Discuss Detroit » Archives - Beginning January 2006 » DPD Headquarters on Beaubien will be restored « Previous Next »
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Eastsidedog
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Username: Eastsidedog

Post Number: 229
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 12.47.224.7
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 1:17 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I always thought the city should just restore the Albert Kahn classic. It's really an incredible building. This is exciting news.

Moving DPD out for 36 months is a good idea but seems like an awfully long time.

Maybe because of this the totalitarian justice center won't come to be. Thank god.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20060413/NEW S01/604130403
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Smogboy
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Username: Smogboy

Post Number: 2288
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 69.47.100.44
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 1:18 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This is much much more viable than trying to refurb the old train station. Grandiose dreams yes, but financially impossible.
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Southwestmap
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Username: Southwestmap

Post Number: 452
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 64.79.90.206
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 1:24 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm thrilled. This is great news. Restore our historic buildings and sites and pride grows.

However, I'm pretty sure that this means that the new building on Fort and Ferdinand that was supposed to house the SW District will, instead be used by the DPD Command.

The SW district will continue to operate very far from the neighborhood. Very little neighborhood knowledge and experience is the standard at the DPD now.
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Erikd
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Username: Erikd

Post Number: 577
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.242.214.106
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 2:06 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I love the idea of restoring 1300. I remember Joe Harris pushing for this, instead of building new. Moving the DPD HQ out of the criminal justice district doesn't make much sense, and I am really glad to hear about this new plan.
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Woodward
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Username: Woodward

Post Number: 11
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 68.167.120.148
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 2:29 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

About the Tiger Stadium stuff from the article...


quote:

Kilpatrick also said his development team would market the site in May at the International Council of Shopping Centers convention in Las Vegas -- but as a location without the stadium on it.




Is the "development team" a different group of people than what's referred to in this previous News story about the stadium?


quote:

In years past, the city has tried to market the stadium to retail developers at Las Vegas' mammoth International Council of Shopping Centers convention. Officials are skipping this year's event in May, citing the city's $160 million-$190 million deficit.




http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20060410/M ETRO/604100375

Thanks to anyone who clears this up.

(Message edited by woodward on April 13, 2006)
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Mackinaw
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Username: Mackinaw

Post Number: 1365
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 141.213.173.94
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 4:25 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This is good news.

The Central Depot was just too much. I'd like to see some other enterprise take a shot at adaptive re-use there, anyway.

The Beaubien building is not only architecturally significant, but is exactly what you would think a big-city police HQ would look like.

The only cooler place I've seen is the main court/police station/jail in downtown Pittsburgh. Absolutely awesome medieval-style complex.
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Eastsidedog
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Username: Eastsidedog

Post Number: 230
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 12.47.224.7
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 4:32 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mackinaw, I totally agree. I big shiny new (suburbanish) complex would really suck. 1300 is a cool as hell building and it's exciting to know that Detroit's finest will have a top notch rehabbed facility to work out of.

Still waiting to hear why it will take 3 whole years to rehab it. Maybe they plan on totally gutting it. Does anyone know if there's anything inside that's cool, architecturally speaking? I've never been inside. Eastsidedog is a good law-abiding citizen. :-)
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56packman
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Username: 56packman

Post Number: 196
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 129.9.163.234
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 4:41 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

southwestmap--Where is the new building at Fort and Ferdinand? is it on the Southwest corner? (the Gilead Baptist church is on the SE corner)
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E_hemingway
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Username: E_hemingway

Post Number: 560
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 68.42.176.123
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 4:53 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The current state of the DPD HQ is gheeettoooo... It really needs a rehab. There's no central air, the place is grimy, hard to navigate. It's obvious as soon as you walk in the front door that not a lot has been done to that building in a long time. The inside looks like its straight out of a James Cagney movie. However, I think a TOTAL rehab could work for the building. But if it's to be used, it needs a whole lot of work.
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Ray1936
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Username: Ray1936

Post Number: 454
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 207.200.116.139
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 5:10 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The inside is a hodge-podge of offices that have been added/taken away/added again/taken away again, and so on.

The building is "U" shaped, with a small parking garage attached to the top of the "U", and a gymnasium on the floor above that. Inside the "U" is an open air area with an extention of the parking garage roof level with the second floor.

In days gone by, the fifth floor was entirely occupied by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. They vacated that floor when the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice was opened in, oh, 1970 or so. Various police offices occupied that floor since.

The sixth floor was (and is) primarily communications, including the 911 and dispatch center.

