downtown core of the City. I wonder, where is the leadership in this City? How irresponsible to allow the place to rot and become unlivable. I also wonder what the citizens of the City are thinking. Have they attempted to do something constructive about this situation? Maybe I am being simplistic but it seems to me that if they got together and demanded change, change would come. The pictures tell a story of what a lack of leadership combined with a lack of caring can do to a community. The picture above is William Livingstone House. The preservation society moved the house in an attempt to save it. Unfortunately, the house had to be demolished. They lost a part of Detroit's history. The upside is, apparently I am mistaken, and there is a group of people that care about what is going on.The picture, below top, is a room at the Lee Palace Hotel. One of Detroit's finest. It was closed in the early 1990's. Furniture and appliances were left in the rooms to rot. I think that is a crime. Why not remove all the workable usable things and donate or sell them off?
To the bottom of the Lee Palace Hotel room is the Wilbur Wright School. It closed in 2005 and this is how they left it. What an outrage that City and School officials allowed this to happen.
Finally, this is the United Artists Theater. It was built in 1928 and closed in the 1970's. It too was left to rot. How sad to lose such a grand piece of architecture and history.
What a huge challenge it would be to turn this all around. It is possible however, it will take strong leadership and someone to reengage the community. Until then I guess it will all continue to rot. To view the entire photo essay check out Time and to view more work from the Photographers check out Yves Marchand and Roman Meffre's site.
