 
Mauser765
Member
Username: Mauser765
Post Number: 616
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 4.229.69.4
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 3:05 pm: |    |
I just talked to contractors on the scene, so this is the official word. Sanders and Donovan are being abated right now for demolition. They are not being cosmetically refinished for Superbowl30. There was in fact plans to save one or both of the structures, but Sanders is too far gone, and the owner is abandoning Donovan to demolition.
Sanders will be demolished first. The contrator said if he can hold off on demolishing Donovan until after the SB30 he will, but that probably will not happen. The schedule is to first abate both structures. That is the activity that you see in both buildings currently. The wrecking ball starts to take down Sanders on January 15. The plan is for both structures to be down and debris removed in SIX DAYS.
Planned usage for the immediate future: parking.
The company doing the demolition work is the same that did MaddyLennox, and also the folks that abated BookCaddy. |
Brandon48202
Member
Username: Brandon48202
Post Number: 43
Registered: 12-2004
Posted From: 68.248.15.192
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 3:14 pm: | |
Having a gap there will ruin the continuity of the streetscape on that block of Woodward. |
E_hemingway
Member
Username: E_hemingway
Post Number: 436
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 68.42.176.123
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 3:18 pm: | |
I'm really surprised they're taking down the Motown Building, but then again I'm not. It just seems that around here like the less sense an idea makes the more likely it is it will happen. |
Lurker
Member
Username: Lurker
Post Number: 1551
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 65.196.220.198
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 3:35 pm: | |
quote:Having a gap there will ruin the continuity of the streetscape on that block of Woodward.
What continuity? The expressway south of it, or the 3 blocks of vacant lots north of it? |
Gogo
Member
Username: Gogo
Post Number: 1156
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 198.208.159.20
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 3:46 pm: | |
quote:What continuity? The expressway south of it, or the 3 blocks of vacant lots north of it?
I think he is referring to the Sanders building which is located south of Grand Circus Park on Woodward. |
Ndavies
Member
Username: Ndavies
Post Number: 1514
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 129.9.163.233
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 4:08 pm: | |
uhhh, the sanders building is the building right next to the Donavan (motown office building).
It's amazing how many people can't see sarcasm when it's so obvious. |
Skulker
Member
Username: Skulker
Post Number: 3353
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 67.103.104.93
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 4:28 pm: | |
I am highly highly skeptical of the timeline to abate and demo those buildings before the Superbowl, unless they are going to run 24/7 on the project. Even then, with this weather, that is a very aggressive timeframe.
If the site were demoed before the Superbowl, there is no way it could be used for parking. To backfill that site in this weather at a proctor level that is usable for parking is impossible. |
Gogo
Member
Username: Gogo
Post Number: 1157
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 198.208.159.20
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 4:29 pm: | |
http://info.detnews.com/histor y/story/index.cfm?id=192&categ ory=life
The Sanders Building at 1525 Woodward, with Grinnell Brothers, another Detroit landmark, next door.
1525 is south of Grand Circus Park. |
Eap
Member
Username: Eap
Post Number: 1228
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 70.228.56.62
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 4:32 pm: | |
They should have skipped the abatement. The air quality would have improved by the time the world shows up. |
Ndavies
Member
Username: Ndavies
Post Number: 1515
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 129.9.163.233
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 4:43 pm: | |
Gogo, That's not the sanders building that is being refered too. The building to be demolished is the old building that used to contain a sanders store directly next to the Donovan building. They are side by side on Woodward.
(Message edited by ndavies on January 06, 2006) |
Detroit_stylin
Member
Username: Detroit_stylin
Post Number: 2244
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.202.227.12
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 4:45 pm: | |
SO they are not Demoing both structures? |
Rsa
Member
Username: Rsa
Post Number: 746
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.212.213.123
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 4:46 pm: | |
the building at 1525 woodward was renamed to the "woodward building" (in the seventies, i believe). |
Gogo
Member
Username: Gogo
Post Number: 1158
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 198.208.159.20
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 4:49 pm: | |
I see. Well then you can see how some might be confused by the sarcasm. |
Hockey_player
Member
Username: Hockey_player
Post Number: 186
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 207.148.213.218
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 4:56 pm: | |
That building was called the Woodward Building since it was built. The Sanders Building was an informal name for it, much as the "Motown Building" is the informal name for the Donovan Building. |
Mauser765
Member
Username: Mauser765
Post Number: 618
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 4.229.69.4
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 5:10 pm: | |
My info is based on what was described by the demo chief onsite. It may not be realistic, or they may not meet it - but thats his plan as of today. The parking lot will not be for the SB30 of course, he was repeating the owners plans for near distant future.
