Now that the police are moving into their new headquarters, the Albert Kahn-designed 1300 Beaubien cop shop appears likely to meet that most Detroit of endings -- demolition.
Curbed: In an otherwise cheerful event, Mayor Bing unexpectedly dropped a bit of a bomb, saying that 1300 Beaubien — the Detroit Police Department's original headquarters near Greektown — would probably have to be demolished. Wait, what? The building Bing is referring to was built in 1923, designed by Albert Kahn as one of the most advanced municipal buildings in the world. Don't get us wrong — it's apparently a roach-infested dump inside — but that's the result of the city not performing basic maintenance, not some sort of building inadequacy. The architecture itself terrific.
One wonders, before spending the money to knock down another Albert Kahn gem, why the city doesn't at least put up the proverbial for sale sign and see if they can, you know, sell the thing for a few bucks. Money earned > money spent.
At the very least, 1300 Beaubien is probably a more attractive rehab project -- it's essentially a Greektown office building -- than an unfinished jail.
If (when) they do demo it, someone should check the drop ceilings first. You never know where former Chief William Hart may have stashed some forgotten cash.
