Demolition isn't the only answer for Detroit's historical, and
sometimes vacant, assets, says Model D contributor Francis Grunow in
this column for Next American City magazine.
Excerpt:
The most frustrating thing for urbanists is that there is so little
rhyme or reason to how the city disposes of these buildings. With no
plan for replacement, the creeping creation of vacant lots in the name
of “much needed” parking or blight removal is insidious. Since 1998,
the city has spent at least $50 million to demolish well over two
million square feet of Detroit heritage.
To the surprise of many, Detroit’s interim mayor Kenneth Cockrel put
“on hold” the imminent demolition of the Lafayette Building after
receiving numerous calls and letters. He committed to “reconsider” the
building and work with the preservation community to see if
redevelopment or a strategy of mothballing is feasible. Meanwhile,
Detroit’s embattled city council voted earlier this month (with the
mayor’s blessing) to use economic stimulus money to demolish Michigan
Central and stick the gratuitously negligent billionaire owner, Matty
Moroun, with the bill.
Read the entire article
here.
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