As far as the "Sanders" designation for referring to the building, I am going by what is written on the facade - which appears to be its original facade. Also, the building is described as Sanders on the redesign blueprints from when Motown moved in. I am aware of a bank that used to be on the ground floor, and I think a restaurant.
And I am talking about the two Motown office buildings at the corner of I-75/Woodward. BGordy owned both, and Motown operated out of both of the buildings. The Sanders building contained the mixing/mastering suites, as well as recording facilities and isolation booths on the top floor in the rear. Marvin Gaye mixed "What's Goin' On" in these facilities. The basements of Sanders were used as echo chambers in the echo send returns for mixing.
So - time will tell if these things come to pass. These guys are at work everyday, and the onsite manager I talked to was very friendly, anybody has doubts- go chat with them. |
Mauser765
Member
Username: Mauser765
Post Number: 619
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 4.229.69.4
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 5:18 pm: | |
 |
Jt1
Member
Username: Jt1
Post Number: 6361
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 198.208.251.24
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 5:22 pm: | |
The sick irony that the scafollding on the picture above only shows the part that says:
Detroit
Building restoration
Since 1953 |
Mauser765
Member
Username: Mauser765
Post Number: 620
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 4.229.69.4
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 5:24 pm: | |
That first photoshows the newly revealed "SANDERS" lettering across the facade. Glass mosaic, studded with lightbulb sockets.
Note that the newly uncovered window panes are "Motown blue" - the higher up ones have faded significantly.
 |
Hockey_player
Member
Username: Hockey_player
Post Number: 187
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 207.148.213.218
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 5:30 pm: | |
Though the Woodward Building was informally called the Sanders Building due to the store on the ground floor, the building Mauser refers to was, as he states, officially named the Sanders Building.
(Message edited by hockey_player on January 06, 2006) |
Rsa
Member
Username: Rsa
Post Number: 747
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.212.213.123
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 5:31 pm: | |
thanx for the clarification hockey_.
thanx for the pic's mauser. unless he recently sold them, the current owner still is berry gordy. btw. when you say sb30, are you refering to the superbowl? if so, this will be the 40th superbowl game. [in roman numerals: X=10, L=50; X before L is 50-10 = 40. hence superbowl XL.] nevermind if you're refering to something else... |
Mauser765
Member
Username: Mauser765
Post Number: 621
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 4.229.69.4
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 5:46 pm: | |
Hahahaha ! To all concerned: pardon my ignorance and indifference to all things relating to professional football. I dont even know how to play football.
LMAO.. |
Mauser765
Member
Username: Mauser765
Post Number: 622
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 4.229.69.4
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 5:48 pm: | |
The demo guy couldnt remember the company that owns the buildings, but according to him Gordy no longer owns this property. |
Track75
Member
Username: Track75
Post Number: 2176
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 12.75.20.118
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 6:00 pm: | |
quote:They should have skipped the abatement. The air quality would have improved by the time the world shows up.
LMAO |
Mauser765
Member
Username: Mauser765
Post Number: 623
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 4.229.69.4
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 6:10 pm: | |
From the 1968 blueprints to reconfigure the buildings for Motown. Notice that the short building is called "sanders" and the tall building is called "motown".
The roof of Sanders had to be raised in height to accomodate recording studios
This shows the basement echo chambers - note that the two buildings were joined via steps as the floors did not match. |
Lmichigan
Member
Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 2963
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 67.172.95.197
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 6:55 pm: | |
This is unfortuante, if even expected, news. I was really naive enough to think that the demolition of the Statler and M-L was as bad as it was going to get. That's what happens when you want to fool yourself.
