The year 2005 brought some change to the city of Detroit. All of downtown was in haste to prepare for the Super Bowl in 2006. Many see 2005 as a usual year, with much controversy and demolition that is expected to occur. Regardless, the year is now behind us and will hopefully guide us in the future.
The Year In Review: 2005 - January 1, 2005
Demolitions & Losses:
This historic apartment building on Wayne State Campus was demolished early 2005. The building had been in use up until it was demolished. Today a volleyball court resides on the lot.
This old warehouse type structure was recently demolished. Currently the site is vacant.
This apartment building built in 1890 caught fire in December 2004, and was demolished in November of 2005. A dirt lot now remains.
These 1904 structures designed by Almon Varney were demolished in November to make way for new housing.
The Madison-Hotel complex was a highly publicized building that preservationists were attempting to save from the wrecking ball. The battle was looking good for the preservationists when wrecking balls showed up one day and began chucking away at the structure. The city had silently hired Adamo Demolition to demolish the building, stating that it was in "eminent danger of collapse." By the time a court order held up the demolition, the damage had already begun. Today the site is a landscaped parking lot that hasn't been approved by the Historic District Commission.
This red parking garage from the 50s was torn down in January to be built with a brand new garage.
The old Scovel Church on W.Grand Blvd suffered a fire that destroyed the building on a cold February night. The cause was thought to be arson or homeless. The site was later cleaned of the debris toward the end of the year.
The Statler Hotel, designed by George B. Post in 1914 was demolished beginning in January 2005. The city council never approved the demolition as required by the city charter. Currently there are no plans for the site.
The abandoned Studebaker Plant built in 1906, on Piquette Avenue suddenly with up in flames on the night of June 20th. By morning the fire was still smoldering. The city began to clean the site up in a June, leaving a dirt field.
Controversies:
In a move that surprised many, Kwame Kilpatrick forced the aquarium to close in April, stating the aquarium costs the city $300,000 a year to keep open.
Mayor Kilpatrick threatened to cut off the annual fireworks if the budget plan created by the council was approved. Despite this threat, the council approved their plan and the fireworks went on.
The Madison-Hotel complex was a highly publicized building that preservationists were attempting to save from the wrecking ball. The battle was looking good for the preservationists when wrecking balls showed up one day and began chucking away at the structure. The city had silently hired Adamo Demolition to demolish the building stating that it was in "eminent danger of collapse." By the time a court order held up the demolition, the damage had already begun. Today the site is a landscaped parking lot that hasn't been approved by the Historic District Commission.
The November election gained much controversy after incumbent Kwame Kilpatrick won the election with a fair number of votes. Many exit polls were conducted and the people of Detroit and media were quite sure challenger Freman Hendrix would win the race. In late November, Hendrix requested a recount.
The Statler Hotel, designed by George B. Post in 1914 was demolished beginning in January 2005. The city council never approved the demolition as required by the city charter. Currently there are no plans for the site.
Advertisers wanted the wall of the Broderick Tower for ad space for the All-Star Game. Wyland's Whaling Wall mural would have been covered up. Wyland and others protested. In the end, the advertisers backed out.
Top Headliners
New Construction
Into early 2005 the Freud Building, Sanders Building, and Hughes & Hatchers Building were demolished to create a new 13 story, 650 space parking garage for 1001 Woodward tenants.
This former Kresge store started going under reconstruction in October. The announcement of lofts in the building came in November.
Grunwell-Cashero began construction on this small storefront building in the beginning of 2005. When finished the space will be a restaurant with lofts above.
This eatery owned by Chris Chelios began construction in the Women's Exchange Club.
This 2 story building began renovation in mid 2005. Plans call for the first floor to remain a bar.
Construction began on this modern styled building. Plans call for an eatery with roof deck.
During December, construction began to reconstruct the storefronts for the Super Bowl.
This vacant warehouse at Michigan & Brooklyn is being reconstructed into lofts.
Construction began and ended in 2005. The blue suspension bridges span over Telegraph in both directions.
Detroit's newest skyscraper, the 10 story Kennedy Square Building has been slowly rising with completion set for 2006.
