Photographs of the numerous abandoned buildings in crumbling Detroit have become somewhat of a novelty these days. Nevertheless, I had to go and see it for myself. I set out with Sherman Cahal and Ram23 to meet up with some friends and take these pictures on day 1. I'll spare you the details, but if you wanna read the full story check out Queen City Discovery's latest update: http://queencitydiscovery.blogspot.com/2009/09/summer-vacation-in-detroit-part-1.html

 

The pictures:

 

For the record, I don't hate Detroit. It's a great town with great hockey and great history. This post isn't meant to show how "OMG DETROIT IS A WAR ZONE," Detroit has some vibrant areas too. See the full update for all that as well.

 

The first stop was Michigan Central Station:

 

 

 

 

 

As we left, this band was hanging out below the station:

 

We then hit up the Detroit farmers market (photo by ilDuce) before we went to church.

 

 

 

 

 

We made a run to the police station:

 

 

 

Then to the neighborhood by the City Airport:

 

Packard was in the process of being scrapped, but some photos can be found on the blog. After exploring abandoned buildings we explored downtown:

 

- Ram23 on the People Mover.

 

- Rosa Parks Transit Center

 

The officer chuckled and said: "You came all the way from Cincinnati to photograph abandoned buildings in Detroit?" "Yeah!" I exclaimed.

 

To read about how we ran into the law and the full details of our trip to Detroit, check out Queen City Discovery: http://queencitydiscovery.blogspot.com/2009/09/summer-vacation-in-detroit-part-1.html

 

Thanks for checking these out!

 

 

 

 

Well done.

Thanks Chris!

Excellent work.  I know eventually Detroit will find its time and these landmark buildings will have a future.

 

Just a bit of advice though for anyone who intends to explore these buildings in the near future.  They have ramped up security considerably at MCS.  They won't let people go with a slap on the wrist anymore, but they will arrest you and haul you off to a cell.  They have begun some minor restoration work to hopefully prep the building for something larger, and they ain't messing around no matter who is inside.  Numerous people have been arrested.  Currently prep work has been put on hold because of asbestos exposure. 

 

Packard has also ramped up patrols and some photographers have been busted.  The reason being fires have been set inside (mostly by scrappers) and there's been a lot more vandalism by kids who actually filmed their actions.  Hence a camera won't let you off the hook.

 

I figured, HP would laugh off any well intentions.  They very helpful when I needed to get photos from the abandoned police station for a project.

 

Sorry to kind of redirect the thread.  I think these are amazing photos.  I just hate to have a bunch of people rush off to Detroit and end up downtown at the "justice complex"

^Andre, no need to apologize, thanks for adding the information and for giving out the warning.

 

It's good to hear that MCS may be getting some restoration work but with it's current state it seems like it's nothing more than a shell. I can't see how that thing can be renovated although I'd like to see it renovated. Then again, I'm no architect or designer.

 

I agree with you, Detroit is not lost for good. Eventually, there will be a Renaissance. For now, it's just an absolute marvel.

I thought a demo order already had been issued or was pending. Are you sure they're not just doing the prerequisite asbestos mitigation?

Thanks for the glimpse of vitality of Detroit and a bit of the tragedy of Highland Park. If you're looking for a tragic arc, the HP story is far more stark than Detroit at large.

I thought a demo order already had been issued or was pending. Are you sure they're not just doing the prerequisite asbestos mitigation?

 

Demolition was cancelled

Currently prep work has been put on hold because of asbestos exposure.

 

Asbestos exposure... that's kind of a scary thought given all the people that have been walking around in that place...

Currently prep work has been put on hold because of asbestos exposure. 

 

Asbestos exposure... that's kind of a scary thought given all the people that have been walking around in that place...

 

In way, though, it's gratifying to think that the scrappers and vandals by the nature of their activities have gotten the worst of it.

 

The city has more grit and soul than anyone. The music talent here happens for a reason...

 

Because of bombed out [good] architecture?  I'm not connecting the dots between this and that.

 

Careful now, Detroit really only has its downtown and new center skyscrapers to put forth as good architecture in the city.  The rest doesn't stand a chance of surviving over the next few years.  I hope you realize Detroit will be an entirely different city when it does come back.  You'll hardly recognize it.

In a short answer yes.  I'm not clear why you would think it would slow anytime soon. 

 

If Detroit wouldn't have built a woodframed city, alot more of it would have stuck around for "the next big thing" when it happens.

 

I see what you are getting at with the talent thing.  I was just trying to figure out why you put Detroit at the top.  Its past or present music?  Any cities can produce talent and yes their environment can shape their music.  Detroit's environment has changed and so has the music.

So much possibility there.  Boy do I wish for Detroit to turn it around and see brighter days.

Great photos, especially the MCS shots.

I thought a demo order already had been issued or was pending. Are you sure they're not just doing the prerequisite asbestos mitigation?

 

What I believe happened was the Detroit City Council ordered an emergency demolition order. The building's owner then cited the fact that the building is on the national historic registry and threatened litigation.

 

So much possibility there. Boy do I wish for Detroit to turn it around and see brighter days.

 

I do as well. Can you imagine if we hadn't saved our Union Terminal?

 

Great photos, especially the MCS shots.

 

Thanks for checking them out man!

 

If anyone is interested, I posted the photos and report from the second day here: http://queencitydiscovery.blogspot.com/2009/10/summer-vacation-in-detroit-part-2.html

 

Here's some photos:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No scary run ins with cops and fellow explorers on this day, but Seicer and I had to fend off some nasty mosquitoes who wouldn't let me stand still to pee when we were in that zoo: http://queencitydiscovery.blogspot.com/2009/10/summer-vacation-in-detroit-part-2.html

 

Thanks for looking!

Because of bombed out [good] architecture?  I'm not connecting the dots between this and that.

 

Rough economic environments lead to some creative, outside the box individuals. They have to be creative to get out. Detroit has always been a somewhat dysfunctional city. While this has led to some destructive tendencies, there are those individuals who rise above it.

 

Wonderful observations C-Dawg, especially the above.  I certainly have seen this when visiting parts of Detroit and Cleveland after not living there for a while.  These cities certainly have a very strong creative class, which I believe will eventually lead to something transformational.