Hotel Charlevoix owner Ralph Sachs got more than he bargained for when his representatives went before Detroit's Historic District Commission this week. Not only did the commission reject his request to demolish the 107 year old building, the commission determined that Sachs was responsible for the deterioration of the structure and gave him 15 days to submit a plan to mothball the building. At this point it is unclear what consequences Sachs would face if he fails to comply with the commission's orders.
*UPDATED 1/12/13*
A judge signed a demolition order for the building on January 9, 2013. According to reports, the owner, Ralph Sachs has budgeted $250,000 to demolish the building this year.
I would be shocked if the Charlevoix wasn't down by opening day, just in time to rake in some parking dollars.
The demolition would also free up some more land, just in case Mike Ilitch is still considering Foxtown as a potential location for his new hockey arena development.
