Proposed razing of apartments causes strife
http://www.thesouthend.wayne.edu/index.php/article/2010/04/proposed_razing_of_apartments_causes_strife
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I hope the Verona doesn't get torn down for this piece of crap
Proposed razing of apartments causes strife
Historic Verona building included in demolition plans
The apartments that line the narrow streets of Cass Avenue and Ferry Street tell stories of an era in Detroit that can only be read about in books or seen in pictures.
A walk along the apartments with their recessed windows, intricate stone details and French doors that open up to balconies that overhang the busy streets below have the ability to transport residents into another century.
“One of the unique things about living in Detroit is the historical brick buildings,” Bianca Gonzalez, a sophomore and new resident to a Neo-Georgian style apartment set along Cass Avenue, said. “They have character, which you don’t find in residential places outside of Detroit.”
But Campus Village Communities, the owners of Gonzalez’ apartment and several others in the area, plan to make room for a 95-unit, contemporary-style apartment building by demolishing her apartment and two other adjacent buildings.
Campus Village is a Detroit-area based company that builds affordable off-campus apartments for college students. Besides Wayne State, they also have properties in Flint, Lansing and other college cities in the Midwest.
According to Greg Schaefer, vice president of development, the project would cost $21 million and provide 1,200 square feet of commercial property on the first floor for Wayne State students.
Schaefer said the apartments that would be razed include The Verona, 5524 and 5538 Cass Ave., and one more property to the north.
“The project would provide the students of Wayne State new, off-campus housing similar to the type of housing available at almost all other Michigan universities but not currently available at Wayne State,” he said.
But some people believe the architecture of the past is what makes Wayne State’s campus unique.
One example is The Verona, which was named after a town in northern Italy for its Romanesque Revival style architecture. According to records, it is the oldest and largest structure on the block with a middle section that stands five-stories high.
The symmetric, brick building that houses 26 flats was built in 1896 by one of the most prominent Detroit architect companies of the time: Malcomson Higginbotham.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 and would be one of the structures razed.
But one organization is trying to prevent this from happening.
The University Cultural Center Association has submitted a request to the city council to recognize the surrounding area as a historical district. This would make it all but impossible for Campus Village to go through with its plans.
“I’m a little bit mystified that they don’t want to see the development of the area,” said Schaefer, in response to the UCCA’s request. “I understand they are old, but there is nothing different about these buildings and ones a block away.”
Sue Mosey of the UCCA said she did not understand why Campus Village was still looking to build when it was the apparent that their proposed project was very unpopular.
“He should be very clear by now,” she said.
Mosey said there was a town hall meeting held two months ago where over 30 people — made up of investors, stakeholders and residents of Midtown — made clear that they strongly opposed the project. She said that Schaefer was present and directly heard the complaints of people that have vested interest in the community.
“Nobody showed up in favor of construction,” she said. “Campus Village is simply looking to buy property, not renovate.”
As of print time, Schaefer had not returned calls made to his office regarding the town hall meeting.
According to documents submitted to the City Council by the UCCA, the proposed district would encompass the properties north of W. Kirby Street, east of Cass Avenue, west of Woodward Avenue and south of W. Palmer Street — minus Parking Lot 33, which is on the corner of Palmer and Woodward.
Until the Council makes its decision, the city has placed a moratorium on any new construction in the disputed area.
Schaefer said that if the day comes when he is allowed to build the apartment, he would make sure it went smoothly for the tenants of the apartments that would be demolished.
He said that most of the residents that live in the Campus Village Community are students and have year-long leases. Schaefer said that if Campus Village received the OK to build, they would wait until the academic year ended and would not allow the tenants to continue their lease for the next semester.
“We would make accommodations for them,” Schaefer said of those that live there all year round, allowing them to move to similar-priced apartments farther down Ferry Street. “We may even move them to nicer apartments and charge them the same rate.”
Jenna Huskinson, a senior and assistant to the marketing director at the school of business, has shared a two bedroom apartment with her roommate in The Lexington since last May.
Although her apartment will not be affected by the project, Huskinson sides with the UCCA.
“I know that they are old, but I enjoy the architecture and the character,” she said.
“There are a lot of buildings that have no chance. Why not knock down those and not the functioning ones?”
Gonzalez said: “It would be a regretful tragedy to tear down such a beautiful building.”
She said she has lived in several other apartments in Detroit, and whenever people visit her, they are “surprised to find such a sense of times from before.”
“I think it’s important to protect the history of Detroit,” Gonzalez said. “After all, it reminds the residents here of better times.”
