foods used to have the BEST fries. We have a Sonic out here on the west coast, it's obviously not the same. Wish I could have spent more time on my most recent visit as I still have a lot of fond memories attached to that area.
Nice video.. I too was disappointed upon returning to Decatur to visit (having been gone a long time) that House of Donuts was no longer in business. The concept of "Package Liquor" is totally alien out here in Washington State, where all liquor stores are state owned.
@danna92 I'm not sure how its "nothing like this" All footage was taken from the city of Decatur. As to the bankruptcy I was able to find 1 business that moved to another location in Decatur. But ALL other business filmed closed due to financial problems. CAT is the only exception, unfortunately CAT is continuing layoffs. And today these locations still stand empty.
It called the dismantling of America, Lets start with?? Steel Mills! And 1x1 Auto Plants, the farms, Dairy, and Beef, 500 banks in 5 years, 193 in 2009, When was the Gilda age? well the rich to poor from the 20s is where we are at, Bail Out was a sham on the tax payers, The FED loaned over 300 billion to 5 others countries,(Banks)
The middle class is or about done, Tate is now on the taxpayers back, like ADM,
you are soooo right! take a look at sterling ill. it started with the mill and 3 years later they open the mill and pays min wage. at one time a good going town and now the town is poor and falling apart.
I am shocked Harolds House of Donuts is no longer...I went to St. Teresa High School and now reside in Tampa Florida and we used to go there all the time!
Very nice video! I have to say Decatur is one of the most underrated cities in Central Illinois... especially with our agriculture and businesses that STILL are going strong despite the abandonments and economy. 5 stars from me, once again, VERY NICE! :)
This is great, the vid, that is, Look around! The dismantling of our country, We produce what? hardly nothing, And take a good look at ADM. The biggest welfare fraud , And it's our money,Taxes, wasted
this city is a DEATHTRAP!!!! a BLACK HOLE
solidkid4 1 month ago
Yep I cannot wait for the day I can pack up and leave sorry ass decatur. Between the low life worthless ghetto hood people and everything else here this town is a dump. Soon as I find a job and a place to live im leaving first chance I get.
Kaprice24 1 month ago
i enjoyed thys video its whut i see everyday when i walk these streets , i love how u really caught thu grime of thys place i call home , but sumhow missed thu viaduct completely , btw send a link to me for that third song im curious bout who performed it
TheyCallMeJoker17 3 months ago
This place is good I live here n dont talk trash u can find a good job if u try hard
freighttrain924 4 months ago
I grew up in Decatur because my parents moved there after my dad got out of the Navy in 1969 when I was three yrs old. In 1992 if you told me I would of lived elsewhere by 2011(Arizona with my hs crush I wouldnt of believed you, but my family and good people are still there, but I only care to visit now, but I loved growing up there and working there for a time, but once you live elsewhere you only want to visit. Hugs to Home!!!
wizzo194 9 months ago
Yes it is .
wertasr21 1 year ago
In 1990 there were 92,000 people living in this hell hole. Now in 2010, there is 78,000. LEAVE WHILE YOU CAN!
sborn1571 1 year ago 2
i lived in decatur for 2 and 1/2 years it is a dump!
Nightraider978 1 year ago
I have lived on the Northside of Chicago, northwest suburbs of Chicago, and Springfield. I lived in Decatur for 2 1/2 years. I can honestly say it is the worst place I have ever seen. The word that comes to mind is "tired" The city is tired looking. No new money is spent. Since moving to Decatur in November 2007, I saw 3 car washes, 2 Mexican restaurants, 3 Chinese restaurants, 2 car dealerships, and many, many more businesses close down. I was there last week and their all sitting empty still!
sborn1571 1 year ago
I've lived in Decatur all my life, and I will say this. If the city council spent as much of our tax dollars by beautifying the ENTIRE CITY, and lobbying harder for new and more diverse businesses than the standard Chinese/Mexican joint...car wash and a McDonald's on every corner, as they do bricking and rebricking and rebricking and rebricking again the streets in and around Millikin University...well, that would solve a miniscule portion of the problem.
