'We thought we had the Opportunity Zone (for this property). We've built everything brand new,' Strather said of other developments he was involved with in the area. Herb Strather, who said he had hired an architectural firm and submitted blueprints to redevelop the site into a community and event space, and who attended Friday's announcement, told the Free Press the city is 'absolutely right' about the blight and that he seeks to demolish the property next year. It is unclear who is responsible for the site because of several transfers in ownership and companies over the years, but city officials expect to clarify the matter through the courts, Mallett added. The nuisance abatement lawsuit was filed against defendants Grand River Place, LLC Greenfield Penthouse Manor, LLC Park High Apartments-Phase I Limited Partnership, Christine Strather, Herbert J.

Mary's neighborhoods that surround the derelict structure.ĭetroit Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett said the city is not seeking city ownership of the site, but would rather someone purchase it for future development. In the nearly two decades since the building closed, new businesses have sprouted in the area with the promise that the Mammoth Building would be redeveloped as part of a massive reinvestment in the Cadillac Community, Grand River-Greenfield, Hubbell-Lyndon and Grand River-St. The move by the city was heralded by residents and small business owners who were present at the news conference Detroit officials held outside the property announcing the lawsuit. The city is asking the court to require the owners to correct all violations or demolish the building and attached bridge plus any other structures on the property deemed dangerous. Grand River Ave., at the intersection of Grand River Avenue and Greenfield Road - formerly known as Federal Department Store - has fallen apart since its closure in the early 2000s and shows signs of neglect to the façade and clock tower, such as crumbling concrete, and a deteriorating pedestrian bridge that spans Grand River. In a lawsuit filed last week, the city said the building at 15401 W.

The city of Detroit announced Friday that it is suing the owners of the long-vacant Mammoth Building on the city's west side for failing to clean up or rehab the building and is urging the court to order demolition of the crumbling three-story eyesore. View Gallery: Detroit officials announce lawsuit against Mammoth building owners

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