Synopsis:

Detroit seems to be the anti-adaptive reuse city of America. Robert and Andrew Lin paint a picture of a city (and state) willing to tear down all the old building and factories to make way for the “New Detroit.” They claim that many Detroiters see empty buildings as liabilities rather than opportunities, choosing “short-term profits from marginally beneficial new developments…over preserving buildings with immense potential.” The critics of adaptive reuse point to health and safety issues (some buildings may be difficult to bring up to code) as well as funding (banks have a hard time evaluating such projects). The city charges 65% more for an adaptive reuse permit than a demolition permit. The state and city also moved quickly to condemn and demolish a number of historic buildings for Super Bowl XL.

There are supporters of adaptive reuse in the city who see the buildings as representing “the raw material, the building blocks for rebuilding the City.” For many, they have a financial benefit to adaptive reuse, being able to operate much larger businesses due to lower rents. Even illegal “takings” by underground music and arts venues of vacant buildings are passed over by law enforcement. They consider that these “businesses” may be more beneficial than harmful.