The restoration of Detroit's architecture has been a slow and difficult one. A large part of the problem is that the vast amount of buildings that need restorations are vacant and abandoned. Despite the magnitude of the problem, many people are making an effort to change the desolate condition of the city.
I chose the pictures below for several reasons. It is important to show the state of disrepair as well as the process of restoration and blight removal. Most importantly, I wanted pictures with people working together. The previous pages had a lack of human presence in an effort to focus on the state of being reflective of Detroit's rise and fall. Now, the city is experiencing a comeback. People, from the city and not, have come together and are reshaping Detroit. I chose these pictures because they highlight the essential human element.
Detroit Blight Removal Task Force
In 2013, the Obama Administration assembled a team that would focus on removing blight from Detroit. With Glenda Price, Linda Smith and Dan Gilbert at the head of operations, this group developed a plan that started with surveying the city and collecting data concerning the specifics of the city's blight problem. This required the cooperation of the public and private sector as well as the state and federal officials. The plan was designed with an emphasis on environmental safety, recycling whenever possible. The data was implemented into a "blight elimination strategy". The importance of a strategy in stressed because combating all of Detroit's blight is a long, difficult and expensive goal. This is explained on their website timetoendblight.com saying, "Merely addressing the existing Blight understates the problem because blight creates more blight." The Task Force understands that their fight is a race against time. Residential demolitions began in 2014, starting with areas deemed "the hardest hit". A news article posted on the City of Detroit's website on July 18th, 2016 announced the 10,000th building deconstructed. The article includes Mayor Mike Duggan's reactions to the news, describing the progress as "a good start". |
Preservation Detroit
This non-profit organization is focused on sustaining historic architectural in Detroit. They have been in action since 1975, when some students of Wayne State University who wanted to preserve the David Mackenzie House. The students succeeded and the saved building became the center of the Preservation Detroit Organization. The groups actions include holding seminars and tours in an effort to educate more people about the importance of the city's history and architecture. They also raise money and campaign for restoring select structures throughout Detroit. |
The Mackenzie House, the first success of Preservation Detroit.
Dimitri Hegemann
One way some buildings could be renovated is by a group called the Detroit-Berlin Connection. A project started by Dimitri Hegemann, a German art developer who has created several nightclubs and a record label in Berlin. Hegemann fell in love with the rundown factory buildings and wants to renovate some in the future. This is an interesting developement considering that Detroit is considered the birthplace of techno. |
Hegemann standing in front of Fisher Body 21, an old auto parts factory that may become a techno music club.
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ON A SMALLER SCALE
Merrill Fountain after years of neglect.
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Palmer Park
In 1901, Lizzie Merrill Palmer commissioned a fountain to be built in memory of her grandfather, Charles Merrill. The Merril Fountain was moved in 1926 from the intersection of Woodward and Campus Martius to Palmer Park. It was moved when Woodward Avenue was widened to allow for more cars. After the relocation, it was deemed too expensive to reconnect the water. The Palmer Park has been in poor shape and Merrill Fountain has been dry for over 60 years, despite being listed in the national register. Unhappy with its current state, the community has come together and are slowly fixing and cleaning the blighted fountain and park area. |
One unique way an abandoned home has been reclaimed by the city.
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In an article in the National Geographic, it was reported that Detroit has become a place of innovation and business opportunity. Examples of “forgotten buildings” that appear to be experiencing a moderate second wind are featured, including interviews with the proprietors. One resident, Anthony Hatinger, got his hands on an abandoned liquor store and transformed it into a combination garden and aquarium. Both elements of the new building work together. The waste from the fish fertilize the plants through a water filter system. Another individual, Robert Hake, started a sportswear company in a once abandoned auto parts factory. He is also hiring locally. Even on a more moderate scale, Detroit can be seen coming back to life through its buildings.
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The Story of Michigan Central Station
Michigan Central Station is considered to be one of Detroit's most famous landmarks. It boasts a breathtaking design and an enormous structure. Dan Austin of Historic Detroit nicknamed the station the "Temple of Transport." People would travel to see the beauty of it, in fact they till do today for different reasons. The Michigan Central Station has fallen into a state of decay . It was a frequent stop for people interested in the ruins that replaced the grandeur of the station. In 2009, a movement named "Michigan Central Station Preservation Society" began operations in a similar way that Preservation Detroit operates, by creating awareness of the importance of restoring the landmark. On their website, they announced that an investment for $15-25 had been given by the owners for restoration purposes. On February 4th 2016, it was reported in mlive.com, that the shattered windows of the station were replaced with new ones. With developments such as this, it may not be long until people are no longer visiting Detroit for the ruins and are just there to see its beauty once again.
A Concrete Reincarnation
One way to track the rise and fall of Detroit is through its buildings. Its architecture silently bears witness to Detroit’s history. It began as a celebration of a city’s prosperity and became an honest reflection of its downfall. All of this is evident in the structures still standing today.
One way to track the rise and fall of Detroit is through its buildings. Its architecture silently bears witness to Detroit’s history. It began as a celebration of a city’s prosperity and became an honest reflection of its downfall. All of this is evident in the structures still standing today.
1. http://report.timetoendblight.org/index.html
2. http://www.detroitmi.gov/News/ArticleID/919/Detroit-knocks-down-10-000th-vacant-house-in-2%C2%BD-years-with-8-000-more-to-come-down-by-end-of-2017
3. http://preservationdetroit.org/our-history/
4. http://preservationdetroit.org/update-cpa-building/
5. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/08/techno-detroit-return-berlin-tresor
6. http://historicdetroit.org/building/merrill-fountain/
7. http://www.detroit1701.org/Merrill%20Fountain.html
8. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/taking-back-detroit/see-detroit.html
9. http://historicdetroit.org/building/michigan-central-station/
10. http://www.savemichigancentral.com/
11. http://www.mlive.com/business/detroit/index.ssf/2016/02/windows_at_michigan_central_st.html#incart_river_home
2. http://www.detroitmi.gov/News/ArticleID/919/Detroit-knocks-down-10-000th-vacant-house-in-2%C2%BD-years-with-8-000-more-to-come-down-by-end-of-2017
3. http://preservationdetroit.org/our-history/
4. http://preservationdetroit.org/update-cpa-building/
5. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/08/techno-detroit-return-berlin-tresor
6. http://historicdetroit.org/building/merrill-fountain/
7. http://www.detroit1701.org/Merrill%20Fountain.html
8. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/taking-back-detroit/see-detroit.html
9. http://historicdetroit.org/building/michigan-central-station/
10. http://www.savemichigancentral.com/
11. http://www.mlive.com/business/detroit/index.ssf/2016/02/windows_at_michigan_central_st.html#incart_river_home