Seventh floor used to be the old Women's Division, which was eliminated when female officers were absorbed into the general force. Prior to that, female officers were only assigned to the WD, and they handled juvenile and sex offenses. After the breakup, it was occupied by various administrative units.

Eighth floor was the Women's holding cells; the Ninth floor was the Men's holding cells.

Um....I'm out of sequence here, but I'm just jotting thoughts as they occur. The Fourth floor was always the main offices of the Detective Division, including Homicide and the Holdup Squad. Third floor was where the Commissioner and all the top brass had their offices. And the second floor was basically for the Traffic division, including the Accident Prevention Bureau. I don't know how many accidents they prevented, but they took a lot of reports.

First floor was the 1st Precinct, Auto Squad, and Property Office. And the basement was a dingy assortment of pipes, valves, property storage, gun room, and building maintenance. Which was a bit of a laugh, because about all they ever did was sweep the floors.

The lobbys at the elevators have panels of dark marble, and if you look closely enough, you can see tiny fossils imbedded within the marble here and there. They always fascinated me, and I often wondered where the quarry was. On the first floor, engraved in the marble, are the names of all the Detroit Police Officers who have been killed in the line of duty. The list is all too long. On the opposite wall are the executives of the DPD at the time of the construction of the building and other data (architect, etc.).

There are some underground tunnels for prisoner transfer to other buildings in the CJ complex.

I would suppose the entire insides will be gutted except for the floors. It will need a completely new mechanical system, from HVAC to elevators, and I do hope they sandblast the exterior of 80 years of urban grime.

Ah, yes. And there is a time capsule from 1923 in the cornerstone. And I know what is in it.

(Message edited by Ray1936 on April 13, 2006)
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Ray1936
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Username: Ray1936

Post Number: 455
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 207.200.116.139
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 5:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Afterthought. The johns also had the largest damn urinals I ever saw; they were like a bathtub standing on end. You could almost stand in the darn things. For what it's worth. :-)
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Eastsidedog
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Username: Eastsidedog

Post Number: 232
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 12.47.224.7
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 5:43 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah Ray1936, if they powerwash the exterior people will be completely stunned. It'll almost look brand new. The marble sounds cool. Hope they keep it. Thanks for the great descriptions of the interior.
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Gistok
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Username: Gistok

Post Number: 1990
Registered: 08-2004
Posted From: 4.229.72.186
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 6:30 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sounds like a win win situation (for the DPD and the taxpayers).

That county idea about moving the entire justice campus to another site came off as rather pie-in-the-sky. Who would have paid for such an extravagance.... why the taxpayers of course.
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Eastsidedog
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Username: Eastsidedog

Post Number: 236
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 12.47.224.7
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 6:33 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Gistok, if they built that Criminal Justice Complex they might as well have built some Robocops too.
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Andyguard73
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Username: Andyguard73

Post Number: 38
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 141.209.33.145
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 7:47 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Does anybody have any pictures of the building they could post? I've never seen it before, but it sounds pretty cool.
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Lmichigan
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Username: Lmichigan

Post Number: 3521
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 67.172.95.197
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 8:01 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm glad to hear they are renovating the Beaubien building. I assume it's going to take so long because they'll literally have to nearly gut the entire thing. It's been said to have been in horrible shape for years, particularly the look-ups, and not just structural damage but vermin and all sorts of little creatures. I can only imagine.
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Livernoisyard
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Username: Livernoisyard

Post Number: 422
Registered: 10-2004
Posted From: 69.242.223.42
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 8:09 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The MCT project should be reconsidered. Also, a dedicated rapid-transit system should also be constructed, connecting the MCT, sheriff's office, doughnut shoppes, bail-bondsmen, any and all jails, and the court houses.
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Ray1936
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Username: Ray1936

Post Number: 456
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 207.200.116.139
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 9:00 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Old postcard c. 1924
dpd1
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Jams
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Username: Jams

Post Number: 3103
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.250.9.158
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 9:07 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

One of the "Urban Legends" I've heard from some old-timers is Kahn purposely designed Police Headquarters to resemble the DAC because of the anti-semiticism of the club at the time, just to tick off the membership of the DAC.

