Detroit Infrastructure Katie King - Miles Bowman Michael Leone - Eric Chang

Pedestrian Bridge Collapse

Crash Details M-39/ Southfield Freeway A boom on the truck was extended, causing the crash (driver error) Driver dead, no other injuries, two cars hit by debris

Built in 1961 Bridge was not replaced with the freeway in 2009 Inspected by officials in May Due to be replaced in 2017 Crash was not a structural issue Bridge Background

MDOT is working to estimate damage costs Insurance money from the trucking company is expected to reimburse the cost of rebuilding Unclear when the bridge will be rebuilt Even if the bridge was new it would not have withstood the collision Overview

Detroit’s Sewage: A Continuum of Problems

Prior Issues (August, 2013) 980 million gallon maximum compromised by 1.5 billion gallon rainfall Result: 110 million gallons of raw sewage sent into Detroit River Six days after, another 75 million gallons released due to similar situation

Recent Issues (August, 2014) Over 800 million gallons of raw sewage dumped into the Detroit River in less than a week Combination of sewage and low- regulation fertilizer dumping caused record breaking algae in Lake Erie

The Oakland Commissioners Board is voting whether or not to “take action” Will give Oakland County a “say-so” in Detroit’s Great Lakes Authority Board Payments will go into needed repairs and updates for the sewage system What’s Being Done

First Unitarian Church and Michigan Central Station First Unitarian Church – 124 year old church Michigan Central Station – Famous Detroit Landmark for Decay

First Unitarian Church Built in 1890 on Woodward Avenue and Edmund Place Joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, but abandoned in the 1990’s Stained glass was preserved and is currently in the DIA

First Unitarian Church Burned down on May 10, 2014 Controversy with owner, Salim Kemenko Demolished after burned down

Michigan Central Station Opened in 1913 during peak of America’s Rail boom Tallest rail station in the world when built Closed in 1988 due to competition from highways and airways

Michigan Central Station However, MCS is going through a slow revival Improvements such as restoration of roof, windows, electricity, and removal of asbestos

Michigan Central Station On June 10, 2014, permits for a 9,000lb capacity freight elevator and other safety improvements were confirmed

Packard Plant

Packard Plant-History The Packard plant is constructed in 1903 along East Grand Boulevard. The plant produced luxury cars and even sold more than Cadillac. First plant to use reinforced concrete for industrial construction Ceased manufacturing in 1957.

Packard Plant

Packard Plant-Current Events The Packard plant was auctioned off. Fernando Palazuelo, from Spain, is the current owner. Paid $405,000 for the initial down-payment. Plans to completely re-develop the area which would cost millions more of dollars. Was very successful in transforming abandoned buildings in Spain. Determined to keep several pieces of graffiti as art. Will restore the plant for commercial, industrial, and culture use.

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