Packard Plant Current Status

**Roadmaster49** · December-16-11, 03:03 PM

I would like to come check out the Packard plant in January and take an artifact home. I own a 48 Packard, what is known as a senior car, and would like to visit where the senior line Packards were built.

Is the plant still standing or did it finally get torn down? Is there someone that can provide a tour that would make my time more efficient?

Thanks and Merry Christmas or Hannakuh [[sp) !

**Danny** · December-16-11, 03:13 PM

Packard once a symbol of megaplant lined with glass, concrete, steel and automation. Now its of symbol of fall of American car making empire. That megaplant is now a squatters home and birds, cats, dogs, trees, mold, fungi also shelter the building. Goodbye Packard! we miss you so.

**Carey** · December-16-11, 03:18 PM

The plant remains standing but it literally looks as if bombs have been dropped on it. Walls are crumbling; almost no windows remain; trees grow on the roof; junk and debris are everywhere; fires break out about once every couple months. Imagine the biggest ruin in industrial America. The Packard Plant is worse.

At least access is no problem. You can just walk into the plant from virtually everywhere on its exterior.

**Richard** · December-16-11, 03:21 PM

My grandfather was a tree farmer,some of the lumber from the trees that were cut was used in the construction of your house,please let me know when you are out of town as I would like to go remove an artifact for myself.

**Forwardlook** · December-16-11, 03:23 PM

There are several Packard experts here that will soon chime in I'm sure. I did visit the Packard plant back in August but being alone I didn't go in. You shouldn't go in alone either. The structure in itself is dangerous and there might be people you wouldn't like to meet. Leaving the car unattended is an issue too. Hopefully I'll have that chance before the plant is gone. I posted some pics on my trip thread on another board if you don't mind scrolling past all the MoPar Nationals pics...

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/...Number=6918309

**Packman41** · December-16-11, 04:25 PM

Hello Roadmaster:

As a member of Motor City Packards I would like to welcome you to our city. However, I have zero pull in getting into the PMCC Boulevard Building and would not recommend you going there unescorted. I don't do that myself and I was born here.

But, I can do you one better. Send me a PM and I can TRY to arrange a tour of the Packard Proving Grounds.

As to a PMCC artifact we can do that too at the Proving Grounds. As a fund raiser we sell a wood block from the Packard Boulevard Plant that is engraved that it came from the PMCC and has a large brass medallion embossed with the likeness of The Gate Lodge at the PPG.

I will post a photo of it later. Meanwhile, send me a PM to contact me.

--Roger--

**p69rrh51** · December-16-11, 04:52 PM

I was there last weekend and there were several explorers walking around the building, somethings I would not do with such an unstable group of buildings. On the other hand the homes of Russell Alger, Philip McMillan, Alvin Macauley, and Jesse Vincent available to view. If you are interested in a tour of their homes and other Detroit executives let me know I would be happy to show them to you.

**RickBeall** · December-17-11, 02:59 AM

There are plenty of free artifacts at the old Packard plant. You will have no trouble picking something up. Have fun and bring a camera.

**mauser** · December-17-11, 11:07 AM

current status: on fire.
http://www.detroitfunk.com/?p=8675

**Packman41** · December-17-11, 06:05 PM

Attached is a photo of the artifact that the Packard Motor Car Foundation has for sale.

It is a wood block from the factory assembly floor that is 6.00" wide, 2.75" high and 2.375" thick. The bas-relief medallion is in brass and shows The Lodge gatehouse at the Packard Proving Grounds - it's 2.00" in diameter. Notice it is trimmed in Packard motorblock-color green. The small wood plaque is laser etched.

This makes for a handsome wood block with some real heft.

The blocks were acquired several years ago from the property owners at the same time we bought the main doors - employee entrance. Think of it as a "fair trade" artifact.

Each block is scrubbed clean and cleaned again in an ultrasonic dip tank. Next, each block is milled to give it a consistant size and surface. Three coats of urethane varnish are applied to seal in the creosote aroma inside the wood block and also to give it a protective sheen. Finally the medallion and plaque are screwed in place with brass screws.

Price is $40 total INCLUDING shipping to the lower 48 states. Extra for foreign shipping - inquire.

Why don't you buy one and have a clean conscience that the artifact was legally harvested and the proceeds support the preservation efforts at the Packard Proving Grounds.

