Parkguy Member Username: Parkguy
Post Number: 18 Registered: 04-2007
| Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 9:16 pm: | |
Pardon me if this was covered before I joined the forum... does anyone know the story behind the copper roof disappearing from the Lee Plaza building on Grand Blvd.? I'm basically wondering if there was a legitimate reason for it being removed. In my opinion, Lee Plaza is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. |
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936
Post Number: 1413 Registered: 01-2005
| Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 9:19 pm: | |
WAS one of the most beautiful...... |
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway
Post Number: 1178 Registered: 11-2004
| Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 9:36 pm: | |
Scrappers. I think Lowell or AIW or one of the other photogs did something on it as it was happening. |
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 2130 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 9:49 pm: | |
There are several related threads but here is one of them: Archives - Beginning January 2006: Lee Plaza Roof Completely Stripped. |
Ordinary Member Username: Ordinary
Post Number: 200 Registered: 06-2006
| Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 9:54 pm: | |
When I joined the forum,one of the questions was something like, "What is your favorite building or maybe abandoned building in the city?" I immediately answered The Lee Plaza. I haven't even looked at the building in a while. I can't believe the roof is gone. That breaks my heart, I always thought that maybe that building was going to make it. |
Dougw Member Username: Dougw
Post Number: 1661 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 11:52 pm: | |
That thread that Jimaz posted belongs among the Hall of Fame, even if it's not your typical HoF thread. It pretty well documents the destruction of a major Detroit building, something that went completely unreported in the local media, and everyone's helplessness at doing anything about it. |
Quozl Member Username: Quozl
Post Number: 567 Registered: 07-2005
| Posted on Monday, May 07, 2007 - 12:15 am: | |
It heard through the grapevine it took 5 men from Houston less than two days to strip Lee Plaza clean as a whistle and then transport it down to Texas on two flatbed trailers. Here are some pics of the old Lee Plaza Roof being reinstalled here in Texas at a VERY nice place 95 miles north of Houston. The copper cleaning from what I heard was difficult but with illegal immigrant labor was cost effective. They also did the reinstallation for a reasonable price from what I understand.
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Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 5472 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, May 07, 2007 - 3:46 am: | |
You've got to be kidding me. I thought the scrapping would have stopped after the Lee Plaza's lion ornamentation was found in Chicago. I know the city is in tough financial straits, but they should sue the hell out of whoever they can to send a message that you can't deconstruct Detroit without a fair sell. The Lee Plaza is a city-owned property. But, you never know, this could have very likely been an inside job. (Message edited by lmichigan on May 07, 2007) |
Buddyinrichmond Member Username: Buddyinrichmond
Post Number: 161 Registered: 02-2004
| Posted on Monday, May 07, 2007 - 8:13 am: | |
Sure the scrapping is going to stop because you wish it. Crap economy coupled with record scrap prices only indicates an increase. You are not studying economics are you? |
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed
Post Number: 713 Registered: 04-2006
| Posted on Monday, May 07, 2007 - 10:29 am: | |
A crappy economy has nothing to do with people from other cities coming in and stripping your buildings. |
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 5473 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, May 07, 2007 - 7:08 pm: | |
Buddy, what in the world are you talking about? Scrapping is illegal, period, and nothing justifies it. The city's silence on this city-owned property is essentially condoning this illegal practice, and that the mainstream media never did much of a story on this and never followed it up is really telling of how much the greater community cares about itself. |
1953 Member Username: 1953
Post Number: 1376 Registered: 12-2004
| Posted on Monday, May 07, 2007 - 7:12 pm: | |
Does anyone have storage space they can lend me for this extra roof I have...its really nice. I think it came from some building in Detroit... |
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine
Post Number: 1636 Registered: 05-2005
| Posted on Monday, May 07, 2007 - 7:43 pm: | |
i wish someone would start a vigilante style war on scrappers |
Rocket_city Member Username: Rocket_city
Post Number: 251 Registered: 04-2006
| Posted on Monday, May 07, 2007 - 8:08 pm: | |
Quozl, how do you know that is Lee Plaza roof in those pics? |
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul
Post Number: 981 Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Monday, May 07, 2007 - 8:11 pm: | |
Yeah. In that last pic the roof does look a bit too smooth and new. There aren't any marks on it, pits, or anything really. Even with refinishing, I don't think that they can get it that perfect. |
Rocket_city Member Username: Rocket_city
Post Number: 254 Registered: 04-2006
| Posted on Monday, May 07, 2007 - 8:33 pm: | |
Charpaul, I think we should form a posse and go sneak down to Texas and restrip that building in the middle of the night and return the roof to its rightful owner (if it is in fact the Lee's). Hey, if it was able to be stripped in a matter of minutes, why can't it be the same there? I can't see this rumor being true, though. |
Patrick Member Username: Patrick
Post Number: 4386 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, May 07, 2007 - 9:14 pm: | |
Remember the thread we had about assholes stealing the front fencing from the CVS on Jefferson? We actually had several people on here blame the theft on the economy. |
Dougw Member Username: Dougw
Post Number: 1662 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Monday, May 07, 2007 - 11:25 pm: | |
I'm pretty sure Quozl was joking, the bit about illegal immigrant labor was the clincher. |
Dougw Member Username: Dougw
Post Number: 1663 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Monday, May 07, 2007 - 11:27 pm: | |
Still, a vigilante style war on scrappers would be thoroughly enjoyable. |
Flybydon Member Username: Flybydon
Post Number: 135 Registered: 01-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2007 - 8:48 am: | |
5/29/2007
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Exmotowner Member Username: Exmotowner
Post Number: 291 Registered: 06-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2007 - 9:02 am: | |
Didnt the Train station have a copper roof too? I remember seeing guys up there taking it back in the late 80's -- early 90's. |
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 5605 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2007 - 4:45 pm: | |
You mean the flat-roofed MCS? |
Burnsie Member Username: Burnsie
Post Number: 1009 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2007 - 5:02 pm: | |
At least parts of the slope-roofed waiting room and concourse may be copper on the MC Depot, but the office tower roof definitely never was. Maybe it had copper vents or flashing, though. |
Barnesfoto Member Username: Barnesfoto
Post Number: 3617 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2007 - 5:06 pm: | |
The waiting room/concourse had copper roofing. I hired illegal immigrants to peel it off, and in the process several sheets fell on some cute kittens, crushing them. |
Michigansheik Member Username: Michigansheik
Post Number: 205 Registered: 09-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2007 - 11:41 pm: | |
the lee plaza roof went right before the YMCA on jefferson at waterworks was hit. it was a walgreens not cvs on jefferson. scrap yards are the problem as are bullets. |