This page will give you an explanation on the different types of abandoned buildings that have been demolished under the demolition program as well as overall abandoned buildings that are found throughout the city. The city has decided to demolish the buildings because many crimes are being committed. People do not feel safe and many want to see a change in Detroit, but in order to see a change buildings have to be demolished.
SCHOOLS
Mackenzie High School
Mackenzie High school was demolished in 2015. The first part of the building was built between the year of 1927-1928. As the years went by Mackenzie High School was one of the numerous schools that was increasingly growing in the city of Detroit. As stated, in Detroiturbex, “ by the 1940s over 4,000 were attending Mackenzie”. This high school was known for the many classes that it offered. Unfortunately , during the white flight era Mackenzie high school was changing due to the racial tensions between blacks and white. Violence was beginning to emerge inside the school Eventually, during the 1990s the number of students began to decline.
It also mentions in, Detroiturbex, “ by the mid 1990s the number of students at Mackenzie had dropped to around 1,700.” People were beginning to move out of their neighborhoods which was causing for the school to have less attendees. The schools was in really bad conditions and they did not have enough money to do repairs on things that needed to be fixed. Eventually the school closed to by the year of 2007. With the school now closed and being vacant, Mackenzie high school began deteriorating inside. The demolition of this high school began in 2012.
Thomas Houghten
Thomas Houghten was located in the west side of Detroit. The first part of the school was built in the year 1924. Throughout the years the school began expanding. Thomas Houghten school was able to hold about 840 students. Shortly after the number of student enrolling in the school began to decline. Detroiturbex, states " by 2009 had fallen to 209."
As seen Thomas Houghten is similar to Mackenzie high school in the way that both of these schools were once occupied by many students. Although as the years passed the number of students enrolled was drastically decreasing. The school was worsening and many things were in need of repair, but the cost to repair was significantly high.
As seen Thomas Houghten is similar to Mackenzie high school in the way that both of these schools were once occupied by many students. Although as the years passed the number of students enrolled was drastically decreasing. The school was worsening and many things were in need of repair, but the cost to repair was significantly high.
Greenfield Park Elementary
Greenfield Park Elementary is similar to the other schools mentioned above. This school was also closed due to a decline in the population. The school was having a lot of problems with the heater as well as with plumbing. It was causing a lot of difficulty for the school because they could not cover the costs that were needed for repair. Since not many children were enrolled they decided to just close the school because it was financially hard to keep the school maintained in good conditions. According to, Detroiturbex, "Greenfield Park Elementary closed in 2007..." The school was abandoned for 9 years and then it was demolished in 2016.
CHURCHES
Birkett Memorial/ New Glacier
This church was built in 1914. Many residents would attend the church every Sunday. Walking into the church gave a person a sense of joy and peace. Eventually, this all changed within a matter of years. According to an article, “ Empty Places: A decaying church in Detroit”, it states “ the church had succumbed to urban decay as the city that once boasted over 1.8 million residents in 1950 is now at 680 thousand residents (2014).” The population began declining and it was having a major impact towards the church. The lack of people going to church was causing the church to undergo many changes. Slowly, but gradually the church was beginning to decay. Many crimes were starting to erupt near the church’s location. Over time the roof was falling apart and the floor was deteriorating. The people who were responsible for the church decided to not fix it. They felt that their was no need to because the church was surrounded where so many crimes were being committed. In “ Empty Places: A decaying church in Detroit”, it says, “ the church is now unsafe to rebuild as the floor is falling in and a section of the roof is completely gone.” They decided to leave the church abandoned. The pictures above demonstrate what the church has now become. Brickett Memorial/ New Glacier church was demolished in 2016.
The picture above was taken in 2011. For more pictures on Birkett Memorial/ New Glacier Church click on the image above where it will directly provide you with more images.
Martyrs of Uganda
Below are some images of Martyrs of Uganda Church in Detroit after it has been left abandoned. It has a similar story as the church previously mentioned. It was also a very known church , but over the years the church began to fall apart. The city hasn't still decided whether or not the church is going to be demolished.
Hospitals
Detroit Hope Hospital
The pictures displayed below show how the hospital was falling apart after being abandoned. Many delinquents began to write graffiti all around the building .
According to the article, Abandoned Hospital No Longer Haunts Virginia Park it states "A burst pipe in 2011 lead to the building's deterioration and subsequent attack from scrappers."The hospital was eventually demolished by the city in 2014.
The images below were taken during the demolition of the hospital. To find more information on Detroit Hospital please click on the link Detroit Urbex where more images can be found.
Southwest/ United Community Hospital
Southwest Detroit Hospital is known today as United Community Hospital due to a new owner who bought the building. Over the last couple of years this hospital was abandoned and the remnants of what was inside was devastating. The images below show some of the things that were left behind and how the hospital was slowly worsening. A lot of equipment was left behind and many patient's documents were scattered everywhere.
This hospital was not demolished although it has been suggested to remove it because it was just devastating for many people to pass by and see what has become of it. In the article, City blight fight targets Southwest Detroit Hospital, it states “Southwest (hospital) has been one of the biggest eyesores in the city of Detroit for more than a decade, and it’s very visible from three of the major freeways." The city has decided to come to an agreement with the owner of the hospital to help recover it. Encouraging the owner to clean it up a bit because that way people who drive by it will know that a change for Detroit is coming.
This hospital was not demolished although it has been suggested to remove it because it was just devastating for many people to pass by and see what has become of it. In the article, City blight fight targets Southwest Detroit Hospital, it states “Southwest (hospital) has been one of the biggest eyesores in the city of Detroit for more than a decade, and it’s very visible from three of the major freeways." The city has decided to come to an agreement with the owner of the hospital to help recover it. Encouraging the owner to clean it up a bit because that way people who drive by it will know that a change for Detroit is coming.
To go back to the Rise, Ruin,and Rebirth of Abandoned Buildings please click the links above or go to Racial Tensions, Reasons for the Decline or The Beginning For A New Detroit.