Best, --Roger-- Name: Brick_03.jpg
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Name: Brick_03.jpg
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**Hypestyles** · December-17-11, 07:11 PM

has ownership finally been settled? I want to see this entire site demolished or completely redeveloped. Save a portion for a museum, fine-- have the people who have already swiped most of the innards donate them for display.. but to have that entire campus serve as unofficial "ruins tourism" from now on is extremely poor vision for re-visioning the city.. "preservation" has its place, but I have a real problem with what I consider "ruin fetishism", where in a city with wide-scale blight, derelict factories/warehouses/apartments/storefronts, some people think these places should be allowed to remain untouched "on principle", remaining eyesores for the immediate community [[99% of whom don't have the money to just purchase and fix-up themselves), and no redevelopment happens that could provide jobs and tax-income for the city.. even if it were turned into public parkland, [[Packard Park?), that would be preferable to being a convenient area where wanderers/scrappers can die from falling floors, etc., and drug/gang maniacs can take kidnapped people and dump bodies..

**Roadmaster49** · December-17-11, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by Packman41

Hello Roadmaster:

As a member of Motor City Packards I would like to welcome you to our city. However, I have zero pull in getting into the PMCC Boulevard Building and would not recommend you going there unescorted. I don't do that myself and I was born here.

But, I can do you one better. Send me a PM and I can TRY to arrange a tour of the Packard Proving Grounds.

As to a PMCC artifact we can do that too at the Proving Grounds. As a fund raiser we sell a wood block from the Packard Boulevard Plant that is engraved that it came from the PMCC and has a large brass medallion embossed with the likeness of The Gate Lodge at the PPG.

I will post a photo of it later. Meanwhile, send me a PM to contact me.

--Roger--

Roger
Thanks will do.

**Roadmaster49** · December-17-11, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by Hypestyles

has ownership finally been settled? I want to see this entire site demolished or completely redeveloped. ..to have that entire campus serve as unofficial "ruins tourism" from now on is extremely poor vision for re-visioning the city.. "preservation" has its place, but I have a real problem with what I consider "ruin fetishism", where in a city with wide-scale blight, derelict factories/warehouses/apartments/storefronts, some people think these places should be allowed to remain untouched "on principle", remaining eyesores for the immediate community [[99% of whom don't have the money to just purchase and fix-up themselves), and no redevelopment happens that could provide jobs and tax-income for the city.. even if it were turned into public parkland, [[Packard Park?), that would be preferable to being a convenient area where wanderers/scrappers can die from falling floors, etc., and drug/gang maniacs can take kidnapped people and dump bodies..

Agreed, but the realities are probably that no one has the economic means to tear it down and recycle it. It was built at a time of great wealth, resources and optimism and in 1903-1940's dollars. Now, one would need a HUGE organizational effort combining the city, state and federal agencies and bodies to properly reduce it, recycle it and clean up the soil. It's probably a "mini" SuperFund site. I don't think it will happen anytime soon.

**Roadmaster49** · December-17-11, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by p69rrh51

I was there last weekend and there were several explorers walking around the building, somethings I would not do with such an unstable group of buildings. On the other hand the homes of Russell Alger, Philip McMillan, Alvin Macauley, and Jesse Vincent available to view. If you are interested in a tour of their homes and other Detroit executives let me know I would be happy to show them to you.

Awesome offer. I will keep it in mind. It won't be until January, through the holidays. I know there are several that have said these buildings are unstable and I understand but are pieces literally failing around people as they tour or is that just folks expressing caution?

I would like to tour with an experienced guide or two or 3, certainly not alone. It does worry me- enter at your own risk type of a situation.

**Roadmaster49** · December-17-11, 10:39 PM

Roger
I surely will follow up as this is a great way to raise money for the PPG. I own a 48 Custom 8 sedan. I want to actually stand in the space where the "senior" Packards were built and if possible retrieve an artifact from that area. Someday the plant will finally be completely gone and it will be too late. More then most manufacturers, Packard is closely aligned with the plant and the PPG.

Agree?

**Traxus** · December-18-11, 12:38 AM

I have been going there for years. I have quite a few photos of the Packard Plant [[and other industrial sites) on my portfolio...

Night, Classic Abstract, Warp, Flower Tower, Couch Surfing, Bridge, Winter 2009, Tetris Light, Three Frame [[Below), Depth, Building Blocks, and Balance are all from the packard plant.

