Reclaiming old city hall

I believe a way to revive Detroit's civic pride and respect may be the restoration of Detroit’s old city hall clock tower. There is a project under way. This restoration project can revitalize the city by using old world craftsmanship to bring the cities old world charm to a modern world.

http://www.canarthandworksaomai.com/projects.htm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4qnJQ9Jxd4


The statues surrounding the old city hall clock tower were representative of Detroit spirit of industry and education. In the 60s when the clock tower was taken down, part of the cities creative and industrial soul was demolished with it.

http://chicago-outdoor-sculptures.bl...-of-trade.html


The statures represented in this website are similar or the same as the statures on the old city clock tower. Although they are beautiful they are much smaller than the ones that were on Detroit’s clock tower. Other cities are doing a fraction of what we can do.
http://www.detroityes.com/mb/images/smilies/cool.png

You're more optimistic than I about what would take to restore the civic pride in the city. I do agree it would be a good thing to do.
However in light of the fact the cities budget is deeply in red ink, I wouldn't expect this to happen soon.

Does your profile name have any play in this suggestion? :)

BTW, if I win 200 mill in the lotto tonight, I will fund this project personally....amongst others. [[3rd precinct & GAR bldg.)

wait a minute. Where have I heard the phrase, "Save the clock tower before"? Oh yeah.

http://www.slashfilm.com/wp/wp-conte...ktowerback.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MetalDoctor

I believe a way to revive Detroit's civic pride and respect may be the restoration of Detroit’s old city hall clock tower. There is a project under way. This restoration project can revitalize the city by using old world craftsmanship to bring the cities old world charm to a modern world.

http://www.canarthandworksaomai.com/projects.htm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4qnJQ9Jxd4


The statues surrounding the old city hall clock tower were representative of Detroit spirit of industry and education. In the 60s when the clock tower was taken down, part of the cities creative and industrial soul was demolished with it.

http://chicago-outdoor-sculptures.bl...-of-trade.html


The statures represented in this website are similar or the same as the statures on the old city clock tower. Although they are beautiful they are much smaller than the ones that were on Detroit’s clock tower. Other cities are doing a fraction of what we can do.
http://www.detroityes.com/mb/images/smilies/cool.png

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In 1961, I stood in Campus Martius watching the first wrecking ball slam into the old city hall. What a sad sight. Most people at that time did not want to see the old city hall destroyed. The most common comment was "Detroit does not care about it's historical buildings". I am just glad that I was not in Detroit when they imploded the Hudson bldg. That would have been just too heartbreaking to watch.

I did not realize that they saved the clock tower & statues from the old city hall. Or do you mean they are going to attempt to do a reproduction? You are right, those structures were so symbolic of the spirit of Detroit in it's hey day. I think a restoration would do a lot to lift the spirts of all current & former Detroiters.

After a long Hiatus, it's always good to have you back Metaldoctor!

Like all of the forgotten jewels you have mentioned, I still lament the fact that the Merill Fountain [[although recently given some volunteer TLC)... sits forlorn in Palmer Park.... and that the Hurlbut Memorial Gate still sits off limits [[although restored) in the closed Waterworks Park.

It's good to know that some of Detroit's gems are still intact, despite the corrosive nature of time...

Would be nice to see the Merill Fountain reinstalled back downtown...my idea would be the east end of Cadillac Square, by Randolph [[in the area commonly called Dog Shit Park) in the median, fountain facing west...a great gateway as you turn off Randolph

Hello Everyone. I'm very new here but enjoy the posts and information about the old Detroit City Hall and the Campus Meritus circa 1907.

I'm an American living happily in the Philippines and did live in the Detroit Metro years ago.

A friend of mine from Detroit suggested that I re-create the Old City Hall with some specialty software that I've been learning, Maya 2014. During the research process in modeling the city hall, I learned a lot about it and the surrounding buildings and structures.

Now I'm fascinated with the buildings and the history of Detroit and have continued on with modeling the surroundings.

So, thanks to everyone with the information posted here that was helpful in my research phase of this project and I hope that my work will be enjoyed by those that have a connection to old Detroit. Maybe even spark a renewed interest.

Attachment 23047

Much work to be done on the background buildings but this is the direction that this is going.

http://youtu.be/ynQWpdxx9-E

http://detroit1701.org/Ludington%20Place.html

These are, I believe, the Julius Melchers statues that once graced city hall.

Thanks Renf. That's a great resource for the statues and there doesn't seem to be many.

They will surely take time to model and place on the city hall but it's the attention to detail that creates the appeal.

Does anyone know where I might find a floor plan for the Old City Hall?

Something with dimensions would be best but even something simplified would be helpful. Even a sketch with estimated dimensions. There are a few photos online of the interior but I can't visualize how the halls and offices tie in together.

Any leads? Someone I might be able to call?

A few shots of the old city hall with surrounding buildings removed. More artistic than historic.


Attachment 23082

Attachment 23081

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MetalDoctor

I believe a way to revive Detroit's civic pride and respect may be the restoration of Detroit’s old city hall clock tower. There is a project under way. This restoration project can revitalize the city by using old world craftsmanship to bring the cities old world charm to a modern world.

http://www.canarthandworksaomai.com/projects.htm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4qnJQ9Jxd4


The statues surrounding the old city hall clock tower were representative of Detroit spirit of industry and education. In the 60s when the clock tower was taken down, part of the cities creative and industrial soul was demolished with it.

http://chicago-outdoor-sculptures.bl...-of-trade.html


The statures represented in this website are similar or the same as the statures on the old city clock tower. Although they are beautiful they are much smaller than the ones that were on Detroit’s clock tower. Other cities are doing a fraction of what we can do.
http://www.detroityes.com/mb/images/smilies/cool.png

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I believe the original statues still exist and are stored at Fort Wayne. I've seen them.

http://metrotimes.com/arts/re-creati...roit-1.1371702