sidewalk awnings on Grand River?

Hi: I am trying to track down pictures [[or the location, so that I can take my own pictures) of a sidewalk that has awnings over the sidewalk but the buildings were demolished. I think it was on Grand River Ave., but I could be mistaken. Can anybody help me out?

Thanks!

Try Oakman

They did this all over the city in the mid-70's.

It was part of a neighborhood retail revitalization initiative. Unfortunately too little, too late. And poor design, but during this era people thought that the mall was the ideal, so shopping districts were malled, whether pedestrianized, weatherized, modernized, etc.

So you got those sidewalk roof thingees at Grand River/Greenfield, 6 Mile/Schaefer [[I think), Woodward/Grand, and one or two other places. Almost all have been torn down.

There were also more modest retail revitalizations, with no roof thingees, in Old Redford. Dexter Davison, Jefferson-Chalmers. and a few more places.

And downtown, they turned the retail corridors along Woodward and Washington into "transit malls", which meant wider sidewalks, lots of sidewalk "stuff" [[glassy doo-dads, monkey bars, fountains, etc.), transit improvements and the like.

Obviously none of this really worked, but I don't think it's fair to blame the [[admittedly piss-poor) design. These areas were doomed given the population trends of the time.

You probably want to check out Grand River and Greenfield. I think that's the area you seek.

They put these awnings at 7 Mile and Gratiot as well. At the time, the area still had some great retail, with Montgomery Ward, Federals, Woolworth, Winkelmen's, Albert's and Baker Shoes, just to name a few. Unfortunately, the next 10 years were unkind as many of these stores went out of business or just closed those locations. Now they have tried to build a new suburban style shopping center, but the awnings are long gone.

Looks like it would help with the snow removal problem.

Thanks! That is exactly what I am looking for.

City architect Alex pollack was the planner behind much of what you mentioned. he continues to be a visionary and respected. I think time will be kinder to him than you are. His work was of a certain moment that we cannot understand now, but it was the bubbly '70's then.

I like the awnings. Definitely makes it feel more market place-y. Pretty useless though if no one's shopping in the area. Okay idea, just horrible timing and place.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bham1982

They did this all over the city in the mid-70's.

It was part of a neighborhood retail revitalization initiative. Unfortunately too little, too late. And poor design, but during this era people thought that the mall was the ideal, so shopping districts were malled, whether pedestrianized, weatherized, modernized, etc.

So you got those sidewalk roof thingees at Grand River/Greenfield, 6 Mile/Schaefer [[I think), Woodward/Grand, and one or two other places. Almost all have been torn down.

There were also more modest retail revitalizations, with no roof thingees, in Old Redford. Dexter Davison, Jefferson-Chalmers. and a few more places.

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They also installed it at 7 mile and Gratiot, but it was demolished long ago. It was removed at the same time that they demolished the old Montgomery Wards building on 7 and Gratiot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bham1982

They did this all over the city in the mid-70's.

It was part of a neighborhood retail revitalization initiative. Unfortunately too little, too late. And poor design, but during this era people thought that the mall was the ideal, so shopping districts were malled, whether pedestrianized, weatherized, modernized, etc.

So you got those sidewalk roof thingees at Grand River/Greenfield, 6 Mile/Schaefer [[I think), Woodward/Grand, and one or two other places. Almost all have been torn down.

There were also more modest retail revitalizations, with no roof thingees, in Old Redford. Dexter Davison, Jefferson-Chalmers. and a few more places.

And downtown, they turned the retail corridors along Woodward and Washington into "transit malls", which meant wider sidewalks, lots of sidewalk "stuff" [[glassy doo-dads, monkey bars, fountains, etc.), transit improvements and the like.

Obviously none of this really worked, but I don't think it's fair to blame the [[admittedly piss-poor) design. These areas were doomed given the population trends of the time.

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Don't forget Gratiot and Seven Mile

The ones on Cass in front of 1890 too? I remember the ones on Woodward near Grand. Helped the hookers stay dry in the rain...