For our purposes, I have to remind you that we do not advocate entering a property without permission, nor [[continue to) facilitate the discussion of removing artifacts from said buildings.

**56packman** · December-18-11, 01:17 AM

The ownership was settled by the state supreme court long ago, [[two years or so) he is the owner when it suits his convienence, he isn't when it does not. The plant should just go now, and the city of Detroit should pay for the demolition. They caused it to be in the state it is now, they should pay for what they caused.

**Richard** · December-18-11, 05:26 PM

I must say I find it interesting that many within the Packard community and city have such a distaste for the plant,I understand that when it closed it was not in the best way but in the interest of moving forward I would not consider the rehabilitation a threat to existing organizations more so as a supportive one as they would both serve different purposes in the future , one would probably be more focused and be more supported on what it already does and the other not forgetting its roots but also serving the future needs of the community in what it was built for ,as a manufacturing facility.

Detroit is a blip on the map when it comes to properties through out the country ,so to purchase it to rehabilitate and rent out I would agree it and its surroundings are a moot point.

On the other hand if one is looking for a facility to place a manufacturing facility in it becomes a numbers game because it becomes a case of how many sqft for x amount of dollars including the costs to rehabilitate said building for its intended use verses new ground up build .

The biggest reason for one of the sections collapsing was the result of a fire in 1924 , the heat stress weakened the rebar so every time some person decides to start another fire it brings the cost factors up in retesting the structural components , the saving grace so far has been since this plant which was #10 for mister Kahn who had no specs to go by when using steel reinforced concrete construction the numbers were doubled so it is in theory built stronger then any other existing building.

If you were behind in your taxes and I loaned you the money to pay them without putting myself on the deed I would have no legal right to said property no matter what I said,just as you would not purchase or contract to purchase any property without knowing who legaly owns it ,would you or I?

So while some view the property as a crumbling wasteland and encourage others to continue in its destruction based on their view ,others may see it as an opportunity not only to help save a small part of history , but for it to become a part of the community once again based on facts.

**AUSSIE** · January-08-13, 03:42 PM

Packard was one of the finest cars on the planet, how the hell did the wheels fall off?

Amazing how that *bombed* looking manufactory is still standing strong [raped and pillaged no doubt]

Cheers

**Bad Brains** · January-09-13, 01:23 AM

Originally Posted by mauser

current status: on fire.
http://www.detroitfunk.com/?p=8675

Impossible. According to the journalistic genius at Motor City Muckraker, ALL fires have ceased since they brought in heavy machinery for the purposes of scrapping! That guy can't be wrong.

**Richard** · January-09-13, 01:43 AM

Originally Posted by Bad Brains

Impossible. According to the journalistic genius at Motor City Muckraker, ALL fires have ceased since they brought in heavy machinery for the purposes of scrapping! That guy can't be wrong.

Well Adamo has admitted to their role in taking it upon themselves to remove items without permission.

Kinda an interesting concept harvest the scrap from a building then charge the taxpayers full price for the later demolition based on there is no scrap value left.

Makes it easier when you have the blessing from the city.

**Bad Brains** · January-09-13, 02:01 AM

Originally Posted by Richard

I must say I find it interesting that many within the Packard community and city have such a distaste for the plant

Up until 2006/2007, the Packard Plant was a photo goldmine. Once they removed the city guards [[after they lost their lawsuit and the "owner" reclaimed his property), the place got overrun with scrappers and hipsters, and it has since become an overdone cliche. Many Packard Plant fans such as myself would now just rather have the place wiped out.

**BigChum** · January-09-13, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by Bad Brains

Up until 2006/2007, the Packard Plant was a photo goldmine. Once they removed the city guards [[after they lost their lawsuit and the "owner" reclaimed his property), the place got overrun with scrappers and hipsters, and it has since become an overdone cliche. Many Packard Plant fans such as myself would now just rather have the place wiped out.

Many Packard fans like myself are glad people like you don't want to come around there anymore.

By the way, those were not city guards by a long shot.

**Bad Brains** · January-09-13, 10:48 PM

Who says we don't still go around there? It's just that there is nothing to see or do anymore. Once in a while I can still manage to pull a good photo out of there, but it's noting but a shell now.

Well whatever guards those were, they didn't do a good job. I remember one guy with a cane would always come after us whenever we walked out to photograph that old 44 Dodge that was parked outside the north end.