Urban decay blankets much of downtown Detroit. More and more people are pushing for adaptive reuse of the aging and underused buildings, but some city policies may get in the way.
"Vacant skyscrapers and factories dotting Detroit's skyline testify to the city's high water mark, a stirring juxtaposition of old and new, decayed and opulent."
"Many Detroiters see these empty buildings as liabilities rather than opportunities. The city's hesitation to re-use abandoned structures is deeply ingrained: 'In a city so starved for investment,' says University of Michigan Professor Scott Kurashige, 'Detroit chooses short-term profits from marginally beneficial new developments, like parking lots, over preserving buildings with immense potential.'"
"But some Detroiters deeply appreciate these storied, vacant structures. 'They represent the raw material, the building blocks for rebuilding the City,' says Francis Grunow, president of the Detroit preservation group Preservation Wayne. Grunow advocates 'adaptive reuse'-remodeling a building after it has outlived its original purpose -for the benefit of small businesses and organizations."
FULL STORY: Everything Is Going To Be Alright
Ford Planning Residential Units in its Detroit Train Station Adaptive Reuse
Ford will treat the Michigan Central Depot to a mixed-use adaptation.
The Massive Significance of Ford's Move into Detroit's Abandoned Michigan Central Depot
Ford has confirmed its plan to move into the Michigan Central Depot in Detroit.
Ford Motor Company Considering Big Move to Historic Detroit
If Ford Motor Co. goes through with a plan to move into the old Michigan Central Depot, it would mark a new phase of the rebirth of Detroit's urban core.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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