Brewster-Douglass Projects Demolition Proceeds

[rex]

They completely down yet?

[animatedmartian]

Almost. According to DetroitUrbexes pictures, there's only two towers left and they look more than half way done.



https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...9112636&type=1


Unfortunately, the Recreation Center is now in danger of demolition.

As recently as a year ago, then-Mayor Dave Bing said the Brewster center would be spared as the city considered possibilities for eventually re-opening it as a community amenity for youths and seniors. The red brick building contains a gymnasium, pool, auditorium and other space, and lots of history.

But Duggan’s spokesman said Monday that the site was added to the demolition list. “So it is slated to come down this fall unless someone presents a workable redevelopment plan,” Roach wrote in an e-mail.

http://www.freep.com/article/2014080...ewster-Douglas

[mikefmich]

Old memories from Brewster.....good ones. Used to tutor grade school kids there in the mid-1960's. Love to know what became of "my boys".

Love to see someone do something....anything...and keep the rec center standing.

Oh well....it's likely going down now. Not surprising, but still saddens me.

[Hypestyles]

where is all the debris hauled to? What were the precautions regarding lead and asbestos debris?

[animatedmartian]

Sorry, three towers are still up, but all mostly chewed away nonetheless.



https://www.facebook.com/10921083911...0596323640747/

[Mackinaw]

If you really want to feel something haunted and stomach-churning, find the photos of when this neighborhood [[nice and dense at the time) was first torn down in the 1930s to make way for one of the nation's inaugural public housing projects. Eleanor Roosevelt came to town to help the tear-down! Then, the initial projects were replaced with the Brewster towers. And now this. The lesson, keep the government away from neighborhood design, at all costs. What a waste.

[Mackinaw]

Potentially good news coming today re the historic rec center:
http://www.freep.com/article/2014082...ler-rec-center

[DetroitPlanner]

Potentially good news coming today re the historic rec center:
http://www.freep.com/article/2014082...ler-rec-center

At this rate any news would be good whether it is saved, turned into a new use, or replaced by something that would be useful.

[stinkytofu]

Sounds like they are putting an RFP out on it.

Interesting. If I were an investor, I would likely want to see how the redevelopment of the surrounding neighborhood goes with the Brewsters gone before committing to anything. Area has a ton of potential. Seems like a more logical move would be for the city to sit on the rec center, get redevelopment [[i.e. building of residences) going in immediate neighborhood, then seek investors.

Good news nonetheless.

[innercitydoc]

Yes please.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...wster-douglass

[southen]

Great news. Can't wait to see movement on his other Brush Park properties as well as the development that includes the Rec Center.

The Eastern Market development has me curious too. I wonder what they are envisioning there.