  Masterblaster Member Username: Masterblaster Post Number: 18 Registered: 03-2005 |
Was any one aware that this spectacular building that was undergoing a spectacular renovation was torched on Saturday? What only remains is the partially burnt brick and concrete exterior that had been painstakingly cleaned and made to look almost brand new. Does anyone have any information on the cause of this fire! This was a very unusual renovation because it was far from the downtown and midtown areas where just about all renovations of old buildings are taking place in the city. This building was in the Livernois-Michigan Avenue area, which is just another gritty Detroit neighborhood on the southwest side. | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 5556 Registered: 02-2004 |
Yeah! That Apt. building on Michigan Ave. west of Livernois was caught on fire just moments ago. The Apt. building was currently on renovation by O'Brien Construction Company. I'm not sure who started the fire, but several floors of the building are gone. It's total loss of several millions of investment dollars to the building project. It was a prime hope to revitalized the Michigan Ave Business District. That leads to the question WHO WOULD REBUILT THAT BUILDING OR WHO WOULD TEAR IT DOWN? | ||
Wolverine Member Username: Wolverine Post Number: 280 Registered: 04-2004 |
http://www.umich.edu/~ifmuth/m ichavefire01.jpg http://www.umich.edu/~ifmuth/m ichavefire02.jpg http://www.umich.edu/~ifmuth/m ichavefire03.jpg http://www.umich.edu/~ifmuth/m ichavefire04.jpg http://www.umich.edu/~ifmuth/m ichavefire05.jpg | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 1022 Registered: 12-2005 |
The building was being renovated by Southwest solutions, a very positive outfit in the southwest Detroit neighborhoods. I'm involved with the Senate theatre group, this isn't good news for us. | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 5561 Registered: 02-2004 |
56packman, O'Brien Construction Company headed the building projects in most SW Detroit buildings. Southwest Solution provided the funds. The Street Prophets had ties to the organization. | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 1023 Registered: 12-2005 |
Danny, thank you for providing clarity on that. I know that Southwest was the business interest leading the job. | ||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 6175 Registered: 10-2003 |
Well that's shit. I've driven by there a few times over the last couple of months, and I was always impressed with what a great job they were doing. I was looking forward to seeing the rehab of the ground floor retail units. | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 637 Registered: 06-2006 |
Surely the city of Troy is behind this somehow...or maybe it's the result of Livonia opting out of the SMART bus system...or both! | ||
Rrl Member Username: Rrl Post Number: 742 Registered: 12-2003 |
Don't be so quick to assume it was arson. If the building was under renovation, fires do break out somewhat frequently due to carelessness of the work crews. Cigarette butt flicked into a pile of rubbish, cinders from a careless torch, etc. | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 5564 Registered: 02-2004 |
If it's O'Brien Construction Company fault for their carelessness, then Southwest Solutions will NOT pay for damages. O'Brien Construction Company must rebuild that building or else LAWSUITS would come upon that company. | ||
Wolverine Member Username: Wolverine Post Number: 281 Registered: 04-2004 |
This building doesn't appear as a total loss, just heavily damaged. I'm sure it's insured and renovation work can continue, just with a lot of added inconveniences. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 551 Registered: 10-2006 |
I don't believe that O'Brien Construction Company would be liable for rebuilding the building. They would probably simply have to cover the value of the structure. Maybe a few hundred thousand or so... | ||
Brandon48202 Member Username: Brandon48202 Post Number: 141 Registered: 12-2004 |
There is no way that this building will be saved at this point. It is too far gone. That must have been quite a sight to see burning. There is not much left but a brick shell. Let's hope that this fire doesn't scare off other investors from investing in the area. | ||
Scottr Member Username: Scottr Post Number: 316 Registered: 07-2006 |
i wouldn't say that - there's been buildings worse than that that have been saved. Not that I expect it - but I wouldn't rule it out quite yet. | ||
Rrl Member Username: Rrl Post Number: 747 Registered: 12-2003 |
Any pics? | ||
Wolverine Member Username: Wolverine Post Number: 282 Registered: 04-2004 |
Brandon, and I suppose that was a problem for the structures over in Brush Park? There's no evidence of burning on the first two floors, and it appears that the third floor only sustained some fire damage. Most of it is on the upper floor. If this building is entirely load bearing masonry, it may still be adequately braced by the lower undamaged floors. The same goes if its a steel framed building. If the company really values the history of this building they will save it. But I wouldn't necessarily call this a loss. Rrl, I posted pictures already. | ||
Brandon48202 Member Username: Brandon48202 Post Number: 142 Registered: 12-2004 |
Your Brush park comparison is flawed- rehabilitated structures in Brush park have been selling for over $200/sq. ft. so it makes sense to fix up even the most deteriorated buildings in Brush Park. This apartment building on Michigan Ave. was being rehabilitated for use as an apartment building in an area where market rate rents for an apartment would probably be about $500 to $600/month. | ||
Billybbrew Member Username: Billybbrew Post Number: 245 Registered: 07-2005 |
As a resident of the Michigan-Livernois Neighborhood, an active member and Vice Chairman of the Michigan-Livernois Neighborhood Council and a member of the Claytown Neighborhood Revitalization project, I would like to say the following. 1. The fire was accidental, something to do with burning work being done and a problem with a leaking acetylene tank causing an explosion. 2. The building IS insured and the renovations will continute, however, they are now way behind schedule. Hats off to Southwest Solutions, Mich. Ave. Business Association, and all the other organizations in our neighborhood that are trying to make it a better place to live. | ||
Scottr Member Username: Scottr Post Number: 334 Registered: 07-2006 |
Thanks for the update, that's great to hear. i'll take renovations being behind schedule over demolition any day. | ||
Terryh Member Username: Terryh Post Number: 174 Registered: 11-2006 |
Just so happens I took some pics of that building on one of my photo shoots. By the way,has anyone ever visited the Senate? Damn shame. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 568 Registered: 10-2006 |
Thanks for that update Billybbrew!! That is definitely really good news to hear! About the best news that one could have hoped for! | ||
Billybbrew Member Username: Billybbrew Post Number: 246 Registered: 07-2005 |
56Packman played a wonderful Christmas concert there on the Mighty Wurlitzer this past December. Nice theatre and very nice organ... | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 1458 Registered: 04-2005 |
The next concert: March 18 3PM http://www.dtos.org/Design/Hom e/indexHome.htm | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 1028 Registered: 04-2006 |
I drove by here this morning. There were lights on in the burned building. Looks like they are assessing damage. It may get rebuilt after all! | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 3692 Registered: 08-2004 |
Billybrew... I too heard him playing the organ, but it was the 4/36 Wurlitzer at the Fox. |
