Park Avenue Building in Danger of Being Demolished

The Albert Kahn designed Park Avenue Building (1922) has been targeted for demolition by the city of Detroit's law department. The city has declared the building at the corner of Park and Adams to be "the very definition of irreparable harm to the public" in a court filing this week.

The building is owned by property speculator Ralph Sachs who is the person that demolish the neighboring Hotel Charlivoix in 2013 after years of neglect.

The city has asked Wayne Court Circuit Court Judge Robert Colombo Jr. to declare the site a public danger and order that the building be demolished immediately. A hearing on the matter has been scheduled for September 19.

Goodbye to Charlevoix

Hotel Charlevoix on the Clock

The 108 year old Hotel Charlevoix could be toppled as early as tomorrow.  A demolition permit was issued April 30 and the building could be history by August.

Hotel Charlevoix Spared (UPDATED)

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.