Kennedy Square

[9606 Prest]

Did JFK, RFK or Ted Kennedy ever speak at Kennedy Square? If so, what was the event and when did it take place?​

[EastsideAl]

John F. Kennedy spoke on the future site of Kennedy Square [[then the front of City Hall) during his presidential campaign on Labor Day, Sept. 5 1960.

Detroit was for many years the traditional site for the kickoff of the Democratic presidential candidate's general election campaign on Labor Day, following the convention.

[EastsideAl]

Bobby Kennedy gave a short speech in the then completed Kennedy Square as part of his presidential campaign on May 15, 1968.



Then took a pretty wild motorcade ride around the city, through Hamtramck and down 12th St., for the rest of the day.



More photos of that day here:
http://www.saxflix.com/rfk1968_open.html

Ted Kennedy spoke there to introduce Sen. George McGovern at the kickoff to McGovern's general election presidential campaign on Labor Day, Sept. 4, 1972:

[dtowncitylover]

Kennedy Square was named after John though after he died because he spoke there at that Labor Day parade.

[douglasm]

For years [[and years) I have been confused about Kennedy Square. Is it Cadillac Square renamed?

[NSortzi]

For years [[and years) I have been confused about Kennedy Square. Is it Cadillac Square renamed?

Cadillac Square is to the east of Campus Martius between Woodward on the eastern edge of Campus Martius and the former Wayne County Courthouse on Randolph Street. Bates Street intersects Cadillac Square at its halfway point.

Kennedy Square is the former site of City Hall on the block bounded by Woodward on Campus Martius' western edge, Fort Street, Griswold Street and Michigan Avenue. Following the city government's moving to whats now the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, the former city hall was torn down and a rather bland plaza replaced it. This plaza was called Kennedy Square. In 2005-2006 One Kennedy Square/Ernst & Young building was built on the plaza.

[IrishSpartan]

Cadillac Square is to the east of Campus Martius between Woodward on the eastern edge of Campus Martius and the former Wayne County Courthouse on Randolph Street. Bates Street intersects Cadillac Square at its halfway point.

Kennedy Square is the former site of City Hall on the block bounded by Woodward on Campus Martius' western edge, Fort Street, Griswold Street and Michigan Avenue. Following the city government's moving to whats now the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, the former city hall was torn down and a rather bland plaza replaced it. This plaza was called Kennedy Square. In 2005-2006 One Kennedy Square/Ernst & Young building was built on the plaza.

The City-County Building opened in the mid-50's and Old City Hall was not demolished until 1961. Some city offices remained in Old City Hall until the end and then moved to the City County Building.

[401don]

Kennedy Square had a lot of pigeons hanging out there. You don't see near as many downtown as years ago.

[EastsideAl]

Kennedy Square is the former site of City Hall on the block bounded by Woodward on Campus Martius' western edge, Fort Street, Griswold Street and Michigan Avenue. Following the city government's moving to whats now the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, the former city hall was torn down and a rather bland plaza replaced it. This plaza was called Kennedy Square. In 2005-2006 One Kennedy Square/Ernst & Young building was built on the plaza.

Following up on this post, Kennedy Square no longer actually exists, except in the name & address of the Ernst & Young building. It was demolished after the whole area was reconfigured for the Campus Martius plaza in 2004. With the rerouting of Woodward to go around Campus Martius, the block that once contained Kennedy Square was reduced in size. Then the Ernst & Young building was erected on the new somewhat smaller block.

[EastsideAl]

Short history of that block:

City Hall, 1871-1961:


City Hall Park, 1961-65 [[with Olympic rings for city's bid for '68 games):


Kennedy Square, 1966-2004 [[rare shot with fountains actually running):


Ernst & Young Building at One Kennedy Square, 2006-present:

[southen]

Oh how I wish we could have City Hall back. That building fronting Campus Martius would have been gorgeous.

[Meddle]

Oh how I wish we could have City Hall back. That building fronting Campus Martius would have been gorgeous.

I would imaging most things would be better than the green flat faced bottle in post 10.

[Zacha341]

Awesome pics! I remember a few times with the fountain going!

Short history of that block...

[kathy2trips]

Oh how I wish we could have City Hall back. That building fronting Campus Martius would have been gorgeous.

from Detroit Free Press September 12, 1961

[EastsideAl]

And the head of that statue [[along with a bunch of other City Hall remains) is still moldering away out on the back forty of Ft. Wayne.



https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/h...nt?oid=2179142

[Dexlin]

While the square may no longer technically exist, it should be noted that the garage under the square - while having been renovated - is the one built there in 1965.

[kathy2trips]

And the head of that statue [[along with a bunch of other City Hall remains) is still moldering away out on the back forty of Ft. Wayne.

https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/h...nt?oid=2179142

Oh, no! That's horrible!

[mikefmich]

Many lunch memories in Kennedy Square in 70-71 when I worked at One Woodward, particularly during spring. Good sightseeing.

[mikefmich]

Thanks for that photo lineup, Al.

[douglasm]

If I remember correctly, wasn't there a problem with the deed to the land Old City Hall was on? Something about there must be a city hall on the site.

[GPCharles]

Bring back Hot Pants day!

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/98986485/