Imagination Station outpost skirts demolition — for now

Tensions between city officials and artists over building demolitions are at heart in this article chronicling the Imagination Station’s continued work to save a blighted Corktown property near the Michigan Central Depot from demolition.

The home in question featured an installation by artist Catie Newell, which was deconstructed for Grand Rapids’ annual Art Prize competition (it won a juried award). The city’s given Imagination Station more time to create a plan to fix the property before it’s scheduled for demolition.

Excerpt:

DeBruyn was among the group of community activists who bought the Imagination Station homes on 14th Street, next to Roosevelt Park, at the request of the Wayne County Nuisance Abatement Program. They paid $500 apiece, plus back taxes. “So much of the art inspired in this town is inspired by the blight,” DeBruyn said. “We are part of the movement that’s trying to do something positive about it.”

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