SpiritualSunshine4U 1 year ago
This is not a realistic view of Decatur, I was born here. The video was pick and choose in mostly the bad parts of town that have ALWAYS been bad only now they're worse. This conveys the image that things were boarded up and bankrupt in a few years ~ or overnight! Yes the economy is bad- everywhere, not just here. Yes population has gone down, people moved to smaller towns like Forsyth, MtZion and that's natural. I don't know what the purpose of this video was???
calli505 1 year ago
@calli505 I'm not sure if you've been back in awhile but I took footage from all over Decatur, Downtown, Pershing, Eldo, Main, Water, East neighborhoods, West neighborhoods. Many of which I wouldn't consider "bad" parts of Decatur. And the point of this video is different for everyone. For me it reminds me of the places I remember growing up. For others who haven't been back in awhile it shows how Decatur has transformed.
leady55 1 year ago 2
@calli505 - Funny how defensive people can get about issues that carry emotion. Bad or good? A fact is a fact. 20% population loss is a fact. Thats alot of empty buildings - Alot of closed businesses. Of course the property with the least value will be abandoned first! But count the stores at the mall if you think it is only bad neighborhoods - Malls are typically the highest value real estate and the are an anchor store away from .... ?
xl0l0l0l0lx 3 months ago
look at Northgate - its effectively empty!
xl0l0l0l0lx 3 months ago
Wow! That's my kindergarten! Mrs. Ives ! Is Tom's closed? Damned it all...they had the BEST burger...sorry Kreckle (and Kelly) :)!
Rifeon 1 year ago
@Rifeon Tom's has since reopened (under different management) but unfortunately its just a bar now, no grill :(
leady55 1 year ago
Wow! That's my kindergarten! Mrs. Ives !
Rifeon 1 year ago
I live in Decatur. Not much has changed since this video was posted. People here speak about the past, never the future.
MrDasher01 1 year ago
ok..... i'm sure almost ANY town in America can make an 8 minute video of closed businesses and ghettos big deal... Decatur isn't NEAR as bad as some cities.
ecanham2007 1 year ago
@ecanham2007 I think you missed the point of this video, It wasn't some kind of contest to see who's city was worse. It was simply a realistic view of what has happened to some places in the town I grew up in.
leady55 1 year ago
It's good to see someone still cares about Decatur good vid
TheTaco217 1 year ago
yes it was the a&w / long john silvers
leady55 1 year ago
0:27, is that the old A&W shoppe? :o
ImHXCkids 1 year ago
This town has lost more businesses due to Wal-Mart then anything. Alot of those shops in this video were open prior to the construction of walmarts
DecaturPirotechnics 1 year ago
It breaks my heart, but this is the Decatur I now know. I have lived here for the past 19 years but associated with the city all my life. Not to worry, we will build more subsidized housing, move in a few more folks from Chicago and East St Louis and all will be fine!
55oldenough 1 year ago
Don't blame the unions .
Decatur like numerous mid size cities has been affected by
a thousand different variables .
Not the least moronic Local, State , Federal "leaders" politicians and bureaucrats .
" When I was 21 I came to Decatur " A. Lincoln
" I came to Decatur to play football against Millikin" R. Reagan
President Obama and Rev. Jackson also came to Decatur
with The Audacity of Hope , Rainbow Coalitions and Change you can believe in.
The Soy City , Birthplace of the Chicago Bears,
CJGK51 2 years ago
Decatur's loss is Forsyth and Mt. Zions gain .
Don't dare call it White Flight.
Decatur still has ADM Supermarket to the World
Caterpiller Tractor - worlds leading heavy equipment manufacturer
Millikin University - gateway to Broadway and American Idol
A revitalized downtown - Avon and Lincoln still standing
new roof on the transfer house .