(Message edited by lmichigan on January 07, 2006) |
Detroit_stylin
Member
Username: Detroit_stylin
Post Number: 2246
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.202.227.12
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 7:05 pm: | |
Yo how can i get my hands on that tiling? |
Dialh4hipster
Member
Username: Dialh4hipster
Post Number: 1270
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 68.250.205.35
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 8:29 pm: | |
Actually, you can't. The DIA is getting it, plus some of the terra cotta adornment of the facade.
Apparently the mosaics are Louis Comfort Tiffany. |
Psip
Member
Username: Psip
Post Number: 781
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 69.246.13.131
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 8:40 pm: | |
Not certain this is the right building, its on Woodward before the wideing at Vernor.
It does appear to have the eyebrow above the door and is 3 windows across. |
Xd_brklyn
Member
Username: Xd_brklyn
Post Number: 90
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.88.89.94
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 8:42 pm: | |
Does the DIA have a collection of other Detroit architectural remnants? |
Ndavies
Member
Username: Ndavies
Post Number: 1521
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.213.80.14
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 9:04 pm: | |
Yes PSIP, that is the correct building. The building on the left edge is the Donovan building. |
Eric
Member
Username: Eric
Post Number: 276
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 69.136.144.196
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 9:55 pm: | |
quote:The demo guy couldnt remember the company that owns the buildings, but according to him Gordy no longer owns this property
It took a bit of searching, but the last listed owner wasn't Gordy, but a company is based in LA. One could infer that Gordy was the last know owner. Anyone know if the building was sold in the last 3 years
Tax Payer/Address: CHERRYLAWN RLTY CORP/6255 W SUNSET BLVD STE 1110 LOS ANGELES CA 90028-7412 |
Lmichigan
Member
Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 2965
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 67.172.95.197
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 10:03 pm: | |
Well, Motown is in LA (Beverly Hills, actually). I figure that he simply sold it to an LA-area friend. 6255 W. Sunset Blvd. is near the very center of the LA neighborhood of Hollywood. |
Sumotect
Member
Username: Sumotect
Post Number: 149
Registered: 08-2004
Posted From: 64.243.32.9
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 10:19 pm: | |
That photo of the old Sanders shop is a very beautiful streetscape. It's Low scale and sheletering, fine detail.
The line of buldings seem to go on forever. |
Mauser765
Member
Username: Mauser765
Post Number: 624
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 4.229.54.152
| | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 11:56 pm: | |
Wowsers Psip - that is an awsome photo. You can tell its the same building from the mosaic pattern on the left next to the row of windows. |
Kathleen
Member
Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 1083
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.122.57
| | Posted on Saturday, January 07, 2006 - 12:06 am: | |
These visuals might help too....
Just scroll on down past the Hitsville pics:
http://www.angelfire.com/de2/d etroitpix/MowtownBldg.html |
Lowell
Board Administrator
Username: Lowell
Post Number: 2136
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.167.58.137
| | Posted on Saturday, January 07, 2006 - 2:01 am: | |
Great scoop and pictures Mauser. Thanks. |
Dialh4hipster
Member
Username: Dialh4hipster
Post Number: 1271
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 68.40.193.105
| | Posted on Saturday, January 07, 2006 - 11:46 am: | |
Xd, the DIA does have some Detroit architectural effects in their collection, but I don't know that they have a "Detroit collection" per se.