The city of Detroit began converting this historic 1885 mansion into 7 condominiums in early 2005. It won a $50,000 grant from HGTV's Restore America.
The site of the former Post Bar began seeing construction once again in August. Plans still call for a bar with lofts. A new facade has been placed on the building.
Scaffolding was placed on the National Theater midway through the year to tap into facade grants.
A brand new infill parking garage replaced the old rundown garage. It opened in the middle of 2005.
The scaffolding finally came down as renovations came to a close late 2005.
Changes
Steve Yzerman lost his spot on the Cadillac Tower in April. It was replaced with an ad for Pontiac's new Solstice car a month later.
The church clock tower is now working with chiming and is lit at night.
This building has had changes such as the promenade remodeling, a new doorman, and exterior lighting.
The valuable copper roof on this historic building was stripped from November to December. Now, with the roof completely removed, its chances of restoration are very slim.
During June of 2005 painted plywood was attached to the building's broken windows.
The Wurlitzer Building received exterior lighting in October.
During late November and into December, doors were installed to allow access into the building, graffiti was stripped from the windows, and the theater marquee torn down.
Openings
This popular ice cream franchise opened in the Compuware Building in June.
Downtown's YMCA opened in December of '05 featuring amenities such as an Olympic size pool, and rock climbing wall.
The new modern Cass Tech High School opened for the 2005 school year.
This Parisian-style club in the Iodent Building opened this year by owner Sean Harrington.
This upscale eatery opened in the Lofts of Merchants Row this year.
This historic mansion in Brush Park opened as an upscale inn at the end of this year.
These historic buildings lining Woodward opened in 2005.
A brand new infill parking garage replaced the old rundown garage. It opened in the middle of 2005.
The Rowland cafe opened inside the Guardian Building promenade.
This southern style restaurant opened in 2005 in Corktown.
This district was brought back to its original 1920s glory.
Closures
In a move that surprised many, Kwame Kilpatrick forced the aquarium to close in April, stating the aquarium costs the city $300,000 a year to keep open.
Cafe Detroit closed to the public in October of 2005.
H & H Apparel, the successor to Hughes and Hatcher closed its doors in the Buhl Building around July.
In Our Opinion (based on what has occurred in 2005)
We have seen some great work this year by Kraemer. Their results are fantastic, and compliment historic structures greatly.
This company has done great things with the Guardian Building, such as remodeling the promenade, adding a doorman, and exterior lighting.
This is becoming a tougher choice, as parking structures are finally starting to become more infill rather than bare concrete. The Opera House Garage was our choice. We cannot see anything better then replacing an ugly parking garage with this new one. It compliments the surrounding buildings nicely, and it even has exterior lighting.
These graffiti artists have painted the city with their paint rollers. It wouldn't be so bad if they had some talent and wouldn't paint on irreplaceable architecture. Save it for the cinder block walls of the Packard.
This 18 story train station has been a top destination for explorers since its closing in 1988. We have seen the most photos and stories of exploration of the train station this year than of any other building. Not to mention we've been there 4 times this year.
With a site that is hardly updated and a discussion board consisting of trolls, it's no wonder was choice Detroityes.
This shocked many people as Freman Hendrix was shown to win.
This great webzine features a nice clean layout with easy navigation. The information is very straight-forward. This site deserves more recognition then it gets.
This man is proving to be another one of Detroit saviors. He has bought up many of the historic abandoned properties and is beginning to restore them.
Rumors went flying after a sign was posted on the Broderick about loft conversion in May. No changes have appeared at the building except another sign.
The city bought "boots" to replace missing covers on all street lights. Rather then doing trial runs, the city purchased them for all lights at a cost of about $40 per boot. Most have broke and were not installed properly.
This company headed by Michael Ilitch owns the most abandoned buildings downtown. Their United Artists Building has had a constant change of the flag on its pole, and the Adams Theater sat wide open for more then 6 months.
These bridges are meant to be a piece of eye candy for Super Bowl visitors. How 2 bridges can change the views of Super Bowl patrons is beyond us.