Krekel's is still the best burger in America .
Paul Osborne keeps up the battle for your city , Listen to his advice .
I've been away for over 33 years .
CJGK51 2 years ago
@CJGK51 In the last several years there have been great strides to revitalize Decatur. Is it working? I think its still too soon to say. I haven't had time lately but Im working on a second video of this revitalization. I still think Decatur is a great place to live. No matter what it will always be MY Hometown.
leady55 2 years ago
@CJGK51
Why not call it white flight?
Gotta be honest sometime.
jsanner2 1 year ago
Source: Newsweek 2/15/10
Federal Gov spending over next 8 years = $46 Trillion
Over half of that will be to service the retirees
Current unfunded SS & Medicare = $102 Trillion
Current debt is many times GDP
China Despite huge drops in exports to America, Chinas economy grew by 11% in 2009
This is a video of PRECISELY what America will look like within 8 years
sugarpuddin88 2 years ago
I was bummed that Tom's Bar & Grill was also closed, my Dad worked there briefly when I was a kid and I worked as a busboy there in high school. Also.. the Sonics across from Cub Foods used to have the BEST fries. We have a Sonic out here on the west coast, it's obviously not the same. Wish I could have spent more time on my most recent visit as I still have a lot of fond memories attached to that area.
frigidpony 2 years ago
Nice video.. I too was disappointed upon returning to Decatur to visit (having been gone a long time) that House of Donuts was no longer in business. The concept of "Package Liquor" is totally alien out here in Washington State, where all liquor stores are state owned.
frigidpony 2 years ago
that wasnt a sonic decatur has never had a sonic it was a zips
ONREEAZZCHIT 1 year ago
You are correct! My mistake. There is a Zipp's out on the west coast and it's not the same thing.
frigidpony 1 year ago
the funny thing is alot of theres places didnt go bankrupt... i live here and is NOTHING like this. this video is just stupid.
danna92 2 years ago
@danna92 I'm not sure how its "nothing like this" All footage was taken from the city of Decatur. As to the bankruptcy I was able to find 1 business that moved to another location in Decatur. But ALL other business filmed closed due to financial problems. CAT is the only exception, unfortunately CAT is continuing layoffs. And today these locations still stand empty.
leady55 2 years ago 2
Some will never get it! Till its in your face.
It called the dismantling of America, Lets start with?? Steel Mills! And 1x1 Auto Plants, the farms, Dairy, and Beef, 500 banks in 5 years, 193 in 2009, When was the Gilda age? well the rich to poor from the 20s is where we are at, Bail Out was a sham on the tax payers, The FED loaned over 300 billion to 5 others countries,(Banks)
The middle class is or about done, Tate is now on the taxpayers back, like ADM,
Decatur will go Bankrupt! Watch
MYFreeSpeach4U 2 years ago 2
you are soooo right! take a look at sterling ill. it started with the mill and 3 years later they open the mill and pays min wage. at one time a good going town and now the town is poor and falling apart.
kingpinlwf 2 years ago
I am shocked Harolds House of Donuts is no longer...I went to St. Teresa High School and now reside in Tampa Florida and we used to go there all the time!
tampagrl23 2 years ago
are U fucks kiddin im from decatur pussies fucking it up
MidWestSolja157 2 years ago
Decatur Illinois "home of the abandoned building"
TraigHarper 2 years ago
Very nice video! I have to say Decatur is one of the most underrated cities in Central Illinois... especially with our agriculture and businesses that STILL are going strong despite the abandonments and economy. 5 stars from me, once again, VERY NICE! :)
IC1034 2 years ago 2
This is great, the vid, that is, Look around! The dismantling of our country, We produce what? hardly nothing, And take a good look at ADM. The biggest welfare fraud , And it's our money,Taxes, wasted
MYFreeSpeach4U 2 years ago
This should say fire sale, or the Terrorist Hit the US Again
MYFreeSpeach4U 2 years ago