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Architect competition for ideas to "reanimate the ruins"

http://parallelprojections.com/rtr-results

Pipe dreams indeed. Last post I read mentioned that little detail called money still wasn't anywhere close to being sorted out.

On a similar note, I just read that Detroit makes millions off parking meters but can't afford to buy the Duracell battery to keep them working. They buy knock offs instead that are short lived. Why does that sound like a typical government office or decision making at work.

Seems like it would be cheaper to buy the battery that lasts for the full period. They don't have any money to pay the guy to go out and change the others so miss out entirely when the meter goes dead for several weeks because battery won't last and meter isn't on a routine change schedule. Guess it's good for the drivers though.

that little detail called money

Palazuelo paid the property tax last week. For the first time in ages, the plant is up to date.

Peru-based developer Fernando Palazuelo, who bought the sprawling ruins in December for $405,000, made good on his delinquent tax bill this week after clearing up a dispute over the amount due.

Now Palazuelo is pulling city permits to begin removing dangerous debris from the Packard's former administration building.

http://motorcitymuckraker.com/blog/2014/08/06/packard-plant-owner-pays-delinquent-taxes-readies-for-cleanup/

I was on the judging panel for this competition, representing the
Packard historical community. I was the only non-architect on the panel. My basic feelings are that the plant is a goner and needs to go. The new owner has several ownership hurdles to clear, the complex is comprised of many small plots PMCC bought one at a time. It was fun, they bought us good beer.

I was on the judging panel for this competition,

I saw your post about that on another thread. I don't know how old the Google satellite pix are, but from that angle building 22 and the admin building don't have trees growing on the roof, like the rest of the buildings do. So it looks like those two received some sort of maintenance more recently than the rest.

Palazuelo says his plan is to start on the admin building first with an eye to moving his company's offices in. I'd like to see it, especially with the Packard museum he's talking about. Love to see the original showroom restored to it's appearance in the late 20s.

It isn't impossible, if the water/freezing damage isn't too bad. Remember how trashed the Book Cadillac hotel was before it was rehabbed? The parts where the roof is gone and the floors collapsing are done, though, some of those buildings had floors added decades ago, so the lower floors might still be sound, just remove the wreckage above.

Article from Hemmings.