As you may or may not already know, Mayor Ken Cockrel has displayed a leaning towards the demolition of the Lafayette Building, another one of Detroit’s history-laden architectural gems which has undeservedly remained abandoned and with no recourse for salvage or renovation on the horizon. 

The question becomes not a matter of whether or not it is a travesty and a monumental loss to watch this 1924 building be razed, but whether it is better that it remain standing abandoned (another beacon of Detroit’s blight), or if it instead become yet another empty lot (…another beacon of Detroit’s blight).

While we here at thedetroiter.com do our best to uplift and promote the city, a situation such as this can cause some ambivalence.  In my heart of hearts I’d like to see the building stay, but ideally be bought and renovated into office space, lofts, retail, etc…all of which would be difficult if not impossible undertakings to support in light of Detroit’s current economy.  I’m curious to hear what you all think; leave a comment and let us know here what your true feelings are, and what you think the best course of action would be.  Below you will find the complete petition as well as a link to add your signature.  I signed it myself, though it was with minor hesitation…I suppose I feel saving it would be the lesser of two evils, when the better option isn’t feasible at this time (though it could be once the economy recovers).

To:  Mayor Kenneth V. Cockrel Jr.

Whereas, the City of Detroit’s Downtown Development Authority has submitted requests for proposals (RFPs) for the demolition of the historic Lafayette Building.

Whereas, the Lafayette Building has become an eyesore and something must be done about its appearance.

Whereas, the cost of cleaning up the building, removing graffiti, securing its cornice and securing it from trespass would be only a FRACTION of the cost of a total demolition.

Whereas, the City of Detroit has no plan to develop the site and would raze this landmark for nothing but another empty lot. (Other recent demolitions in Detroit in the sake of redevelopment have led to sites sitting empty for years, i.e. Hudson’s site, Kerns Block, Monroe Block, Tuller Hotel, Hotel Statler, etc.)

Whereas, this 1924 building was designed by the famed architect C. Howard Crane, who also did the Fox and Fillmore theaters, is architecturally significant and unique, and is a key link between the city’s past and its future and cannot be replaced.

Whereas, this building has been deemed eligible for historic designation on national, state and local levels. Designation would make the building and its development eligible for Michigan Historic Tax Credits as well as federal rehabilitation tax credits, making its redevelopment more financially viable.

Whereas, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has urged the City of Detroit to not destroy the Lafayette Building.

Whereas, nearby buildings of comparable age and design such as the Book-Cadillac Hotel (closed in 1984) and the Fort Shelby Hotel (closed as a hotel in 1973) had stood abandoned and deteriorated for several decades and were redevelop and praised as gems and symbols of hope and triumph in the City of Detroit and become tourist attractions. The Lafayette has been closed since only 1997.

Whereas, the building HAS generated redevelopment interest, even in its dilapidated state, and would certainly generate even more if cleaned up.

Whereas, only the honorable Mayor Kenneth V. Cockrel Jr. of the City of Detroit has the authority to stop the DDA’s plan to demolish the Lafayette Building.

Therefore, we the undersigned urge the honorable Mayor Kenneth V. Cockrel Jr. to stop the plan to raze this landmark and have the DDA use some of the money set aside for demolition to instead clean up the building, make it secure and marketable and serve as yet another key piece in the rebirth of the great .

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

To sign, click here.