Typically the museum would be interested in the artistic elements of a building, vs. strictly architectural. For example, that church that is for sale on Woodward used to have Tiffany stained glass windows in it, which were sold off by the owners over the years, and I know the DIA has some of those in its collection. |
Bob
Member
Username: Bob
Post Number: 728
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 152.163.100.195
| | Posted on Saturday, January 07, 2006 - 2:37 pm: | |
I don't think there is the Motown Records history with the Donovan Building that goes with the Hitsville USA studios on Grand Blvd. The blueprints say there were recording studios in the Donovan Building. I don't remember hearing that they recorded stuff in the Donovan Building. I always thought it was just corporate offices. I know Studio A was the Grand Blvd studio, and Studio B was on Davison and acquired via a buyout of a rival record label. |
Reetz12
Member
Username: Reetz12
Post Number: 21
Registered: 09-2005
Posted From: 69.246.61.199
| | Posted on Saturday, January 07, 2006 - 7:16 pm: | |
Reetz12
Member
Username: Reetz12
Post Number: 20
Registered: 09-2005
Posted From: 69.246.61.199
Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 7:18 pm:
------------------------------ ------------------------------ --------------------
I was told this weekend that the Motown Buildings and their infamous blue windows are to be torn down before the Superbowl. They are to start asap with three shifts on the abatement of the asbestos to meet the schedule. When/if this happens, what would be the ideal replacement for that property...residential? commercial? or mix?
Don't know how to post old discussion, but it started a month ago, if some one could post the link.
Now if I could only remember the little birdie that told me about this..... |
Kathleen
Member
Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 1087
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.122.57
| | Posted on Saturday, January 07, 2006 - 11:40 pm: | |
Reetz12...
Here's the Motown Buildings thread that you posted on 12/19: https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/62684/61959.html
And earlier 2005 discussion on the building: https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/50492/52338.html
And some even earlier threads:
(2004) https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/23585/26587.html
(2003) https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/18968/17622.html
BTW...use the Search Forum link on the lower left frame below the Detroit Rises image to enter search criteria; then from the results list, select a thread and open it in a new window, which gives you a unique URL to the thread. |
Psip
Member
Username: Psip
Post Number: 791
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 69.246.13.131
| | Posted on Saturday, January 07, 2006 - 11:49 pm: | |
Its funny to see the post numbers on the 04 thread.
Gistok
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Username: Gistok
Post Number: 11
Registered: 08-2004
Royce
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Username: Royce
Post Number: 145
Registered: 07-2004
Jjaba
Member
Username: Jjaba
Post Number: 863
Registered: 11-2003 jjaba on the Westside. |
Mauser765
Member
Username: Mauser765
Post Number: 629
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 4.229.54.236
| | Posted on Sunday, January 08, 2006 - 12:16 am: | |
So Reetz - WHO was that little birdie ? |
Kathleen
Member
Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 1090
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.122.57
| | Posted on Sunday, January 08, 2006 - 4:24 pm: | |
Just back from a trip downtown to check out the Donovan/Sanders buildings before they succumb....
The green mosaic tile designs on the Sanders Building are a wonder to behold!!! (Thanks, Mauser, for the photos above!) Any word on whether they go down with the building or be salvaged? |
Danny
Member
Username: Danny
Post Number: 3626
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 141.217.174.228
| | Posted on Sunday, January 08, 2006 - 5:40 pm: | |
The Sanders/ Donovon building are not in the demo list. It's going to stay up for future development. It's sad to see the 3 long blocks of the west side of Woodward are long gone. After those rows of building are torn down a couple of restuarants were in place. A Wendys, White Castle and a Jack in a Box. Now they long gone and it's a miserable looking gravel lot. |
Kathleen
Member
Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 1093
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.122.57
| | Posted on Sunday, January 08, 2006 - 5:42 pm: | |
As I understand it, these buildings are being demoed by their owner by choice, not by the city of Detroit. That's why they are not on the demo list. |
Dialh4hipster
Member
Username: Dialh4hipster
Post Number: 1274
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 68.40.193.105
| | Posted on Sunday, January 08, 2006 - 8:34 pm: | |
Kathleen, my comments above were about the mosaics. |
Xd_brklyn
Member
Username: Xd_brklyn
Post Number: 92
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 24.199.98.177
| | Posted on Sunday, January 08, 2006 - 10:50 pm: | |
Dial4, thanks for the answer, appreciate it. Behind the Brooklyn Museum, they created a sculpture garden with old New York architectural remnants. Thought it resourceful as well as being a very relaxing spot in NYC. Was thinking maybe Detroit might be doing the same. |
Kathleen
Member
Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 1095
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.122.57
| | Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 8:24 am: | |
Dial4hipster: Thanks for the info!! I must have overlooked your post among the photos and other comments.