I'd ask jjaba directly, but he tried to avoid one building and couldn't get into the other.
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Ray1936
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Username: Ray1936

Post Number: 457
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 207.200.116.139
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 9:14 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Front entrance, 1980. Sorry for the quality, but shrinking it to 50k corrupted it a bit.

dpd2
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Iheartthed
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Username: Iheartthed

Post Number: 10
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 141.213.55.110
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 9:22 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ray, communications left 1500 last year and moved to the northwest side on Lyndon off of Schaefer.
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Jams
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Username: Jams

Post Number: 3104
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.250.9.158
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 9:22 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks Ray1936
I've been trying to organize my Detroit postcard collection so I can find something quickly, but the several shoe boxes full of them just are not my immediate concern.

Than again, there is the issue of scanning them.
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Burnsie
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Username: Burnsie

Post Number: 399
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 141.217.128.205
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 9:24 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This is good news. And yes, powerwashing instead of sandblasting, so as not to damage the stone! I remember the Penobscot was cleaned with a baking soda and water solution that worked great.
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Eric
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Username: Eric

Post Number: 424
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 35.11.210.161
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 9:28 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Criminal Justice Complex is still in the works the city just wants jail space

http://media.freep.com/audio/2 006/04/2kilp0413.mp3
about 4:30 in
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Ray1936
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Username: Ray1936

Post Number: 459
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 207.200.116.139
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 9:30 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Didn't know that, lhearthed. Thanks for the update. Must be kiddie-corner from the old DSR barns then, huh?
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Naturalsister
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Username: Naturalsister

Post Number: 594
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 68.42.169.65
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 10:00 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah Woodward,

Are they going or aren't they? When I read that they were skipping it, I was like - HOW STUPID!!! We definitely need to market this city at EVERY opportunity.

George Jackson (a Kilpatrick hire) said no.
Mayor Kilpatrick says yes. George Jackson has no personality. I don't see how he could sell anything.

I hope the Mayor is right. They need to be at that convention.

http://www.icsc.org/2006SC/ind ex.php

Later - naturalsister
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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1041
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 66.2.148.157
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 10:11 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The new Police HQ

1300 Beaubien

Old Police HQ

Old Police HQ
WSU/VMC both

I think old HQ was where the Water Board Bldg is.
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Andyguard73
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Username: Andyguard73

Post Number: 39
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 141.209.33.143
Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 11:53 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks for the pictures Ray and Hornwrecker. It sure is a beautiful building.
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Iheartthed
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Username: Iheartthed

Post Number: 12
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 68.40.50.194
Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 2:53 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ray, I'm not familiar with what DSR is... but it's on the south side of the street in a gated complex. I think it used to be the Budco (or something like that) facility, if I'm not mistaken. Not too far from where Barden Cable used to be.
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Danny
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Username: Danny

Post Number: 3967
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 141.217.174.223
Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 9:41 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Since the MCS plan went belly up. KING KWAME finally came into his senses and come up with some cash to fix up the DPD HQ.
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The_rock
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Username: The_rock

Post Number: 1118
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 68.42.251.225
Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 11:06 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

danny---you sure the Mayor has "come up with the cash?". Channel 4 reports that "funding" has yet to be arranged. And having seen pictures of the inside of 1300 Beaubien, it will need considerable cash---big bucks to rejuvinate that 83 year old building. It is in horrible shape. What you see from the outside is a far cry from what you see inside. What an undertaking.
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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1043
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 66.2.149.20
Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 12:38 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Here's an aerial view showing the shape of the building that Ray was talking about.

1300 Beaubien aerial
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Gistok
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Username: Gistok

Post Number: 1992
Registered: 08-2004
Posted From: 4.229.186.239
Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 2:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

DSR.... is the old name for DDOT (Detroit Department of Transportation). I remember the old DSR buses in the 1960's and early 1970's.... "Department of Streets & Railways" if I am not mistaken.
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Jsmyers
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Username: Jsmyers

Post Number: 1612
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 67.177.129.227
Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 3:07 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I think it was Department of Street Railways (or Railroads)
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Ray1936
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Username: Ray1936

Post Number: 465
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 207.200.116.139
Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 3:51 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

DDOT will always be the DSR (Department of Street Railways) in my mind. But then, what are we doing to save Briggs Stadium????
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The_rock
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Username: The_rock

Post Number: 1122
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 68.42.251.225
Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 4:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

We sold the street cars to Mexico City, I wonder if they want a baseball stadium.
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Jjaba
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Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 3649
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 67.160.138.107
Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 5:22 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

jsmyers and ray1936 are correct about DSR.

jjaba, on the Northlawn bus.
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623kraw
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Username: 623kraw

Post Number: 894
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.41.224.200
Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 6:15 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

A recent shot (2004 or so):
Police HQ

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