Art Deco looking abandon Salvation Army Building on Bagley

**JStone** · March-22-10, 10:58 AM

I didn't get a close look at it this morning, but it appears that the cornerstone of the building was removed over the weekend. It read something like "Erected to the Glory of God and to the Good of all Humanity" - or something close. There is a really nice lobby light inside. I wonder if someone finally got that too.

I wonder who would want to steal that?

I'll try to take a picture later today.

**Ocean2026** · March-22-10, 05:10 PM

Maybe they thought that God had done nothing for Detroit and all humanity wasn't even close to being good - so they went and proved it.

**Lonyo exit** · March-23-10, 08:38 AM

Abandoned.

**JStone** · March-23-10, 01:16 PM

You're probably right Ocean.

Confirmed - Gone.

**esp1986** · March-23-10, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by JStone

You're probably right Ocean.

Confirmed - Gone.

It looks like the concrete in front of it is fairly new, which could mean something was done there, either it may have been damaged or otherwise.

**Gsgeorge** · March-23-10, 02:07 PM

what did it look like before? I've always admired this building but never took a close look at the cornerstone.

Retroit · March-23-10, 02:15 PM

I wonder if that recessed area contained a time capsule?

**gnome** · March-23-10, 02:19 PM

a google street view doesn't reveal much detail, except that you can tell there is no hole as shown in JStone's pic ...

Here is what it looked like in 1938

**RickBeall** · March-23-10, 02:35 PM

You guys are good!

**Whitehouse** · March-23-10, 02:49 PM

Can someone post some pics of the whole building, the details that matter and the general environment?

**JStone** · March-24-10, 08:29 AM

Nice pic Gnome.

Retroit, good point. I hadn't even thought about that. I bet there was something placed in there and I bet who ever took it, knew that.

Is there any online resources to search old newspaper clippings or is that a trip to the library?

**JStone** · March-24-10, 08:35 AM

Another pic. The building is so much more prominent on the corner when 2nd actually went through there. It's hardly noticeable now.

**kryptonite** · March-24-10, 09:59 AM

That building has got great potential. Art Deco architecture is still in high regard. I have always admired the building. I wonder if there are any plans for it? I can visualize it with new windows and some neon lighting. Someone saved the Elwood, although it was different building materials it was another Art Deco charmer. Damn, why wasn't I born rich instead of good looking, I could renovate the place.

**gnome** · March-24-10, 11:03 AM

When the building was constructed, it was smack dab within what is called skid row by the WSU Virutal library.

Michigan Ave at the intersection of 3rd looking towards downtown. This would be the backyard of Salvation Army. Now it is a parking lot.

South side of Michigan

North side of Michigan between 3rd and 2nd

PQZ · March-24-10, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by kryptonite

That building has got great potential.... Damn, why wasn't I born rich instead of good looking, I could renovate the place.

As what?

The building is beautiful, I don't think anyone would argue otherwise.

But what is it's real potential?

Office? Given the crappy occupancy rates downtown and its somewhat isolated location would you really be able to get tenants?

Residential? There are no windows on the backside...so expect to pay a lot of money punching in new windows for residential use...if you can get that past the Secretary of the Interior without killing your historic tax credits. Does anyone have any idea of the interior vertical & horizontal circulation? Where are the stairs and what, if any hallways are there? These will be key cost drivers and may put some design limitations due [[again) to Sec. of Interior standards.

Does any know who even owns it?

It appears to be about 100 x 75 with three stories so about 22,000 s.f. give or take some. At $125 per foot all in for reno costs [[and that is a total SWAG) you are looking at $2.75 million excluding the acquistion costs.

That is not a HUGE nut to crack - 10% developer equity is only $275,000. Perhaps this could be a good project for the preservation community to rally around? Find a creative use. Form a non profit and do some fund raising - show the demo happy folks at the City how it is really done.

Here is a great chance to save a great building and stick it to the Demolition Jackson, you know, show the DDA and DEGC how it is REALLY done....anyone going to step up?

Retroit · March-24-10, 11:30 AM

We could open up a:

DetroitYES!
..B..
..A..
..R..

**kryptonite** · March-24-10, 11:36 AM

I agree, when I look at that building it just seems to scream "BAR". but there are apparently more than enough bars and restaurants downtown.

How about a coffee shop? hmm... maybe not - too large for that? A coffee shop/lunch deli combo?

**p1acebo** · March-24-10, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by kryptonite

I agree, when I look at that building it just seems to scream "BAR". but there are apparently more than enough bars and restaurants downtown.

How about a coffee shop? hmm... maybe not - too large for that? A coffee shop/lunch deli combo?

Ya, with some nice Italian subs

Retroit · March-24-10, 11:42 AM

...and cage fighting on friday nights.

**kryptonite** · March-24-10, 11:43 AM

Since the building was once a Salvation Army facility, maybe the interior is a religious sanctuary rather than a three-storey structure?

It could be quite attractive if dolled-up with some period neon and lighting, and lettering/signage, you know.

**EastsideAl** · March-24-10, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by kryptonite

I agree, when I look at that building it just seems to scream "BAR".

Well, taking a former Salvation Army facility meant to take people out of the bars and turning it into a bar would certainly be high on the irony scale. Not sure how many patrons it would attract once the novelty had passed though...

**East Detroit** · March-24-10, 12:19 PM

The interior is nice, but not swanky. The gym would make a nice dance floor.

PQZ · March-24-10, 12:42 PM

A bar needs parking - and lots of it. Parking will need to be acquired from who ever owns the adjacent lot - either through direct acquistion or shared parking leasing / valet. That can be pricey

What about a customer service center for DTE? Easy to get to right off the free way...

What about housing gambling addiction rehab and other support services? Where are those currently housed?

Bearinabox · March-24-10, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by PQZ

A bar needs parking - and lots of it.

Ha. What was that old meme about not drinking and driving? I guess we can toss that right out the window...

**downandouterdrive** · March-24-10, 01:16 PM

With regard to the parking situation, would it be possible to negotiate "air rights"? That could solve several issues at once. Although the Red Herring in all of this would be the casinos.