That's great news...hopefully the DIA will put these architectural treasures on display sooner than later when the renovated museum is completed and everything is once again accessible. |
Huggybear
Member
Username: Huggybear
Post Number: 111
Registered: 08-2005
Posted From: 192.217.12.254
| | Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 12:42 pm: | |
It would seem like the Henry Ford would be a better place to display stuff like that (at least on loan) - after all, they are the ones who are into crating up the historical and concentrating it all in one place. I'm sure there would be a protest because it is in Dearborn (but with our sprawopolis, that is virtually Detroit nowadays).
Side note: I have to say it was pretty cool how Henry Ford collected underappreciated (at the time) historic buildings and moved them here. Someone should have approached GV about appropriating Fiona's teahouse, since it was a good representative late 18th c house. Compared to some of their projects, it would have been cheap and easy.
In fact, I don't think it would be a terrible idea to build our own version of the Victoria and Albert Musuem's indoor exhibit of plaster casts of real buildings (If I recall, they have some rea facades in there as well). If we are faced with a stock of interesting buildings that are beyond saving, at least we could document them that way. |
Aiw
Member
Username: Aiw
Post Number: 5210
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 209.216.150.127
| | Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 1:17 pm: | |
That display at the V&A is very intersting. I think I have photos of it at home somewhere, I'll try and post later. |
Chow
Member
Username: Chow
Post Number: 231
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 198.109.30.224
| | Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 1:22 pm: | |
Someone should save pieces of ornamentation from these buildings and others that have been or will be demo'd and put together a Detroit Architecture Museum. Hell, many people claim that we have one of the best pre-war skyscraper collections and this history will otherwise go to waste... |
Goat
Member
Username: Goat
Post Number: 8017
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 64.228.193.45
| | Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 2:28 pm: | |
AIW showed me some pics of a park in T.O. that has many architectural gems from the T.O. area..it would be wonderful concept in the D. |
Mauser765
Member
Username: Mauser765
Post Number: 639
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 4.229.54.108
| | Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 2:57 pm: | |
Pardon the bandwidth issues on these, I think this event is fairly important and these should be posted here.
First of all, the man responsible for most of the facade development along Woodwards Merchant Row along with the preservation of the Tiffany glass mosaics -
(big guy on the left)
heres a chunk they just removed today in a full section.
Heres the full signage. Its coming off in chunks because of the light sockets.
And two details of the Deco lotus flower patterns. Gorgeous !
 |
Kathleen
Member
Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 1097
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 140.244.107.151
| | Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 3:08 pm: | |
Wow!!!! Great photos!!! Can't even imagine that this work of art could have been lost. Thank God somebody recognized their value!!!
Thanks, Mauser, for posting these photos. Glad I made it downtown yesterday to see this for myself.
(Message edited by Kathleen on January 09, 2006) |
Dan
Member
Username: Dan
Post Number: 1164
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.47.194.247
| | Posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 3:18 pm: | |
Thanks Mauser! |
Ddaydave
Member
Username: Ddaydave
Post Number: 239
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 67.149.185.244
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 10:45 pm: | |
those pics are on http://www.detroitfunk.com/ today with a few notes on the building and squatters |
Mauser765
Member
Username: Mauser765
Post Number: 646
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 4.229.114.76
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 11:07 pm: | |
Yeah, I put up a shot of the interior on dfunk too, which is just a goopy mess... |
Ddaydave
Member
Username: Ddaydave
Post Number: 240
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 67.149.185.244
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 11:24 pm: | |
nice job Mauser765 |
Wolverine
Member
Username: Wolverine
Post Number: 100
Registered: 04-2004
Posted From: 141.213.196.136
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 12:03 am: | |
Great pictures Mauser! I'm glad the tilework is being saved. Let's just hope we see something better rise from this site other than a parking lot or suburban townhomes. |
S_marshall
Member
Username: S_marshall
Post Number: 34
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 72.138.72.51
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 2:21 am: | |
"AIW showed me some pics of a park in T.O. that has many architectural gems from the T.O. area..it would be wonderful concept in the D."
