Revived Thread Jan. 27, 2015 - "Seems this building has gone to the bulldozer. No word on what allowed its demolition." Jump to reanimated discussion >>

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Original 2011 post.

By CECIL ANGEL
Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

The City of Grosse Pointe Park wants the state Court of Appeals to overturn a decision by the Detroit Historic District Commission that prevents the city from tearing down two buildings that it owns in Detroit.What began as a proposed land swap between two cities has evolved into a case about the authority of historic commissions versus the rights of property owners.

The two cities wanted to trade properties, with Grosse Pointe Park giving up the two buildings it owns in Detroit in exchange for Detroit turning over a Detroit Department of Transportation property next door, in Grosse Pointe Park.

Grosse Pointe Park officials say the buildings are too rundown to be saved and they want to make way for redevelopment. But the historic commission says the buildings, despite their condition, can be saved and are a key part of the city's history.

"The damage they did prevented us from doing anything with those buildings," Grosse Pointe Park Mayor Palmer Heenan said of the commission.

In 2004, Grosse Pointe Park bought two commercial buildings in Detroit -- one built in 1918 that housed the long-closed Deck Bar at 14901-14915 E. Jefferson, and the other a party store at 14917 E. Jefferson that was built in 1920. At that time, the buildings were not deemed historic by the City of Detroit.

Heenan said Grosse Pointe Park officials want to improve the border of Detroit and Grosse Pointe Park.

"We wanted to put some kind of development there that would satisfy both cities," he said.

Grosse Pointe Park officials said they want the current DDOT property at Wayburn and East Jefferson so it can be redeveloped, possibly into senior housing or an arts center.

In exchange for the DDOT property, Grosse Pointe Park said it would tear down the two Detroit buildings it owns, build a new bus-turnaround facility on the property and give it to DDOT.

A letter dated Jan. 3, 2007, from DDOT to Grosse Pointe Park about the proposed agreement said, "The City of Grosse Pointe Park will assume all costs for demolition, construction and landscaping of the new Wayburn Loop turn-a-round."

The City of Grosse Pointe Park wants the state Court of Appeals to overturn a decision by the Detroit Historic District Commission that prevents the city from tearing down two buildings that it owns in Detroit.What began as a proposed land swap between two cities has evolved into a case about the authority of historic commissions versus the rights of property owners.

The two cities wanted to trade properties, with Grosse Pointe Park giving up the two buildings it owns in Detroit in exchange for Detroit turning over a Detroit Department of Transportation property next door, in Grosse Pointe Park.
Grosse Pointe Park officials say the buildings are too rundown to be saved and they want to make way for redevelopment. But the historic commission says the buildings, despite their condition, can be saved and are a key part of the city's history.

"The damage they did prevented us from doing anything with those buildings," Grosse Pointe Park Mayor Palmer Heenan said of the commission.

In 2004, Grosse Pointe Park bought two commercial buildings in Detroit -- one built in 1918 that housed the long-closed Deck Bar at 14901-14915 E. Jefferson, and the other a party store at 14917 E. Jefferson that was built in 1920. At that time, the buildings were not deemed historic by the City of Detroit.

Heenan said Grosse Pointe Park officials want to improve the border of Detroit and Grosse Pointe Park.
"We wanted to put some kind of development there that would satisfy both cities," he said.

Grosse Pointe Park officials said they want the current DDOT property at Wayburn and East Jefferson so it can be redeveloped, possibly into senior housing or an arts center.

In exchange for the DDOT property, Grosse Pointe Park said it would tear down the two Detroit buildings it owns, build a new bus-turnaround facility on the property and give it to DDOT.

A letter dated Jan. 3, 2007, from DDOT to Grosse Pointe Park about the proposed agreement said, "The City of Grosse Pointe Park will assume all costs for demolition, construction and landscaping of the new Wayburn Loop turn-a-round."

Source: http://www.freep.com/article/2011013...oric-buildings