Detroit Photo of the Day

[Allan]

Friday, January 14, 2005

Woodward Avenue from Grand River. Is there a theme developing? Three of the photos from this week were taken on Woodward. I wasn't planning that, but why not?

[Allan]

Saturday, January 15, 2005

The Douglas MacArthur Bridge opened to traffic on September 1, 1923. The original wood and steel bridge to the Belle Isle was constructed in 1889. It burned down in 1915, and a temporary bridge was constructed in 1916. It remained in service until the current bridge opened. The MacArthur Bridge cost $2,635,000 to build and claimed the lives of five workmen. A subway approach to the bridge from East Grand Avenue went under Jefferson. The MacArthur Bridge underwent a restoration in 1986.

Bridge facts

* 2,193 feet long.

* Maximum clearance above water of 30 feet.

* 85 feet wide -- 59 feet for roadway, 12 feet for sidewalks.

* 3,000 tons of structural steel went into the building of the bridge, and 20,000 cubic yards of concrete form the foundations and grace the arches of its skeleton.

* Renamed Douglas MacArthur Bridge in 1942.

* Restored in 1986 under a $11.5 million federally funded project.

Source: The Detroit News

[urban addict 20324]

Was this bridge built to prevent big ships from going upriver, it's hella low, but nice!

[Allan]

Was this bridge built to prevent big ships from going upriver, it's hella low, but nice!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The big ships now travel north of the island, thus avoiding that problem.

[SNWEB]

The big ships now travel north of the island, thus avoiding that problem.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But I went on one of those Diamond Jack boat tours, drove right under lol. Wasnt much room left

[Allan]

But I went on one of those Diamond Jack boat tours, drove right under lol. Wasnt much room left

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

LOL, the Diamond Jack boats are different. I think you find it pretty difficult to drive a freighter underneath.

[Allan]

Sunday, January 16, 2005

This building on Baltimore Street in the New Center area was once home to the National Biscuit Company, which later became Nabisco.

[urban addict 20324]

Is this Nabisco building still in use today, or is it vacant?

[Allan]

Is this Nabisco building still in use today, or is it vacant?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The building is vacant but still appears to be in good shape. I did notice that there is a light on on the second or third floor, so the electricity to the building has not been shut off. There is a "For Sale or Lease" sign on the building. I hope it gets renovated eventually. The area is fairly industrial, so I doubt they would renovate it into lofts, but it would make good office space. It has plenty of parking and is right next to the Lodge Freeway, so I have high hopes for the building.

[urban addict 20324]

That building would look very nice if it was renovated into a modern industrial office or lofts. I like lofts, they are cool, and modern and SF has hella them in Bayshore; I think lofts and industrial offices are one way to reenergize a dying industrial area.

[Allan]

Detroit definately needs to capitalize on the growing loft trend. The city certainly has plenty of vacant industrial buildings, that's for sure!

[Jonzo]

Well with what we can tell from the plans for detroit buildings most of the owners (or people who deserve to own it) have hopes of turning their vacant buildings into lofts. I think it's great to hear things like this and a good way to bring people back into the city. Hopefully these plans will go through soon. By the way, what's it like in the New Center area? I've been there a few times, but I usually don't stay very long and end up just checking out the Fisher Building. Is there any hope for New Center expanding and becoming another big buissiness district? Or is it basically set how it is?

[Allan]

The Argonaut Building is set to be renovated into 250 loft apartments and ground floor retail. New Center Park will be updated. Other than that I don't know of any plans. Detroit can't really support a second business district. If we had a strong downtown that would be another story. So NC will remain pretty much how it is for the near future. Hopefully there will be more lofts and other projects to bring residents to the area soon.

[Allan]

Monday, January 17, 2005

Ste. Anne's Church is the second oldest Catholic Church in the country. The parish was founded in 1701. Only the parish in St. Augustine, Florida is older. The current building was constructed in 1887 and seats 1400 worshipers, about 75% of whom are hispanic.

[SNWEB]

Nice colors, perspective, and contrast

[Brother Ray]

I always chuckle to myself when I see this historic church and realize that this catholic chruch, established by the German community - now mostly hispanic, is sitting in the heart of...... GREEKTOWN! It truly is beautiful both on the outside and inside.

- BR

Edited January 17, 2005 by Brother Ray

[Allan]

Actually this church was established by the French settlers to the area and is located in Southwest Detroit near Mexicantown. The church you're thinking of is the Saint Mary Catholic Church in Greektown.

[Brother Ray]

Actually this church was established by the French settlers to the area and is located in Southwest Detroit near Mexicantown.  The church you're thinking of is the Saint Mary Catholic Church in Greektown.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Now I feel really silly........

Next time I will be sure to read the text more carefully and get the names right. You do have to admit, they look alike. I'll have to dig up my old photos of St. Mary's for comparison.

- BR

[Allan]

That's ok. I get the churches confused a lot myself. It's hard not to. After all, Detroit does have more churches than any other city in the U.S.

[Jonzo]

More churches then any city in the world wow..... I never knew that.

Now we need to get more synagogues operating in Detroit so we can

be more diverse. Do you know that there are only two operating synagogues

In all of Detroit?! Basically the only major cities that have less are the one's in texas.

[Jonzo]

Whoops more then any city in the U.S.

My bad... still that's pretty incredible.

[Allan]

Tuesday, January 18, 2005

A beautiful old home at 3966 Trumbull, several blocks north of Tiger Stadium. It is currently vacant, but will hopefully be renovated like many other homes in the area have been.

[Allan]

Wednesday, January 19, 2005

An old duplex on Trumbull Street in Corktown.

[Allan]

Thursday, January 20, 2005

A statue of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, graces the lawn in front of the downtown library.

[Allan]

Friday, January 21, 2005

The headquarters of the Detroit Police Department are located on Beaubien Street in this 1923 building designed by Albert Kahn.