Here's a few pics of the Guild Inn/Park I have posted if anyone's interested. The hotel on the site has been abandoned a few years, and is facing demolition. One pic in the album shows a nearby mall (sans Wal-Mart) that is also facing demoltion. This is in Scarborough, east end Toronto.
http://photobucket.com/albums/ v297/spmarshall/Scarborough/ |
Goat
Member
Username: Goat
Post Number: 8029
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 64.228.192.161
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 11:44 am: | |
Thanks S-marshall. I couldn't remember what the park was called. Quite a gem for the City of T.O. to have that. |
Genesyxx
Member
Username: Genesyxx
Post Number: 395
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 209.69.165.10
| | Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 3:41 pm: | |
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20060112/NEW S11/60112006
Kilpatrick says the work will proceed so quickly that the site will be used for a parking lot during the Super Bowl. After that, the city will market it to developers |
Jt1
Member
Username: Jt1
Post Number: 6407
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 198.208.251.24
| | Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 4:05 pm: | |
quote:In recent years, talk has surfaced regularly of putting an expanded Motown museum onto the Woodward site, but nothing has come of it. Kilpatrick said Gordy still wants to establish a museum there.
They forgot - but will not put up a penny of his own money. |
Eric
Member
Username: Eric
Post Number: 287
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 35.11.158.84
| | Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 4:08 pm: | |
quote:The building is owned, Kilpatrick said, by a California-based company in which Motown founder Berry Gordy has an interest.
I wonder how much involvement the city had with the demo |
Shark
Member
Username: Shark
Post Number: 170
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 68.255.82.35
| | Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 7:18 pm: | |
Good riddance to the Sanders. That is an eyesore, and I'm surprised the whole side hasn't come tumbling down yet. |
Ndavies
Member
Username: Ndavies
Post Number: 1546
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 70.236.175.43
| | Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 7:36 pm: | |
OK, we know wht they're doing with the Donovan and Sanders. What are they doing with all the heavy equipment and earth moving across henry from the buildings. They are delivering large amounts of dirt.
I assume they are going to make another paved and landscaped parking lot. Maybe they just preordered fill dirt for the hole that will be left.
 |
Detroitduo
Member
Username: Detroitduo
Post Number: 418
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 68.250.175.117
| | Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 9:56 pm: | |
That's a good question, Ndavies... I was thinking the same thing, looking at that same view, today.
btw, ndavies, you up for a drink on Friday or Saturday? I leave on Monday... |
Lmichigan
Member
Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 3000
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 67.172.95.197
| | Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 10:01 pm: | |
Even thought that area along Woodward was already desloate, this is just going to look ridiculously barren. West of Woodward has been raped, and it's going to become more clear than ever before with the demolition of the lone Donovan/Sanders complex. That little complex somehow anchored and otherwise near totally desolate area. And, despite my usual optimism, things don't look too bright in terms of what may replace it. I guess I'm worried the city is just going to eventually accept another phase of Woodward Place-type townhomes.  |
Ddaydave
Member
Username: Ddaydave
Post Number: 252
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 67.149.185.244
| | Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 10:01 pm: | |
while there tearing down Sanders and Donovan buildings why dont there tear that building down behind that dirt pile ..the roof fell in on that place years ago |
Detroitduo
Member
Username: Detroitduo
Post Number: 419
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 68.250.175.117
| | Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 10:58 pm: | |
Ddaydave, Actually, I have watched over summers past while a guy has taken the second story off that building one brick at a time. I can only assume he was building himself a house somewhere or selling the brick...
While I am not happy about the removal of these buildings, it will answer a question I have had for 6 years when I moved into those terrible Woodward Place townhomes... Will the Motown Museum come into reality? I am now getting my answer. NO!
Now, would another phase of those terrible Woodward Place townhomes work there? Well, if there is no other possibility, then YES! Pretty much, I would like to look at a nice 4 or 5 story new loft-style building with ground retail, but if that isn't feasible, then another Woodward Place townhouse development would be better than 4 GIANT blocks of psudo-parking-lot empy lots. My humble opinion.
