  Atwater Member Username: Atwater Post Number: 197 Registered: 09-2007 |
I'm wondering about the current statuses of these two buildings, Forest Arms Apartments on Second Avenue and the Temple of Oddfellows building on Randolph Street. Each of them faced potentially life-threatening injuries in the past few months, with Forest Arms burning in early February and the Temple of Oddfellows partially collapsing in early April. After each event, word was that the building involved faced demolition, which, of course, would be a huge loss, in both cases. Does anyone have any new information about what their fates may be? | ||
Matt_the_deuce Member Username: Matt_the_deuce Post Number: 814 Registered: 10-2003 |
Odd Fellows looks like some work is being done to it - renovation style, not pre demo style, but come to think of it, I probably don't know the difference. | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 1669 Registered: 11-2004 |
It looks like there is some major renovation work being done on the Oddfellows. It appears that it will be saved. Forest Arms future is much more murky. There have been rumors of the Traffic Jam people stepping in and rebuilding it, a la the Beethoven Apt building nearby. However, none of this has been confirmed. | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 1672 Registered: 11-2004 |
They're blocking up the back of the Oddfellows building as I type this. | ||
Atwater Member Username: Atwater Post Number: 198 Registered: 09-2007 |
Great news about the Oddfellows! Hopefully Forest Arms will get some great news of its own.. | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 4763 Registered: 02-2005 |
Nobody had any faith in the current developers at the Oddfellows, and when that wind came along, it was a convenient time for those people, including the mayor's office, to call for the removal of that historic edifice. It is clear that the renovation plans they had are for real, and the timing of the wind was just bad, and made them look bad. History will thank them for being so vigorous and perservering in carrying out their plans. | ||
Digitalvision Member Username: Digitalvision Post Number: 822 Registered: 11-2003 |
Oddfellows does look good. Was there on Friday and they've got new windows and are supporting a couple areas on the front with scaffolding or whatever it's called. I am very excited about this - I love to be pleasantly surprised. | ||
Detroitsky Member Username: Detroitsky Post Number: 6 Registered: 06-2007 |
Here's the back of the Oddfellows today: http://i177.photobucket.com/al bums/w206/urbanex12/Detroit/10 0_9507.jpg | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 4773 Registered: 02-2005 |
Thanks, Detroitsky. Awesome to see. | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 1826 Registered: 02-2006 |
Great to see rebuilding, but man that looks like bad plastic surgery. God I hate cinder block. | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 4775 Registered: 02-2005 |
It's just the back of a building. Build another building where there's a parking lot and you'll only see that wall from the alley. | ||
Leland_palmer Member Username: Leland_palmer Post Number: 517 Registered: 08-2004 |
It looks like it will be clad in brick when they are done. | ||
Xd_brklyn Member Username: Xd_brklyn Post Number: 405 Registered: 10-2003 |
What happened to all the windows? | ||
Atwater Member Username: Atwater Post Number: 199 Registered: 09-2007 |
Yeah, if they were rebuilding that wall from scratch, why not add in some more windows? | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 7343 Registered: 02-2004 |
The Temple of the Oddfellows has been saved from the wrecking ball. Quick thinking by the owner who petitioned the city council to keep the historical structure intact for future use. | ||
Gotdetroit Member Username: Gotdetroit Post Number: 153 Registered: 12-2005 |
I drove by it this morning on my way out of town. New windows in the front. Thought to stop and snap a pic, but was late for work. Glad to see. | ||
Detroitsky Member Username: Detroitsky Post Number: 7 Registered: 06-2007 |
Here's a cell phone shot of the front: http://i177.photobucket.com/al bums/w206/urbanex12/Detroit/od dfellows.jpg | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 1214 Registered: 08-2007 |
Detroitsky- What the heck kind of cellphone is that? Your pics are fantastic. | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 1679 Registered: 11-2004 |
No need to worry FocusontheD. They are bricking up the back. | ||
Wolverine Member Username: Wolverine Post Number: 460 Registered: 04-2004 |
So when the Fine Arts Building in Grand Circus Park collapses (which it should very soon!), will that get renovated immediately? | ||
Eastsidedame Member Username: Eastsidedame Post Number: 225 Registered: 12-2006 |
That's a great building. They need to keep that row of buildings standing; wish every historic building owner had that much savvy. | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 1232 Registered: 11-2005 |
But what about Forest Arms? Any news on it? It still looks roofless. I can't believe they haven't done anything to protect it, even a tarp. | ||
Mdoyle Member Username: Mdoyle Post Number: 434 Registered: 10-2006 |
I hear there is still ongoing issues with the insurance on Forest Arms not wanting to pay out. Until it is settled I imagine there wont be much happening. | ||
Chris_rohn Member Username: Chris_rohn Post Number: 456 Registered: 04-2005 |
Still no word on the make and model of Detroitsky's mobile phone. | ||
Andylinn Member Username: Andylinn Post Number: 880 Registered: 04-2006 |
update on forest arms: today what I would refer to as "construction doors" were installed on the building. see my (terrible quality) mobile phone pic... interesting... someone was paying about 3 men at least one days work to install these types of doors (presumably the 2x4s will be covered) on the three courtyard facing doors.  | ||
Warrenite84 Member Username: Warrenite84 Post Number: 320 Registered: 01-2007 |
The Temple of the Oddfellows' collapsed rear portion has been nicely fixed with a cinder block inner layer with a good looking brick outer covering. No fire escape to speak of. |
