Detroit for Sale
>> Tuesday, May 10, 2011 –
Michigan
Anyone in the market for a fine example of Roman Baroque architecture in the heart of beautiful downtown Detroit?
I say "beautiful downtown Detroit" with my tongue nowhere near my cheek. I spent Mother's Day weekend in the Detroit area, much of it walking downtown and admiring the many beautiful buildings that have managed to survive the rash of demolition and replacement with hideous concrete and glass monstrosities that so many big cities experienced in the 1960s and 1970s.
Downtown Detroit is cleaner than you might expect, especially if you have ever perused the many ruin porn photos that highlight the blight of Detroit. It's not full of gang bangers toting guns or prostitutes or shady looking drug dealers. I'm sure those people exist in Detroit, as in any big city, but they're not hanging around Greektown or the Fox Theatre or the very pleasant walk between the two. There are many empty storefronts, however, so entrepreneurs take note! Start-up is probably relatively cheap there and you can be part of the remaking of a great city.
The Wayne County Building is gorgeous and I do hope it is filled soon. The county seat has apparently moved into the also historic Guardian Building, but it is a huge shame to leave this magnificent structure empty, especially when it is so unlikely that it will be filled any time soon. So if you're interested in creating a museum in a historic building, here's your chance. Just make it classy, please.
This makes me so sad. So sad. Unfortunately, the bulk of historic buildings and homes where we live were demolished in the 60s and 70s. There are very few "historical" properties left. Those thy are still standing are sadly in very rough sections of town and have not been cared for. It's a shame.
Great photo of the Wayne County Building.