And quite frankly, I have the most to lose, since I own one of those "unfortunate, terrible, woodward place townhomes!" BTW, I'm glad people love to rip on my neighborhood. At least something was being done 5 years ago to try to help, as apposed to... oh... NOTHING! |
Chow
Member
Username: Chow
Post Number: 234
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.42.171.71
| | Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 11:02 pm: | |
Not ripping on your neighborhood, duo, just the horrible architecture. Although it is common knowledge that Detroit does not embrace urbanity, so none of this is any surprise. |
Ddaydave
Member
Username: Ddaydave
Post Number: 253
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 67.149.185.244
| | Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 11:12 pm: | |
thanks for that info Detroitduo I have walked past it and it looked like the roof fell in and truth is someone took the whole second floor to funny ..
its amazing what some of these people take when stripping these buildings .We all see what happened to lee plaza.. I have seen buildings abandonded and within days all the bricks, aluminum siding and doors,electric wires for the copper, toilets, hot water tanks etc etc gone ..it almost like the city lets it happen because its easier to tear it down then to put effort to stop it and find a use for it ..I always wondered why all those people who left those building and houses for the burbs weren`t held responsible for there property.. |
Bibs
Member
Username: Bibs
Post Number: 436
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 205.188.116.201
| | Posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 12:17 am: | |
What future development awaits this prime piece of real estate? Also, how much of the land does the city control? |
Ndavies
Member
Username: Ndavies
Post Number: 1548
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 70.236.175.43
| | Posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 12:25 am: | |
DetroitDuo, Either tomorrow or Saturday would work. I should be be home tomorrow afternoon. knock on my door. |
Mauser765
Member
Username: Mauser765
Post Number: 658
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 4.229.27.210
| | Posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 12:10 pm: | |
ADMIN: Probably time to join all the Motown/Donovan/Sanders threads into one, because you know there will be even more data are they are torn down.
Just a thought. |
Genesyxx
Member
Username: Genesyxx
Post Number: 399
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 209.69.165.10
| | Posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 1:26 pm: | |
And it is done... LOL.
Just wondering though, are there any hopes for building a mall on this site, or any other sites downtown (MCD! MCD! MCD!) |
Kathleen
Member
Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 1107
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 140.244.107.151
| | Posted on Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 2:35 pm: | |
From today's Detroit News:
Motown Center could still move forward, despite demolition
Donovan Building, former home to Motown offices, to be razed, but project leader holds out hope
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20060114/M ETRO/601140308/1003 |
Royce
Member
Username: Royce
Post Number: 1403
Registered: 07-2004
Posted From: 69.212.228.68
| | Posted on Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 2:49 pm: | |
Going forward with a "Motown Center" despite tearing down a historic building that would be on that site is comparable to tearing down the Alamo and creating an "Alamo Center" where the historic Alamo once stood. The appeal is gone. The connection to the past is gone. So why bother doing it. At this point the best thing to do would be to buy the land adjacent to the Hitsville Museum and use it for the Motown Center.
(Message edited by royce on January 14, 2006) |
Jsmyers
Member
Username: Jsmyers
Post Number: 1351
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 69.212.226.203
| | Posted on Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 2:54 pm: | |
quote:Just wondering though, are there any hopes for building a mall on this site, or any other sites downtown (MCD! MCD! MCD!)
And why would we want that?
http://www.riverfronttimes.com /Issues/2006-01-11/news/news.h tml
Now, if the MCS was the center of a commuter rail system in every direction (including Canada) and an intercity train system to Cleveland, Toronto, Chicago, and Grand Rapids, then of course you use a lot of the space in it for shopping (ala Union Station in DC). (As well as the tower for an hotel and the top floor for a restaurant with the best skyline views.)
But without the regular foot traffic, of travelers, it would not work. If it could be made to work downtown, it would likely do a lot of damage to already existing retail.
BTW - Isn't the Ren Cen already a mall?
(Message edited by jsmyers on January 14, 2006) |
Mj64
Member
Username: Mj64
Post Number: 48
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 141.211.48.234
| | Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 4:32 pm: | |
I heard demolition was going to start up again at the Donovan Building. Has anyone seen anything happening there today? |
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