Saturday, July 05, 2014

Roesink Stadium

A fund-raising effort is now underway to restore Hamtramck's Roesink Stadium, one of few surviving ballparks from baseball's Negro League era. 

Two different incarnations of Detroit Stars along with the Detroit Wolves called Roesink Stadium home. The stadium opened in 1930 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in July 2012. A historical marker will be placed at the site during a ceremony on August 14.

If you are interested in volunteering or donating to the effort you can contact Gary Gillette, president of the Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium, at GGillette@247Baseball.com.

(October, 2007)

(October, 2007)

Monday, June 30, 2014

WSU's Mackenzie Home at Risk?


Having already survived one demolition scare in 1975, the future of Wayne State University's David Mackenzie Home has again been called into question.

Wayne State recently announced a $48.6 million expansion of its Hilberry Theater.  The University plans on expanding the theater complex to occupy the entire block, raising questions about what will happen to the 1895 Queen Ann home.

There has been talk about moving the home to another lot in the neighborhood, but no official announcements have been made by the University at this time.


To find out more about the Mackenzie Home and its role in Detroit's preservation movement, check out this video about Preservation Detroit.


Monday, June 23, 2014

What's Gilbert Buying?

Bedrock Real Estate is at it again. Detroit booster Dan Gilbert has purchased a large portion of the east side of Broadway between Grand River and Gratiot. With the purchase of these three early 20th century buildings, Gilbert has added nearly 27,000 square feet to his downtown empire.

1332 Broadway (Display Creations Building) in 2005

1332 Broadway (1919), 1326 Broadway (1904), 1322 Broadway (1922) today


Place Promo shows Broadway as it looked in 1976: